СПЕКТРОМЕТРЫ ПОДВИЖНОСТИ ИОНОВ

Заявленное изобретение относится к спектрометрам подвижности ионов. Заявленное устройство имеет реакционную область, отделенную от области электростатическим затвором. В реакционную область подается легирующее вещество из контура легирования, а дрейфовая область не легируется. В дрейфовой области установлены друг за другом два модификатора ионов, создающих сильное поле. Может быть включен один модификатор для удаления аддуктов легирования из ионов или могут быть включены оба модификатора, чтобы ионы также подвергались фрагментации. Техническим результатом является возможность получения нескольких разных ответных сигналов, дающих дополнительную информацию о природе анализируемого вещества и позволяющих отличить его от посторонних примесей. 7 з.п. ф-лы, 1 ил.

СПЕКТРОМЕТРЫ ПОДВИЖНОСТИ ИОНОВ

... 1. Спектрометр подвижности ионов, имеющий дрейфовую область (20) и реакционную область (5), отличающийся тем, что он выполнен с возможностью легировать реакционную область (5) реакции без легирования дрейфовой области (20) и содержит по меньшей мере два работающих выборочно модификатора (30 и 31) ионов, расположенных один за другим вдоль траектории ионов так, что по меньшей мере один из них при работе удаляет из ионов аддукты легирования. ! 2. Спектрометр по п.1, отличающийся тем, что по меньшей мере один из модификаторов (30, 31) ионов выполнен с возможностью создания электрического поля, достаточно сильного для фрагментации ионов. ! 3. Спектрометр по п.1, отличающийся тем, что по меньшей мере один из модификаторов ионов выполнен с возможностью повышения температуры до уровня, достаточного для фрагментации ионов. ! 4. Спектрометр по любому из пп.1-3, отличающийся тем, что включает канал (32) для протекания отфильтрованного газа через дрейфовую область (20) для удаления из нее любого легирующего ...

Verfahren zum Trennen von Ionen und Ionenmobilitätstrennungsvorrichtung

Verfahren zum Trennen von Ionen, wobei das Verfahren umfasst: Bewirken, dass Ionen in ein Einfanggebiet einer Ionenfalle (25, 100, 200) entlang einer ersten Achse (35, 235) des Einfanggebiets eintreten; Speichern der Ionen in dem Einfanggebiet für eine Zeitperiode, bis die Ionen aus der Falle emittiert werden sollen; Lenken eines Gasstrahls (70, 270) während der Zeitperiode entlang der ersten Achse (35, 235); und Anlegen während der Zeitperiode eines elektrischen Potentialgradienten in der Richtung der ersten Achse (35, 235), um eine entgegenwirkende elektrische Kraft zu der Kraft von dem Gasstrahl zu erzeugen, so dass Ionen einer bestimmten Ionenmobilität an einem bestimmten Punkt auf diesem Potentialgradienten im Gleichgewicht sind, wo diese beiden Kräfte einander aufheben, um eine Trennung der Ionen im Raum auf der Basis ihrer Ionenmobilität während der Zeitperiode zu bewirken, wobei alle Partikel des Gasstrahls (70, 270) einen Bewegungsvektor mit einer dominanten Richtungskomponente ...

Partikelmesssystem

Da sich die Relation zwischen einem Messsignal eines Partikelmesssystems und der Partikelmenge je nach den spezifischen Betriebsbedingungen eines Verbrennungsmotors und eines Fahrzeugs ändert, sinkt die Messgenauigkeit. Eine dieses Problem lösende Partikelmengenbestimmungsvorrichtung eines Partikelmesssystems korrigiert das Messsignal bzw. die anhand des Messsignals bestimmte Partikelmenge auf Grundlage eines oder mehrerer Betriebsbedingungsparameter aus einer Auswahl von drei Betriebsbedingungsparameter, nämlich Geschwindigkeit des Fahrzeugs, Drehzahl des Verbrennungsmotors und Drehmoment des Verbrennungsmotors.

Ionenfragmentierung durch Elektronentransfer in Ionenfallen

Die Erfindung betrifft Verfahren und Gerät für die Fragmentierung von großen Molekülen, vorzugsweise Biopolymeren, durch Reaktionen zwischen mehrfach positiv und negativ geladenen Ionen in Hochfrequenz-Quadrupol-Ionenfallen nach Wolfgang Paul. Es finden in diesen Reaktionen teilweise Elektronentransfer-Reaktionen mit anschließender Dissoziation der Biopolymere statt und teilweise Reaktionen mit Verlust eines Protons, die zu stabilen Produktionen führen. Aus Untersuchungen in linearen Hochfrequenz-Ionenfallen (2-D-Ionenfallen) ist bekannt, dass die Reaktionen durch Elektronentransfer (ETD) zu einer Fragmentierung führen, die für Zwecke der Sequenzierung der Biopolymere besonders günstige Bruchstückionen bildet. DOLLAR A Die Erfindung besteht darin, dreidimensionale Hochfrequenz-Quadrupol-Ionenfallen (3-D-Ionenfallen) für die Reaktionen zwischen positiven und negativen Ionen zu verwenden. Entgegen Aussagen in bisherigen Veröffentlichungen finden Reaktionen mit Elektronentransfer auch in 3 ...

Introducing ions into Kingdon ion traps

An electrostatic Kingdon ion trap is arranged to provide a DC field between outer housing electrodes 10a and 10b and inner electrodes 11 and 12, the electrodes being shaped so that ions can harmonically oscillate in a longitudinal direction (Z), independently of their transverse motion. Ions are introduced into the Kingdon trap via a narrow entrance tube 13 extending through the outer housing electrodes, the tube 13 being located outside the minimum of the trap's potential well in the longitudinal direction. The tube is electrically insulated from the housing electrodes and is kept at a potential which differs from the potential of the outer electrodes to such a degree that the ions leaving the tube cannot reach the housing electrodes anywhere apart from the location of the entrance tube. Once the heaviest ions of interest have been introduced, the entrance tube 13 is switched to the potential of the housing electrodes 10a and 10b.

Method of processing mass spectrometry data

A method of processing Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry (FTMS) data comprises generating a first spectrum from a first set of mass spectrometry data obtained in the time domain, in respect of a mass to charge ratio (m/z) range. Generating a second spectrum from a second set of mass spectrometry data obtained in the time domain, different from the said first set of mass spectrometry data. Correlating the first spectrum with the second spectrum so as to identify peaks common to each spectrum. The number of 'false' peaks resulting from random noise has been found to correlate to the resolution. As any noise will be random, false peaks should occur at different places in the two partial transforms.

Method and apparatus for mass spectrometry

A collimated ion beam is directed along an ion path from an ion source 10 to an ion detector 80. A portion of the ion beam is caused to make contact with one or more surfaces 60 prior to reaching the ion detector 80, wherein the method comprises providing a coating on and/or heating the one or more surfaces 60 to reduce variation in their surface patch potentials, i.e. local perturbations of the surface voltage. The method is applicable to multi-reflection time-of-flight (MR TOF) mass spectrometry along with other methods of mass spectrometry.

Personalised mass spectrometer

Mass spectrometer

Method and apparatus for filling a target volume with ions of different masses

Thermoplastic compositions for marking roads etc

A mass spectrometer comprising an ion guide located downstream of an ion mobility spectrometer

A mass spectrometer comprising an ion guide 6 located downstream of an ion mobility spectrometer or separator 4. Ions exiting the mobility separator 4 become confined within a plurality of separate axial potential wells formed within the ion guide 6; the potential wells are then translated along the length of said ion guide. The potential wells maintain the fidelity and/or composition of ions received from the ion mobility spectrometer. The ion guide 6 may comprise a segmented multipole rod set, an ion tunnel or ion funnel, or a stack or array of planar, plate or mesh electrodes; while the potential wells may be created by applying at least one transient DC voltage or DC voltage waveform, or two or more phase-shifted AC or RF voltages, to the ion guide.

Mass spectrometer

Analytical apparatuses and methods

Method of processing mass spectrometry data

Mass spectrometer

Mass spectrometer

Mass spectrometer

Ion fragmentation by reaction with excited neutral particles

A method for the fragmentation of analyte ions 6 comprises causing the analyte ions 6 to react with excited or radical neutral particles 8. In the case of bombardment of analyte ions with helium atoms from an FAB generator (9-14), a new type of fragmentation occurs which strongly resembles fragmentation by electron capture (ECD). The reactions may be performed in magnetic ion traps (ion cyclotron resonance cells, ICR), in RF ion traps according to Wolfgang Paul, in RF ion guides, or in free beams of analyte ions or neutral particles. In an another embodiment the invention comprises a mass spectrometer which utilise the above fragmentation technique.

Determining the arrival times of ions at an ion detector

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed wherein voltage signals from an ion detector are analysed. A second differential of each voltage signal is obtained and the start and end times of observed voltage peaks are determined. The intensity and average time of each voltage peak is then determined and the intensity and time values are stored. An intermediate composite mass spectrum is then formed by combining the intensity and time values which relate to each voltage peak observed from multiple experimental runs. The various pairs of time and intensity data are then integrated to produce a smooth continuum mass spectrum. The continuum mass spectrum may then be further processed by determining the second differential of the continuum mass spectrum. The start and end times of mass peaks observed in the continuum mass spectrum may be determined. The intensity and mass to charge ratio of each mass peak observed in the continuum mass spectrum may then determined. A final discrete mass spectrum ...

Radio frequency transformer

A radio frequency (RF) transformer 400 comprises at least one transformer core 430 where each transformer core 430, 440 comprises at least one magnetically closed path core component mounted on an electrically conductive tube 432, 442 and at least one wire winding 415, 451 passing through each tube of the transformer 400 at least once. Primary and secondary windings may pass through each conductive tube and a conductive tube may be an auxiliary primary shorting winding. The RF transformer may be used for supplying power, as part of a tank circuit, to ion optical devices used in mass spectrometry. The primary side of the transformer may have a main winding which receives an RF input and a shorting winding. The secondary side of the transformer may have a first winding inductively coupled to the main winding and a second winding coupled to the shorting winding. The resonant frequency of the tank circuit may be changed by switching the shorting winding between a shorting condition and a non-shorting ...

Mass spectrometer

Device for adjusting slit widths in spectrometers

Slit means in spectrometers for the analysis of organic and inorganic substances, in particular in mass spectrometers, have hitherto been controlled for varying the slit widths by connecting them in a suitable manner to a metallic wire, through which an electric current flowed, under the influence of which the wire heats up and changes its length. The slit or diaphragm means connected to the wire were then displaced relative to the beam path. It is a great disadvantage that the diaphragms follow a change of the current for controlling the slit widths with a relatively long time delay, which is unacceptable for various types of measuring operation, in particular types of measuring operation under data system control. To eliminate this disadvantage, a device (11) is proposed which has at least one movable slit jaw (12) which is movable to and fro, substantially perpendicular to the beam path (16) and without delay, by a piezo-electric element (14).

A mass spectrometer

A mass spectrometer comprises a first ion trap 200 forming a linear or curved potential well (e.g. a C-trap), a second ion trap 400 forming an annular potential well (e.g. an electrostatic orbital ion trap), and a lens stack 300 for directing ions from the first ion trap to the second ion trap. The lens stack and second ion trap are held respectively in first and second cavities (51, 52) of a unitary insert 50 which is inserted within a housing 10. The housing may comprise a plurality of separate regions (4, 6, 8) which are sealed from one another when in contact with the insert and evacuated to different pressures. In another aspect, a mass analyser 400 is mounted to a support structure 900 at a first end 470 whilst the second end 480 is free. This reduces stiction which can occur with temperature change due to differing thermal expansion. The support structure may form part of the insert or the housing.

A method for controlling the mass filter in a hybrid IMS/MS system

A method for acquiring as many fragment mass spectra of selected substances, e.g. proteins, of complex mixtures as possible using a hybrid mass spectrometric system which comprises an ion source, an ion mobility separator, a mass filter, a fragmentation cell, and a mass analyzer. The fragment mass spectra are used for identifying the substances by their fragment mass spectra. The method controls the dwell time of the mass filter and adapts the dwell time to the length of the ion mobility signal in a mass-mobility map.

Ion trap for cooling ions

Ion guiding device

Automated cleanliness diagnostic for mass spectrometer

Mass spectrometer

Vacuum interface

Mass spectrometer

Bench-top time of flight mass spectrometer

Voltage stabilizer for sources with unacceptable output variation

A voltage stabilizer assembly includes a power supply, a device, and a voltage stabilizer. The device is connected to the power supply, wherein the device performance is affected based on the regulation of its power source. The voltage stabilizer is connected between the device and the power supply. The voltage stabilizer includes a low pass filter connected to an output of the power supply and a buffer receiving its input from the low pass filter, the buffer receiving power from the power supply, and the output of the buffer connected to the device.

MASS SPECTROMETER

MASS SPECTROMETER

Method of characterization of visible and/or sub-visible particles in biologics

A method for characterizing or quantifying one or more proteins in visible and/or sub-visible particles formed in a sample by detecting the at least one visible or sub-visible particle in the sample, isolating and capturing the at least one visible or sub-visible particle to identify a presence of a protein, and using a mass spectrometer to characterize the protein.

ION DETECTION

An electrostatic ion trapping device comprises a trapping field generator, a detection arrangement, a shielding conductor and a controller. The trapping field generator provides a trapping field defining an ion trapping volume in which ions are confined. The detection arrangement detects an image current from ions trapped in the ion trapping volume using a plurality of detection electrodes. The shielding conductor is positioned between first and second detection electrodes, and the controller applies a voltage to the shielding conductor based on an image current detected by at least one of the plurality of detection electrodes.

ION MOBILITY SPECTROMETERS

An ion mobility spectrometer has a reaction region separated from a drift region by an electroststic gate. A doping circuit supplies a dopant to the reaction region but the drift region is undoped. Two high field ion modifiers are located one after the other in the drift region. One modifier can be turned on to remove dopant adducts from the admitted ions or both can be turned on so that the ions are also fragmented. In this way, several different responses can be produced to provide additional information about the nature of the analyte substance and distinguish from interferents.

SEGMENTED PLANAR CALIBRATION FOR CORRECTION OF ERRORS IN TIME OF FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETERS

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.

Method and apparatus for determining a mobility of ions

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (1) for determining a mobility of ions. The method includes the steps of modulating an ion beam (6) with an ion gate (2) which is controlled by a modulation function for generating a modulated ion beam, of guiding the modulated ion beam through a drifting region (3), of measuring a signal of the modulated ion beam after the modulated ion beam has passed the drifting region (3) and of calculating a correlation of the modulation function and the signal in order to determine the mobility of the ions. The apparatus (1) includes the ion gate (2), the drifting region (3) through which the modulated ion beam is guidable, a detector (4) by which the signal of the modulated ion beam is measurable after the modulated ion beam has passed the drifting region (3) and a calculation unit (5) by which the correlation of the modulation function and the signal is caiculable in order to determine the mobility of the ions. An autocorrelation of the modulation ...

Mass spectrometer

Focusing ionization device and mass spectrometer

The present invention provides a focusing ionization device which includes a ball having a surface with a plurality of dimples, and a corona discharge needle located at a side of the ball. The focusing ionization device is adapted for being disposed inside a mass spectrometer in a way that the ball is located at a spray path of gaseous analytes and the corona discharge needle is adjacent to an inlet of a mass analyzer. When the gaseous analytes pass through the ball, the gaseous analytes can be gathered around the corona discharge needle and then ionized into analyte ions, which in turn flow into the mass analyzer. Therefore, the focusing ionization device of the present invention can effectively enhance the amount of the analyte ions which flow into the mass analyzer, thereby improving ion transmission efficiency, increasing signal intensity, lowering the limit of detection (LOD), and minimizing the error of detection.

ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION, APPARTUSES, AND METHODS

Sample analysis apparatuses are disclosed that can include processing circuitry configured to acquire one data set from an analysis component configured according to one analysis parameter set, and prepare another analysis parameter set using another previously acquired data set. Sample analysis methods are also disclosed that can include acquiring first and second data sets from an analysis component and using the process and control component to process the first data set to prepare a second analysis component parameter set. Sample analysis instruments are disclosed that can include processing circuitry coupled to a storage device with the storage device including analysis component parameter sets associated with data parameter values with individual ones of the analysis component parameter sets being associated with individual ones of the data parameter values.

LOW TEMPERATURE PLASMA PROBE AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

The present invention generally relates to a low temperature plasma probe for desorbing and ionizing at least one analyte in a sample material and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, the invention generally relates to a low temperature plasma probe including: a housing having a discharge gas inlet port, a probe tip, two electrodes, and a dielectric barrier, in which the two electrodes are separated by the dielectric barrier, in which application of voltage from a power supply generates a low temperature plasma, and in which the low temperature plasma is propelled out of the discharge region by the electric field and/or the discharge gas flow.

Method for linearization of ion currents in a quadrupole mass analyzer

A method for linearizing the sensitivity of a quadrupole mass spectrometric system to allow the sensor to more accurately report partial pressures of a gas in high pressure areas in which the reported data is effected by a number of loss mechanisms. According to the invention, correction factors can be applied empirically or software in a quadrupole mass analyzer system can be equipped with correcting software to expand the useful range of the mass spectrometer.

Ion transfer device for mass spectrometry

An ion transfer device for transferring ions from one chamber to another, reduced-pressure chamber includes an inlet section and a main capillary section. The inlet section has a lumen and the main capillary section has a bore communicating with the lumen. The inside diameter of the lumen is less than that of the bore. The inlet section may be removable from an installation site separately from the main capillary section. The ion transfer device may be utilized, for example, in an atmospheric-pressure interface of a mass spectrometer.

FD POWER SOURCE EMITTER CURRENT CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR MASS SPECTROMETER

PURPOSE: To prevent the collection of unnecessary data, by holding the emitter current when the considering ion peak will exceed over free setting then starting the data sampling of a data processor on the basis of their output. CONSTITUTION: Prior to the starting of measurement the mass peak number and the data sampling times are previously stored, and when reaching to said stred mass peak number a hold signal is provided from a data processor 17 to a field desorption power source emitter current control circuit 50 to hold the current supply to an emitter 1 constant by said signal, while only the mass specter at this time is sampled to the data memory area thereby the operator can sample only the required mass specter to the data memory in the data processor 17 without monitoring the mass peak. In the drawing (12) is an ion source, (13) is an electric field, (14) is a magnetic field, (15) is a hole element and (16) is a detector. COPYRIGHT: (C)1982,JPO&Japio ...

SLIT MECHANISM OF MASS SPECTROMETER

PURPOSE: To obtain a slit mechanism of a mass spectrometer which is effective as an auxiliary means of the initial sensitivity resolution adjustment by allowing the position and shape of an ion beam to be directly observed. CONSTITUTION: A fluorescent plate 2 is fixed to a slit plate 3, and an optical fiber bundle 1 with one end stuck to the rear of the fluorescent plate 2 is introduced outside through the interior of a stanchion 4. Normally, the position of the stanchion 4 is adjusted so that the center of a slit 9 coincides with the orbit of an ion beam for use as a normal slit, but during the sensitivity resolution adjustment, the position of the stanchion 4 is changed with a height adjusting knob 5 so that the center of the cross mark 12 of the fluorescent plate 2 coincides with the position of the ideal orbit of the ion beam, and adjustment is made while observing an image displayed on the outer end surface of the optical fiber bundle 1 so that the center of the cross section image ...

Ionizing apparatus

Gating element in ion mobility spectrometers

A gating element for switching or modulating the ion current in ion mobility spectrometers (IMS), particularly in miniature IMS operated at atmospheric pressure. A layered plate with apertures is used as the gating element, comprising at least three electrodes and two insulating (or low-conductivity) layers arranged alternately, which are firmly bonded with each other. The apertures are preferably circular, square or hexagonal, with a diameter between 50 and 500 micrometres. Two potential generators 40,42 may supply fixed potentials to the outer electrodes, whilst a third generator 41 supplies a variable potential to the inner electrode. The layer thicknesses and aperture shapes may be chosen such that a transmission curve with a linear section for interference free modulation of the ion current is obtained. The plate may be formed by calendaring or adhesively bonding conductive foils and insulating (or low-conductivity) films, with apertures drilled by ultra-short pulse lasers.

