Abstract: A mass spectrometer capable of analysis at high speed and high accuracy comprising a device for applying a high frequency signal not containing resonance frequencies for plural precursor ions but containing resonance frequencies of other ions, and having different amplitudes on every frequencies to an electrode constituting the mass spectrometer thereby controlling the selection for the plural precursor ions, and a device for applying a high frequency signal having amplitudes set individually on every resonance frequencies of the plural precursor ions and superimposed with the resonance frequencies for the plural precursor ions to the electrode constituting the mass spectrometer thereby controlling the dissociation of the plural precursor ions, and judging the presence or absence of the aimed chemical substance based on the mass spectra of the obtained by dissociating the plural fragment ions.

Abstract: A field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer apparatus and system including a sample preparation and introduction section, a head for delivery of ions from a sample, an ion filtering section, an output part, and an electronics part wherein the filter section includes surfaces defining a flow path, further including ion filter electrodes facing each other over the flow path that enables the flow of ions derived from the sample between the electrodes and wherein the electronics part applies controlling signals to the electrodes for generating a filter field for filtering the flow of ions in the flow path while being compensated to pass desired ion species out of the filter.

Abstract: The invention provides a multipole device for a mass spectrometer system. In general, the multipole device contains a plurality of conductive rods each comprising a conductive layer, a resistive layer, and an insulative layer between the conductive and resistive layers. The invention finds use in a variety of applications, including ion transport, ion fragmentation and ion mass filtration. Accordingly, the invention may be employed in a variety of mass spectrometer systems.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer according to the present invention has an ionization source for generating ions; an ion trap for accumulating the ions; a time-of-flight mass spectrometer for performing mass spectrometry analysis on the ions by use of a flight time; a collision damping chamber disposed between the ion trap and the time-of-flight mass spectrometer and having a plurality of electrodes therein, which produce a multi-pole electric field, wherein a gas is introduced into the collision damping chamber to reduce kinetic energy of the ions ejected from the ion trap; and an ion transmission adjusting mechanism disposed between the ion trap and the collision damping chamber to allow or prevent injection of the ions from the ion trap to the collision damping chamber. The mass spectrometer provides greatly enhanced qualitative and quantitative analysis capabilities, as compared with conventional techniques.

Abstract: A vacuum ultraviolet lamp ionizes a chemical substance contained in exhaust gas Gs. The chemical substance ionized is trapped in an ion trapping apparatus in which a radio frequency electric field is formed. Energy is applied to an ion group in the ion trapping apparatus with a SWIFT waveform comprising a frequency component excluding a frequency corresponding to an orbital resonance frequency of ions of the chemical substance to remove an impurity. Energy is then applied to the ion group with a TICKLE waveform having a frequency component corresponding to the orbital resonance frequency of the ions of the chemical substance to fragmentate the ions of the chemical substance. A mass of the fragment is then measured with a mass spectrometer to identify the chemical substance.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for identifying a mixture of particles using a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FT-ICR MS). The particles are first reacted in a charge exchange reaction within the FT-ICR MS chamber using ionic partners that are chosen to discriminate among components of the mixture based on ionization potential. Mass spectra of test runs using different ionic partners may then be compared to identify components based on information gathered about both molecular mass and ionization potential.

Abstract: The invention describes an ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) mass spectrometer with an ICR trap, the ICR trap having as trapping electrodes two ion reflecting electrode structures operated by RF voltages without any DC voltage. The usual apertured ion trapping electrodes are replaced by multitudes of structural elements, electrically conducting, and repeating spatially in one or two directions of a surface, neighboring structure elements being connected each to different phases of an RF voltage. In the simplest case a grid of parallel wires can be used. The surface of such structures reflects ions of both polarities, if the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions is higher than a threshold.

Abstract: A micromechanical field asymmetric ion mobility filter for a detection system includes a pair of spaced substrates defining between them a flow path between a sample inlet and an outlet; an ion filter disposed in the path and including a pair of spaced filter electrodes, one electrode associated with each substrate; and an electrical controller for applying a bias voltage and an asymmetric periodic voltage across the ion filter electrodes for controlling the paths of ions through the filter.

