Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising alternating between a first mode in which parent ions are mass analysed and a second mode in which the parent ions are subjected to Electron Capture Dissociation (“ECD”) at atmospheric pressure so as to produce fragment ions which are then mass analysed. The parent ions are associated with their fragment ions based on the times at which they were detected. This method enables parent ions to be associated with their fragment ions, even when the ECD fragmentation is performed at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A novel scanning method of a mass spectrometer apparatus is introduced so as to relate by simple time shifts, rather than time dilations, the component signal (“peak”) from each ion even to an arbitrary reference signal produced by a desired homogeneous population of ions. Such a method and system, as introduced herein, is enabled in a novel fashion by scanning exponentially the RF and DC voltages on a quadrupole mass filter versus time while maintaining the RF and DC in constant proportion to each other. In such a novel mode of operation, ion intensity as a function of time is the convolution of a fixed peak shape response with the underlying (unknown) distribution of discrete mass-to-charge ratios (mass spectrum). As a result, the mass distribution can be reconstructed by deconvolution, producing a mass spectrum with enhanced sensitivity and mass resolving power.

Abstract: A drift tube ion mobility spectrometry sample introduction scheme allows introduction of a sample packet at ground voltages. The sample packet of ionized particles is captured by subjecting particles within a defined region to an electric field at an elevated voltage. The ionized particles in the captured packet then migrate through the drift tube down the voltage gradient according to their electrical mobility. The particles are directed to a high sensitivity detector, such as a condensation particle counter (CPC), for detection.

Abstract: The larger an m/z to be adjusted, the wider a peak width which represents change in intensity in relation to change in voltage. This allows voltage step size to be increased during a search for an optimum voltage without overlooking a maximum intensity. Thus, a relational expression which gives a narrow voltage step size for a low m/z and gives a wide voltage step size for a high m/z is prestored in a voltage step information storage unit (32), an optimum voltage adjustment controller (31) finds an optimum voltage step size for the m/z to be adjusted, during automatic voltage adjustment using the stored information, and controls a power supply unit 21 so as to change a voltage applied to a first ion guide (8) stepwise. Ion intensity obtained each time the applied voltage changes is determined, and a voltage value which gives a maximum ion intensity is found and stored in an optimum voltage information storage unit (33).

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a first quadrupole rod set mass filter, a collision cell, an ion mobility spectrometer or separator, an ion guide or collision cell arranged downstream of the ion mobility spectrometer or separator, a second quadrupole rod set mass filter and an ion detector.

Abstract: Prior to multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) measurement condition optimization, an analysis operator prepares, for each precursor ion of an objective compound, two lists on a product-ion selection condition setting screen 200, i.e. a list 203 which shows ions to be preferentially selected as product ions for which the optimization needs to be performed and a list 202 which shows ions to be excluded from the optimization. When a measurement is performed, a product-ion scan measurement for the precursor ion of the objective compound is performed and a spectrum is obtained. Among the ions extracted from this spectrum, any ion registered in the excludable-ion list 202 is excluded, while any ion registered in the preferred-ion list 203 is preferentially selected as a product ion. For each combination of the m/z values of the precursor ion and the product ions thus determined, optimum conditions of the MRM measurement are searched for.

Abstract: A collision or fragmentation cell is disclosed comprising a plurality of electrodes wherein a first RF voltage is applied to an upstream group of electrodes and a second different RF voltage is applied to a downstream group of electrodes. The radial confinement of parent ions entering the collision or fragmentation cell is optimized by the first RF voltage applied to the upstream group of electrodes and the radial confinement of daughter or fragment ions produced within the collision or fragmentation cell is optimized by the second different RF voltage applied to the downstream group of electrodes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing mass spectrometry of a nanoparticle or virus analyte. Apparatus may include a laser desorption plate, a mass analyzer configured to measure mass over the range of m/z from 105 to 1010, an electrical shield surrounding the mass analyzer, and a charge sensitive detector, wherein the laser firing is phase lock synchronized with the applied radiofrequency voltages.

