Abstract: In this invention the technology is provided for rod shaped conductor member fabrication in situ, in position, in the mass filter spatial configuration by growth through vertically repeated conduit mold formations, filling the conduit increments with to be rod material, and coalescing the growth increments as the rod length is achieved.

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: A SIFT or SIFDT apparatus in which the upstream quadrupole and the downstream quadrupole are housed within a single evacuated chamber with the upstream quadrupole being connected to the downstream quadrupole by a curved flow tube. In a preferred form the interior of the chamber is divided into sections by an electrostatic shield which shields the upstream quadrupole and source connection from the downstream quadrupole and detector.

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: The invention provides an ion trap assembly. In general terms, the ion trap assembly contains: a) a segmented linear ion trap; b) an insulator disposed around the segmented linear ion trap; and c) a bonding material for attaching and spacing the insulator and said segmented linear ion trap. The ion trap assembly is generally made by mounting an elongated conductive workpiece to a set of rigidly connected insulators using a bonding material, and cutting the elongated conductive workpiece into a plurality of rods using wire electrical discharge machining. Also provided is a mass spectrometry system containing the precision segmented linear ion trap.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention include a branched radio frequency multipole configured to act, for example, as an ion guide. The branched radio frequency multipole comprises multiple ion channels through which ions can be alternatively directed. The branched radio frequency multipole is configured to control which of the multiple ion channels ions are directed, through the application of appropriate potentials. Thus, ions can alternatively be directed down different ion channels without the use of a mechanical valve.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for effectively compensating for an unbalanced or non-zero centerline radio-frequency potential in a quadrupolar ion trap, the unbalanced centerline potential created by a compensation feature that minimizes non-linear field components created by one or more ejection slots in the ion trap. The ion trap includes a centerline that passes longitudinally through a trapping volume inside of the ion trap, a pair of Y electrodes with inner Y electrode surfaces that are approximately parallel to the centerline, and a pair of X electrodes with inner X electrode surfaces that are approximately parallel to the centerline. The X electrodes have ejection slots through which trapped ions are ejected from the ion trap. A Y signal with a Y signal amplitude is coupled to both of the Y electrodes. An X signal with an X signal amplitude is coupled to both of the X electrodes.

Abstract: A device for dynamically biasing an ion optic element, for example, in a mass spectrometer. The device includes a voltage source, a first ion optical element coupled with the voltage source, a second ion optical element resistively coupled with the first ion optical element; and a pulse generator capacitively coupled with the second ion optical element. The pulse generator is configured to apply a series of pulses to the second ion optical element. In steady state operation, a dynamic voltage bias is generated between the first ion optical element and the second ion optical element. The dynamic voltage bias is controllable by controlling the characteristics of the applied pulses, such as the pulse width, pulse amplitude, and pulse repetition rate of the applied pulses.

Abstract: Methods for applying an RF field in a two-dimensional electrode structure include applying RF voltages to main electrodes and to compensation electrodes. The voltages on the compensation electrodes may be proportional to the voltages on the main electrodes so as to optimize the RF field for processes involving ion excitation, including collision-induced dissociation. Electrode structures may include main trapping electrodes, one or more compensation electrodes, one or more ion exit apertures, and a device or circuitry for applying the various desired voltages.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of selectively extracting ions comprising the steps of: providing a supply of ions in a body of gas; generating a ponderomotive ion trapping potential generally along an axis; generating further potentials to provide an effective potential which prevents ions from being extracted from an extraction region; trapping ions in said effective potential; and selectively extracting ions of a predetermined m/z ratio or ion mobility from the extraction region; in which the characteristics of the effective potential which prevent ions from being extracted from the extraction region are caused, at least in part, by the generation of the ponderomotive ion trapping potential.

Abstract: Methods for applying an RF field in a two-dimensional electrode structure include applying RF voltages to one or more main electrodes and compensation electrodes. The voltages on the one or more compensation electrodes may be adjusted to be proportional to the voltages on the main electrodes. The adjustment(s) may be done to optimize the RF field for different modes of operation such as ion ejection and ion dissociation. For dissociation and other procedures involving ion excitation, the voltages applied to the one or more compensation electrodes may be different from the voltages applied to the one or more main electrodes. Electrode structures may include main trapping electrodes, one or more compensation electrodes, one or more ion exit apertures, and a device or circuitry for applying the various desired voltages.