Abstract: An ion trap comprises a three-dimensional, rotationally symmetric ring electrode and two cap electrodes with hyperbolic surfaces facing toward the inside of the ion trap, each of the two cap electrodes being further composed of a first hyperbolic cone electrode and a second disk electrode. The ion trap also includes a RF or periodic circuitry constructed and arranged for applying a RF or periodic voltage to the ring electrode to generate a main quadrupole field, an AC circuitry constructed and arranged for applying an AC voltage to the disk electrodes of said two cap electrodes to generate a dipole field, and a DC circuitry constructed and arranged for applying an DC voltage to the cone electrodes of the two cap electrodes to independently generate an electrically variable electrostatic octopole field in the ion trap. The ion trap is capable to achieve higher mass-resolving power, especially in higher gas pressure or lower vacuum condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for focusing a scanned ion beam in an ion implanter. A beam focusing system is provided, comprising first and second magnets providing corresponding magnetic fields that cooperatively provide a magnetic focusing field having a time-varying focusing field center generally corresponding to a time-varying beam position of a scanned ion beam along a scan direction. Methods are presented, comprising providing a focusing field having a focusing field center in the scan plane, and dynamically adjusting the focusing field such that the focusing field center is generally coincident with a time-varying beam position of the scanned ion beam along the scan direction.

Abstract: Systems and components for use in ion transfer in a mass spectrometer. The components include a body having an orifice through which ions can pass, wherein at least a portion of the body comprises titanium metal. Alternatively, the components can include an ion guide into which ions can pass, wherein at least a portion of the ion guide comprises titanium metal. The system has a source of ions for generating ions and a body having an orifice through which ions can pass, wherein at least a portion of the body comprises titanium metal.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration (FRC) magnetic topology and conversion of fusion product energies directly to electric power. Preferably, plasma ions are magnetically confined in the FRC while plasma electrons are electrostatically confined in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by the nuclear force, thus forming fusion products that emerge in the form of an annular beam. Energy is removed from the fusion product ions as they spiral past electrodes of an inverse cyclotron converter. Advantageously, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement and energy conversion system include advanced (aneutronic) fuels.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer 10 comprises an ion source 12 which generates nebulized ions which enter an ion cooler 20 via an ion source block 16. Ions within a window of m/z of interest are extracted via a quadrupole mass filter 24 and passed to a linear trap 30. Ions are trapped in a potential well in the linear trap 30 and are bunched at the bottom of the potential well adjacent an exit segment 50. Ions are gated out of the linear trap 30 into an electrostatic ion trap 130 and are detected by a secondary electron multiplier 10. By bunching the ions in the linear trap 30 prior to ejection, and by focussing the ions in time of flight (TOF) upon the entrance of the electrostatic trap 130, the ions arrive at the electrostatic trap 130 as a convolution of short, energetic packets of similar m/z. Such packets are particularly suited to an electrostatic trap because the FWHM of each packet's TOF distribution is less than the period of oscillation of those ions in the electrostatic trap.

Abstract: An ion trap comprises a three-dimensional rotationally symmetric ring electrode and two cap electrodes, the ring electrode is divided, in parallel to its central axis, into a plurality of even number, equal or larger than four, of component electrodes. The component electrodes are electrically isolated from each other, the surfaces of the two cap electrodes face toward the inside of the ion trap. A mechanism is constructed and arranged for switching the ion trap to operate between a three-dimensional quadrupole ion trap mode and a two-dimensional linear ion trap mode.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer 10 comprises an ion source 12 which generates nebulized ions which enter an ion cooler 20 via an ion source block 16. Ions within a window of m/z of interest are extracted via a quadrupole mass filter 24 and passed to a linear trap 30. Ions are trapped in a potential well in the linear trap 30 and are bunched at the bottom of the potential well adjacent an exit segment 50. Ions are gated out of the linear trap 30 into an electrostatic ion trap 130 and are detected by a secondary electron multiplier 10. By bunching the ions in the linear trap 30 prior to ejection, and by focussing the ions in time of flight (TOF) upon the entrance of the electrostatic trap 130, the ions arrive at the electrostatic trap 130 as a convolution of short, energetic packets of similar m/z. Such packets are particularly suited to an electrostatic trap because the FWHM of each packet's TOF distribution is less than the period of oscillation of those ions in the electrostatic trap.