Abstract: Mass spectrometers and methods for measuring information about samples using mass spectrometry are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radio frequency (RF) power supply in a mass spectrometer. The power supply provides an RF signal to electrodes of a storage device to create a trapping field. The RF field is usually collapsed prior to ion ejection. In an illustrative embodiment the RF power supply includes a RF signal supply; a coil arranged to receive the signal provided by the RF signal supply and to provide an output RF signal for supply to electrodes of an ion storage device; and a shunt including a switch operative to switch between a first open position and a second closed position in which the shunt shorts the coil output.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a quadrupole rod set ion trap wherein a potential field is created at the exit of the ion trap which decreases with increasing radius in one radial direction. Ions within the on trap are mass selectively excited in a radial direction. Ions which have been excited in the radial direction experience a potential field which no longer confines the ions axially within the ion trap but which instead acts to extract the ions and hence causes the ions to be ejected axially from the ion trap.

Abstract: An ion manipulation method and device to prevent loss of ions is disclosed. The device includes a pair of surfaces. An inner array of electrodes is coupled to the surfaces. A RF voltage and a DC voltage are alternately applied to the inner array of electrodes. The applied RF voltage is alternately positive and negative so that immediately adjacent or nearest neighbor RF applied electrodes are supplied with RF signals that are approximately 180 degrees out of phase.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided that enable the interaction of low energy electrons and positrons with sample ions to facilitate electron capture dissociation (EGO) and positron capture dissociation (PGO), respectively, within multipole ion guide structures.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an ion analysis apparatus comprising an ion guide having an ion optical axis extending from an ion inlet to an ion outlet, the ion guide being configured to guide ions from the ion inlet to the ion outlet along the ion optical axis, wherein the ion guide comprises at least one extraction region located between the ion inlet and the ion outlet, the at least one extraction region being configured to extract ions moving along the ion optical axis of the ion guide in an extraction direction, the extraction direction being substantially orthogonal to the ion optical axis of the ion guide, wherein the apparatus includes ion radial confinement means that in use confine the ions in the radial direction within the ion guide.

Abstract: A linear ion trap is disclosed wherein an asymmetric voltage waveform is applied to electrodes forming the ion trap which causes ions to become radially separated according to their differential ion mobility. An axial potential barrier is arranged at the exit of the ion trap such that ions having a first differential ion mobility and a first radial displacement are retained axially within the ion trap but ions having a second differential ion mobility and a second radial displacement are ejected axially from the ion trap.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer having a mass filter which applies a transient voltage profile to accelerate ion packets. The voltage profile is chosen to have a functional form which imparts each ion species with a kinetic energy which is larger the larger the mass-to-charge ratio and a velocity which is smaller the larger the mass-to-charge ratio. The ions are detected in an ion detector which discriminates between different ion species based on their kinetic energy and taking account of the functional form of the voltage profile. Suitable voltage profiles include periodic functions such as sinusoids, triangles and sawtooths, which allow the amplification of drive pulses in the mass filter to be carried out with narrow band amplification stages, which are simple and inexpensive to construct.

Abstract: A RF only quadrupole rod set mass filter or mass analyser and a linear quadrupole ion trap with axial ejection are disclosed comprising a first pair of rod electrodes, a second pair of rod electrodes and an energy filter. The first pair of rod electrodes is longer than the second pair of rod electrodes. Ions having desired mass to charge ratios experience fringing fields at an exit region which results in the ions possessing sufficient axial kinetic energy to be transmitted by the energy filter. Other ions possess insufficient axial kinetic energy to be transmitted by the energy filter and are attenuated.

Abstract: In an MS unit, both an intensity of an ion having the highest intensity among the ions originating from a compound as the target of quantitative determination and an intensity of an isotopic ion are measured. A saturation detector determines whether or not digital data produced by an A/D converter from ion-intensity signals have reached a saturation level. A data selection controller selects the ion-intensity data showing the highest intensity when the signal is not saturated or the intensity data of the isotopic ion when the saturation has occurred or is probable to occur. When the latter data is selected, an ion intensity converter converts the intensity data into values corresponding to the intensity data of the highest-intensity ion by multiplying the intensity data by a factor calculated from a known isotopic abundance ratio.