Abstract: Beam detectors configuring a beam monitor are connected to a single current measurement apparatus through respective switches. If a width of a beam incident hole of each of the beam detectors 32 in the X direction is Wf, a gap between the beam incident holes of adjacent beam detectors in the X direction is Ws, a beam width of the ion beam in the X direction is Wb, a total number of beam detectors is “p”, and “n” is an integer of 0?n?(p?2) and satisfying Wb<{n·Wf+(n+1)Ws}, a measuring process of receiving the ion beam by the beam monitor and measuring the waveforms of the beam currents flowing into the current measurement apparatus in a state in which the plurality of switches skipped by “n” are simultaneously switched ON and a switching process of switching the switches simultaneously switched ON under the condition, are repeated.

Abstract: The invention provides, in various embodiments, systems and methods relating to enhancing the filtering and detection capability of ion mobility based systems by various techniques to counteract a charge buildup in the ion mobility based system.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer having an ion source section capable of creating positive ions and negative ions at high efficiency. The ion source is comprised of an ion source section for creating ions of a sample gas, a mass spectrometric section for conducting mass separation of created ions, linear RF generating multipole electrodes, magnetic fields generation means, a sample gas introduction system, a reaction gas introduction system and an electron source in which the linear RF generating multipole electrodes generate linear RF multipole electric fields. A static magnetic fields is applied in parallel on the center axis where the linear RF multipole electric fields are zero. A sample gas and a reagent gas are introduced into the ion source section. Electrons are injected for creating reaction of the positive ions or negative ions.

Abstract: A multi-channel high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) is provided. The apparatus provides for substantially simultaneous FAIMS analysis of plurality of ions from a single sample. The apparatus has a analyzer region comprising a hollow electrode, a plurality of plate electrodes positioned parallel to and distanced from the hollow electrode, a contact for applying an high voltage asymmetric waveform to the hollow electrode and a plurality of contacts for applying a compensation voltage to the plurality of plate electrodes. A method for substantially simultaneous FAIMS analysis of plurality of ions from a single sample is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to, inter alia, methods and apparatuses for electron transfer dissociation (ETD) that vary the internal energy of precursor ions for ETD. The methods and apparatuses are particularly useful in mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Amass spectrometer includes: an ion source for ionizing a specimen to generate ions, an ion transport portion for transporting the ions, a linear ion trap portion for accumulating the transported ions by a potential formed axially, and a control portion of ejecting the ions within a second m/z range different from a first m/z range, from the linear ion trap portion, and substantially at the same timing as the timing of accumulating the ions within the first m/z range from the transport portion into the linear ion trap portion. The ion transportation portion having a mass selection means for selecting the ions in the first m/z range.

Abstract: The invention relates to RF voltage-operated ion guides based on stacked apertured diaphragms. The invention provides ion guides consisting of diaphragm stacks that permit the ion beam to be shaped in cross-section so that it corresponds to the acceptance profile of the subsequent section of the device, therefore yielding optimal ion transmission. For this purpose, at least some of the diaphragms in the diaphragm stacks do not have circular openings, but instead have openings which shape the cross section of the emerging ion beam in the desired manner. It is possible, for instance, to obtain elliptical beam cross sections, divided beams or beams focused to the shape of a fine thread at the output of the diaphragm stacks.

Abstract: A dual ion trap mass analyzer includes adjacently positioned first and second two-dimensional ion traps respectively maintained at relatively high and low pressures. Functions favoring high pressure (cooling and fragmentation) may be performed in the first trap, and functions favoring low pressure (isolation and analytical scanning) may be performed in the second trap. Ions may be transferred between the first and second trap through a plate lens having a small aperture that presents a pumping restriction and allows different pressures to be maintained in the two traps. The differential-pressure environment of the dual ion trap mass analyzer facilitates the use of high-resolution analytical scan modes without sacrificing ion capture and fragmentation efficiencies.