Ion fragmentation by electron transfer in ion traps

Bench-top time of flight mass spectrometer

A start-up routine for a mass spectrometer is performed automatically upon switching on the mass spectrometer. The start-up routine comprises detecting which functional modules (e.g. ion source or mass analyser components) are present in a set of functional modules connected to the mass spectrometer, and performing one or more steps of the start-up routine based upon the results of the detection. The mass spectrometer may be configured based on the detected functional modules. The mass spectrometer may determine whether configuration information is stored locally in respect of the detected functional modules, and automatically obtain configuration information from a remote sever if not. Also disclosed is a start-up routine comprising putting the mass spectrometer into a power save mode in which voltage is not supplied to ion optics between an ion source and the mass spectrometer, and a start-up routine comprising supplying a voltage to one or more components associated with the mass analyser ...

PRESSURE RELIEF COVER FOR CRYOSTATS

The invention relates to a cryostat, in particular a helium cryostat with an additional nitrogen tank and a vacuum section, comprising a pressure-relief cover arranged at the outside of the tank wall of the cryostat for closing an opening therein. A locking device by which the said pressure-relief cover is retained in position on the tank wall of the cryostat and which, in its closed position, urges the pressure-relief cover against the edge of the tank opening, under the action of a spring, in such a way that the pressure-relief cover is permitted to be lifted off slightly in the presence of a slight overpressure, against the action of a spring, while in the presence of an important overpressure the locking device assumes its open position in which the pressure-relief cover is released from the tank opening, urges the pressure-relief cover automatically against the tank wall so as to close the opening of the tank edge again after a slight overpressure has been released, but releases the ...

Ion mobility spectrometers

Ion tunnelion guide

Tandem mass spectrometry method

Mass spectrometer

Mass spectrometer providing mass to charge ratio measurements with error bands

A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein the experimentally determined mass to charge ratios of ions are reported together with an error band for each mass to charge ratio determination. The error band may, for example, reflect a 95% probability or confidence that the real, true, actual or accepted mass to charge ratio of the ion lies within the error band. By accurately determining the error band the possible candidate ions in a database can be accurately restricted whilst also guarding against over restriction.

Simultaneous sequence analysis of amino- and carboxy-termini

The present invention relates to a new method for identifying polypeptides by deducing the amino acid sequence of the carboxy and amino termini by a mass spectrometer analysis. The method comprises the steps of dissociating highly charged peptide precursor ions (e.g., z > 4) using electron transfer dissociation inducing anions followed by removal of those reagents and introduction of a second, proton transfer inducing anion type. The second PTR reaction duration is adjusted to convert the ETD products to primarily the +1 charge-state to reduce the highly charged c and z-type fragments, producing an m/z spectrum containing a series of c and z-type fragment ions that are easily interpreted to reveal the sequence of the amino and carboxy terminus, respectively.

Simultaneous sequence analysis of amino- and carboxy-termini

Ion guide array

Mass spectrometer

A mass spectrometer and a method of mass spectrometry are disclosed wherein periodic background noise is effectively filtered out from the mass spectral data. An overall mass window is superimposed upon the mass spectral data. The overall mass window preferably comprises 21 nominal mass windows each preferably having a width of 1.0005 amu (simplified in fig 1A to 9 windows M1 to M9 each of width 1 amu). Each nominal mass window preferably comprises 20 channels (10 channels a to j in fig 1A). An intensity distribution relating to all the first channels a of the nominal mass windows is determined. An intensity quantile is determined from the intensity distribution. The intensity quantile is taken to represent the background intensity in the first channel a of the central nominal mass window M5. This process is repeated for the other channels so that the background intensity across the whole of the central nominal mass window M5 is estimated and then subtracted from the raw mass spectral data ...

Spectral axis transform for reference library searching

Reference libraries of composite spectra are generated that consolidate, into a single searchable data set, multiple independent spectra taken of a known chemical compound under multiple conditions, generally on a single instrument. The reference libraries may be used, for example, to increase the analytical power of mass spectrometers such as API-CID mass spectrometers, the multiple conditions being different CID voltages. The multiple independent spectra are converted into a composite spectrum by performing a number of steps. First, units on the x-axis of at least one, and generally all but one, of the independent spectra are renumbered [302] so that the numerical range of the x-axes of the spectra do not perfectly overlap. Second, the x-axes of the independent spectra are aligned on a composite x-axis [303]. Multiple independent spectra taken of an unknown chemical compound under the same conditions are then converted into a composite spectrum in the same manner, and the composite spectrum ...

Mass spectrometry performance optimization

The performance of a mass spectrometer is improved by tuning 305 mass spectrometer parameters for each mass across a mass range, fitting 310 the parameters to respective mathematical functions across the mass range, ramping 315 each of the parameters dynamically according to the respective mathematical functions during a mass spectrometer scan, and correcting 320 spectral distortion. The performance of the mass spectrometer can thereby be optimized in respect of signal intensity or other figure of merit.

Mass spectrometer

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a MALDI ion source coupled to an orthogonal acceleration Time of Flight mass analyser 13. The mass spectrometer is operated at a first instrument setting wherein specific parent ions are selected by a mass filter and are accelerated to a first axial energy. The fragment ions are then orthogonally accelerated after a first delay time and first mass spectral data is obtained. The mass spectrometer is then operated at a second instrument setting wherein the axial energy of the parent ions is increased and the resulting fragment ions are orthogonally accelerated after a reduced delay time. Second mass spectral data is then obtained. The first and second mass spectral data are then combined to provided a final composite mass spectrum.

Mass spectrometer

Method and apparatus for ion fragmentation by electron capture

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for ion fragmentation by electron capture. The present invention provides a method of generating fragment ions by electron capture, comprising; directing ions to be fragmented into a fragmentation chamber of a mass spectrometer into a fragmentation chamber of a mass spectrometer arrangement; trapping at least some of the ions to be fragmented in at least one direction of the fragmentation chamber by using a magnetic field, the ions being trapped within a volume V; generating an electron beam using an electron source located away from the volume V; irradiating the trapped ions in the volume V with the electrons generated by the electron source in the presence of the said magnetic field, so as to cause dissociation; and ejecting the resultant fragment ions from the fragmentation chamber for subsequent analysis at a different location away from the fragmentation chamber.

Mass Spectrometer

Injecting ions into an ion mobility device from a lower pressure region

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a first chamber 10 and a second chamber 5 with an inter-chamber aperture 12 located therebetween. An ion guide 13 is located in the first chamber 10 and an ion mobility spectrometer or separator 6 is located in the second chamber 5. As ions are accelerated towards the ion mobility spectrometer 6 from a relatively low pressure region, they pass initially into the first chamber 10 provided with a first gas or mixture of gases, preferably helium, having a first average density or molecular weight M1. The ions are then transmitted by the ion guide 13 on into the second chamber 5 which is provided with a second gas or mixture of gases with a second average density or molecular weight M2, wherein M1 < M2 and preferably M2/M1 / 4. The helium gas provided in the first chamber 10 minimizes ion fragmentation and ion discrimination effects as ions are accelerated into a relatively high pressure region 5.

Bench-top time of flight mass spectometer

Ion beam apparatus and a method for neutralising space charge in an ion beam

Multipole device and manufacturing method

Method and apparatus for introducing Ions into Kingdon Ion Traps

Mass spectrometer

Mounting Assembly for Ion Source Enclosure

A mass and/or ion mobility spectrometer comprising a mounting assembly 6 for mounting an ion source enclosure (2, Fig. 2) to a vacuum housing. The mounting assembly and vacuum housing are configured with cooperating elements, e.g. at least one hook 30 on the vacuum housing which is arranged to receive portion(s) of the mounting plate, that interlock when the mounting assembly and vacuum housing are in a first position relative to each other so as to prevent the mounting assembly being moved in a first direction away from the vacuum housing. The cooperating elements are configured such that when at least part of the mounting assembly is slid relative to the vacuum housing in a second, orthogonal direction (24) to a second, different position, the mounting assembly is able to be moved in the first direction away from the vacuum housing. The mounting assembly may comprise a second member 34 which can slide relative to a first member 32 whilst coupled thereto.

Shield for ion source enclosure

A mass and/or mobility spectrometer comprising: an ion source enclosure 14 (Figure 2) for housing an ion source 12 (Figure 2); a vacuum chamber 16 (Figure 2); a pumping block 18 (Figure 2) between the ion source enclosure and vacuum chamber; and a shield 34 for protecting a surface of the ion source enclosure; wherein the shield has a first portion 36 configured to mount to a upstream side of the pumping block so as to secure the shield at a location in which a second portion 38 of the shield covers an internal surface of the ion source enclosure. In one embodiment the shield alone is provided. In a further embodiment the second shied portion can be omitted. The second shield portion may be shaped to direct waste fluid towards a waste conduit 26 (Figure 2). The first and second shield portions may be releasably connected to each other.

MASS SPECTROMETER

Instrumentation, articles of manufacture, and analysis methods

METHOD OF MASS SPECTROMETRY

A method of identifying post-translationally modified proteins is disclosed. The method comprises mass analysing peptide ions and then subtracting from the determined mass of the peptide ion the known increase in mass due to one or more modifications of interest. The resulting value which represents the mass a peptide would have, had the protein from which it is derived hot been modified, is then used to search against a peptide databank. A short list of possible peptides is formed by selecting peptides which have both the right mass or mass to charge ratio (to within a user specified tolerance) and which also support at least one of the user selected modifications of interest. Each short listed peptide is then scored in turn against fragmentation data related to the experimentally observed peptide.

MASS SPECTROMETRY WITH SELECTIVE ION FILTRATION BY DIGITAL THRESHOLDING

The methods described herein generally relate to characterization of large analytes, such as biomolecules, by molecular mass analysis. Specifically, the methods are directed to molecular mass analysis of singly- or multiply-charged ions by selective ion filtering carried out by a digital thresholding process.

MASS SPECTROMETER

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion detector 4 positioned upstream of a quadrupole mass filter/analyser 2. Ions are passed through the quadrupole mass filter/analyser 2, are stored in an ion trap and are then passed back through the same mass filter/analyser 2 before being detected by the upstream ion detector 4. MS/MS experiments can be performed using apparatus having only a single mass filter/analyser 2.

METHOD OF PROCESSING SPECTROMETRIC DATA

A method of characterising a sample from spectrometric data using calculation of spectral distance values is disclosed, for use in the field of mass spectrometry. Molecular formula assignment of peaks in mass spectral data is difficult and time-consuming, and the invention provides a computer implemented method of finding a most likely elemental composition of a measured spectral peak of interest. The method analyses isotopic peaks in a portion of the spectrum, using both their mass positions and intensities, to determine a spectral distance between those peaks and isotopic peaks of a candidate composition, finding peaks that match (140). A pattern spectral distance is determined (150) to provide a measure of the correspondence between a set of those peaks in the measured spectrum and peaks of each of a number of candidate compositions. The spectral fit is used to determine a most likely candidate composition (160).

AUTOMATED ANALYSIS OF COMPLEX MATRICES USING MASS SPECTROMETER

Improved systems, apparatus, methods, and programming useful for the automated analysis of complex compounds using mass spectrometers. Systems, apparatus, methods, and programming according to the invention provide for the automatic determination by a controller (54) of a mass spectrometer (14, 214) of an analysis operation to be implemented using the mass spectrometer, the analysis operation adapted specifically for analysis of one or more substances based contained within a compound based on identification of the compound and/or substances provided by a user of the spectrometer, and a database (66) or other library of information concerning suitable processes or process steps for analyzing substances.

ELECTRODE STRUCTURE FOR ION DRIFT TUBE AND ION DRIFT TUBE INCLUDING THE STRUCTURE

An electrode structure (2) for ion migration tube and an ion migration tube which includes the electrode structure (2) are provided. The electrode structure (2) includes an annular electrode whose inner edge is bent towards one side, and the cross section of the center part of the annular electrode is a swallow-tail-shaped. When an ion migration detection instrument is used, the migrating state ions can be traveling along the focusing power line. And because the high voltage interval between the electrodes is uniformly accelerated increase, the electric field generated by the electrode structure can make the ion in a uniformly accelerated migration status, and at the same time the resolution and sensitivity of the migration spectrum can also reach the best.

FIRST AND SECOND ORDER FOCUSING USING FIELD FREE REGIONS IN TIME-OF-FLIGHT

In some embodiments, a time of flight mass spectrometer can comprise an input orifice for receiving ions, a first ion accelerator stage for accelerating the ions along a first path, at least one ion reflector for receiving said accelerated ions and redirecting said ions along a second path different than the first path, a detector for detecting at least a portion of the ions redirected by said at least one ion reflector, and at least first and second field free drift regions disposed between said first acceleration stage and said detector, wherein said second field free region is disposed in proximity of the detector. In some embodiments, the lengths of the field free drift regions can be selected so as to provide 1st and 2nd order corrections of the time of flight of the ions with respect to variation in their initial positions.

NON-CONTACT TRACE CHEMICAL SCREENING

Methods and devices for detecting a target substance on a subject without contacting the subject are disclosed. At least one air jet blows analyte from a surface of the subject into an airflow, the airflow entraining the analyte. A desorption channel desorbs molecules from analyte in a portion of the airflow travelling through the desorption channel. An ionizer forms ions from vapour molecules in the portion of the airflow. At least one mass spectrometer analyzes the ions to detect the target substance. The airflow travels without interruption from the subject to the at least one mass spectrometer. The desorption channel causes a sufficient quantity of molecules to desorb from the analyte to enable the at least one mass spectrometer to detect the target substance.

COMPACT HIGH VOLTAGE RF GENERATOR USING A SELF-RESONANT INDUCTOR

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANALYSIS OF COMPOUNDS USING A MASS SPECTROMETER

Systems, methods, and computer programming for identifying, and/or verifying the identification of, substances through the use of mass spectrometers. A plurality of analytes of known composition are added to an analyte of unknown composition, and the combination(s) are analyzed. Data acquired during the analysis are compared to each other, and/or to known or expected reference data. The comparisons are used to identify substances comprised by the analyte of unknown composition, or to verify the identification of such substances.

SENSITIVE ION DETECTION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ANALYSIS OF COMPOUNDS AS VAPORS IN GASES

An ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) for the detection of trace gaseous molecular compounds dissolved or suspended in a carrier gas, particularly in ambient air, without preconcentration or the trapping of analyte particles. The IMS of the invention comprises an ionization volume of greater than 5 cm3 and preferably greater than 100 cm3. The larger size ionizers of this invention enable analysis of trace (< 1 ppb) of sample compounds in the gas phase. To facilitate efficient ion motion through the large volume ionization and reaction regions of the IMS, an electric field gradient can be provided in the ionization region or in both the ionization and reaction regions. The systems can be implemented with radioactive ionization sources, corona discharge ion sources or ions can be formed by photoionization. In specific embodiments, particularly when the sample gas is ambient air, the sample gas is heater prior to entry into the instrument, the instrument is run at temperatures above ambient, ...

Method and apparatus for electron energy analysis

An electron energy spectrometer having an electron energy analyzer equipped with plural detectors including a reference detector. The energy of electrons impinging on the reference detector is stepped in increments. The value of these increments can be set at will. The spectrometer has improved detection accuracy and improved detection sensitivity. The spectrometer irradiates the surface of a sample with an electron beam. The energy of the electron beam is swept. The intensities of electrons ejected from the sample surface are analyzed. This instrument utilizes the multidetector scheme. Data about the intensities of the electrons is collected. Interpolation calculations are performed at each value of the energy according to the collected data.

Method and apparatus for determining a mobility of ions

A method and an apparatus for determining a mobility of ions. The method includes the steps of modulating an ion beam with an ion gate which is controlled by a modulation function for generating a modulated ion beam, of guiding the modulated ion beam through a drifting region, of measuring a signal of the modulated ion beam after the modulated ion beam has passed the drifting region and of calculating a correlation of the modulation function and the signal in order to determine the mobility of the ions. The apparatus includes the ion gate, the drifting region through which the modulated ion beam is guidable, a detector by which the signal of the modulated ion beam is measurable after the modulated ion beam has passed the drifting region and a calculation unit by which the correlation of the modulation function and the signal is calculable in order to determine the mobility of the ions. An autocorrelation of the modulation function is a two-valued function.

Mass spectrometer ion trap having asymmetric end cap apertures

An ion trap for a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The ion trap includes a ring electrode and first and second electrodes which are arranged on opposite sides of the ring electrode. The ring electrode and the first and second electrodes are configured to generate an electric field based on the received RF signal. The first electrode defines a first aperture and the second electrode defines a second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture being asymmetric relative to each other and configured to generate a hexapole field.

Automated analysis of complex matrices using mass spectrometer

Improved systems, apparatus, methods, and programming useful for the automated analysis of complex compounds using mass spectrometers. Systems, apparatus, methods, and programming according to the invention provide for the automatic determination by a controller 54 of a mass spectrometer 14, 214 of an analysis operation to be implemented using the mass spectrometer, the analysis operation adapted specifically for analysis of one or more substances based contained within a compound based on identification of the compound and/or substances provided by a user of the spectrometer, and a database 66 or other library of information concerning suitable processes or process steps for analyzing substances.

Generation of multiply charged ions for tandem mass spectrometry

Multiply-charged ions are generated from singly-charged ions of analyte substances. The singly-charged ions, which are supplied by many types of ion sources, are accelerated, together with donor ions of substances which have only a very low proton affinity, into a reaction cell. In the reaction cell, protons are transferred from the donor ions to the analyte ions to protonate the analyte ions and increase the ion charge. The multiply-charged analyte ions are subsequently fragmented by a variety of techniques and mass analyzed.

Super-critical fluid mass spectrometer

Компактный высоковольтный радиочастотный генератор с использованием авторезонансной катушки индуктивности

Группа изобретений относится в целом к радиочастотным (RF) генераторам, а более конкретно - к цепям радиочастотного генератора, в которых используется катушка индуктивности. Раскрыты способ генерации сигналов, а также радиочастотные цепи для генерации радиочастотного сигнала, содержащие активные устройства, управляющие работой последовательных резонансных контуров. Последовательные резонансные контуры содержат авторезонансную двойную катушку индуктивности. При этом первая и вторая обмотки пространственно выполнены так, чтобы обеспечивать выбранную паразитную емкость и индуктивность двойной катушки индуктивности, которые вместе образуют резонансный контур, имеющий резонансную частоту в диапазоне радиочастот. Радиочастотные генераторы могут использоваться для подачи сигнала в емкостную нагрузку. Технический результат заключается в повышении эффективности радиочастотных генераторов. 4 н. и 22 з.п. ф-лы, 5 ил.

УСТРОЙСТВО ДЛЯ ПОЛУЧЕНИЯ И ТРАНСПОРТИРОВКИ ПУЧКА ПРОТОНОВ ПРИ АТМОСФЕРНОМ ДАВЛЕНИИ

Изобретение относится к области образования заряженных частиц при атмосферном давлении и может быть использовано в научной деятельности, в медицине, в технологических процессах, во вторичной ионной масс-спектрометрии при атмосферном давлении. Технический результат - возможность получения воспроизводимого долговременного стабильного тока протонов при атмосферном давлении в настольном исполнении. Устройство получения и транспортировки пучка протонов позволяет получать стабильный пучок протонов при электрораспылении без образования крупных капель во все время проведения распыления при нормальных условиях, не прибегая к нагреву газа. Особенностями устройства является использование системы транспортировки и сепарации протонов при атмосферном давлении при применении бессеточных диафрагм. Для реализации устройства применяется электрораспыление растворов с динамическим делением потока раствора и отведением его излишка из области распыления. Протоны экстрагируются из вершины мениска электролита, ...