Abstract: An ion manipulation method and device to prevent loss of ions is disclosed. The device includes a pair of surfaces. An inner array of electrodes is coupled to the surfaces. A RF voltage and a DC voltage are alternately applied to the inner array of electrodes. The applied RF voltage is alternately positive and negative so that immediately adjacent or nearest neighbor RF applied electrodes are supplied with RF signals that are approximately 180 degrees out of phase.

Abstract: An improved trap-TOF mass spectrometer has a set of electrodes arranged to produce both a quadrupolar RF confining field and a substantially homogeneous dipole field. In operation, ions are first confined by the RF field and then, at a selected time, the RF confining field is discontinued and the dipole field is used to accelerate the ions so as to initiate a TOF MS analysis. The apparatus of the present invention may be used alone or in conjunction with other analyzers to produce mass spectra from analyte ions.

Abstract: By utilizing the combination of a unique electronic ion injection control circuit in conjunction with a particularly designed drift cell construction, the instantly disclosed ion mobility spectrometer achieves increased levels of sensitivity, while achieving significant reductions in size and weight. The instant IMS is of a much simpler and easy to manufacture design, rugged and hermetically sealed, capable of operation at high temperatures to at least 250° C., and is uniquely sensitive, particularly to explosive chemicals.

Abstract: Provided are methods for determining the amount of reverse T3 in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing reverse T3 in a sample and detecting and quantifying the amount of the ion to determine the amount of reverse T3 in the sample.

Abstract: A tandem mass spectrometer and method are described. Precursor ions are generated in an ion source (10) and an ion injector (21, 23) injects ions towards a downstream ion guide (50, 60) via a single or multi reflection TOF device (30) that separates ions into packets in accordance with their m/z. A single pass ion gate (40) in the path of the precursor ions between the ion injector (21, 23) and the ion guide (50, 60) is controlled so that only a subset of precursor ion packets, containing precursor ions of interest, is allowed onward transmission to the ion guide (50, 60). A high resolution mass spectrometer (70) is provided for analysis of those ions, or their fragments, which have been allowed passage through the ion gate (40). The technique permits multiple m/z ranges to be selected from a wise mass range of precursors, with optional fragmentation of one or more of the chosen ion species.

Abstract: In eight electrodes arranged at an interval of a rotational angle of 45° around an ion optical axis, two neighboring electrodes are electrically connected together as one group, and electrodes in alternate groups are also electrically connected together. A voltage VDC+v cos ?t is applied to electrodes in alternate groups around the optical axis, and a voltage VDC?v cos ?t is applied to the other electrodes. Then, while an ion guide has the same electrode structure as that of an octupole-type ion guide, a radio-frequency electric field mainly having a quadrupole field component is formed, and the ion guide can be used as a quadrupole-type ion guide. Accordingly, only by changing the wiring for applying a voltage by using the electrodes having the same structure, ion guides of, for example, a quadrupole type and an octupole type, having different properties such as ion receiving properties and ion passing properties can be achieved.

Abstract: Person-portable mass analysis instrumentation configured to perform multidimensional mass analysis is provided. Mass analysis instrumentation can include a housing encompassing components of the instrumentation with the housing of the instrumentation defining a space having a volume of equal to or less than about 100,000 cm3. Instrument assemblies are also provided that can include a housing coupled to an instrument component isolation assembly, wherein the component isolation assembly is isolated from an environment exterior to the housing. Exemplary instrument assemblies can include at least first and second components configured to provide analysis with a housing of the instrument at least partially encompassing the first and second components and the first component being rigidly affixed to the housing. An isolation assembly can also be provided that is rigidly affixed to the second component with the isolation assembly being isolated from received inputs of the housing.

Abstract: A mass or mass to charge ratio selective ion trap is disclosed having an increased charge storage capacity. A RF voltage acts to confine ions in a first (y) direction within the ion trap. A DC voltage and/or an RF voltage acts to confine ions in a second (x) direction within the ion trap. A quadratic DC potential well acts to confine ions in a third (z) direction within the ion trap. Ions are excited in the third (z) direction and are caused to be mass or mass to charge ratio selectively ejected in the third (z) direction.