Abstract: An improved mass spectrometer is set forth. The mass spectrometer comprises an ion injector that is configured to provide a plurality of ions for analysis and an ion selection unit that is adapted to receive the plurality of ions from the ion injector and provide only those ions having a selected mass-to-charge ratio for detection/analysis. The ion selection unit includes an outer electrode and a plurality of inner electrodes. The plurality of ions provided by the ion injector are accepted into the interstitial region between the outer electrode and the plurality of inner electrodes. A power supply system is connected to the electrodes of the ion selection chamber. The power supply system is adapted to provide an oscillating voltage to at least one of the plurality of inner electrodes to facilitate separation of ions of the selected mass-to-charge ratio from ions of non-selected mass-to-charge ratios.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for analyzing a substance takes a stream of ions in said substance and supplies the ions to a collision cell including a quadrupole rod set for guiding the ions and a buffer gas. An RF voltage is applied to the quadrupole rod set to guide ions. An additional alternating current signal is applied to the quadrupole rod set at a frequency selected to cause resonance excitation of the secular frequency of a desired ion, whereby said desired ions are excited and undergo collision with the buffer gas causing fragmentation. The alternating current signal is then modulated, whereby periods in which said alternating current signal is applied alternate with periods in which said alternating signal is not applied.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of controlling an ion population to be analyzed in a mass analyzer. Ions are accumulated for an injection time interval determined as a function of an ion accumulation rate and a predetermined desired population of ions. The accumulation rate represents a flow rate of ions from a source of ions into an ion accumulator. Ions derived from the accumulated ions are introduced into the mass analyzer for analysis.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed wherein a gas collision cell is repeatedly switched between a fragmentation and a non-fragmentation mode. Parent ions from a first sample are passed through the collision cell and parent ion mass spectra and fragmentation ion mass spectra are obtained. Parent ions from a second sample are then passed through the collision cell and a second set of parent ion mass spectra and fragmentation ion mass spectra are obtained. The mass spectra are then compared and if either certain parent ions or certain fragmentation ions in the two samples are expressed differently then further analysis is performed to seek to identify the ions which are expressed differently in the two different samples.

Abstract: An ion-trap mass analyzing apparatus having means for generating ion-capture electric fields asymmetrical with respect to a reference plane containing a central point of a ring electrode and perpendicular to a central axis of the ring electrode in the inside of an ion trap to resonantly amplify ions rapidly to emit the ions from the ion trap in a short time to thereby permit high-sensitive high-accurate mass analysis stably regardless of the structural stability of ions as a subject of analysis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enabling increased sensitivity in ion mobility spectrometry/mass spectrometry instruments which substantially reduces or eliminates the loss of ions in ion mobility spectrometer drift tubes utilizing a device for transmitting ions from an ion source which allows the transmission of ions without significant delay to an hourglass electrodynamic ion funnel at the entrance to the drift tube and/or an internal ion funnel at the exit of the drift tube. An hourglass electrodynamic funnel is formed of at least an entry element, a center element, and an exit element, wherein the aperture of the center element is smaller than the aperture of the entry element and the aperture of the exit elements. Ions generated in a relatively high pressure region by an ion source at the exterior of the hourglass electrodynamic funnel are transmitted to a relatively low pressure region at the entrance of the hourglass funnel through a conductance limiting orifice.

Abstract: An ion tunnel ion trap comprises a plurality of electrodes having apertures. The ion tunnel ion trap is preferably coupled to a time of flight mass analyser.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of discriminating singly-charged ions from multiply-charged ions by the use of an ion trap type mass spectrometer which is an inexpensive mass spectrometer. This is achieved by a mass-analyzing method using an ion trap type mass spectrometer equipped with a ring electrode and one pair of end cap electrodes to temporarily trap ions in a three-dimensional quadrupole field to mass-analyze a sample.

Abstract: Rapid and efficient fragmentation of ions in an ion trap for MS/MS analysis is achieved by a pulsed fragmentation technique. Ions of interest are placed at an elevated value of Q and subjected to a relatively high amplitude, short-duration resonance excitation pulse to cause the ions to undergo collision-induced fragmentation. The Q value of the ions of interest is then reduced before significant numbers of ion fragments are expelled from the ion trap, thereby decreasing the low-mass cutoff and allowing retention and subsequent measurement of lower-mass ion fragments.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to improve the filtering action of a quadrupole mass filter by reducing a precursor fault caused by an asymmetric electrical field between a pair of opposing electrode rods in a y-axis of the quadrupole mass filter. Processing means for processing detector data determine the filtering action of the quadrupole mass filter by checking for a precursor fault. If a precursor fault is detected then power supply control means introduce an AC potential difference across the electrode rods in the y-axis in order to reduce asymmetry in the electrical field in the y-axis.