Сегментированная ионная ловушка Пауля для квантовых вычислителей

Полезная модель относится к квантовой технике и может быть использована для создания компактной линейной квадрупольной ловушки Пауля с модульной архитектурой, имеющей большую глубину потенциала захвата иона, хороший оптический доступ и высокие секулярные частоты, что позволяет использовать ее для задачи квантовых вычислений на цепочке ультрахолодных ионов, в частности охлажденных ионов иттербия.Требуемый технический результат, заключающийся в расширении функциональных возможностей путем обеспечения возможности манипулированием квантовым состоянием большого количества ионов для реализации квантовых алгоритмов с большим объемом вычислений, обеспечивается в устройстве, состоящем из четырех электродов-лезвий, жестко закрепленных на изоляторах, причем каждый из электродов-лезвий содержит электрически изолированные сегменты с первого по пятый, при этом электрически изолированные сегменты выполнены с возможностью приложения к диагональной паре электродов-лезвий во втором и четвертом сегменте радиочастотного напряжения для радиального удержания ионов, а первый, третий и пятый сегменты выполнены с возможностью приложения к электродам-лезвиям постоянного напряжения для аксиального удержания ионов и компенсации паразитных электрических полей. 5 з.п. ф-лы, 6 ил. РОССИЙСКАЯ ФЕДЕРАЦИЯ (19) RU (11) (13) 205 635 U1 (51) МПК H01J 49/02 (2006.01) ФЕДЕРАЛЬНАЯ СЛУЖБА ПО ИНТЕЛЛЕКТУАЛЬНОЙ СОБСТВЕННОСТИ (12) ОПИСАНИЕ ПОЛЕЗНОЙ МОДЕЛИ К ПАТЕНТУ (52) СПК H01J 49/02 (2021.05) (21)(22) Заявка: 2021107600, 23.03.2021 (24) Дата начала отсчета срока действия патента: Дата регистрации: 23.07.2021 (45) Опубликовано: 23.07.2021 Бюл. № 21 2 0 5 6 3 5 R U (56) Список документов, цитированных в отчете о поиске: US 7423262 B2, 09.09.2008. US 2018174818 A1, 21.06.2018. RU 2717352 C1, 23.03.2020. RU 113611 U1, 20.02.2012. (54) Сегментированная ионная ловушка Пауля для квантовых вычислителей (57) Реферат: Полезная модель относится к квантовой вычислений, обеспечивается в устройстве, технике и может быть ...

Multi-Channel Detection

A mass spectrometer and method of mass spectrometry wherein charged particles in a beam undergo multiple changes of direction. A detection arrangement detects a first portion of the charged particle beam, and provides a first output based upon the intensity of the detected first portion of the charged particle beam. The detection arrangement detects a second portion of the charged particle beam that has traveled a greater path length through the mass spectrometer than the first portion of the charged particle beam, and provides a second output based upon the detected second portion of the charged particle beam. A controller adjusts the parameters of the charged particle beam and/or the detection arrangement, based upon the first output of the detection arrangement, so as to adjust the second output of the detection arrangement.

High-frequency (hf) voltage supply system and method for supplying a multipole mass spectrometer with the hf ac voltage used to generate a multipole field

A radio-frequency (RF) voltage supply system for supplying a multipole mass spectrometer, in particular a quadrupole mass spectrometer, with the alternating RF voltage used to generate a multipole field, in a secondary circuit excited by means of a primary circuit. The RF voltage supply system has an RF voltage measuring device, by means of which the alternating RF voltage in the secondary circuit is sampled, and a digital measurement value that is dependent on the alternating RF voltage is determined. The RF voltage supply system also has a computing device, by means of which a digital alternating voltage amplitude setting value is determined, taking the measurement value into account. There is also an RF voltage generator, by means of which the alternating RF voltage can be made available with an alternating RF voltage amplitude that is set depending on the alternating voltage amplitude setting value.

Radio Frequency Voltage Temperature Stabilization

A temperature-regulated radio frequency management system for use in a mass spectrometer is described. The temperature-regulated radio frequency management system having one or more radio frequency components disposed in a vacuum environment. The temperature-regulated radio frequency management system including a radio frequency detection circuit configured to provide feedback indicative of a radio frequency signal in one or more of the radio frequency components. In addition, the temperature-regulated radio frequency management system includes a temperature regulation circuit disposed in the vacuum environment and configured to reduce temperature-induced variations in the detection circuit.

MASS SPECTROMETRY WITH SELECTIVE ION FILTRATION BY DIGITAL THRESHOLDING

The methods described herein generally relate to characterization of large analytes, such as biomolecules, by molecular mass analysis. Specifically, the methods are directed to molecular mass analysis of singly- or multiply-charged ions by selective ion filtering carried out by a digital thresholding process. 2. The method of further comprising making a plurality of mass spectrometer measurements according to step a) and co-adding the resulting plurality of data files.3. The method of wherein the multiply-charged ion is a biomolecule.4. The method of wherein the biomolecule is a nucleic acid claim 3 , peptide claim 3 , protein claim 3 , lipid claim 3 , or carbohydrate.5. The method of wherein the biomolecule comprises a non-covalently-bound small molecule.6. The method of wherein the singly-charged ions are biomolecule stabilizer additives or matrix modifiers.7. The method of wherein the stabilizer additives are one or more of:polyethylene glycol, glycerol, reducing agents, detergents or buffer salts, or any combination thereof.8. The method of wherein the matrix-modifying additives are one or more of: ampholytes claim 6 , detergents claim 6 , or buffer salts claim 6 , or any combination thereof9. The method of wherein the analog signal is an analog voltage signal and the digital signal is a digital voltage signal.10. The method of wherein the mass spectrometer is a time-of-flight mass spectrometer claim 1 , a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer claim 1 , a linear quadrupole mass spectrometer claim 1 , a linear trap mass spectrometer claim 1 , an electric/magnetic sector mass spectrometer claim 1 , or a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer.1122-. (canceled)23. A method of calibrating a mass spectrum of an analyte comprising: i) an ion detector;', 'ii) a digitizer for converting an analog signal to a digital signal;', 'iii) an analog signal transfer means for transferring an analog signal from the detector to the digitizer; and', 'iv) a plurality of digital ...

Method and System for Processing Analysis Data

Data for a plurality of samples collected by an LC/MS, GC/MS or other systems are converted into a two-dimensional table format without losing information and with a light load, thereby allowing a multivariate analysis processing to be efficiently performed. After LC/MS data on a plurality of samples are obtained and the respective extracted ion chromatograms (XICs) are created (S 1 and S 2 ), the correction of the retention-time difference, the waveform processing and the like are performed (S 3 and S 4 ), followed by the creation of a one-dimensional table in which the signal-strength values are arranged for each XIC. Then, one-dimensional tables of a plurality of XICs for one sample are joined together in order of m/z value to create an elongate one-dimensional table (S 5 ). The elongate one-dimensional tables of a plurality of samples are arranged in another dimensional direction to obtain a two-dimensional table (S 6 ).

CONTROLLER AND CONTROL METHOD FOR IMPROVING SIGNAL PERFORMANCE OF ION CYCLOTRON RESONANCE MASS SPECTROMETER

Provided are a controller and a control method for improving signal performance of an ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. The controller and control method apply electric signals for causing ions injected into an ion trap of the ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer to be injected to the center of the trap as close as possible to trap electrodes, and adjust biased ion motion by appropriately adjusting signals of trap electrodes for causing the injected ions to make ion motion, thereby improving the fidelity of ion signals. The control method for improving signal performance of an ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer includes an ion position adjustment process and an ion signal detection process. 1. A controller for improving signal performance of an ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer which adjusts positions of ions injected into an ion trap by inputting radio frequency (RF) signals to first and second excitation electrodes to cause the ions to make ion motion and applying control signals to first and second detection electrodes for detecting ion signals by a control program of a computer , the controller comprising:an excitation electrode control means configured to selectively apply the RF signals or control signals to the first and second excitation electrodes for ion motion;a detection electrode control means configured to apply arbitrary waveforms generated from respective first and second control signal generators, which generate the control signals for ion motion, to the first and second detection electrodes, respectively;a detection electrode signal processing means configured to detect ion signals from the first and second detection electrodes, and amplify and convert the detected ion signals into digital signals; andan excitation electrode signal processing means configured to detect ion signals from the first and second excitation electrodes by selection of a third excitation switch, and amplify and convert the detected ion signals ...

Method of Avoiding Space Charge Saturation Effects In An Ion Trap

A mass spectrometer includes a first ion trap arranged upstream of an analytical second ion trap. The charge capacity of the first ion trap is set at a value such that if all the ions stored within the first ion trap up to the charge capacity limit of the first ion trap are then transferred to the second ion trap, then the analytical performance of the second ion trap is not substantially degraded due to space charge effects.

Molecule Mass Detection via Field Emission of Electrons from Membranes

An active detector and methods for detecting molecules, including large molecules such as proteins and oligonucleotides, at or near room temperature based on the generation of electrons via field emission (FE) and/or secondary electron emission (SEE). The detector comprises a semiconductor membrane having an external surface that is contacted by one or more molecules, and an internal surface having a thin metallic layer or other type of electron emitting layer. The kinetic energy of molecules contacting the semiconductor membrane is transferred through the membrane and induces the emission of electrons from the emitting layer. An electron detector, which optionally includes means for electron amplification, is positioned to detect the emitted electrons. 1. A detector for detecting molecules , said detector comprising:a semiconductor membrane having an external surface for receiving said molecules, and an internal surface positioned opposite to said external surface, wherein said semiconductor membrane has a thickness of 5 nanometers to 50 microns;an electron emitting layer comprising a material selected from the group consisting of metals, doped semiconductors and doped diamond materials provided on the internal surface of said semiconductor membrane, wherein said emitting layer has a thickness of 5 nanometers to 10 microns, and wherein said emitting layer emits electrons when said semiconductor membrane receives said molecules; andan electron detector positioned to detect at least a portion of said emitted electrons.2. The detector of wherein said emitting layer is electrically biased by applying a voltage of −3000 V to 3000 V to said emitting layer.3. The detector of wherein said emitting layer has a thickness of 5 nanometers to 25 nanometers.4. The detector of wherein said emitting layer is a metallic layer that conformally coats at least a portion of the internal surface of said semiconductor membrane.5. The detector of wherein said semiconductor membrane is ...

Ion Guide Array

An ion guide array is disclosed comprising a first ion guide section and a second ion guide section. Each ion guide section may comprise a plurality of electrodes having an aperture through which ions are transmitted in use. A transfer section is arranged at the exit of the first ion guide section and ions are transmitted radially from the first ion guide section into the second ion guide section. Electrodes in the transfer section may have a radial aperture enabling ions to be transmitted radially from the first ion guide section to the second ion guide section. 1. An ion mobility spectrometer or separator comprising:a first ion guide section comprising a first plurality of electrodes having at least one aperture through which ions are transmitted in use;a second ion guide section comprising a second plurality of electrodes having at least one aperture through which ions are transmitted in use, wherein said first and second ion guide sections comprise stacked ring ion guides;a first transfer section connecting said first ion guide section with said second ion guide section, wherein ions are transmitted radially, in use, in said first transfer section from said first ion guide section into said second ion guide section; anda first transient DC voltage means arranged and adapted to apply one or more transient DC voltages or potentials or one or more transient DC voltage or potential waveforms to at least some of said first plurality of electrodes in order to urge, force, drive or propel at least some ions along at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 100% of the length of said first ion guide section; ora second transient DC voltage means arranged and adapted to apply one or more transient DC voltages or potentials or one or more transient DC voltage or potential waveforms to at least some of said second plurality of electrodes in order to urge, force, drive or propel at least some ions along at least 5 ...

INTRODUCTION OF IONS INTO KINGDON ION TRAPS

The geometry of a Kingdon ion trap, in which harmonic ion oscillation in a potential well in a longitudinal direction is completely decoupled from ion oscillation in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, is arranged so that the oscillating ions introduced through the entrance tube cannot return to the entrance tube until they have performed several longitudinal oscillations during which time heavier ions can be introduced into the trap. In one embodiment, ions enter the trap via an entrance tube extending through, but electrically insulated from, one of the Kingdon trap housing electrodes and located outside the minimum of the potential well in the longitudinal direction. 1. A Kingdon ion trap comprising:housing electrodes extending in a longitudinal direction;at least one inner electrode spaced from the housing electrodes in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, the housing electrodes and the at least one inner electrode being shaped so that ions introduced into the trap can oscillate harmonically in a potential well in the longitudinal direction and independently oscillate in the transverse direction when a DC electric field is established between the housing electrodes and the at least one inner electrode; anda hole that extends through one of the housing electrodes and allows ions to enter the ion trap wherein the housing electrodes have an inside diameter and a length and wherein a ratio of the length to the inside diameter is selected so that ions introduced into the trap through the hole oscillate in the longitudinal direction in a manner that the ions return to the location of the hole after at least five longitudinal oscillations.2. The Kingdon trap of wherein the ratio of the length to the inside diameter of the housing electrodes is selected so that ions perform (n×k+1)/n=k+(1/n) transverse oscillations during one longitudinal oscillation where n and k are integer numbers.3. The Kingdon trap of wherein the ratio of the ...

NANOPOROUS VACUUM PUMP

The invention provides an element (), comprising: a nanoporous insulating film () (such as a thin nanoporous diamond film) and first and second conducting layers () on first and second opposed sides respectively of the film (). Also provided are a vacuum pump (), an ion source () and an ion trap (), each comprising such an element (). 1. A pump , comprising:a pumping element comprising: a nanoporous insulating film comprising a plurality of nanopores, and first and second conducting layers on first and second opposed sides respectively of said film; anda power supply configured to maintain a potential difference between said first and second conducting layers that produces a field ionizing electric field;wherein said pumping element supports a difference in gas pressure on said first and second conducting layers and supports field ionization by the electric field, and said electric field ionizes gas atoms or molecules in a proximity of said first conducting layer, transports said gas atoms or molecules once ionised through said first conducting layer into said nanopores, along said nanopores and through said second conducting layer.2. A pump as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the difference in gas pressure is one atmosphere.3. A pump as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said electric field is approximately 10 MV/cm.4. A pump as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the insulating film comprises a thin nanoporous diamond film or a thin nanoporous silicon nitride film.5. (canceled)6. A pump as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first and second conducting layers comprise metallic layers or evaporatively deposited layers metallic layers.7. (canceled)8. An element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first and second conducting layers comprise molybdenum or gold.9. A pump as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the power supply is configured to maintain the first conducting layer at a negative potential relative to the second conducting layer.10. A pump as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the ...

ULTRATHIN CALCINATED FILMS ON A GOLD SURFACE FOR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE LASER DESORPTION/ IONIZATION OF BIOMOLECULES

A nanoscale calcinated silicate film fabricated on a gold substrate for highly effective, matrix-free laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) analysis of biomolecules. The calcinated film is prepared by a layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition/calcination process wherein the thickness of the silicate layer and its surface properties are precisely controlled. The film exhibits outstanding efficiency in LDI-MS with extremely low background noise in the low-mass region, allowing for effective analysis of low mass weight samples and detection of large biomolecules including amino acids, peptides and proteins. Additional advantages for the calcinated film include ease of preparation and modification, high reproducibility, low cost and excellent reusability. 1. A nanoscale film , comprising:a sublayer; anda nanoscale metallic layer with low heat conductivity on the sublayer.2. The film of claim 1 , wherein the metallic layer is a calcinated silicate film.3. The film of claim 2 , wherein the nanoscale calcinated silicate film comprises a plurality of alternating layers of poly(allylatnine hydrochloride) (PAH) and sodium silicate solution.4. The film of claim 3 , wherein the sublayer is gold (Au) claim 3 , platinum (Pt) claim 3 , silver (Ag) claim 3 , aluminum (Al) and/or stainless steel.5. The film of claim 3 , wherein the sublayer is a thin layer of gold.6. The film of claim 5 , wherein the thin layer of gold has a thickness of approximately 10 to 2000 nm.7. The film of claim 4 , wherein the thin layer of gold has a thickness of approximately 46 nm8. The film of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of alternating layers of PAH and sodium silicate solution has a thickness of approximately of 2-50 nm.9. The film of claim 5 , wherein the thin layer of gold is fabricated by e-beam deposition of a layer of gold onto a slide.10. The film of claim 9 , wherein the slide is a stainless steel tape and/or a glass slide.11. The film of claim 10 , further comprising a layer of ...

Mass spectrometer with a wide dynamic range

A mass spectrometer with a wide dynamic range, having:—a source ( 2 ) of ion beams,—an analyzer ( 4 ) for the ion beams generated by said source ( 2 ),—a detector ( 6 ) for the ions separated by said analyzer ( 4 ),—a treatment stage ( 8 ) for the analogue signal A generated by said detector, to obtain two separate signals A 1= mA and A 2 =nA, where m>n, characterised by comprising:—an analogue/digital converter ( 10 ) for converting both said analogue signals A 1 and A 2 into two numerical values D 1 and D 2, —a controller ( 12 ) which receives both the numerical values D 1 and D 2 as input, and provides as output a single value equal to D 1 if D 1 is less than the end-of-scale value of the converter ( 10 ), or a value equal to (m/n)D 2 if D 1 is equal to the end-of-scale value of the converter.

Mass Spectroscope and its Adjusting Method

In order to enable the mass spectroscope to reduce the operation load of the adjustment of the amplitude difference, and to reduce the increase in power consumption caused by the difference between the resonance frequency and the drive frequency, the resonance circuit unit of the ion trap section is configured to control the amplitude difference adjustment section of the resonance circuit unit to adjust that the amplitude difference between the high-voltage RF signals decreases, and controls the frequency synchronizing section of the resonance circuit unit to adjust that the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit is aligned with the drive frequency of the RF signal source, on the basis of the information about the amplitude difference between the high-voltage RF signals and the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit unit, which have been measured by a resonance frequency/amplitude difference measuring unit.

Capacitor Assembly For A Mass Spectrometer

A capacitor assembly ( 1 ) for measuring the level of radio frequency voltage in a mass spectrometer. The assembly ( 1 ) includes an RF sensing capacitor ( 2 ) with first and second capacitor plates ( 3, 4 ), a rectifying circuit ( 5 ) and a vacuum housing feedthrough ( 6 ), all of which are mounted within a vacuum enclosure of the mass spectrometer. The first capacitor plate ( 3 ) is adapted for connection to a voltage source and mounted within the enclosure by first insulating spacers ( 31 ). The second capacitor plate ( 4 ) is nested within the first insulating spacers ( 31 ) and mounted within the enclosure by second insulating spacers ( 41 ). The rectifying circuit ( 5 ) is electrically connected to the second capacitor plate ( 4 ) and to the vacuum housing feedthrough ( 6 ).

Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer

As a control parameter given to a direct-current (DC) voltage generator which generates a DC voltage for ion selection, a “mass-related offset” for allowing an adjustment of the offset for each mass-to-charge ratio is provided in addition to the “gain” and “common offset” which respectively determine the gradient and position of a scan line drawn on a stability diagram during a mass-scan operation. In an automatic adjustment operation using a standard sample, under the control of an automatic regulator, the “gain” and “common offset” are initially set, after which the “mass-related offset” for each mass-to-charge ratio is determined so that the mass-resolving power will be substantially uniform, and these data are stored in a control data memory. In an analysis of a sample of interest, a quadrupole voltage controller controls the DC voltage generator and a radio-frequency (RF) voltage generator according to the control parameters read from the memory. 1. A quadrupole mass spectrometer including; an ion source for ionizing a sample; a quadrupole mass filter composed of four rod electrodes; a quadrupole driver for producing a composite voltage composed of a direct-current voltage and a radio-frequency voltage corresponding to the mass-to-charge ratio of an ion to be allowed to pass through the quadrupole mass filter , and for applying the composite voltage to the quadrupole mass filter; and a detector for detecting an ion that has passed through the quadrupole mass filter , the quadrupole driver comprising:a) a memory for storing voltage-setting data corresponding to the mass-to-charge ratio, for storing a gain, a common offset and a mass-related offset as control parameters for varying the direct-current voltage corresponding to the mass-to-charge ratio during a mass-scan operation, where the gain determines the ratio of the direct-current voltage to the amplitude of the radio-frequency voltage, the common offset determines a different offset voltage according to a ...