Abstract: An ion mobility separator or spectrometer is disclosed comprising an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder defining an annular volume through which ions are transmitted. Spiral electrodes a-f are arranged on a surface of the inner cylinder and/or on a surface of the outer cylinder. A first device is arranged and adapted to maintain a DC electric field and/or a pseudo-potential force which acts to urge ions from a first end of the ion mobility separator or spectrometer to a second end of the ion mobility separator or spectrometer. A second device is arranged and adapted to apply transient DC voltages to the one or more spiral electrodes in order to urge ions towards the first end of the ion mobility separator or spectrometer. The net effect is to extend the effective path length of the ion mobility separator.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein an ion signal is split into a first and second signal. The first and second signals are multiplied by different gains and are digitized. Arrival time and intensity pairs are calculated for both digitized signals and the resulting time and intensity pairs are combined to form a high dynamic range spectrum. The spectrum is then combined with other corresponding spectra to form a summed spectrum.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to perform sequential windowed acquisition of mass spectrometry data. A mass range and a mass window width parameter are received for a sample. A plurality of ions from the sample that are within the mass range are collected in an ion trap of a mass spectrometer. Two or more mass adjacent or overlapping windows are calculated to span the mass range using the mass window width parameter. Ions within each mass window are ejected from the ion trap. A mass spectrum is then detected from the ejected ions of the each mass window with a mass analyzer of the mass spectrometer, producing a collection of mass spectra for the mass range. The two or more mass windows can all have the same width, can all have different widths, or can have at least two mass windows with different widths.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for mass spectrometry analysis of microorganisms in samples.

Abstract: An abridged multipole structure for the transport and selection of ions along a central axis in a vacuum system is constructed from a plurality of rectilinear electrode structures, each having a substantially planar face with a first dimension and a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension. When a voltage is applied across the second dimension, an electrical potential is produced at the planar face whose amplitude is a linear function of position along the second dimension. Two electrode structures can be arranged parallel to each other with the first dimension extending along the central axis or more electrodes structures can be arranged to form multipole structures with various polygonal cross sections. Additional embodiments can act as linear ion traps or Paul ion traps.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry method of the present invention is such that a sample is heated to generate a gas and an ion that is produced from the gas is introduced into a mass spectrometer by using DART so that mass spectrometry is conducted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving ion mobility spectrometry by using a fast and spatially wide ion gate based on local RF field barrier opposed to a switching DC field. The improvement accelerates the ion mobility analysis and improves charge throughput and dynamic range of the IMS. The invention is particularly suited for rapid dual gas chromatography. In one important embodiment, the accelerated IMS is coupled to a multi-reflecting time-of-flight mass spectrometer with a fast encoded orthogonal acceleration. There are described methods of comprehensive and orthogonal separation in multiple analytical dimensions.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer has a pair of electrodes and midway along the drill chamber. A high field is applied between the electrodes and sufficient to modify ions in the region of the electrodes such that they move at a different rate towards the collector plate. This is used to modify the time of flight of selected ions or ion clusters and enable identification of ambiguous peaks on the IMS spectrum.

Abstract: A novel scanning method of a mass spectrometer apparatus is introduced so as to relate by simple time shifts, rather than time dilations, the component signal (“peak”) from each ion even to an arbitrary reference signal produced by a desired homogeneous population of ions. Such a method and system, as introduced herein, is enabled in a novel fashion by scanning exponentially the RF and DC voltages on a quadrupole mass filter versus time while maintaining the RF and DC in constant proportion to each other. In such a novel mode of operation, ion intensity as a function of time is the convolution of a fixed peak shape response with the underlying (unknown) distribution of discrete mass-to-charge ratios (mass spectrum). As a result, the mass distribution can be reconstructed by deconvolution, producing a mass spectrum with enhanced sensitivity and mass resolving power.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices for measuring the mobility of ions in gases at pressures of a few hectopascal. To make the device more compact, drift regions are bent into curved shapes, which extend into the third dimension. Parts of the drift region may lie above others. Alternating directions of curvature in the curved shapes balance out different path lengths by passing through approximately equal drift distances on outer and inner trajectories. Ions are held near the axis of the curved drift region by sectional or permanent focusing. One possible shape is a double loop in the shape of a figure eight. The shape extends perpendicular to its plane of projection so that several double loops lie on top of each other. RF ion funnels or ion tunnels can keep the ions near the axis. Axial focusing may use a pseudopotential radial to the axis of the curved shape.