Abstract: In a linear ion trap in which an essentially quadrupole RF electrical field is generated between at least four rod-shaped electrodes, ions may be mass-selectively ejected orthogonally to the axis. An aspect of the invention comprises compensating for field irregularities along the axis of a linear ion trap, which result, at different ejection locations, in the ejection of ions of the same masses at slightly different times, by of measuring the ions that are ejected at the different ejection locations using a number of separate detectors, and correcting, after a mass calibration of each of the mass spectra, the time shifts of the various location-dependent mass spectra during their addition to a combined spectrum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multiplexed data acquisition for gas-phase ion mobility coupled with mass spectrometry is described. Ion packets are injected into an ion mobility drift chamber at a rate faster than the ion mobility separation arrival time distribution. The convoluted arrival time distributions thus generated are deconvoluted by a mass spectrometer and post-processing algorithms.

Abstract: An improved rotating electric field ion mass spectrometer (REFIMS) provides for a smooth transition of the input ion beam from zero rotation to the desired level of field rotation. The REFIMS grid shape is changed from a fixed-diameter tunnel to that of a horn. The horn shape has a flare end with a larger entrance width that reduces the grid electric field strength to near zero and causes no abrupt deflection of the beam at the entrance, and tapers along the longitudinal z axis to a narrower width so that the field strength applied to the beam increases gradually until the correct field strength is obtained at its exit end for the desired rotation of the beam. Preferably, the horn shape in cross-section is hyperbolic, and the increase in field strength is approximately linear with distance along the z axis. The horn shaped device can provide a 2D spectral readout in which the ions are imaged on the target plane at radial positions increasing linearly with decreasing atomic mass units (amu).

Abstract: The invention provides an interface assembly for delivering an ionized analyte from an ionization apparatus into an ion mobility spectrometer. This allows analysis of biological and non-biological samples, even non-volatile solids, via differential mobility spectrometry, without fragmentation of molecules. The invention also provides portable sample analysis systems that operate at ambient pressure. Systems of the invention may be used for high molecular weight species detection, for example, drinking water contaminants, pathogenic biological agents, bio-organic substances, non-biological material, peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, polymers, bacteria, and hydrocarbons.

Abstract: In a tandem mass spectrometer means are provided for molecular activation of ions prior to fragmentation. An embodiment of a tandem mass spectrometer comprises a first collision cell receiving analyte ions having an internal energy and a second collision cell situated downstream from the first collision cell wherein the first collision cell increases the internal energy of the analyte ions prior to entry of the ions into the second collision cell, the increase in internal energy imparted in the first collision cell alone being insufficient to fragment a substantial portion of the analyte ions. Another embodiment includes a collision cell with a heating device situated adjacent to the collision cell for controlling the temperature within the collision cell.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for high throughput mass spectrometry are provided. The methods involve sample preparation in an off-line parallel purification system. Such methods include but are not limited to the use of an appropriate buffer when generating samples or the use of a solid support for tagged components. The samples prepared in this way do not then need to be column separated. The apparatus provided includes a cell growth plate for growing cells and generating products and/or reactants, an off-line parallel purification system, a mass spectrometer, and an automatic sampler that transports samples and injects them into the mass spectrometer of the apparatus. The methods and apparatus described are used, for example, in screening enzyme reaction pathways.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for effectively compensating for non-linear field components created by a field distortion feature in a quadrupolar ion trap, compensation provided by a geometric surface shaping which reduces the non-linear field components and creates a minimal centerline radio-frequency potential in the ion trap. The ion trap includes a centerline that passes longitudinally through a trapping volume inside of the ion trap, a pair of Y electrodes with inner Y electrode surfaces that are approximately parallel to the centerline, and a pair of X electrodes with inner X electrode surfaces that are approximately parallel to the centerline. The X electrodes have one or more ejection slots through which trapped ions are ejected from said ion trap. The inner Y electrode surfaces each have a Y radius of curvature, and the inner X electrode surfaces each have an X radius of curvature. The X radius of curvature is selected to be smaller than the Y radius of curvature.