Mass Spectrometer Incorporating Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a hydrogen-deuterium exchange cell. Isomeric ions having different conformations but substantially similar ion mobilities can be differentiated by subjecting the ions to hydrogen-deuterium exchange. Two ions having similar ion mobilities can be differentiated more effectively if they have different surface conformations by determining the relative degree of hydrogen-deuterium exchange. 1. A method of mass spectrometry comprising:subjecting first and second analyte ions to hydrogen-deuterium exchange within a first device wherein one or more hydrogen atoms of said first and second analyte ions exchange with one or more deuterium atoms to form first and second deuterated ions;passing said first and second deuterated ions from said first device to an ion mobility spectrometer;mass analysing deuterated ions which emerge from said ion mobility spectrometer at a first time to produce first mass spectral data;mass analysing deuterated ions which emerge from said ion mobility spectrometer at a second later time to produce second mass spectral data; andcomparing said first mass spectral data with said second mass spectral data to aid differentiation between either: (i) said first and second analyte ions; or (ii) said first deuterated ions and said second deuterated ions.2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said step of passing said first and second deuterated ions from said first device to said ion mobility spectrometer further comprising temporally separating said first and second deuterated ions within said ion mobility spectrometer.3. A method of mass spectrometry comprising:passing first and second analyte ions to an ion mobility spectrometer;subjecting said first and second analyte ions which emerge from said ion mobility spectrometer to hydrogen-deuterium exchange within a first device wherein one or more hydrogen atoms of said first and second analyte ions exchange with one or more deuterium atoms to form first and ...

TOROIDAL ION TRAP MASS ANALYZER WITH CYLINDRICAL ELECTRODES

A combination of electrodes that are cylindrical and an asymmetric arrangement of cylindrical and planar electrodes are used to create electric fields that compensate for toroidal curvature in a toroidal ion trap, the design lending itself to high precision manufacturing and miniaturization, converging ion paths that enhance detection, higher pressure operation, and optimization of the shape of the electric fields by careful arrangement of the electrodes. 1. A system for trapping ions in a toroidal ion trap having cylindrical electrodes , said system comprised of:a central cylinder having an outer wall that functions as an electrode; anda trapping volume comprised of at least four electrode walls that have asymmetry in length that compensates for toroidal curvature and creates a desired shape in electric fields within the trapping volume by using electrodes that have arcuate and planar surfaces, the at least four electrode walls forming a ring around an outer wall of the central cylinder and having a rectangular cross-section.2. The system as defined in wherein the system is further comprised of:an outside surface of a wall of the central cylinder forming a first electrode wall of the trapping volume;an outer electrode forming a second and opposite electrode wall that is disposed parallel to and spaced apart from the first electrode to form complementary arcuate surfaces, wherein the outer electrode wall has a length that is less than the first electrode wall to create the asymmetry in length of the electrodes; andtwo planar disks forming a third electrode wall and an opposite fourth electrode wall that are perpendicular to the first and second electrode walls of the trapping volume.3. The system as defined in wherein the system is further comprised of a plurality of ejection slits disposed as a ring around a circumference of the central cylinder and through the outer wall claim 2 , wherein the trapping volume is centered on the plurality of ejection slits on the ...

TIMING DEVICE AND METHOD

The present invention provides a timing device, especially a timing device for use in mass spectrometers, for example TOF mass spectrometers, for processing trigger signal data containing a trigger signal indicating the occurrence of a trigger event, the timing device having: a trigger signal deserialiser configured to receive trigger signal data containing a trigger signal indicating the occurrence of a trigger event as serial data and to output the trigger signal data as parallel data, and wherein suitably the timing device has a processing means configured to process trigger signal data outputted by the trigger signal deserialiser as parallel data. 129.-. (canceled)30. A timing device for processing trigger signal data containing a trigger signal indicating the occurrence of a trigger event , the timing device having:a trigger signal deserialiser configured to receive trigger signal data containing a trigger signal indicating the occurrence of a trigger event as serial data and to output the trigger signal data as parallel data.31. A timing device according to claim 30 , wherein the timing device has a processing means configured to process trigger signal data outputted by the trigger signal deserialiser as parallel data.32. A timing device according to selected from the group consisting of:a) a timing device wherein the processing means is configured to produce data based on trigger signal data outputted by the trigger signal deserialiser as parallel data;b) a timing device wherein the processing means is configured to detect a trigger signal contained in trigger signal data outputted by the trigger signal deserialiser as parallel data;c) a timing device wherein the processing means is configured to detect a trigger signal contained in trigger signal data outputted by the trigger signal deserialiser as parallel data, and to produce data based on the detected trigger signal such that the data produced by the processing means is synchronized to a trigger event ...

Mass Spectrometer

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 ion 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. 1. An ion trap comprising:a first electrode set comprising a first plurality of electrodes having a first longitudinal axis;a second electrode set comprising a second plurality of electrodes having a second longitudinal axis, said second electrode set being arranged downstream of said first electrode set;a first device arranged and adapted to apply one or more DC voltages to one or more of said first plurality of electrodes or to one or more of said second plurality of electrodes so as to create, in use, an electric potential within said first electrode set or within said second electrode set which increases or decreases or varies with radial displacement in a first radial direction as measured from a central longitudinal axis of said first electrode set or said second electrode set;a second device arranged and adapted to excite at least some ions within said first electrode set in at least one radial direction or to increase the radial displacement of at least some ions in at least one radial direction within said first electrode set;a first plurality of vane or secondary electrodes arranged between the electrodes of the first electrode set or a second plurality of vane or secondary electrodes arranged between the electrodes of the second electrode set; anda device arranged and adapted to apply one or more first DC voltages or one or more second DC voltages to at least some of said vane or secondary electrodes.2. An ion trap as claimed in ...

FOURIER TRANSFORM ION CYCLOTRON RESONANCE MASS SPECTROMETER AND METHOD FOR CONCENTRATING IONS FOR FOURIER TRANSFORM ION CYCLOTRON RESONANCE MASS SPECTROMETRY

A Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FT-ICR MS) includes: an ionization source generating ions; a deceleration lens, on which the ions generated by the ionization source and spatially dispersed are incident, selectively decelerating the incident ions so as to decrease the distance between the ions; and an ion cyclotron resonance cell on which the ions passing through the deceleration lens are incident. By preventing dispersing of ions due to mass difference and converging the ions using the deceleration lens, the mass range that can be measured at one time can be extended. Also, measurement sensitivity can be improved since the ions are effectively introduced to the ICR cell. 1. A Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer comprising:an ionization source generating ions;a deceleration lens, on which the ions generated by the ionization source and spatially dispersed are incident, selectively decelerating the incident ions so as to decrease the distance between the ions; andan ion cyclotron resonance cell on which the ions passing through the deceleration lens are incident.2. The Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer according to claim 1 , wherein the deceleration lens comprises a plurality of electrodes which are arranged along a moving direction of the ions and to configured to be applied with an electric potential claim 1 , and wherein each of the plurality of electrodes comprises a hole configured to allow passage of the ions.3. The Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer according to claim 2 , wherein claim 2 , an electric potential is applied to the plurality of electrodes for a predetermined time period while the ions pass through the hole of the plurality of electrodes.4. The Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer according to claim 3 , wherein the electric potential of the plurality of electrodes forms an electric potential gradient along the moving ...

CHROMATOGRAPH MASS SPECTROMETER

After an analysis condition table for measuring each compound is automatically generated in accordance with a compound table, the loop time is calculated for each measurement section for which the overlapping of measurement events differs. If the loop time exceeds a specified value in a given measurement section of a given compound, the event with the earliest end time and the event with the latest start time are extracted from among the overlapping measurement events, and the intermediate time between the end time and the start time is found to adjust the length of each measurement event. By repeating this process, a parameter in the analysis condition table is corrected so that the loop time becomes equal to or less than the specified value. 1. A chromatograph mass spectrometer combining a chromatograph for separating compounds in a sample in the time direction and a mass spectrometer for separating and detecting ions derived from the compounds separated by the chromatograph in accordance with the mass-to-charge ratio , wherein said mass spectrometer executes selected ion monitoring (SIM) , selection reaction monitoring (SRM) , or multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) with respect to one or a plurality of specific mass-to-charge ratios in the vicinity of a chromatogram peak corresponding to a target compound , said chromatogram mass spectrometer comprising:a) a compound table holding means which stores a compound table containing information indicating, for each compound to be measured, at least the standard predicted retention time, the mass-to-charge ratio characterizing the compound, and the upper limit of the measurement point time interval; andb) an analysis condition table creation means which, in order to perform SIM measurements, SRM measurements, or MRM measurements on compounds listed in said compound table, creates an analysis condition table containing information indicating at least the measurement time range and the mass-to-charge ratios to be measured ...

SAMPLE ANALYSIS AND ION DETECTION

Various embodiments of ion detection systems, devices, and associated methods of operation are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for ion detection includes separating a target species from other species in an ionized sample of a first polarity, generating ions of a second polarity opposite the first polarity, and contacting ions of the second polarity with the ionized sample to generate emissions after separating the target species from other species in the ionized sample. The method also includes detecting the generated emissions when combining the ionized sampled of the first polarity with the ions of the second polarity. 1. An ion detection system , comprising:a first ionization component configured to ionize a sample with a first polarity;a separation component having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the first ionization component to receive the ionized sample, the separation component being configured to separate species in the ionized sample;a second ionization component approximate the second end of the separation component, the second ionization component being configured to generate ions of a second polarity opposite the first polarity; anda photo detector coupled to the second end of the separation component, the photo detector being configured to detect photons generated when combining the species of the ionized sample of the first polarity with the ions of the second polarity.2. The ion detection system of further comprising a vapor generator configured to vaporize the sample.3. The ion detection system of wherein:the separation component includes an ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) cell; andthe photo detector includes a photomultiplier tube.4. The ion detection system of wherein the IMS cell has a drift tube and an electric field generator configured to generate a generally uniform electric field in the drift tube.5. The ion detection system of wherein IMS cell operates at or near atmospheric pressure.6. The ion ...

Ion Detection System and Method

A detection system and a method for detecting ions which have been separated in a time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyser, comprising an amplifying arrangement for converting ions into packets of secondary particles and amplifying the packets of secondary particles, wherein the amplifying arrangement is arranged so that each packet of secondary particles produces at least a first output and a second output separated in time and so that during the delay between producing the first and second output the first output produced by a packet of secondary particles is used for modulating the second output produced by the same packet. An increased dynamic range of detection and protection of the detection system against intense ion pulses is thereby provided. 1. A detection system for detecting ions which have been separated in a time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyser , the detection system comprising an amplifying arrangement for converting ions into packets of secondary particles and amplifying the packets of secondary particles , wherein the amplifying arrangement is arranged so that each packet of secondary particles produces at least a first output and a second output separated in time and so that during the delay between producing the first and second output the first output produced by a packet of secondary particles is used for modulating the second output produced by the same packet.2. A detection system as claimed in wherein the secondary particles are selected from the group consisting of: electrons claim 1 , secondary ions claim 1 , and photons.3. A detection system as claimed in wherein the delay is provided by causing the packets of secondary particles to propagate in a delay line without significant gain.4. A detection system as claimed in wherein the delay comprises a flight tube claim 1 , optionally comprising an electron-optical lens within the flight tube to focus the packets of secondary particles which comprise electron packets as they travel through it.5. A ...

Method and system for providing a dual curtain gas to a mass spectrometry system

A system and method for mass spectrometry including a curtain gas chamber defined by a curtain plate having an aperture for receiving ions from an ion source and an orifice plate having an inlet into a mass spectrometer. At least one barrier separates the curtain chamber into a first curtain gas chamber region and a second curtain gas chamber region. At least one gas source provides a gas inflow into the second curtain gas chamber region and a gas outflow into the first curtain gas chamber region, a portion of the gas outflow directed out of the aperture. A heating element heats the gas inflow, a portion of the heated gas inflow directed into the inlet of the mass spectrometer wherein the portion of the heated gas inflow can be at a substantially higher temperature than the portion of the gas outflow.

Data Acquisition System and Method for Mass Spectrometry

The invention provides a data acquisition system and method for detecting ions in a mass spectrometer, comprising: a detection system for detecting ions comprising two or more detectors for outputting two or more detection signals in separate channels in response to ions arriving at the detection system; and a data processing system for receiving and processing the detection signals in separate channels of the data processing system and for merging the processed detection signals to construct a mass spectrum; wherein the processing in separate channels comprises removing noise from the detection signals by applying a threshold to the detection signals. The detection signals are preferably produced in response to the same ions, the signals being shifted in time relative to each other. The invention is suitable for a TOF mass spectrometer. 1. A data acquisition system for detecting ions in a mass spectrometer , the system comprising:a detection system for detecting ions comprising two or more detectors for outputting two or more detection signals in separate channels in response to ions arriving at the detection system, the detection signals being produced in response to the same ions, the signals being shifted in time relative to each other; anda data processing system for receiving and processing the detection signals in separate channels of the data processing system and for merging the processed detection signals to construct a mass spectrum;wherein the processing in separate channels comprises removing noise from the detection signals by applying a threshold to the detection signals.2. A data acquisition system as claimed in wherein the mass spectrometer is a TOF mass spectrometer and the mass spectrum is a high dynamic range mass spectrum.3. A data acquisition system as claimed in comprising a low gain detector and a high gain detector.4. A data acquisition system as claimed in wherein the low gain detector comprises a charged particle detector and the high gain ...

TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETER

A time-of-flight mass spectrometer includes a holder that holds a sample, an irradiation unit that irradiates a surface of the sample with primary ions, an extractor electrode that opposes the sample, and an ion detector that detects a secondary ion emitted from the surface of the sample in accordance with a time of flight of the secondary ion. The surface of the sample has first and second positions, and the irradiation unit and the holder are disposed so that the primary ions are obliquely incident upon the surface of the sample. A primary ion reaches the first position before another primary ion reaches the second position. A potential gradient generator generates a potential gradient so that a potential difference between the second position and the extractor electrode is larger than a potential difference between the first position and the extractor electrode. 1. A time-of-flight mass spectrometer comprising:a holder that holds a sample;a primary ion irradiation unit that irradiates a surface of the sample with primary ions;an extractor electrode that opposes the sample;a potential gradient generator that generates a potential gradient; anda detector that detects a secondary ion emitted from the surface of the sample in accordance with a time of flight of the secondary ion,wherein, the surface of the sample has first and second positions, and the primary ion irradiation unit and the holder are disposed so that the primary ions are obliquely incident upon the surface of the sample,wherein a primary ion reaches the first position before another primary ion reaches the second position, andwherein the potential gradient generator generates the potential gradient so that a potential difference between the second position and the extractor electrode is larger than a potential difference between the first position and the extractor electrode.2. The time-of-flight mass spectrometer according to claim 1 ,wherein the potential gradient generator generates the potential ...

Ion Mobility Spectrometers

An ion mobility spectrometer has a reaction region separated from a drift region by an electrostatic gate. A doping circuit supplies a dopant to the reaction region but the drift region is undoped. Two high field ion modifiers are located one after the other in the drift region. One ion modifier can be turned on to remove dopant adducts from the admitted ions, or both ion modifiers can be turned on so that the ions are also fragmented. In this way, several different responses can be produced to provide additional information about the nature of the analyte substance and distinguish it from interferents.

APPARATUS PREPARING SAMPLES TO BE SUPPLIED TO AN ION MOBILITY SENSOR

There is provided an analysis apparatus including a unit for preparing a sample gas to be supplied to an ion mobility sensor and a control unit equipped with a function of controlling the unit that prepares the gas. The unit for preparing the gas includes a concentration adjusting mechanism that changes the concentration of the target chemical included in the sample gas, and the control unit includes a driver that acquires a measurement result of the ion mobility sensor and a flow control unit that controls the concentration adjusting mechanism in a direction where is improvement in the measurement result. 122-. (canceled)23. An apparatus comprising:a unit of preparing a sample to be supplied to an ion mobility sensor; anda control unit including a function for controlling the unit of preparing,wherein the unit of preparing includes a concentration adjusting mechanism changing a concentration of a first constituent included in the sample, andthe control unit includes a function of acquiring a measurement result of the ion mobility sensor and a function of controlling the concentration adjusting mechanism in a direction in which the measurement result improves, andthe function for controlling the concentration adjusting mechanism includes:a function of preliminarily analyzing measurement results obtained by controlling the concentration adjusting mechanism so as to change the concentration of the first constituent in stages and selecting a chemical substance candidate included in the first constituent; anda function of accessing a database of a plurality of chemical substances that are to be measured by the ion mobility sensor and includes data on concentrations of each of the plurality of chemical substances that are suited to detection by the ion mobility sensor to acquire a detection concentration suited to detecting the chemical substance candidate and controlling the concentration adjusting mechanism so that a concentration of the first constituent included in ...

FAST-SWITCHING DUAL-POLARITY ION MOBILITY SPECTROMETRY

Systems and methods disclosed provide for methods of managing polarity switching in an ion mobility spectrometer, and provide for management of the repelling grid voltage, the gating grid voltage, and the fixed grid voltage during polarity switching. Systems and methods also provide for the management of the effect of dielectric relaxation in an insulator proximal to the collector, and provide for a preamplifier coupled to the collector including a switch, and a method of managing the collector output including the switch. Systems and methods consistent with the current disclosure further provide for a method of normalizing ion mobility data by determining fitting coefficients associated with a plurality of measurement data sets, and subtracting the curves determined by the fitting coefficients from the data acquired by the ion mobility spectrometer. 149-. (canceled)50. A method of managing polarity switching , comprising:operating in a first mode an ion mobility spectrometer comprising a repelling grid with a first voltage, a gating grid with a second voltage, and a fixed grid with a third voltage, and wherein the first mode is characterized by the first voltage being more positive than the second voltage, and the second voltage is more positive than the third voltage, and the third voltage is greater than zero;operating in a second mode the ion mobility spectrometer, wherein the second mode is characterized by the first voltage is more negative than the second voltage, and the second voltage is more negative than the third voltage, and the third voltage is less than zero;transitioning between the first and second modes, wherein during the transitioning the first voltage is more positive than the second voltage, the second voltage is approximately equal to the third voltage, and the second voltage is more negative than the first voltage when the first voltage is approximately equal to the third voltage.51. The method of managing polarity switching of claim 50 , ...

Method for Triggering Dependent Spectra for Data Acquisition

Methods and systems are provided for triggering an information dependent mass spectrometry scan in real time. A mass spectrometry scan of a separating sample mixture is performed by a mass spectrometer at each time interval of a time period. The mass spectrometer receives the separating sample mixture from a separation device. It is determined at a certain time interval that a received mass spectrometry scan at the time interval and one or more preceding received mass spectrometry scans include two or more time-varying ion signals that represent two or more fragment ion transitions of a known compound. If a characteristic of the two or more time-varying ion signals meets a selection criterion, the mass spectrometer is instructed to perform a dependent mass spectrometry scan of the separating sample mixture for a precursor ion of the known compound at the time interval. 1. A system for triggering an information dependent mass spectrometry scan in real time , comprising:a separation device that separates one or more compounds from a sample mixture over a time period;a mass spectrometer that performs a mass spectrometry scan on the separating sample mixture at a plurality of time intervals of the time period; and receives from the mass spectrometer each mass spectrometry scan at each time interval of the plurality of time intervals,', 'determines at a time interval of the plurality of time intervals that a received mass spectrometry scan at the time interval and one or more preceding received mass spectrometry scans include two or more time-varying ion signals that represent two or more fragment ion transitions of a known compound, and', 'if a characteristic of the two or more time-varying ion signals meets a selection criterion, instructs the mass spectrometer to perform a dependent mass spectrometry scan of the separating sample mixture for a precursor ion of the known compound at the time interval., 'a processor that'}2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the selection ...