Abstract: A quadrupole power source which applies a voltage to each electrode (2a-2d) of a quadrupole mass filter (2) receives inputs of an m/z-axis correction coefficient Mcomp1 and a V-voltage correction coefficient Vcomp1 in addition to a power supply controlling voltage Qcont according to the m/z of a target ion. Vcomp1 is a reciprocal of the ratio by which a frequency is changed, while Mcomp1 is the square of the ratio by which the frequency is changed. In a detection gain adjuster section (4C), a multiplier (421) multiplies an output Vdet? of a V-voltage adjusting amplifier (405) by Vcomp1, whereby the radio-frequency voltage produced by a radio-frequency power supply section (4A) is maintained at the same level even when the set frequency of a signal generator (411) is changed in order to tune an LC resonance circuit.

Abstract: An ion manipulation method and device is disclosed. The device includes a pair of substantially parallel surfaces. An array of inner electrodes is contained within, and extends substantially along the length of, each parallel surface. The device includes a first outer array of electrodes and a second outer array of electrodes. Each outer array of electrodes is positioned on either side of the inner electrodes, and is contained within and extends substantially along the length of each parallel surface. A DC voltage is applied to the first and second outer array of electrodes. A RF voltage, with a superimposed electric field, is applied to the inner electrodes by applying the DC voltages to each electrode. Ions either move between the parallel surfaces within an ion confinement area or along paths in the direction of the electric field, or can be trapped in the ion confinement area.

Abstract: Ions are introduced into a Kingdon ion trap in which the ions can oscillate harmonically in a potential well in the longitudinal direction, essentially decoupled from their transverse motion by a Kingdon ion guide, which can consist of a drill-hole through the wall of the ion trap housing electrodes and a central wire. An injection potential is first applied to the wire, but once the heaviest ions of interest have been injected into the trap, the potential of the wire is switched to the potential of the housing electrodes, to trap the ions in the trap. The ions introduced into the Kingdon ion trap may come from a small ion cloud, located in a Paul trap.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described to improve the separation capacity of an ion analyzer incorporating at least two stages of ion mobility analysis. The new invention utilizes possible use of different mixtures of gases and dopants in each stage, control over different concentrations of gases and dopants in each stage, and allowance of passage of the selected ions from one stage to the next while avoiding the mixing of the gases and dopants among stages. The new invention also includes a method to reduce the time required to identify the physical properties in a set of ion filters where at least one of the filters is a scannable ion mobility analyzer. The present invention also includes how to provide a set of scannable ion mobility analyzers operating in series, wherein each stage can be operated as a filter, or allowing for the passage of all ions.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method for the collective ejection of ions from a 3D RF ion trap with a ring electrode and two end cap electrodes, which comprises the following steps: (a) the RF voltage of a high-quality resonant circuit applied to the ring electrode is replaced with a second RF voltage at the two end cap electrodes which can be changed or switched faster than the high voltage at the ring electrode, keeping the ions stored, (b) the second RF voltage at the end cap electrodes is then switched down or off abruptly, releasing the ions, and (c) the released ions are ejected through an opening in one of the end cap electrodes by switching on a DC voltage on at least one of the end cap electrodes.

Abstract: An ion manipulation method and device is disclosed. The device includes a pair of substantially parallel surfaces. An array of inner electrodes is contained within, and extends substantially along the length of, each parallel surface. The device includes a first outer array of electrodes and a second outer array of electrodes. Each outer array of electrodes is positioned on either side of the inner electrodes, and is contained within and extends substantially along the length of each parallel surface. A DC voltage is applied to the first and second outer array of electrodes. A RF voltage, with a superimposed electric field, is applied to the inner electrodes by applying the DC voltages to each electrode. Ions either move between the parallel surfaces within an ion confinement area or along paths in the direction of the electric field, or can be trapped in the ion confinement area.