Abstract: A membrane-introduction mass spectrometer (MIMS) device has a sample inlet assembly provided with a membrane held by an outer retaining ring across the entrance of a central passage, a porous metal frit backing the membrane, and a cylindrical support piece supporting the frit. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane is a 10-micron thickness layer of silicone evenly coated upon an inert polymer backing material. The porous frit is a titanium or steel sponge metal. The cylindrical support piece is made of titanium with small, drilled thru-holes to allow passage of gases and volatile organics into the mass spectrometer. The sample inlet assembly includes a high-pressure temperature probe for sensing fluid temperature to correct for temperature variations in membrane diffusion rates. The sample inlet assembly is provided as a front end to an underwater sampling probe.

Abstract: An ion resonance condition is corrected accurately in an ion trapping device. Measurements are repeated by alternately applying and not applying a resonance frequency voltage while spectral data is obtained continuously. Data obtained in the absence of the resonance frequency voltage is used as reference data to correct the set data of a resonance condition. As a result, calibration can be made while taking into consideration the variations in the amount of ions that are introduced into the ion trap.

Abstract: An electrode network for N parallel ion traps, wherein N is an integer larger than 1, includes at most 2N+2 electrodes, which form N trapping volumes each corresponding to a respective one of the N parallel ion traps. Also provided is a parallel mass spectrometer, comprising: a vacuum chamber and a network of at most 2N+2 electrodes disposed in the vacuum chamber and held in fixed positions with respect to each other, the network of electrodes forming N trapping volumes each corresponding one of N parallel ion traps. The network of electrodes may be arranged in first and second rows of electrodes. A plurality of detectors is positioned to receive ions ejected from the trapping volumes through spaces between adjacent electrodes in the first row of electrodes.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer that is switchable to operate as a linear trap or as a mass filter, and attaining both high ejection efficiency when operated as a linear trap and high mass resolving power when operated as a mass filter. A mass spectrometer includes an ion source for ionizing a sample, a linear trap quadrupole rod lens supplied with ionized ions, a trap electrode for forming a potential to trap the supplied ions between one end of the quadrupole lens and the other end, a control unit to regulate the trap lens voltage, and a mass analyzer or detector to detect ions ejected from the linear trap, and characterized in switching between an operation where the supplied ions are trapped in a section quadrupole rod lens and ejected by the controller unit regulating the trap electrode voltage; and an operation where ions are selective passed through according to their mass.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for separating ions including a plurality of first electrode portions, each first electrode portion of the plurality of first electrode portions having a first length and an outer surface that is at least partially curved in a direction transverse to the first length. The apparatus also includes a plurality of second electrode portions arranged in an alternating sequence with the plurality of first electrode portions, each second electrode portion of the plurality of second electrode portions having a second length and an outer surface that is curved in a direction transverse to the second length, a space between the outer surface of a first electrode portion and the outer surface of an adjacent second electrode portion defining a portion of an analytical gap for separating ions.

Abstract: A combination electrospray/microwave induced plasma (MIP) ionization source is used as the ionization source for a mass spectrometer. The electrospray can be operated in positive mode, negative mode, or it can be switched off. The microwave-induced plasma can also be switched on or off. This allows the instrument to be operated in multiple modes. With the electrospray off and the MIP on, the instrument will normally have its maximum elemental sensitivity. Mixed mode operation potentially allows the determination of additional information about the chemical constituents present in the analyte. In pure electrospray mode, it is possible to obtain molecular information and to analyze organic compounds.

Abstract: In a method for increasing the kinetic energy of an ion in a linear electrode structure, axial motion of the ion is constrained substantially to a selected axial end the electrode structure. The ion is driven to move axially from the selected end toward the other end and to reflect back toward the selected end. Constraining may be effected by adjusting one or more DC voltages applied to the ends and a central region of the electrode structure to create an axial potential well in the selected end. Driving may be affected by adjusting the DC voltage applied to the selected end to a magnitude greater than the value applied during the constraining step. The constraining and driving steps may be repeated a number of times. The method may be performed in connection with collision-induced dissociation.

Abstract: A desired ion is isolated in an ion trapping volume by applying an ion isolation signal to a plurality of ions in the ion trapping volume, including the desired ion to be retained in the ion trapping volume and an undesired ion to be ejected from the ion trapping volume. The ion isolation signal includes a plurality of signal components spanning a frequency range. The plurality of signal components includes a first component having a frequency near a secular frequency of the desired ion, and an adjacent component having a frequency adjacent to the frequency of the first component. The first component has an amplitude greater than the amplitude of the adjacent component.