Tandem Ion Trapping Arrangement

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a first storage ion trap arranged upstream of a high performance analytical ion trap. According to an embodiment ions are simultaneously scanned from both the first and second ion trap. At any instant in time the quantity of charge present within the second ion trap is limited or restricted so that the second ion trap does not suffer from space charge saturation effects and hence the performance of the second ion trap is not degraded. 1. A mass spectrometer comprising:an ion mobility separator;a mass selective ion trap comprising a plurality of electrodes, wherein said mass selective ion trap is arranged downstream of said ion mobility separator;wherein in a mode of operation a group of ions is arranged to be within said ion mobility separator at an initial time T0;said mass spectrometer further comprising:a control system which is arranged and adapted:(i) to cause ions to emerge from said ion mobility separator during a first scan, wherein at least some of said ions which emerge from said ion mobility separator are subsequently received by and stored or trapped in or within said ion trap; and(ii) to cause said ion trap to mass selectively eject at least some ions out of said ion trap during a second scan;wherein said second scan is commenced after said first scan is completed.2. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a device or ion gate for pulsing ions into said ion mobility separator claim 1 , wherein claim 1 , in use claim 1 , ions are arranged to reside within said ion mobility separator in order to cool to near thermal energies by collisions with buffer gas molecules which are present within said ion mobility separator.3. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at said initial time T0 or for a time period ΔT thereafter said ion trap is substantially empty of ions.4. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said time period ΔT is selected from the group consisting of: (i) <0.1 μs; ...

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY

A molecular weight is determined from an actually measured mass spectrum of a target substance, and a database search is performed to extract candidates of a chemical structural formula corresponding to the molecular weight (S S). By using an algorithm for predicting a dissociation pattern, product ions to be produced by a dissociating operation are predicted for each candidate of the chemical structural formula (S). The predicted pattern of the product ions is compared with an actually measured MSspectrum, and a degree of similarity representing the degree of matching of the pattern is calculated (S). When there are a plurality of candidates of the chemical structural formula, the candidates are displayed in order of their degrees of similarity (S). 1. A method for mass spectrometry for an identification and/or structural analysis of an unknown substance using a mass spectrometer capable of obtaining an MSspectrum by performing an MSanalysis in which an ion originating from a substance to be analyzed is dissociated in n-1 stages (where n is an integer equal to or greater than two) , comprising:a) a structural formula deduction step, in which a chemical structural formula of an unknown substance is deduced based on a molecular weight of the unknown substance determined from a mass spectrum obtained by performing a mass spectrometry of the unknown substance or on a composition formula deduced from the molecular weight;{'sup': 'n', 'b) a dissociation state deduction step, in which a product ion to be detected in an MSanalysis of the unknown substance is deduced by predicting a dissociation pattern of an ion originating from the unknown substance based on the chemical structural formula deduced in the structural formula deduction step; and'}{'sup': n', 'n', 'n, 'c) an evaluation step, in which a spectrum pattern formed by the product ion deduced in the dissociation state deduction step and an MSspectrum obtained by performing an MSanalysis of the unknown substance are ...

SIGNAL DENOISING METHODS FOR A CHARGE DETECTION FREQUENCY-SCAN/VOLTAGE-SCAN QUADRUPOLE/LINEAR/RECTILINEAR ION TRAP MASS SPECTROMETER

A signal denoising method for a frequency-scan ion trap mass spectrometer includes reading a signal raw data array observed in the spectrometer. The signal raw data array is processed by Boxcar averaging method to obtain a first signal array. Then the first signal array is processed by a harmonic interference cancellation method to obtain a second data array. Next the second signal array is processed by a radio frequency interference reduction method and a third signal array without the background induced from driving voltage of ion trap is reconstructed according to the second signal array. 1. A signal denoising method for a frequency-scan ion trap mass spectrometer , the method comprising:reading a signal raw data array observed in the spectrometer;processing the signal raw data array by Boxcar averaging method to obtain a first signal array;processing the first signal array by a harmonic interference cancellation method to obtain a second data array;processing the second signal array by a radio frequency (RF) interference reduction method; andreconstructing a third signal array without background induced from driving voltage of ion trap according to the second signal array.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the RF interference reduction method comprises:{'b': '202', 'step : reading a raw signal in time domain and reading hopping frequencies;'}{'b': '204', 'step : predicting ideal waveform of frequency scanned by the hopping frequencies;'}{'b': '206', 'step : calculating phase differences between the raw signal and the ideal waveform at each hopping frequencies;'}{'b': '208', 'step : calculating true phases at each sampling points of the raw signal;'}{'b': '210', 'step : inputting a number i of phases N for resampling, beginning with i=0;'}{'b': '212', "step : resampling the raw signal at phase[i]=2*pi*i/N, wherein pi is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter;"}{'b': '214', 'step : determining the baseline[i] of resampled signals by using wavelet ...

Signal extraction circuits and methods for ion mobility tube, and ion mobility detectors

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to substance detection technology, and to signal extraction circuits and methods for ion mobility tubes, and ion mobility detectors, which can solve the problem with the conventional technologies that it is difficult to design and manufacture the leadout circuit for the pulsed voltage on the Faraday plates. A signal extraction circuit for an ion mobility tube includes an DC-blocking module configured to remove a DC voltage contained in a voltage extracted, by a signal leadin terminal, from the Faraday plate, and to output, by a signal leadout terminal, a pulsed voltage contained in the voltage extracted from the Faraday plate. An ion mobility detector includes the signal extraction circuit for an ion mobility tube according to the present invention. A signal extraction method for an ion mobility tube includes extracting a voltage on a Faraday plate in the ion mobility tube, removing a DC voltage contained in the voltage extracted from the Faraday plate, and outputting a pulsed voltage contained in the voltage extracted from the Faraday plate. The present invention is used to extract a pulsed voltage from the Faraday plate.

MASS SPECTROMETER

After a first sample injection by a flow injection method, ion intensity of each product ions is measured by varying collision energy at coarse intervals over a wide energy range in a coarse adjustment mode (S, S). The integrated strength values of each type of product ions are compared among different levels of collision energy, and if there is any significant difference, the energy level corresponding to the largest integrated intensity value is determined as an approximate value (S, Y in S). Subsequently, a narrow energy range centering around the approximate value and a small interval are determined, the mode is switched to a fine adjustment mode, and the intensity of each product ions is measured by varying collision energy as in the case of the coarse adjustment mode. 1. A mass spectrometer in which one or more components in a liquid sample are introduced into an ion source in such a manner that a temporal change in a density of the components has a peak shape , are ionized , and are undergone a mess spectrometry , wherein tunings to optimize control parameters of various parts are performed based on results of mass spectrometry of known components in a sample , the mass spectrometer comprising:a) a parameter setting means for changing a value of a control parameter to be adjusted, at predetermined intervals within a predetermined range;b) a result acquisition means for acquiring a mass spectrometry result each time the value of the control parameter is changed by the parameter setting means; andc) a parameter optimization means which is capable of working either in a coarse adjustment mode in which the value of the control parameter is changed at first intervals in a first predetermined range by the parameter setting means or in a fine adjustment mode in which the value of the control parameter is changed at second intervals smaller than the first intervals in a second predetermined range narrower than the first predetermined range, and which, during a period ...

ION DETECTION AND PARAMETER ESTIMATION FOR N-DIMENSIONAL DATA

Methods and apparatus for LC/IMS/MS analysis involve obtaining noisy raw data from a sample, convolving the data with an artifact-reducing filter, and locating, in retention-time, ion mobility, and mass-to-charge-ratio dimensions, one or more ion peaks of the convolved data. 124-. (canceled)25. A method for analyzing a sample , comprising:performing processing to analyze the sample, said processing including performing chromatographic separation, ion mobility spectrometry and mass spectrometry with respect to said sample;obtaining, in accordance with said processing to analyze said sample, noisy raw data comprising a set of data elements each associating an ion-count intensity with at least three dimensions, wherein the noise is associated with ion-peak artifacts, wherein the at least three dimensions include a retention time dimension, an ion-mobility dimension, and a mass-to-charge ratio dimension;convolving at least some of the noisy raw data with an artifact-reducing filter associated with a matrix having the same number of dimensions as the noisy raw data thereby obtaining a convolved set of the at least some of the noisy raw data; andlocating one or more ion peaks in the convolved set of the at least some of the noisy raw data.26. The method of claim 25 , wherein said convolving is performed with respect to selected one or more portions of the noisy raw data associated with locations of ion peaks in a convolved set of collapsed data elements.27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the one or more portions each include restricted ranges of the noisy raw data in the retention time and mass-to-charge ratio dimensions and an unrestricted range in the ion-mobility dimension claim 26 , and wherein the restricted ranges of each portion are substantially centered on a located ion peak.28. An apparatus comprising:a plurality of analytical modules; performing processing to analyze a sample, said processing including using said plurality of analytical modules to perform ...

METHOD FOR PRODUCING A CONVERTER MODULE AND CORRESPONDING CONVERTER MODULE

A method for producing a converter module () a correspondingly produced converter module are improved by at least part of a structure () being produced on a carrier () forming a component of the converter module () and by a material containing metal being at least partially applied on the carrier (). 1. Method for producing a converter module , comprising the steps of:generating at least part of a structure on a carrier forming a component of the converter module andat least partially applying a material containing metal on the carrier.2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the structure is produced at least partially with an aspect ratio of depth to width that is greater than 10.3. Method according to claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the structure is produced on the carrier by the direct lithography and electroplating (LIGA) process.4. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the carrier is at least partially produced as a ceramic component.5. Method according to claim 4 , wherein at least one sintering process is applied during production of the carrier.6. Method according to claim 4 , wherein at least one transmission element for the transfer of at least one heat claim 4 , electric current and voltage is introduced into the carrier.7. Method according to claim 4 , wherein at least one channel for guiding of at least one of flowable and a gaseous media is introduced into the carrier.8. Method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one electronic component is applied to the carrier.9. Converter module produced by the method according to .10. Converter module according to claim 9 , wherein the converter module is a mass spectrometer.11. Converter module according to claim 9 , wherein a portion of the structure is connected to a transmission element which is guided by the carrier.12. Converter module according to claim 11 , wherein the transmission element is adapted for the transfer of at least one heat claim 11 , electric current and voltage.13. Converter ...

Adjusting energy of ions ejected from ion trap

An ion trap includes a trap exit at which an ion energy adjusting device is located. The adjusting device may be configured for focusing a beam of ions ejected from the trap, reducing the energy distribution of the ions, and/or reducing the average kinetic energy of the ions. The adjusting device may include lenses to which RF and/or DC voltages are applied.

Systems and methods for ms-ms-analysis

A mass spectrum is acquired by accumulating parent ions in an ion trap, ejecting parent ions of a selected m/z ratio into a collision cell, producing fragment ions from the parent ions, and analyzing the fragment ions in a mass analyzer. The other parent ions remain stored in the ion trap, and thus the process may be repeated by mass-selectively scanning parent ions from the ion trap. In this manner, the full mass range of parent ions or any desired subset of the full mass range may be analyzed without significant ion loss or undue time expenditure. The collision cell may provide a large ion acceptance aperture and relatively smaller ion emission aperture. The collision cell may pulse ions out to the mass analyzer. The mass analyzer may be a time-of-flight analyzer. The timing of pulsing of ions out from the collision cell may be matched with the timing of pulsing of ions into the time-of-flight analyzer.

Ion Guide With Orthogonal Sampling

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a RF ion guide wherein in a mode of operation a continuous, quasi-continuous or pulsed beam of ions is orthogonally sampled from the ion guide and wherein the continuous, quasi-continuous or pulsed beam of ions is not axially trapped or otherwise axially confined within the RF ion guide. The Ion guide is maintained, in use, at a pressure selected from the group consisting of: (i) 0.0001-0.001 mbar; (ii) 0.001-0.01 mbar; (iii) 0.01-0.1 mbar; (iv) 0.1-1 mbar; (v) 1-10 mbar; (vi) 10-100 mbar; and (vii) >100 mbar. 1. A mass spectrometer comprising:an RF ion guide comprising a plurality of electrodes wherein in a mode of operation a continuous, quasi-continuous or pulsed beam of ions is orthogonally sampled from said ion guide and wherein said continuous, quasi-continuous or pulsed beam of ions is not axially trapped or otherwise axially confined within said RF ion guide; anda device arranged and adapted to maintain the ion guide at a pressure selected from the group consisting of: (i) 0.0001-0.001 mbar; (ii) 0.001-0.01 mbar; (iii) 0.01-0.1 mbar; (iv) 0.1-1 mbar; (v) 1-10 mbar; (vi) 10-100 mbar; and (vii) >100 mbar.2. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said beam of ions is non-mass selectively sampled or otherwise ejected from said ion guide.3. A mass spectrometer as claimed in or claim 1 , further comprising a device arranged and adapted to apply a DC potential to at least some of said electrodes in order to cause ions to be orthogonally sampled from said ion guide.4. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising a device arranged and adapted to apply an RF potential in addition to said DC potential to at least some of said electrodes in order to cause ions to be orthogonally sampled from said ion guide.5. A mass spectrometer as claimed in any preceding claim claim 3 , further comprising a device arranged and adapted to urge ions along at least a portion or substantially the whole of the axial ...

Excitation of ions in an icr-cell with structured trapping electrodes

In an ion cyclotron resonance cell, which is enclosed at its ends by electrode structure elements with DC voltages of alternating polarity, longitudinal electrodes are divided so that the ICR measurement cell between the electrode structure elements consists of at least three sections. An excitation of ion cyclotron motions can be performed by applying additional trapping voltages to longitudinal electrodes located closest to the electrode structure elements and introducing ions into the center set of longitudinal electrodes. The ions are then excited into cyclotron orbits by applying radiofrequency excitation pulses to at least two rows of longitudinal electrodes to produce orbiting ion clouds. Subsequently, the additional trapping voltages are removed and an ion-attracting DC voltage is superimposed on the DC voltages. Ions excited to circular orbits can be detected using detection electrodes in the outer ICR cell sections.

Use of Variable XIC Widths of TOF-MSMS Data for the Determination of Background Interference in SRM Assays

Systems and methods identify a product ion that does not include an interference. A full product ion spectrum for a mass range of an analyte in a sample is received from a tandem mass spectrometer. A first set of one or more peak parameters is calculated for a product ion in the full product ion spectrum using a first XIC window width. A second set of one or more peak parameters is calculated for the product ion using a second XIC window width. The product ion is identified as not including an interference, if the first set of one or more peak parameters and the second set of one or more peak parameters are substantially the same. The product ion is further confirmed or determined to be from the analyte and not from a matrix of the sample by correlating the product to a precursor ion of the analyte. 1. A system for identifying a product ion that does not include an interference , comprising:a tandem mass spectrometer that analyzes a first sample using one or more precursor scans; and receives a first full product ion spectrum for a mass range of an analyte in the first sample from the tandem mass spectrometer,', 'calculates a first set of one or more peak parameters for a product ion in the first full product ion spectrum using a first extracted ion chromatogram window width,', 'calculates a second set of one or more peak parameters for the product ion in the first full product ion spectrum using a second extracted ion chromatogram window width, and', 'identifies the product ion as not including an interference, if the first set of one or more peak parameters and the second set of one or more peak parameters are substantially the same., 'a processor in communication with the tandem mass spectrometer that'}2. The system of any combination of the preceding system claims , wherein the first sample includes a first matrix in addition to the analyte and the processorcorrelates the product ion to a precursor ion of the analyte in the first sample, andidentifies the ...

Droplet Manipulation Using Gas-Phase Standing-Wave Ultrasound Fields in MS Sources

An ion source for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ionisation device which emits a stream of droplets and one or more ultrasonic transmitters which create one or more acoustic standing waves. The acoustic standing waves may be used to further nebulise the stream of droplets and induce internal mixing of the droplets.

FAST SWITCHING, DUAL POLARITY, DUAL OUTPUT HIGH VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLY

Systems, devices, circuits, and methods are provided for an improved mass spectrometry detection system that comprises an ion source and a detector that operate at opposite polarities. In some embodiments, the system can comprise a positive and negative multiplier, each of which can be configured to provide voltage to each of the ion source and the detector. In some embodiments, the system can comprise switches that allow the change between positive and negative polarities for the ion source or detector to occur quickly. A variety of embodiments of systems, devices, circuits, and methods in conjunction with the disclosures are provided. 1. A mass spectrometer system , comprising:an ion source;a detector configured to receive at least a portion of ions generated by the ion source;a positive multiplier configured to provide voltage to each of the ion source and the detector; anda negative multiplier configured to provide voltage to each of the ion source and the detector.2. The mass spectrometer system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more switches for controlling application of voltage to the detector and the ion source.3. The mass spectrometer system of claim 2 , wherein the one or more switches comprises a first switch configured to allow the positive multiplier to supply a positive voltage to the ion source when the negative multiplier supplies a negative voltage to the detector claim 2 , and to allow the positive multiplier to supply a positive voltage to the detector when the negative multiplier supplies a negative voltage to the ion source.4. The mass spectrometer system of claim 1 , wherein the voltage provided by at least one of the positive multiplier and the negative multiplier is in the range of about ±1 kV to about ±20 kV.5. A mass spectrometer system claim 1 , comprising:an ion source;a detector configured to receive at least a portion of ions generated by the ion source; andone or more switches coupled to one or more power supplies, the one or ...

Optimised Ion Mobility Separation Timescales for Targeted Ions

An analytical device for analysing ions is provided comprising a separator for separating ions according to a physico-chemical property and an interface comprising one or more ion guides. A quadrupole rod set mass filter is arranged downstream of the interface. A control system is arranged and adapted: (i) to transmit a first group of ions which emerges from the separator through the interface with a first transit time t; and (ii) to transmit a second group of ions which subsequently emerges from the separator through the interface with a second different transit time t 1. An analytical device for analysing ions comprising:a separator for separating ions according to a physico-chemical property;an interface comprising one or more ion guides, each ion guide comprising a plurality of electrodes;a quadrupole rod set mass or mass to charge ratio filter arranged downstream of said interface; anda control system arranged and adapted:{'b': '1', '(i) to transmit a first group of ions which emerges from said separator through said interface with a first transit time t; and'}{'b': '2', '(ii) to transmit a second group of ions which subsequently emerges from said separator through said interface with a second different transit time t.'}2. An analytical device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said physico-chemical property comprises ion mobility or differential ion mobility.3. An analytical device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said separator comprises an ion mobility separator or a differential ion mobility separator.4. An analytical device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said physico-chemical property comprises mass or mass to charge ratio.5. An analytical device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said separator comprises a time of flight region.6221. An analytical device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said control system is arranged and adapted to transmit said second group of ions through said interface with a transit time t claim 1 , wherein t>t.7. An analytical device as ...

INTEGRATED SAMPLE PROCESSING SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE DETECTION CAPABILITY

An integrated sample processing system including an analyzer and a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The integrated sample processing system can perform multiple different types of detection, thereby providing improved flexibility and better accuracy in processing samples. The detection systems in the sample processing system may include an optical detection system and a mass spectrometer.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY ANALYZING MULTIPLE IONS WITH AN ELECTROSTATIC LINEAR ION TRAP

A charge detection mass spectrometer may include an ion source, an electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT) including a charge detection cylinder disposed between a pair of coaxially aligned ion mirrors, means for selectively establishing electric fields within the ion mirrors configured to cause the trapped ions in the ELIT to oscillate back and forth between the ion mirrors each time passing through the charge detection cylinder, and means for controlling a trajectory of the beam of ions entering the ELIT to cause the subsequently trapped ions to oscillate with different planar ion oscillation trajectories angularly offset from one another about the longitudinal axis with each extending along and crossing the longitudinal axis in each of the ion mirrors or with different cylindrical ion oscillation trajectories radially offset from one another about the longitudinal axis to form nested cylindrical trajectories each extending along the longitudinal axis. 1. A charge detection mass spectrometer (CDMS) for simultaneously measuring multiple ions , comprising:an ion source configured to generate and supply a beam of ions,an electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT) including a pair of coaxially aligned ion mirrors and an elongated charge detection cylinder disposed therebetween and coaxially aligned therewith such that a longitudinal axis of the ELIT passes centrally through each, a first one of the pair of ions mirror defining an ion inlet aperture about the longitudinal axis through which the supplied beam of ions enters the ELIT,at least one voltage source operatively coupled to the pair of ion mirrors and configured to produce voltages for selectively establishing electric fields therein configured to trap within the ELIT a plurality of ions in the entering beam of ions and to cause the plurality of trapped ions to oscillate back and forth between the pair of ion mirrors each time passing through the charge detection cylinder, andmeans for controlling a trajectory of the ...