Abstract: Looped ionization sources for ion mobility spectrometers are described. The ionization sources can be used to ionize molecules from a sample of interest in order to identify the molecules based on the ions. In an implementation, an electrical ionization source includes a wire that is looped between electrical contacts. The wire is used to form a corona responsive to application of voltage between the wire and the walls of an ionization chamber. The corona can form when a sufficient voltage is applied between the wire and the walls. A difference in electrical potential between the wire and a wall forming an ionization chamber, in which wire is contained, can be used to draw the ions away from the wire. In embodiments, the wire can be heated to reduce the voltage used to strike the corona. The ions, subsequently, may ionize the molecules from the sample of interest. The looped corona source can also be used in mass spectrometers (MS).

Abstract: A RF only quadrupole rod set mass filter or mass analyzer and a linear quadrupole ion trap with axial ejection are disclosed comprising a first pair of rod electrodes, a second pair of rod electrodes and an energy filter. The first pair of rod electrodes is longer than the second pair of rod electrodes. Ions having desired mass to charge ratios experience fringing fields at an exit region which results in the ions possessing sufficient axial kinetic energy to be transmitted by the energy filter. Other ions possess insufficient axial kinetic energy to be transmitted by the energy filter and are attenuated.

Abstract: A method of tandem mass spectrometry is disclosed. A quasi-continuous stream of ions from an ion source (20) and having a relatively broad range of mass to charge ratio ions is segmented temporally into a plurality of segments. Each segment is subjected to an independently selected degree of fragmentation, so that, for example, some segments of the broad mass range are fragmented whilst others are not. The resultant ion population, containing both precursor and fragment ions, is analyzed in a single acquisition cycle using a high resolution mass analyser (150). The technique allows the analysis of the initial ion population to be optimized for analytical limitations.

Abstract: A device for mass selective determination of at least one ion or of a plurality of ions is used, for example, in a measuring apparatus having an ion trap. The ion trap has a ring electrode having a first opening. A first electrode is arranged at the first opening. Furthermore, an amplifier for providing a radio-frequency storage signal for the ion trap and a first transformer are provided, said first transformer being connected to the amplifier and the first electrode in such a way that the radio-frequency storage signal is coupled into the first electrode via the first transformer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for analyzing samples of molecules. The apparatus comprises a mass analysis system including a differential mobility spectrometer, which includes at least three filter electrodes defining two ion flow paths where the filter electrodes generate electric fields for passing through selected portions of the sample ions based on the mobility characteristics of the sample ions. The differential mobility spectrometer also includes a voltage source that provides DC and RF voltages to at least one of the filter electrodes to generate the electric field, a first and a second ion inlet that receive sample ions, and an ion outlet that outputs the selected portion of the sample ions. A mass spectrometer receives some or all of the selected portion of the sample ions.

Abstract: A method of processing an image charge/current signal representative of trapped ions undergoing oscillatory motion. The method includes applying a validity test to each of a plurality of peaks in the image charge/current signal in the frequency domain, wherein applying the validity test to a peak in the image charge/current signal in the frequency domain includes determining whether a phase angle associated with the peak meets a predetermined condition. The method also includes forming a new image charge/current signal that: includes data representative of one or more peaks that have passed the validity test; and excludes data representative of one or more peaks that have failed the validity test. The method may be performed by a mass spectrometry apparatus.

Abstract: Provided are methods for determining the amount of reverse T3 in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing reverse T3 in a sample and detecting and quantifying the amount of the ion to determine the amount of reverse T3 in the sample.

Abstract: An ion detector system for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion detector comprising an array of detector elements. The ion detector system is arranged to correct for tilt and non-linear aberrations in an isochronous plane of ions. The ion detector system generates separate first mass spectral data sets for each detector element and then applies a calibration coefficient to each of the first mass spectral data sets to produce a plurality of second calibrated mass spectral data sets. The plurality of second calibrated mass spectral data sets are then combined to form a composite mass spectral data set.