Abstract: Multipole rod assemblies for guiding or trapping ions in a mass spectrometer. A multipole rod assembly includes a plurality of modules. Each module includes a shield element, one or more insulating elements coupled to the shield element, and one or more multipole rods mounted on the insulating elements, wherein the modules are coupled together to form the multipole rod assembly such that the multipole rods of the modules define an interior volume for guiding or trapping ions.

Abstract: There is provided a quadruple ion trap (22) of the type including a ring electrode (24) and first and second end cap electrodes (26, 28), which define a trapping volume. The end cap electrodes (26, 28) include central apertures (30) for the injection of ions or electrons into the trapping volume and for the ejection of stored ions during the analysis of a sample. Field faults in the RF trapping field are compensated by addition of a concentric recess or depression in the surface of at least one end cap (26, 28) around the aperture (30). There is also provided an ion trap mass spectrometer employing the ion trap.

Abstract: The ion activity-measuring device of the present invention is provided with a hydrophobic bridge of which portion contacting with a liquid reservoir is hydrophilic. The hydrophobic bridge is made of, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of polyester, nylon, polypropylene, rayon and polyethylene, and is produced by treating a portion contacting with the liquid reservoir with a spreading accelerator. The spreading accelerator is at least one selected from the group consisting of a surfactant and a hydrophilic polymer. There is also provided a method for producing the above ion activity-measuring device, comprising embedding nonwoven fabric in the cover plate to bond the nonwoven fabric to the cover plate.

Abstract: The presence of trace molecules in air may be determined using an ion mobility spectrometer. Such devices may be used in the fields of explosives detection, identification of narcotics, and in applications characterized by the presence of very low airborne concentrations of organic molecules of special interest. The sensitivity of such instruments may depend upon on the method of gas sampling utilized. A virtual wall gas sampling system can greatly improve the sampling efficiency, particularly when the sampling needs to be performed at a distance from the air intake and large volumes need to be sampled. The virtual wall gas sampling system consists of an intake gas flow and a separate group of one or more sheet-like gas flows, which may be either mutually deflected to move with a circular motion or may be formed into a cylindrical bounding surface.

Abstract: There is provided an ion trap mass spectrometer which can detect fragment ions having a low mass and enables high-sensitivity measurement. A mass spectrometer has an ion source generating sample ions; an ion trap having a pair of and endcap electrodes and a ring electrode and accumulating ions generated by the ion source and isolating precursor ions from the accumulated ion and dissociating the isolated precursor ions and ejecting the dissociated ions from the ion trap. A gas introduction hole is arranged in the endcap electrode or the ring electrode for introducing in intermittently-introduced bath gas therethrough into the ion trap. A detector detects the ions ejected from the ion trap. The center axis of the gas introduction hole is arranged so as to pass through a region near the center of gravity of the ion trap.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for operating a quadrupole ion trap in mass spectrometry. A calibrated resonant frequency is determined precursor ions in a first ion population in an ion trap. A frequency adjustment is determined for the precursor ions in a second ion population based on the number of ions in the second ion population. The ion trap is operated using an adjusted resonant frequency that is based on the calibrated resonant frequency and the determined frequency adjustment.

Abstract: The subject invention provides improved methods for injecting ions into a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer (QIT-MS). The methods of the subject invention are applicable to procedures involving atmospheric pressure laser desorption (AP-LD) of a sample to be investigated. Specifically, the subject invention involves controlling the pulse frequency of the laser such that the laser pulses are synchronized with changes in radiofrequency (RF) amplitude levels of the QIT-MS. Advantageously, by utilizing the methods of the subject invention it is possible to improve the accuracy and reproducibility of the results while improving duty cycle and reducing sample consumption.