FIRST AND SECOND ORDER FOCUSING USING FIELD FREE REGIONS IN TIME-OF-FLIGHT

In some embodiments, a time of flight mass spectrometer can comprise an input orifice for receiving ions, a first ion accelerator stage for accelerating the ions along a first path, at least one ion reflector for receiving said accelerated ions and redirecting said ions along a second path different than the first path, a detector for detecting at least a portion of the ions redirected by said at least one ion reflector, and at least first and second field free drift regions disposed between said first acceleration stage and said detector, wherein said second field free region is disposed in proximity of the detector. In some embodiments, the lengths of the field free drift regions can be selected so as to provide 1st and 2nd order corrections of the time of flight of the ions with respect to variation in their initial positions. 1. A time of flight mass spectrometer , comprising:an input orifice for receiving ions,a first ion acceleration stage for accelerating the ions along a first path,a first ion reflector for receiving said accelerated ions and redirecting said ions along a second path different than the first path,a second ion reflector configured to redirect the ions propagating along the second path onto a third path,a detector for detecting at least a portion of the ions redirected by said second ion reflector,at least first and second field free drift regions disposed between said first acceleration stage and said detector, wherein said second field free region is disposed in proximity of the detector, anda second acceleration stage disposed between said first and second field free drift regions.2. The mass spectrometer of claim 1 , wherein said first and second field free drift regions are configured to correct for a spread in initial positions of ions entering the spectrometer relative to a reference position.3. The mass spectrometer of claim 2 , wherein the detector is positioned to receive the ions propagating along the third path.4. The mass ...

TIME OF FLIGHT TUBES AND METHODS OF USING THEM

Certain embodiments described herein are directed to time of flight tubes comprising a cylindrical tube comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the cylindrical tube comprising an effective thickness and sized and arranged to couple to and support a reflectron assembly inside the cylindrical tube. In some configurations, the cylindrical tube further comprises a conductive material disposed on the inner surface of the cylindrical tube, the conductive material present in an effective amount to provide a field free region for ions when the conductive material is charged. 1. A time of flight tube comprising:an inner tube comprising an effective thickness and sized and arranged to couple to and support a reflectron assembly inside the inner tube, the inner tube comprising a conductive material disposed on an inner surface of the inner tube, the conductive material present in an effective amount to provide a field free region for ions when the conductive material is charged;an outer tube surrounding the inner tube, the outer tube effective to insulate the inner tube and electrically isolate the inner tube; andan air gap between the inner tube and the outer tube.2. The time of flight tube of claim 1 , in which the inner tube comprises a material with a coefficient of thermal expansion that is effective to maintain a substantially constant height of the inner tube during operation of the time of flight tube.3. The time of flight tube of claim 2 , in which the coefficient of thermal expansion of the material is effective to permit longitudinal expansion of the inner tube by about two microns or less.4. The time of flight tube of claim 1 , in which the conductive material on the inner surface of the inner tube comprises a coated conductive material.5. The time of flight tube of claim 1 , in which the outer surface of the inner tube is non-conductive.6. The time of flight tube of claim 1 , further comprising a cap coupled to the inner tube.7. The time of flight tube ...

Device for Improved Detection of Ions in Mass Spectrometry

An electron multiplier is positioned relative to at least one dynode to direct a beam of secondary particles from the at least one dynode to a collector area of the electron multiplier and not to a channel area of the electron multiplier for a range of electron multiplier voltages applied by one or more voltage sources to the electron multiplier and for a dynode voltage applied by the one or more voltage sources to the at least one dynode. The electron multiplier includes an aperture with an entrance cone and walls of the entrance cone comprise the collector area and an apex of the entrance cone comprises the channel area. An electron multiplier voltage of the range of electron multiplier voltages is applied to the electron multiplier and the dynode voltage is applied to the at least one dynode using the one or more voltage sources. 1. A method for directing ions directly from an exit lens of a mass spectrometer to the collector area of an electron multiplier and away from the channel area of the electron multiplier for a range of voltages that are applied to the electron multiplier , comprising:positioning an electron multiplier relative to an exit lens of a mass spectrometer to direct an ion beam directly from the exit lens to a collector area of the electron multiplier and not to a channel area of the electron multiplier for a range of electron multiplier voltages applied by at least one voltage source to the electron multiplier, wherein the electron multiplier includes an aperture with an entrance cone and walls of the entrance cone comprise the collector area and an apex of the entrance cone comprises the channel area; andapplying an electron multiplier voltage of the range of electron multiplier voltages to the electron multiplier using the at least one voltage source.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mass spectrometer detector sub-system is operated in negative ion mode claim 1 , the ion beam comprises negative ions with an ion energy of at least 2 keV ...

MASS SPECTROMETER

Provided is a mass spectrometer which repeats the operation of capturing ions originating from a sample component into an ion trap (), ejecting the ions from the ion trap, and analyzing the ions with a TOF mass analyzer (). A capturing voltage generator () applies an ion-capturing radio-frequency voltage to the ion trap. An ejecting voltage generator () applies an ion-ejecting voltage whose phase is synchronized with the radio-frequency voltage. A controller () controls those devices to introduce next ions to be analyzed into the ion trap while performing a mass spectrometric analysis in the TOF mass analyzer. A blank signal acquirer () acquires a blank signal within a measurement period or measurement window while the ion trap is being operated. A noise remover () subtracts blank-signal data from signal intensity data acquired by a sample measurement. A spectrum creator () creates a mass spectrum based on noise-removed data. 1. A mass spectrometer including an ion trap configured to capture an ion by a radio-frequency electric field and a time-of-flight mass analyzer configured to perform a mass spectrometric analysis on an ion ejected from the ion trap , the mass spectrometer configured to repeatedly perform an operation of capturing an ion originating from a sample component into the ion trap , ejecting the ion from the ion trap and analyzing the ion with the time-of-flight mass analyzer , and the mass spectrometer comprising:a capturing voltage generator configured to apply an ion-capturing radio-frequency voltage to at least one of the electrodes forming the ion trap;an ejecting voltage generator configured to apply an ion-ejecting voltage to at least one of the electrodes forming the ion trap, where a phase of the ion-ejecting voltage is synchronized with a phase of the radio-frequency voltage;a controller configured to control the capturing voltage generator and the ejecting voltage generator so as to introduce an ion to be subsequently analyzed into the ion ...

APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO PRODUCE AN IMAGE CHARGE/CURRENT SIGNAL

An apparatus configured to produce an image charge/current signal representative of trapped ions undergoing oscillatory motion. The apparatus includes: an electrostatic ion trap configured to trap ions such that the trapped ions undergo oscillatory motion in the electrostatic ion trap; an image charge/current detector configured to obtain an image charge/current signal representative of trapped ions undergoing oscillatory motion in the electrostatic ion trap, wherein the electrostatic ion trap configured to trap ions such that the image charge/current signal in the time domain repeats, for ions of a given mass/charge ratio m, at a frequency f(m) [Hz] with a signal period T(m) [s]. The image charge/current detector includes one or more pickup electrodes configured to obtain the image charge/current signal. The one or more pickup electrodes are arranged to detect two signal pulses caused by ions having the given mass/charge ratio m within each signal period T(m). The one or more pickup electrodes are further arranged such that the time separation Δt(m) between the two signal pulses caused by ions having the given mass/charge ratio m within each signal period T(m) is approximately equal to 2p+1/2.n.f(m) so as to suppress a predetermined nth harmonic within the image charge/current signal, where n is an integer that is 1 or more, and where p is an integer that is 0 or more. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to produce an image charge/current signal representative of trapped ions undergoing non-harmonic oscillatory motion.3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein n is less than 5.4. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein n=2 or n=3.5. An apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein n=2 and the apparatus is configured to be used with ions having a mass/charge ratio range mto msuch that the H1 peaks in the frequency spectrum for ions in the mass/charge ratio range do not overlap with the H3 peaks in the frequency spectrum for ...

METHOD OF CHARACTERIZATION OF VISIBLE AND/OR SUB-VISIBLE PARTICLES IN BIOLOGICS

A method for characterizing or quantifying one or more proteins in visible and/or sub-visible particles formed in a sample by detecting the at least one visible or sub-visible particle in the sample, isolating and capturing the at least one visible or sub-visible particle to identify a presence of a protein, and using a mass spectrometer to characterize the protein. 1. A method for identification of a host cell-protein in at least one visible or sub-visible particle in a sample , comprising:isolating and capturing the at least one visible or sub-visible particle;analyzing the at least one visible or sub-visible particle to identify a presence of a protein using Raman spectroscopy;subjecting the at least one visible or sub-visible particle using a mass spectrometry analysis; andidentifying a presence of the host cell protein based on the mass spectrometry analysis.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one visible or sub-visible particle has a size of at least about 100 μm.3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising capturing the at least one visible or sub-visible particle on a gold-coated polycarbonate membrane.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pore size of the gold-coated polycarbonate membrane is about 5 μm.5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising dissolving the sample in urea after performing Raman spectroscopy analysis.6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the concentration of urea is about 8 M.7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising digesting the sample under denaturing conditions after analyzing the at least one visible or sub-visible particle.8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample further comprises a protein of interest.9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the protein of interest is an antibody.10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the protein of interest is a therapeutic antibody.11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the protein of interest is a fusion protein.12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising subjecting the at least ...

Microwave Cavity Resonator Detector

An ion detector system for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a first device arranged and adapted to receive ions and emit or output first electrons and a microwave cavity resonator arranged and adapted to deflect the first electrons onto a first detector. 1. An ion detector system for a mass spectrometer comprising:a first device arranged and adapted to receive ions and emit or output first electrons; anda microwave resonator arranged and adapted to deflect said first electrons onto a first detector.2. An ion detector system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first device comprises a conversion dynode.3. An ion detector system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first electrons comprise secondary electrons.4. An ion detector system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising one or more grid electrodes arranged upstream of said first device wherein said one or more grid electrodes are arranged and adapted to accelerate said ions onto or into said first device.5. An ion detector system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a second device arranged and adapted to apply a magnetic field so as to deflect said first electrons towards said microwave resonator.6. An ion detector system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first detector comprises one or more microchannel plates.7. An ion detector system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first detector is arranged downstream of said microwave resonator.8. An ion detector system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first detector is arranged and adapted to receive said first electrons and emit or output second electrons.9. An ion detector system as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising a first position sensitive detector (“PSD”) arranged and adapted to detect the position or location that said second electrons impinge upon said first position sensitive detector.1012-. (canceled)13. An ion detector system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said microwave resonator is arranged and adapted to generate ...

DIVIDED-APERTURE LASER DIFFERENTIAL CONFOCAL LIBS AND RAMAN SPECTRUM-MASS SPECTRUM MICROSCOPIC IMAGING METHOD AND DEVICE

The present disclosure relates to a divided-aperture laser differential confocal LIBS and Raman spectrum-mass spectrum microscopic imaging method and device. In the present disclosure, the divided-aperture differential confocal imaging technology is combined with the spectrum technology and the mass spectrum detecting technology, high-spatial resolution form imaging is performed on a sample by utilizing a minute focusing spot of a divided-aperture differential confocal microscope processed by using the super-resolution technique, a mass spectrum detection is performed on charged molecules or atoms in a sample microzone by using a mass spectrum detecting system, a microzone spectrum detection is performed on spectrum excited by the focusing spot of a divided-aperture differential confocal microscope system by using a spectrum detecting system, and high-spatial resolution and high-sensitivity imaging and detection of complete composition information and form parameter of the sample microzone are implemented by using complementary advantages and structural fusion in laser multi-spectrum detection. 2. The divided-aperture laser differential confocal LIBS and Raman spectrum-mass spectrum microscopic imaging method according to claim 1 , wherein step I may comprise:the parallel beam being reshaped into an annular beam by a vector beam generating system and a pupil filter that are arranged along a direction of an incident optical axis, and the annular beam being focused on the measured sample by a circular lighting collection lens to generate the plasma plume by means of desorption ionization.3. The divided-aperture laser differential confocal LIBS and Raman spectrum-mass spectrum microscopic imaging method according to claim 1 , wherein: lighting collection functions of the D-type lighting pupil and the D-type collection pupil in the D-type lighting collection lens may be achieved by means of a circular lighting pupil and a circular collection pupil in the circular ...

MASS SPECTROMETRY DEVICE

When a specimen from a specimen ionizing unit is not sufficiently ionized, is caused to remain in sites other than a pore in an introducing section and be deposited as a product such as an oxide or carbide, which causes a deterioration in the performance of the mass spectrometry device. The mass spectrometry device has a specimen ionizing section for ionizing a specimen, a specimen-introduction regulating chamber into which ions of the ionized specimen are introduced, a differential evacuation chamber located downstream of the specimen-introduction regulating chamber, and an analyzing section located at the downstream side of the differential evacuation chamber, in which a discharge generating means is formed for generating an electric discharge inside the specimen-introduction regulating chamber and/or the differential evacuation chamber. The discharge generating means has a specimen introducing section electrode and a first-pore-section-forming member located oppositely to each other inside the specimen-introduction regulating chamber. 1. A mass spectrometry device , comprising a specimen supply source , a specimen ionizing section for ionizing a specimen supplied from the specimen supply source , a specimen-introduction regulating chamber into which ions of the ionized specimen are introduced , a differential evacuation chamber located at the downstream side of the specimen-introduction regulating chamber , and an analyzing section located at the downstream side of the differential evacuation chamber ,the device further comprising a discharge generating means for generating an electric discharge inside at least one of the specimen-introduction regulating chamber and the differential evacuation chamber,wherein the discharge generating means uses a high-frequency.2. The mass spectrometry device according to claim 1 ,wherein the discharge generating means has a specimen introducing section electrode and a first-pore-section-forming member (electrode) located ...

Adaptive and Targeted Control of Ion Populations to Improve the Effective Dynamic Range of Mass Analyser

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed wherein one or more relatively abundant or intense species of ions in a first population of ions are selectively attenuated so as to form a second population of ions. The total ion current of the second population of ions is then adjusted so that the ion current corresponding to ions which are onwardly transmitted to a mass analyser comprising an ion detector is within the dynamic range of the ion detector. 1. A method of mass spectrometry , comprising:providing a first population of ions;selectively attenuating one or more relatively abundant or intense species of ions in said first population of ions so as to form a second population of ions; andadjusting or optimising a total ion current of said second population of ions so as to form a third population of ions so that a total ion current of ions is within a dynamic range of a downstream device.2. A method of mass spectrometry , comprising:providing a first population of ions;adjusting or optimising a total ion current of said first population of ions so as to form a second population of ions; andselectively attenuating one or more relatively abundant or intense species of ions in said second population of ions so as to form a third population of ions so that a total ion current of ions is within a dynamic range of a downstream device.3. A method of mass spectrometry , comprising:selectively attenuating one or more relatively abundant or intense species of ions and adjusting or optimising a total ion current so that an ion signal is within a dynamic range of a downstream device; wherein:said adjusting or optimising a total ion current comprises attenuating all species of ions, wherein said one or more relatively abundant or intense species of ions are attenuated to a greater degree;the steps of selectively attenuating one or more relatively abundant or intense species and adjusting or optimising a total ion current are achieved by controlling the operation of a single ...

CALIBRATING ELECTRON MULTIPLIER GAIN USING THE PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT

An ion detector includes a first stage dynode configured to receive an ion beam and generate electrons, a photon source arranged to provide photons to the first stage dynode, the photons of sufficient energy to cause the first stage dynode to emit photoelectrons, an electron multiplier configured to receive the electrons or the photoelectrons from the first stage dynode and generate an output proportional to the number of electrons or photoelectrons, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the output generated in response to the photoelectrons; calculate a gain curve of the detector based on the output; and set a voltage of the electron multiplier or the first stage dynode to achieve a target gain for the ion beam. 1. An ion detector comprising:a first stage dynode configured to receive an ion beam and generate electrons;a photon source arranged to provide photons to the first stage dynode, the photons of sufficient energy to cause the first stage dynode to emit photoelectrons;an electron multiplier configured to receive the electrons or the photoelectrons from the first stage dynode and generate an output proportional to the number of electrons or photoelectrons; and receive the output generated in response to the photoelectrons;', 'calculate a gain curve of the detector based on the output; and', 'set a voltage of the electron multiplier or the first stage dynode to achieve a target gain for the ion beam., 'a controller configured to2. The ion detector of claim 1 , wherein the photon source is a light emitting diode claim 1 , a laser claim 1 , or a discharge lamp.3. The ion detector of claim 2 , wherein the light emitting diode is an ultraviolet light emitting diode.4. The ion detector of claim 1 , further comprising a photodiode configured to measure the photon output of the photon source.5. The ion detector of claim 4 , wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the current supplied to the photon source in response to the measured ...

DEVICE FOR DETECTING CHARGED PARTICLES AND AN APPARATUS FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY INCORPORATING THE SAME

A device for detecting charged particles includes a substrate, a charge detection plate and an integrated circuit unit that are electrically connected together and respectively disposed on non-coplanar first and second sides of the substrate, and an interference shielding unit substantially enclosing the charge detection plate and the integrated circuit unit in such a manner as to permit impingement on the charge detection plate by the charged particles from outside of the interference shielding unit. The integrated circuit unit disposed on the second side is non-coplanar with the charge detection plate disposed on the first side so as to prevent interference on the integrated circuit unit by the charged particles. 1. A device for detecting charged particles , comprising:a substrate;a charge detection plate disposed on a first side of said substrate;an integrated circuit unit electrically connected to said charge detection plate, and disposed on a second side of said substrate that is non-coplanar with said first side; andan interference shielding unit substantially enclosing said charge detection plate and said integrated circuit unit in such a manner as to permit impingement on said charge detect ion plate by the charged particles from outside of said interference shielding unit;wherein said integrated circuit unit disposed on said second side is non-coplanar with said charge detection plate disposed on said first side so as to prevent interference on said integrated circuit unit by the charged particles.2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said interference shielding unit includes a Faraday cage and a mesh that is connected to said Faraday cage.3. The device of claim 2 , wherein said Faraday cage substantially covers said first and second sides of said substrate and has two openings that respectively correspond in position to said charge detection plate and said integrated circuit unit to respectively expose said charge detection plate and said integrated circuit ...

Two-and-a-Half Channel Detection System for Time-of-Flight (TOF) Mass Spectrometer

Two-channel electrical and photo-electrical TOF ion detection systems are provided. These systems maintain the resolution and dynamic range advantages of four-channel systems but at a lower cost. Electrodes or light pipes are configured to direct electrons or photons produced by ion impacts into two separate channels. The first channel receives electrons or photons resulting from the inner or central part of the rectangular pattern of each ion impact. The second channel receives electrons or photons resulting from the two outer ends of the rectangular pattern of each ion impact. In a two-channel digitizer, the first channel and the second channel are independently calibrated to align the first digital value and the second digital value in time and account for the convex shape of the ion impacts of each ion packet and/or the curvature of a microchannel plate. 1. An electrical two-channel ion detection system for a time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyzer , comprising:a series of one or more microchannel plates that is impacted by ion packets in a rectangular pattern on a first side of the series of one or more microchannel plates and converts the impacts into multiplied electrons emitted in the rectangular pattern on a second side of the series of one or more microchannel plates, wherein a longer side of the rectangular pattern is the length and a shorter side of the rectangular pattern is the width and wherein ions of each ion packet impact the first side at different times along the length of the rectangular pattern following a convex shape with ions of each packet impacting a central inner area of the rectangular pattern before impacting two outer areas at each end of the rectangular pattern;two or more segmented anode electrodes plates arranged in a plane parallel with the series of one or more microchannel plates and positioned next to the series of one or more microchannel plates to receive the emitted electrons from the rectangular pattern on the second side of the ...