Abstract: There is provided an ion-mobility spectrometer. This apparatus includes the following configuration components: An ion source for generating first ions, a first drift unit for separating the first ions by flight drift times, an ion dissociation unit for generating second ions by dissociating the first ions separated, and a second drift unit for separating the second ions by flight drift times. Moreover, the first drift unit, the ion dissociation unit, and the second drift unit are located inside a chamber whose pressure is set at 10 mTorr or higher. This apparatus allows execution of low-cost and high-resolving-power ion separation and detection.

Abstract: A linear trap having high ejection efficiency and low ejection energy is realized. In a mass spectrometer in which ion generated by an ion source are introduced to a quadrupole rod structure applied with RF voltage and ejected from the quadrupole rod structure so as to be detected by a detection mechanism, a mass dependent potential is formed in the axial direction of the quadrupole rod structure and ions are ejected mass selectively from the vicinity of a minimum point of the potential, the mass dependent potential being formed by applying electrostatic voltage and RF voltage to an insertion electrode inserted in the quadrupole rods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybird ion guide which combines the advantages of the conventional electrostatic ion guide and the RF ion guide, comprising an electrostatic ion guide for transmitting the injected ions and applying a voltage for the ions to be focused upon the center axis of the ion transmission direction, and an RF ion guide which is connected to the electrostatic ion guide and passes the ions focused upon the center of the axis of the ion transmission direction. From the constitution of the hybrid ion guide, ion transmission efficiency can be improved.

Abstract: An ion focusing and conveying device 10 comprises a plurality of electrodes 12 in series. Means is provided to apply a first alternating voltage waveform to each electrode 12, the phase of the alternating voltage in the first waveform is applied to each electrode 12 in the series being ahead of the phase of the first alternating voltage waveform applied to the preceding electrode 12 in the series by less than 180°, preferably by 90° or less, such that ions are focused onto an axis of travel and impelled along the series of electrodes 12.

Abstract: A virtual ion trap that uses electric focusing fields instead of machined metal electrodes that normally surround the trapping volume, wherein two opposing surfaces include a plurality of uniquely designed and coated electrodes, and wherein the electrodes can be disposed on the two opposing surfaces using plating techniques that enable much higher tolerances to be met than existing machining techniques.