Abstract: The presence of trace molecules in air may be determined using an ion mobility spectrometer. Such devices may be used in the fields of explosives detection, identification of narcotics, and in applications characterized by the presence of very low airborne concentrations of organic molecules of special interest. The sensitivity of such instruments is dependent on the method of gas sampling utilized. A cyclone sampling nozzle can greatly improve the sampling efficiency, particularly when the sampling needs to be performed at a distance from the air intake. The cyclone sampling nozzle consists of an intake gas flow and a separate coaxial emitted gas flow which is deflected to move with a circular motion.

Abstract: Heavy ions are ejected earlier than light ions sequentially at almost zero energy and they are accelerated at a fixed voltage so as to be guided to a pusher of a TOF spectrometer. After ions are ejected in a procedure of giving an electric field gradient to an ion trap and linearly decreasing its RF voltage, a condition of spatially focusing ions having all mass numbers of a single point on the pusher is found. The focused ions are vertically accelerated using the pusher to perform the TOF mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A circuit is described for applying RF and AC voltages to the elements or electrodes of an ion trap or ion guide. The circuit includes an RF transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding. The secondary winding includes at least two filars. A broadband transformer adapted to be connected to a source of AC voltage applies AC voltage across the low-voltage end of two of the filars. Another broadband transformer connected to the filars at the high-voltage end provides a combined RF and AC output for application to selected electrodes. Also described is a circuit employing a multi-filar RF transformer and broadband transformers for applying RF and AC voltages to spaced rods of a linear ion trap. Also described is a circuit employing a multi-filar RF transformer and broadband transformers for applying RF and AC voltages to the electrodes in each section of a linear ion trap of the type having a center section and end sections, and different DC voltages to the electrodes in the end sections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to analysis devices having means (3, 5, 7) for producing a plurality of ion beams of samples substantially simultaneously; mass separating means for individually mass separating each ion beam in parallel and detecting means (131-13n) for detecting said mass separated ion beams substantially simultaneously, and to methods for using such devices.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for analyzing a stream of ions first subjects astream of ions to a first mass analysis step, to select ions having a mass-to-charge ratio in a first desired range; this enables a mass analyzer with highresolution to be used. The selected ions are then passed into a radiofrequency linear ion trap containing a gas. The trapped ions are caused to collide with the gas, either by being injected with a high axial energy or by application of external excitation to cause fragmentation. Fragment ions of a given mass-to-charge ratio can then be isolated and excited to produce fragments of fragments. This process can be repeated to give multiple steps of mass spectrometry, MSn. The fragment ions, and undissociated precursorions are then passed out of the linear ion trap and subjected to a further mass analysis step, for example in a time of flight device, to determine the mass spectrum of the ions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enabling increased sensitivity in ion mobility spectrometry/mass spectrometry instruments which substantially reduces or eliminates the loss of ions in ion mobility spectrometer drift tubes utilizing an hourglass electrodynamic ion funnel at the entrance to the drift tube and/or an internal ion funnel at the exit of the drift tube. An hourglass electrodynamic funnel is formed of at least an entry element, a center element, and an exit element, wherein the aperture of the center element is smaller than the aperture of the entry element and the aperture of the exit elements. Ions generated in a relatively high pressure region by an ion source at the exterior of the hourglass electrodynamic funnel are transmitted to a relatively low pressure region at the entrance of the hourglass funnel through a conductance limiting orifice.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a miniaturized structure and associated method function as a mass spectrometer or analyzer and may, with modification, function as an ion generator. The miniaturized structure has a pair of generally planar parallel spaced electrodes which have projecting walls cooperating to define an ion generating chamber and an exit aperture. By controlling the electric field which is oriented perpendicular to an applied magnetic field, the ion beam may be separated into a plurality beams based upon mass to charge ratio with a predetermined mass to charge ratio emerging from the exit of the apparatus and when the apparatus is functioning as a mass spectrometer or analyzer impinges on an ion collector which responsively transmits information to a cooperating processor. Where it is desired to have it function as an ionizer the ion collector disposed adjacent the ion exit is eliminated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the analysis of a narrow range of fragment ions by application of a notched broadband waveform during ion accumulation within a quadrupole collision cell operated as a linear ion trap. The fragment ions are formed via the axial acceleration and collision activated dissociation of mass resolved precursor ions. A narrow band of frequencies is purposefully omitted from the spectrum, so that the secular frequency of a particular fragment ion will fall within this notch of absent frequencies and as a result will not experience resonant excitation and are retained in the linear ion trap. Simultaneously, all other ions are lost either through neutralization when they strike electrodes or through (additional) collision activated dissociation. Accordingly, a particular mass or range of masses, whose secular frequencies fall within the notch of absent frequencies in the notched broadband waveform, may be selectively accumulated during the collision activated dissociation event.