Improved Method of Data Dependent Control

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising obtaining first data at a first time and/or location and second data at a second subsequent time and/or location. A future trend or rate of change in the data is predicted from the first and second data. An attenuation factor of an attenuation device is adjusted in response to the predicted future trend or rate of change in the data so as to maintain operation of a detector or detector system within the dynamic range of the detector or detector system and/or to prevent saturation of the detector or detector system. 1. A method of mass spectrometry comprising:obtaining first data at a first time or location and second data at a second subsequent time or location;predicting a future trend or rate of change of data from said first and second data; andadjusting an attenuation factor of an attenuation device or otherwise adjusting the transmission of ions in response to said predicted future trend or rate of change of data so as to maintain operation of a detector or detector system within a dynamic range of said detector or detector system or to prevent saturation of said detector or detector system.2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first and second data comprise mass spectral data.3. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first and second data comprise multi-dimensional data.4. A method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said first and second data relate to two or more physico-chemical properties of ions.5. A method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said two or more physico-chemical properties comprise mass claim 4 , mass to charge ratio claim 4 , time of flight claim 4 , ion mobility claim 4 , differential ion mobility claim 4 , retention time claim 4 , liquid chromatography retention time claim 4 , gas chromatography retention time or capillary electrophoresis retention time.6. A mass spectrometer comprising:a control system arranged and adapted:(i) to obtain first data at a first time or location ...

Time-of-Flight Analysis of a Continuous Beam of Ions by a Detector Array

Systems and methods are provided for time-of-flight analysis of a continuous beam of ions by a detector array. A sample is ionized using an ion source to produce a continuous beam of ions. An electric field is applied to the continuous beam of ions using an accelerator to produce an accelerated beam of ions. A rotating magnetic and/or electric field is applied to the accelerated beam to separate ions with different mass-to-charge ratios over an area of a two-dimensional detector using a deflector located between the accelerator and the two-dimensional detector. An arrival time and a two-dimensional arrival position of each ion of the accelerated beam are recorded using the two-dimensional detector. Alternatively, an electric field that is periodic with time is applied in order to sweep the accelerated beam over a periodically repeating path on the two-dimensional rectangular detector. 1. A time-of-flight mass (TOF) spectrometer for analyzing a continuous beam of ions that optimizes the utilization of the area of a rectangular detector , comprising:an ion source that ionizes a sample producing a continuous beam of ions;a mass filter that receives the continuous beam and admits ions with a desired range of mass-to-charge ratios and blocks ions outside the desired range producing a filtered beam of ions;an accelerator that receives the filtered beam and applies an electric field to the continuous beam of ions producing an accelerated beam of ions;a two-dimensional rectangular detector that records an arrival time and a two-dimensional arrival position of each ion in the accelerated beam; and wherein the repeat period is set to the difference in the times required for ions with the highest and lowest mass-to-charge ratios in the filtered beam to travel from the deflector to the two-dimensional rectangular detector and', 'wherein the path has a maximum length among all paths that satisfies the following constraint:', "for any point x on the two-dimensional rectangular ...

ARRANGEMENT FOR A REMOVABLE ION-OPTICAL ASSEMBLY IN A MASS SPECTROMETER

Presented is a mass spectrometer comprising an ion path along which ions are transported between different sections of the mass spectrometer, and further comprising an arrangement with a receptacle being located along the ion path in the mass spectrometer and a complementary mount for carrying a removable ion-optical assembly, such as a carrier of electrodes for a MALDI ion source, wherein the mount can be removed from and reinserted into the receptacle in a plane approximately perpendicular to an ion path axis. 1. A mass spectrometer comprising an ion path along which ions are transported between different sections of the mass spectrometer , and further comprising an arrangement with a receptacle being located along the ion path in the mass spectrometer and a complementary mount for carrying a removable ion-optical assembly , wherein the mount can be removed from and reinserted into the receptacle in a plane approximately perpendicular to an ion path axis.2. A mass spectrometer according to claim 1 , wherein the receptacle has an axis which coincides with the ion path axis.3. A mass spectrometer according to claim 2 , wherein a shape of the receptacle is generally cylindrical.4. A mass spectrometer according to claim 1 , wherein a shape of the mount is generally annular.5. The mass spectrometer according to claim 1 , further comprising a lock for introducing and extracting the mount without breaking the vacuum.6. The mass spectrometer according to claim 5 , wherein a lock gate of the lock opens and closes in a plane parallel to the ion path axis.7. The mass spectrometer according to claim 1 , further comprising sprung contact pins which are supported on the receptacle and which touch appropriate counter-contacts on the mount in order to produce an electrical connection when the mount is inserted into the receptacle.8. A mass spectrometer according to claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is located such in the mass spectrometer as to position the mount carrying an ion ...

Device for supplying voltage to the cathode of a mass spectrometer

A simplified device for voltage supply of the cathode of a mass spectrometer comprises a push-pull transformer, wherein, apart from the normal rectifier diodes ( 7, 9 ), a controlled rectifier ( 8, 10 ) is provided. The gate of the first transistor ( 8 ) is connected to the second output ( 30 ), and the gate of the second transistor ( 10 ) is connected to the first output ( 32 ) of the transformer. A voltage supply device, consisting of at least one voltage multiplier, is connected via capacitors ( 13, 14, 15 ) to the output of the transformer and feeds, amongst others, the emission current measurement device.

HIGH-SPEED LOW-NOISE ION CURRENT DETECTION CIRCUIT AND MASS SPECTROMETER USING THE SAME

Methods and circuits for detecting an ion current in a mass spectrometer are described. A circuit and a method may involve converting, over a length of integration time, the ion current to a voltage ramp by an integrating circuit having a gain setting. The circuit and the method may also involve determining a slope of the voltage ramp. The circuit and the method may also involve determining a magnitude of the ion current based on the slope of the voltage ramp and the gain setting. The circuit and the method may further involves determining an out-of-range state based on the voltage ramp and adjusting the gain setting of the integrating circuit, or the length of integration time or both, in response to the determining of the out-of-range state. 1. A method of detecting an ion current in a mass spectrometer , comprising:converting, over a length of integration time, the ion current to a voltage ramp by an integrating circuit having a gain setting; 'digitizing, by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), the voltage ramp into a plurality of voltage samples, the plurality of voltage samples representing the voltage ramp; and', 'determining a slope of the voltage ramp byanalyzing, by a processor, the plurality of voltage samples to determine the slope of the voltage ramp;determining a magnitude of the ion current based on the slope of the voltage ramp and the gain setting; anddetermining an out-of-range (OOR) state based on the voltage ramp and a predetermined detectable range; andadjusting the gain setting of the integrating circuit, the length of integration time, or both, in response to the determining of the OOR state such that the voltage ramp is within the predetermined detectable range at an end time of the length of integration time.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the analyzing of the plurality of voltage samples to determine the slope of the voltage ramp comprises:determining a first-order fitting line based on the plurality of voltage samples; anddesignating a ...

MASS SPECTROMETRY DEVICE AND ION DETECTION METHOD THEREFOR

An object of the invention is to provide a mass spectrometry device and an ion detection method therefor in which an ion amount can be detected with high accuracy. 1. A mass spectrometry device which performs a channel scan measurement by changing a voltage to be applied to a mass separation unit to selectively extract a desired ion , the device comprising:an ion detection unit which detects an ion separated by the mass separation unit and outputs an electric signal;an ion amount measuring unit which measures an ion amount from the output of the ion detection unit; andanion amount correction unit which corrects a detection amount of ion from an output of the ion amount measuring unit, whereinin a process of a channel scan, the ion amount correction unit performs correction of a detection amount of ion detected in a present channel based on a detection amount of ion in a previous channel.2. The mass spectrometry device according to claim 1 , whereinin the ion amount correction unit, an ion correction amount of the present channel is decided based on the detection amount of ion in the previous channel, a measurement time of one channel, and an interval time required for a channel switch.3. The mass spectrometry device according to claim 1 , further comprising:a correction information calculation unit which, for a plurality of measurement samples having different concentrations, measures an attenuatiion process of the detection amount of ion when ions are blocked and calculates the correction amount in association with the detection amount of ion before the ion blocking.4. The mass spectrometry device according to claim 3 , whereinthe correction information calculation unit approximates a relation between the detection amount of ion before the ion blocking and the correction amount by an expression, andthe device further includes a correction information storage unit which stores information of the derived approximate expression.5. The mass spectrometry device ...

Charged particle detector, charged particle beam device, and mass spectrometer

The objective of the present invention is to provide a charged particle detector and a charged particle beam device with which it is possible to acquire a high luminous output while rapidly eliminating charged particles that are incident to a scintillator. In order to achieve said objective the present invention proposes: a charged particle detector provided with a light-emitting unit including a laminated structure obtained by laminating a GaInN-containing layer and a GaN layer, and provided with a conductive layer that is in contact with the GaInN-containing layer on the charged particle incidence surface side of the laminated structure; and a charged particle beam device.

ISOTOPE MASS SPECTROMETER

An isotope mass spectrometer including: an electron cyclotron resonance ion source, a front-end analysis device, a back-end analysis device and an ion detector; where the electron cyclotron resonance ion source is connected with the front-end analysis device, and is used for generating ion beams of multivalent charge states; the front-end analysis device is connected with the back-end analysis device, selects and separates the ion beams, and receives ion beams of constant, microscale and trace levels; the back-end analysis device is connected with the ion detector, and is used for eliminating a background of an isotope to be measured at an ultratrace level; and the ion detector is used for receiving ion beams of the ultratrace level, and carrying out energy measurement and separation on the ion beams of the ultratrace level, so as to obtain the isotope to be measured at the ultratrace level. 1. An isotope mass spectrometer , comprising:an electron cyclotron resonance ion source, a front-end analysis device, a back-end analysis device and an ion detector;wherein the electron cyclotron resonance ion source is connected with the front-end analysis device, and is used for generating ion beams of multivalent charge states;the front-end analysis device is connected with the back-end analysis device, selects and separates the ion beams, and receives ion beams of constant, microscale and trace levels;the back-end analysis device is connected with the ion detector, and is used for eliminating a background of an isotope to be measured at an ultratrace level; andthe ion detector is used for receiving ion beams of the ultratrace level, and carrying out energy measurement and separation on the ion beams of the ultratrace level, so as to obtain the isotope to be measured at the ultratrace level.2. The mass spectrometer of claim 1 , further comprising: an operation module; wherein the operation module is connected with an output end of the front-end analysis device claim 1 , and ...

Multiple Channel Detection for Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer

An ion detector for a Time of Flight mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a single Microchannel Plate which is arranged to receive ions and output electrons. The electrons are directed onto an array of photodiodes which directly detects the electrons. The output from each photodiode is connected to a separate Time to Digital Converter provided on an ASIC. 1. An ion detector for a Time of Flight mass spectrometer comprising:a first device arranged and adapted to receive ions and output electrons;a converter arranged and adapted to receive said electrons and output photons;an array of photodiodes arranged and adapted to detect said photons output from said converter or other photons, each photodiode having an output; andan array of Time to Digital Converters wherein the output from each photodiode is connected to a separate Time to Digital Converter.2. An ion detector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first device comprises a single or double microchannel plate.3. An ion detector as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a device arranged and adapted to accelerate electrons emitted from said first device so that said electrons possess a kinetic energy of <1 keV claim 1 , 1-2 keV claim 1 , 2-3 keV claim 1 , 3-4 keV claim 1 , 4-5 keV claim 1 , 5-6 keV claim 1 , 6-7 keV claim 1 , 7-8 keV claim 1 , 8-9 keV claim 1 , 9-10 keV or >10 keV.4. An ion detector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said array of photodiodes comprises at least 10 claim 1 , 20 claim 1 , 30 claim 1 , 40 claim 1 , 50 claim 1 , 60 claim 1 , 70 claim 1 , 80 claim 1 , 90 claim 1 , 100 claim 1 , 150 claim 1 , 200 claim 1 , 250 claim 1 , 300 claim 1 , 350 claim 1 , 400 claim 1 , 450 claim 1 , 500 claim 1 , 550 claim 1 , 600 claim 1 , 650 claim 1 , 700 claim 1 , 750 claim 1 , 800 claim 1 , 850 claim 1 , 900 claim 1 , 950 claim 1 , 1000 claim 1 , 1100 claim 1 , 1200 claim 1 , 1300 claim 1 , 1400 claim 1 , 1500 claim 1 , 1600 claim 1 , 1700 claim 1 , 1800 claim 1 , 1900 or 2000 photodiodes.5. An ion ...

CONTINUOUS OPERATION HIGH SPEED ION TRAP MASS SPECTROMETER

The present disclosure discusses a system and method for continuous operation of an ion trap mass spectrometer. The described system does not introduce ions into the ion trap in distinct trapping phase, rather the described system continuously injects ions into the ion trap while continuously scanning out the ions. The system and method described herein achieves a much higher duty cycle and cycle rate when compared to standard mass spectrometer devices. 1. A mass spectrometer comprising:an ion trap configured to continuously receive ions;an ion source configured to continuously inject the ions to the ion trap;an ion detector configured to detection ions when the ions are ejected from the ion trap; anda controller configured to cause a repeated frequency-scanned voltage signal to be applied to the ion trap during the continuous injection of the ions into the ion trap, the frequency-scanned voltage scanning from a first frequency to a second frequency, thereby causing the ejection of the ions from the ion trap.2. The mass spectrometer of claim 1 , wherein the controller causes the repeated frequency-scanned voltage signal to be applied to a ring electrode of the ion trap.3. The mass spectrometer of claim 2 , wherein a magnitude of the voltage of the repeated frequency-scanned voltage signal is between about 200 V and about 1000 V.4. The mass spectrometer of claim 2 , wherein the first frequency is between about 1.3 MHz and about 700 kHz and the second frequency is between about 350 kHz and about 200 kHz.5. The mass spectrometer of claim 2 , wherein an end-cap electrode of the ion trap is grounded.6. The mass spectrometer of claim 1 , wherein the controller causes the repeated frequency-scanned voltage signal to be applied to an end-cap electrode of the ion trap.7. The mass spectrometer of claim 6 , wherein the controller causes a constant fundamental frequency signal to be applied to a ring electrode of the ion trap.8. The mass spectrometer of claim 7 , wherein the ...

Orthogonal Acceleration Coaxial Cylinder Mass Analyser

A mass analyser is disclosed comprising an annular ion guide comprising a first annular ion guide section and a second annular ion guide section, wherein the annular ion guide comprises: (i) an inner cylindrical electrode arrangement which is axially segmented and comprises a plurality of first electrodes and (ii) an outer cylindrical electrode arrangement which is axially segmented and comprises a plurality of second electrodes. Ions are introduced into the first annular ion guide section so that the ions form substantially stable circular orbits. Ions are orthogonally accelerated from the first annular ion guide section into the second annular ion guide section and one or more parabolic DC potentials are maintained along a portion of the second annular ion guide section so that ions undergo simple harmonic motion. An inductive ion detector is arranged and adapted to detect ions within the second annular ion guide section.

PLASMA CLEANING FOR MASS SPECTROMETERS

A mass spectrometry (MS) system may be cleaned by generating plasma and contacting an internal surface of the system to be cleaned with the plasma. The system may be switched between operating in an analytical mode and in a cleaning mode. In the analytical mode a sample is analyzed, and plasma may or may not be actively generated. In the cleaning mode the plasma is actively generated, and the sample may or may not be analyzed. 1. A method for operating a mass spectrometry (MS) system , the method comprising:operating the MS system in an analytical mode by introducing a sample into the MS system, producing analyte ions from the sample, and producing analytical data from the analyte ions;switching between operating the MS system in the analytical mode and a cleaning mode; andduring the cleaning mode:generating plasma by operating a plasma source of the MS system; andcontacting an internal surface of the MS system with the plasma to clean the internal surface.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:the internal surface is in a chamber of the MS system;the plasma source comprises a plasma outlet and a housing communicating with the chamber via the plasma outlet; andduring the analytical mode, operating the plasma source at a low microwave power sufficient to generate plasma in the housing, wherein the plasma flows into the chamber via the plasma outlet; andduring the cleaning mode, operating the plasma source at a high microwave power sufficient to generate plasma both in the housing and in the chamber.3. The method of claim 1 , comprising claim 1 , before contacting the internal surface claim 1 , moving the internal surface into proximity with the plasma.4. The method of claim 3 , comprising claim 3 , before moving the internal surface into proximity with the plasma claim 3 , operating the internal surface to process analyte ions.5. The method of claim 1 , comprising making a determination selected from the group consisting of:determining whether to switch from operating in ...

Microscale Gas Breakdown Device And Process

A microscale gas breakdown device includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface define a gap distance. The device includes a perturbation on the first surface or the second surface. The perturbation is defined by a height value and a radius value. The device includes a current source or a voltage source configured to apply a current or a voltage across the first surface and the second surface. In response to the current or the voltage being applied, a resulting discharge travels along a first discharge path in response to being exposed to a high pressure and a second discharge path in response to being exposed to a low pressure. 1. A microscale gas breakdown device comprising:a first surface;a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface define a gap distance;a perturbation on the first surface or the second surface, wherein the perturbation is defined by a height value and a radius value; and a first discharge path in response to being exposed to a high pressure; and', 'a second discharge path in response to being exposed to a low pressure., 'a current source or a voltage source configured to apply a current or a voltage across the first surface and the second surface, and, in response to the current or the voltage being applied, a resulting discharge travels along2. The microscale gas breakdown device of wherein the first discharge path is shorter than the second discharge path.3. The microscale gas breakdown device of wherein the height value and the radius value of the perturbation are based on an average expected pressure surrounding the microscale gas breakdown device.4. The microscale gas breakdown device of wherein the height value and the radius value of the perturbation are based on an expected range of pressure.5. The microscale gas breakdown device of wherein the first surface is an anode surface and the second surface is a cathode surface.6. The microscale gas breakdown device of wherein the ...

Spectroscopy and imaging system

An apparatus and method for characterisation of a sample via spectroscopy and/or imaging. The apparatus comprises a first detector for imaging or spectroscopy, a second detector for imaging or spectroscopy, and a toroidal capacitor type electrostatic energy analyser. The toroidal capacitor type electrostatic energy analyser comprises a first and a second entrance aperture arranged such that charged particles emitted from a sample and passing through the first entrance aperture traverse a first trajectory through the toroidal capacitor type electrostatic energy analyser to be incident at the first detector, and charged particles emitted from a sample and passing through the second entrance aperture traverse a second trajectory through the toroidal capacitor type electrostatic energy analyser to be incident at the second detector. A deflection assembly arranged between the sample and the analyser may be used to direct charged particles emitted from the sample towards the first and/or second entrance aperture of the analyser.

METHOD OF PROCESSING AN IMAGE CHARGE/CURRENT SIGNAL

A method of processing an image charge/current signal representative of trapped ions undergoing oscillatory motion. The method includes: identifying a plurality of fundamental frequencies potentially present in the image charge/current signal based on an analysis of peaks in a frequency spectrum corresponding to the image charge/current signal in the frequency domain, wherein each candidate fundamental frequency falls in a frequency range of interest; deriving a basis signal for each candidate fundamental frequency using a calibration signal; and estimating relative abundances of ions corresponding to the candidate fundamental frequencies by mapping the basis signals to the image charge/current signal. At least one candidate fundamental frequency is calculated using a frequency associated with a peak that falls outside the frequency range of interest and that has been determined as representing a second or higher order harmonic of the candidate fundamental frequency. 1. A method of processing an image charge/current signal representative of trapped ions undergoing oscillatory motion , the method including:identifying a plurality of candidate fundamental frequencies potentially present in the image charge/current signal based on an analysis of peaks in a frequency spectrum corresponding to the image charge/current signal in the frequency domain, wherein each candidate fundamental frequency falls in a frequency range of interest;deriving a basis signal for each candidate fundamental frequency using a calibration signal; andestimating relative abundances of ions corresponding to the candidate fundamental frequencies by mapping the basis signals to the image charge/current signal;wherein, at least one candidate fundamental frequency is calculated using a frequency associated with a peak that falls outside the frequency range of interest and that has been determined as representing a second or higher order harmonic of the candidate fundamental frequency.2. A method ...