Abstract: Octapole Ion Trap Mass Spectrometers and Related Methods. A mass spectrometer according to one embodiment can include first and second endcap electrodes, first and second outer ring electrodes, and a central ring electrode. The first outer ring electrode can be positioned downstream of the first endcap electrode. The central ring electrode can be positioned downstream of the first outer ring electrode. The second outer ring electrode can be positioned downstream of the central ring electrode. The second endcap electrode can be positioned downstream of the second outer ring electrode. The mass spectrometer can also include a radio frequency (RF) signal supply operable to apply an RF signal to the first and second outer ring electrodes to thereby generate a substantially octapolar field for trapping charged particles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for isolation of selected ions of interest in a 2-D ion trap is provided. The 2-D ion trap of the invention has an octopole field which is obtained by modification of the electrodes, modification of the positioning of the electrodes or both. The 2-D ion trap of the invention also includes a means for forcing ion motion in the ion trap in a first and a second direction independently and sequentially.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring cell for an ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FTMS). The invention provides a measuring cell which, on the one hand, consists of two ion-repelling RF grids at the front ends as trapping electrodes and thus produces a pure cyclotron motion of the ions without the usually co-existing magnetron motion and, on the other hand, measures a multiplied cyclotron frequency by means of a plurality of detection electrodes, whereby either a higher mass accuracy or a shorter measuring time can be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing ions from an electrospray assembly. The apparatus comprises an ionization chamber, an electrospray assembly, an isolating electrode, an isolated ionization region within the ionization chamber and optionally, a vacuum interface at a vacuum interface voltage and a vacuum chamber. Sample is introduced into the ionization chamber from an electrospray assembly and transported to an electric field region that is isolated from the electric field created by the electrospray assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for chromatographic high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry, including a gas chromatographic analyzer section intimately coupled with an ionization section, an ion filter section, and an ion detection section, in which the sample compounds are at least somewhat separated prior to ionization, and ion filtering proceeds in a planar chamber under influence of high field asymmetric periodic signals, with detection integrated into the flow path, for producing accurate, real-time, orthogonal data for identification of a broad range of chemical compounds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trapping or guiding ions is provided. The ion trap or ion guide includes a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes, the first set of electrodes defining a first portion of an ion channel to trap or guide the introduced ions. In operation, periodic voltages are applied to electrodes in the first set of electrodes to generate a first oscillating electric potential that radially confines the ions in the ion channel, while periodic voltages are applied to electrodes in the second set of electrodes to generate a second oscillating electric potential that axially confines the ions in the ion channel.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for effectively compensating for an unbalanced or non-zero centerline radio-frequency potential in a quadrupolar ion trap, the unbalanced centerline potential created by a compensation feature that minimizes non-linear field components created by one or more ejection slots in the ion trap. The ion trap includes a centerline that passes longitudinally through a trapping volume inside of the ion trap, a pair of Y electrodes with inner Y electrode surfaces that are approximately parallel to the centerline, and a pair of X electrodes with inner X electrode surfaces that are approximately parallel to the centerline. The X electrodes have ejection slots through which trapped ions are ejected from the ion trap. A Y signal with a Y signal amplitude is coupled to both of the Y electrodes. An X signal with an X signal amplitude is coupled to both of the X electrodes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for trapping, manipulation and transferring ions along RF and DC potential surfaces and through RF ion guides. Potential wells are formed near RF-field generating surfaces due to the overlap of the radio-frequency (RF) fields and electrostatic fields created by static potentials applied to surrounding electrodes. Ions can be constrained and accumulated over time in such wells. During confinement, ions may be subjected to various processes, such as accumulation, fragmentation, collisional cooling, focusing, mass-to-charge filtering, spatial separation ion mobility and chemical interactions, leading to improved performance in subsequent processing and analysis steps, such as mass analysis. Alternatively, the motion of ions may be better manipulated during confinement to improve the efficiency of their transport to specific locations, such as an entrance aperture into vacuum from atmospheric pressure or into a subsequent vacuum stage.

Abstract: An ion trap mobility spectrometer calibration system and method wherein the maximum response of the spectrometer is determined. A quantity Q0 is chosen representing a response which is a predetermined percentage of the maximum response. Input to the ion trap mobility spectrometer are at least two known quantities Q1 and Q2 of an analyte, which have a predetermined relationship with Q0. The responses corresponding to R1 and R2 of the ion trap mobility spectrometer are observed based on the respective inputs of quantities Q1 and Q2. R1, R2, and Q1 and Q2 are then used to calculate the calibration constants in an equation describing a curve where the response of the ion trap mobility spectrometer is a function of the quantity of the analyte input therein. The calculated calibration constants are input to thereafter determine, from the response, the quantity of a detected analyte based on the equation.

Abstract: A multi-device interface for use in mass spectrometry for interfacing one or more ion sources to one or more downstream devices. The multi-device interface comprises three or more multipole rod sets configured as either an input rod set or an output rod set depending on potentials applied to the multipole rod sets. The multipole rod sets configured as an input rod set are connectable to the one or more ion sources for receiving generated ions therefrom and sending the ions to at least one multipole rod set configured as an output multipole rod set. The output multipole rod sets are connectable to a downstream device for sending the generated ions thereto. At least two of the multipole rod sets are configured as input rod sets or at least two of the multipole rod sets are configured as output rod sets.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the reaction between ions of opposite polarity is disclosed. The method includes exposing a population of ions to a resonance excitation frequency during a mass-to-charge altering reaction between a first subpopulation of ions and a second subpopulation of ions, the resonance excitation frequency being tuned to inhibit the mass-to-charge altering reaction between an ion of the first subpopulation of ions having a predetermined mass-to-charge ratio and an ion of the second subpopulation of ions so that when an ion of the first subpopulation of ions attains the predetermined mass-to-charge ratio, the ion having the predetermined mass-to-charge ratio is selectively inhibited from reacting with ions of the second subpopulation of ions.