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of controlling an ion population to be analyzed in a mass analyzer. Ions are accumulated for an injection time interval determined as a function of an ion accumulation rate and a predetermined desired population of ions. The accumulation rate represents a flow rate of ions from a source of ions into an ion accumulator. Ions derived from the accumulated ions are introduced into the mass analyzer for analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for irradiating ions in a ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) trap with photons and/or electrons. For electron irradiation a hollow electron emitter is used, through the hole of which a light beam can be sent into the ICR trap. The emitter generates a hollow, tubular electron beam. In a special application low energy ions within the tubular electron beam are irradiated with photons. The ions can be cyclotron-excited mass selectively, by which they enter the electron beam and interact with electrons.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a gas collision cell, reaction cell or collisional cooling cell comprising a plurality of electrodes. DC potentials are progressively applied to the cell so that ions are urged along the cell.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein ions from a pulsed ion source are dispersed in a drift region so that the ions become separated according to their mass to charge ratios. The ions are then received by an ion guide in which multiple trapping regions are created and wherein the multiple trapping regions are translated along the length of the ion guide. The ion guide receives the ions so that all the ions trapped in a particular trapping region have substantially the same or similar mass to charge ratios. The ions are released from the exit of the ion guide and the pusher/puller electrode of an orthogonal acceleration Time of Flight mass analyzer is arranged to be energised in synchronization with the ions emerging from the ion guide. The trapping regions may be translated along the ion guide with a velocity which becomes progressively slower and the delay time of the pusher/puller electrode may be progressively increased.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer having an ionization source, a ion trap mass analyzer, an ion guide and gating apparatus between the ion guide and the ion trap. The gating apparatus includes sealing apparatus. A stream of ions from the ion source are guided to through the gating apparatus in pulses to the ion trap. The number of ions in each pulse are controlled by the scaling apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method whereby ions from an ion source can be selected and transferred via a multipole analyzer by inductive detection. Ions generated at an elevated pressure are transferred by a pump and capillary system into a multipole device. The multipole device is composed of one analyzing section with two trapping sections at both sides. When the proper voltages are applied, the trapping sections trap ions within the analyzing region. The ions are then detected by two sets of detection electrodes.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer that includes an ion source, an ion trap, and a light detection module. The ion trap has two end-cap electrodes and a ring electrode. The ring electrode is positioned relative to the end-cap electrodes to confine a charged particle from the ion source within a confinement region when an audio frequency voltage having a first amplitude is applied between the ring electrode and the two end-cap electrodes. The charged particle is ejected from the ion trap when the audio frequency voltage increases to a second amplitude. The light detection module includes a light source that illuminates the ejected particle and a light detector that detects light scattered from the ejected particle.

Abstract: In order to provide an equipment that permits easy elimination of interference ions even in a low resolution mass spectrometer, the isotope mass number information and the isotope presence ratio information for each element are stored, and processing is done as is shown in FIG. 1 using such information and the measurement results, and the amount of target elemental ions is calculated by calculating and eliminating the amount of interference caused by other elemental isotopes to the target element. Because of this, when carrying out element analysis using a mass spectrometer with a relatively low resolution, the user can easily obtain the measurement result of the amount of any target elemental ions.

Abstract: Ion guides and systems and methods for involving the use of ion guides are disclosed. Briefly described, one exemplary system, among others, includes an ion guide. The ion guide includes a first structure and a second structure. The second structure is coaxially disposed within the first structure. The second structure includes at least three groups of opening the through a wall of the second structure that are distributed around a circumference of the second structure. In addition, at least one of the group of openings is offset from the other groups of openings by a multiple of a constant rotation angle around the circumference of the second structure.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer having an ionization source, a ion trap mass analyzer, an ion guide and gating apparatus between the ion guide and the ion trap. The gating apparatus includes sealing apparatus. A stream of ions from the ion source are guided to through the gating apparatus in pulses to the ion trap. The number of ions in each pulse are controlled by the scaling apparatus.