TUNING MULTIPOLE RF AMPLITUDE FOR IONS NOT PRESENT IN CALIBRANT

A mass spectrometry apparatus includes an ion source configured to generate ions; an ion guide configured to guide ions from the ion source towards a detector; the ion detector configured to detect ions; and a mass spectrometry controller. The mass spectrometry controller is configured to generate a tune curve for the ion guide; determine an observed low mass cutoff for the ion guide from the tune curve; calculate an effective r0 for the ion guide based on the observed low mass cutoff; determine an RF voltage based on the effective r0; apply the RF voltage to the ion guide; and perform a mass analysis of ions in a sample. 1. A mass spectrometry apparatus comprising:an ion source configured to generate ions;an ion guide configured to guide ions from the ion source towards a detector;the ion detector configured to detect ions; and generate a tune curve for the ion guide;', 'determine an observed low mass cutoff for the ion guide from the tune curve;', 'calculate an effective r0 for the ion guide based on the observed low mass cutoff;', 'determine an RF voltage based on the effective r0;', 'apply the RF voltage to the ion guide; and', 'perform a mass analysis of ions in a sample., 'a mass spectrometry controller configured to2. The mass spectrometry system of wherein the ion guide is a quadrupole claim 1 , a square quadrupole claim 1 , a hexapole claim 1 , an octopole claim 1 , a stacked ring ion guide claim 1 , an ion funnel claim 1 , an ion carpet claim 1 , or any combination thereof.3. The mass spectrometry system of wherein the processor is configured to calculate the effective r0 based on the observed low mass cutoff claim 1 , a nominal r0 claim 1 , and an expected low mass cutoff.4. The mass spectrometry system of wherein the processor is configured to calculate the effective r0 according to r0=√{square root over (K*r0/K)} where Kis the expected value for a parameter and Kis the observed value for the parameter claim 3 , the parameter selected from q claim 3 , q ...

PRECISION HIGH VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLY UTILIZING FEEDBACK THROUGH RETURN SIDE OUTPUT

In one embodiment, a high voltage power supply includes a DC voltage input, a converter for converting a DC voltage at the DC voltage input to an AC voltage, a booster for boosting the AC voltage to a boosted AC voltage, a rectifier in DC isolation from the DC voltage input, the rectifier operable to convert the boosted AC voltage to a high DC voltage at an isolated rectifier output, a high voltage DC output for outputting the high DC voltage, a voltage control input, and an error circuit coupled to the voltage control input and operable to reduce variation in the high DC voltage by driving a return side of the isolated rectifier output in response to feedback based on the high DC voltage.

ION DETECTION DEVICE AND MASS SPECTROMETER

An ion detector () includes a shield electrode () between an aperture plate () and a conversion dynode (). The shield electrode () has a rectilinearly-moving particle block wall () positioned on an extension line (C′) extending from the central axis (C) of a quadrupole mass filter (), and an ion attracting electric field adjustment wall () inclined by a predetermined angle θ (acute angle) with respect to the extension line (C′). In the ion attracting electric field adjustment wall () is provided an ion passing aperture (). The rectilinearly-moving particles, such as neutral particles, which are ejected from the quadrupole mass filter (), are blocked by the rectilinearly-moving particle block wall (), thereby reducing noises caused by the rectilinearly-moving particles. Meanwhile, the potential of the ion attracting electric field adjustment wall () corresponds to equipotential surfaces in a strong electric field formed by the conversion dynode (), and thus the condition of the strong electric field is not remarkably changed from the state where no shield electrode () is provided. Therefore, the effect of drawing ions is exhibited, thereby maintaining the high ion-detection efficiency.

Multi-Pole Ion Trap for Mass Spectrometry

An ion trap includes a containment region for containing ions, and a plurality of electrodes positioned on a regular polyhedral structure encompassing the containment region. An electrode is positioned on each vertex of the encompassing structure and at least one of the polygonal surfaces includes additional electrodes configured to form a plurality of quadrupoles on the surface. Alternating RF voltage is applied to the plurality of electrodes, so that directly neighboring electrodes are of equal amplitude and opposite polarity at any point in time. This configuration on the polyhedral structure forms a potential barrier for repelling the ions from each of the regular polygonal surfaces and containing them in the trap. Mass selective filters can be formed from the quadrupoles for parallel mass analysis in different m/z windows. Application of a small DC potential to a plate electrode outside the quadrupoles preferentially depletes single charged ions for enhanced signal-to-noise analysis. 1. A method for storing ions comprising:providing a plurality of electrodes arranged in a polyhedral structure, said polyhedral structure including a plurality of regular polygonal surfaces defining a containment region within said structure;injecting ions into said containment region of said polyhedral structure;applying RF voltage to said plurality of electrodes such that neighboring electrodes are maintained at any point in time at opposing polarities, whereby a plurality of quadrupoles are formed from said plurality of electrodes for repelling the ions from each of said regular polygonal surfaces for containing the ions within said containment region.2. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said RF voltage is applied to form a steep potential barrier at said regular polygonal surfaces and a shallow potential wall within a center of said containment region for repelling the ions towards the center of said containment region.3. A method as defined in claim 1 , further ...

CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS-ELECTROSPRAY IONIZATION-MASS SPECTROMETRY SYSTEM

Aspects of the innovations presented herein relate to improved systems that in some embodiments perform capillary electrophoresis (CE) and CE in conjunction with electrospray ionization (ESI) as an input to a mass spectrometry system (MS). Some embodiments use a high voltage isolated CE power supply that is configured to float on the high voltage output of an ESI-MS power supply, with a protective resistance in the ESI-MS path, as well as DC/DC converter isolation and communication system isolation for the isolated CE power supply. Some embodiments additionally use a cartridge assembly integrating separation and conductive fluid capillaries with fluid cooling and protective retractable housings for the capillary end portions and for the ESI output. The protective housing may further be used with an adapter for interfacing with different MS systems. 1. An electrical circuit comprising:a first dc power supply having a first output and a first input;a first resistive electrical path connected to a ground that provides a first dc power supply return from the first output to the first input;a second dc power supply having a second output and a second input;a second resistive electrical path that provides a second dc power supply return from the second output to the second input, wherein the second resistive electrical path is isolated from the ground, and wherein the first output is electrically coupled with the second input;an isolated control circuit that is electrically coupled with the second dc power supply and is isolated from the ground, wherein the isolated control circuit is communicatively coupled with an interface board via a communication link, and wherein the communication link maintains isolation from the ground; anda DC/DC converter that provides isolated input power to the second dc power supply and the isolated control circuit.2. The electrical circuit of wherein the second resistive electrical path is electrically coupled to an electro-spray (ES) ...

ION-TO-ELECTRON CONVERSION DYNODE FOR ION IMAGING APPLICATIONS

A metal-channel conversion dynode comprises: a wafer comprising a first face and a second face parallel to the first face and having a thickness less than 1000 μm; and a plurality of channels passing through the wafer from the first face to the second face at an angle to a plane of the first face and a plane of the second face. In some embodiments, each inter-channel distance may be substantially the same as the wafer thickness. In some embodiments, the wafer is fabricated from tungsten. In some other embodiments, the wafer comprises a non-electrically conductive material that is fabricated by three-dimensional (3D) printing or other means and that is coated, on its faces and within its channels, with a metal or suitably conductive coating that produces secondary electrons upon impact by either positive or negative ions. 1. A metal-channel conversion dynode comprising:a wafer comprising a first face and a second faces parallel to the first face and having a thickness less than 1000 μm; anda plurality of channels passing through the wafer from the first face to the second face at an angle to a plane of the first face and a plane of the second face.2. A metal-channel conversion dynode as recited in wherein each inter-channel distance claim 1 , measured between centers of adjacent channels claim 1 , in in the range of 150-1000 μm.3. A metal-channel conversion dynode as recited in wherein the wafer comprises a non-conductive material that is coated claim 1 , on its faces and within its channels claim 1 , with a metal coating.4. A metal-channel conversion dynode as recited in wherein the metal wafer is fabricated from tungsten.5. A metal-channel conversion dynode as recited in claim 1 , wherein each inter-channel distance is substantially the same as the wafer thickness.6. A metal-channel conversion dynode as recited in claim 1 , wherein each channel comprises a square cross section at its intersection with each face.7. A metal-channel conversion dynode as recited in ...

ANALYZER APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD

An analyzer apparatus includes: an ionization unit that ionizes molecules to analyze; a filter unit that forms a field for selectively passing ions generated by the ionization unit; a detector unit that detects ions that have passed through the filter unit; an ion drive circuitry that electrically drives the ionization unit; a field drive circuitry that electrically drives the filter unit; and a control unit that controls outputs of the ion drive circuitry and the field drive circuitry, wherein the control unit controls the ion drive circuitry to ramp up and down a filament voltage supplied to a filament of the ionization unit when the analyzer apparatus starts and stops. 1. (canceled)2. An analyzer apparatus comprising:an ionization unit that ionizes molecules to analyze;a filter unit that forms a field for selectively passing ions generated by the ionization unit;a detector unit that detects ions that have passed through the filter unit;an ion drive circuitry that electrically drives the ionization unit;a field drive circuitry that electrically drives the filter unit; anda control unit that controls the ion drive circuitry so as to ramp up and down a filament voltage supplied to a filament of the ionization unit when the analyzer apparatus starts and stops.3. The analyzer apparatus according to claim 2 ,further comprising a handy-type housing that houses at least the ion drive circuitry, the field drive circuitry, and the control unit.4. The analyzer apparatus according to claim 2 ,further comprising a unit that stabilizes an emission current of the ionization unit via the ion drive circuitry.5. The analyzer apparatus according to claim 2 ,wherein the field that selectively passes the ions includes at least one of an electric field, a magnetic field, and an electro-magnetic field.6. The analyzer apparatus according to claim 2 ,wherein the field drive circuitry includes a circuitry that supplies an RF output to the filter unit to form a vibration field.7. A control ...

ION DETECTION

Mass analyzers and methods of ion detection for a mass analyzer are provided. An electrostatic field generator provides an electrostatic field causing ion packets to oscillate along a direction. A pulse transient signal is detected over a time duration that is significantly shorter than a period of the ion oscillation or using pulse detection electrodes having a width that is significantly smaller than a span of ion harmonic motion. A harmonic transient signal is also detected. Ion intensity with respect to mass-to-charge ratio is then identified based on the pulse transient signal and the harmonic transient signal. 1. A mass analyzer , comprising:an electrostatic field generator, arranged to provide an electrostatic field causing ion packets to oscillate along a longitudinal direction with a period;a pulse detection electrode arrangement, configured to detect a pulse transient signal over a time duration that is significantly shorter than the period of the ion packet oscillation, wherein the pulse detection electrode arrangement comprises a conversion electrode mounted interior to the mass analyzer, the electrostatic field being configured such that ion packets hit the conversion electrode, causing secondary particles to be emitted and an external detection electrode arrangement mounted exterior to the mass analyzer and located to detect the secondary particles from the conversion electrode; anda processor, configured to identify ion intensity with respect to mass-to-charge ratio, based on the pulse transient signal.2. The mass analyzer of claim 1 , wherein the external detection electrode arrangement comprises a secondary particle multiplier.3. The mass analyzer of claim 1 , wherein the external detection electrode arrangement comprises:a grid electrode mounted exterior to the mass analyzer and located to receive the secondary particles from the conversion electrode;a dynode, arranged to receive secondary electrons from the grid electrode; andmicrochannel plates, ...

Physically Guided Rapid Evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectrometry ("REIMS")

A method is disclosed comprising obtaining physical or other non-mass spectrometric data from one or more regions of a target using a probe. The physical or other non-mass spectrometric data may be used to determine one or more regions of interest of the target. An ambient ionisation ion source may then used to generate an aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of the target.

Multiplex charge detection mass spectrometry

Systems and multiplexing methods for measuring the mass of multiple large molecules simultaneously using multiple ion trapping with charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS) are described. The methods trap ions with a broad range of energies that decouple ion frequency and m/z measurements allowing energy measurements of each ion throughout the acquisition. The ion energy may be obtained from the ratio of the intensity of the fundamental to the second harmonic frequencies of the periodic trapping oscillation making it possible to measure both the m/z and charge of each ion. Because ions with the exact same m/z but different energies appear at different frequencies, the probability of ion-ion interference is significantly reduced. By maximizing the decoupling of ion m/z from frequency, the rate of signal overlap is significantly reduced making it possible to trap more ions and substantially reduce analysis time.

SOLID-STATE CHARGE DETECTOR

The present invention is a system and method for providing a charge detector that utilizes small feedback capacitors in a low-noise, high-gain, system that combines a differential topology in a solid-state amplifier implemented in a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process with active reset, thereby achieving high dynamic range and robust operations. A custom optoelectronic system is used to measure gain, and while operating at a sampling frequency of 10 kHz, the active reset extends the dynamic range of the charge detector. 1. A method for operating a low power , differential , solid-state charge detector with active reset , said method comprised of:providing a charge collector;providing a charge amplifier having differential inputs to thereby reduce sensitivity to noise and interference, wherein the charge collector is coupled to the charge amplifier;providing a first feedback capacitor in parallel with a feedback resistor on each of the differential inputs of the charge amplifier, wherein the first feedback capacitor is less than 50 fFarads;providing an active reset switch on the differential inputs for performing an active reset of the charge amplifier;providing a common mode feedback circuit coupled to both outputs of the charge amplifier;resetting the charge amplifier using the active reset switch; andmeasuring the charge on the charge collector over a period of time at the outputs of the charge amplifier.2. The method as defined in wherein the method further comprises providing a low power source for the charge amplifier by:providing a power supply for the charge amplifier that is less than 20 volts; andcoupling the power supply to the charge amplifier.3. The method as defined in wherein the method further comprises operating the charge detector at a pressure that is above a vacuum by operating the charge detector at ambient atmospheric pressure.4. The method as defined in wherein the method further comprises decreasing the gain of the charge ...

QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENTS OF ELEMENTAL AND MOLECULAR SPECIES USING HIGH MASS RESOLUTION MASS SPECTROMETRY

A method for generating a mass spectrum of sample ions using a multi-collector mass spectrometer is disclosed. The mass spectrometer includes a spatially dispersive mass analyser to direct the sample ions into a detector chamber. The method includes generating sample ions of a first ion species A, a second ion species B, and a third ion species C, wherein the ions of species A have a different nominal mass to the ions of species B and C, and further wherein the ions of species B have the same nominal mass as the ions of species C. The sample ions of the species A, B and C are directed to travel through the mass analyser and towards detectors in the detector chamber, the sample ions being deflected during their travel. The ions of species B and C are scanned across a master aperture defined in a master mask of a master detector, while the ions of species A pass through a lead aperture defined in a lead mask of a lead detector. A lead signal is generated representing the ion intensity received at the lead detector from the ions of species A, and generating a master signal representing the ion intensity received at the master detector whilst the ions of species B and C are scanned across the master aperture. During scanning, ions of the species A are detected by the lead detector while ions of the species B but not C, then both species B and species C, and then species C but not B are detected by the master detector. 1. A method for generating a mass spectrum of sample ions using a multi-collector mass spectrometer , the mass spectrometer including a spatially dispersive mass analyzer to direct the sample ions into a detector chamber , the method comprising:{'sub': A', 'B', 'C, '(a) generating sample ions of a first ion species A having a mass to charge ratio (m/z), a second ion species B having a mass to charge ratio (m/z), and a third ion species C having a mass to charge ratio (m/z), wherein the ions of species A have a different nominal mass to the ions of species ...

CHARGED-PARTICLE DETECTOR AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME

The present embodiment relates to a charged-particle detector, etc. provided with a structure for effectively suppressing ion feedbacks under a low-vacuum environment. In order to capture the residual-gas ions, which are generated by collisions between the electrons output from a MCP unit and residual-gas molecules, by a second electrode which is electrically insulated from a first electrode which is mainly for capturing electrons, the potential of the first electrode is set to be higher than an output-side potential of the MCP unit and, on the other hand, the potential of the second electrode is set to be lower than the output-side potential of the MCP unit As a result, the ion feedbacks to the MCP unit are effectively suppressed. 1. A charged-particle detector comprising:a MCP unit having an input surface and an output surface opposed to the input surface and including one or more microchannel plate(s) disposed in space between the input surface and the output surface;a MCP input-side electrode disposed in a state in which at least part of the MCP input-side electrode contacts the input surface of the MCP unit, the MCP input-side electrode having an opening for exposing the input surface of the MCP unit;a MCP output-side electrode disposed in a state in which at least part of the MCP output-side electrode contacts the output surface of the MCP unit, the MCP output-side electrode having an opening for exposing the output surface of the MCP unit, the MCP output-side electrode configured to be set to a potential higher than that of the MCP input-side electrode;a first electrode disposed so as to sandwich the MCP output-side electrode together with the MCP input-side electrode, the first electrode having one or more openings, the first electrode configured so as to be set to a potential higher than that of the MCP output-side electrode; anda second electrode disposed so as to sandwich the first electrode together with the MCP output-side electrode, the second ...

DETECTOR AND SLIT CONFIGURATION IN AN ISOTOPE RATIO MASS SPECTROMETER

A method of configuring a Faraday detector in a mass spectrometer is described. The mass spectrometer defines a central ion beam axis I, and the Faraday detector is moveable relative to the central ion beam axis I. The Faraday detector includes a detector arrangement having a detector surface, and a Faraday slit defining an entrance for ions into the detector arrangement, the Faraday detector having an axis of elongation A which extends through the Faraday slit. A width of the Faraday slit is chosen and the angle α between the axis of elongation, A, of the Faraday detector, and the central ion beam axis I is adjusted. This prevents admittance of incident ions into the detector cup of the Faraday detector, outside of a maximum admittance angle γ defined between the axis of elongation A of the Faraday detector and a direction of incidence, B, of ions, at the Faraday detector, where α and/or γ is selected according to the criterion that ions entering the detector arrangement should strike the detector surface at a location which prevents secondary electrons generated thereby from exiting the Faraday detector via the Faraday slit. 1. A method of configuring a Faraday detector in a mass spectrometer , wherein the mass spectrometer defines a central ion beam axis I , and further wherein the Faraday detector is moveable relative to the central ion beam axis I and includes a detector arrangement having a detector surface , and a Faraday slit defining an entrance for ions into the detector arrangement , the Faraday detector having an axis of elongation A which extends through the Faraday slit; the method comprising the steps of:(a) selecting a width of the Faraday slit; and(b) adjusting an angle α of the Faraday detector, where a represents the angle between the axis of elongation, A, of the Faraday detector, and the central ion beam axis I so as to prevent admittance of incident ions into the detector cup of the Faraday detector, outside of a maximum admittance angle γ ...

Rapid Evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectrometry ("REIMS") and Desorption Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry ("DESI-MS") Analysis of Swabs and Biopsy Samples

A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.

LONG LIFE ELECTRON MULTIPLIER

An electron multiplier includes a series of discrete electron emissive surfaces or a continuous electron emissive resistive surface configured to provide an electron amplification chain; and a housing surrounding the series of electron emissive surfaces or the continuous electron emissive resistive surface and separating the environment inside the housing from the environment outside the housing. The housing includes an electron-transparent, gas-impermeable barrier configured to allow electrons to pass through into the housing to reach a first discrete electron emissive surface of the series of discrete electron emissive surfaces or a first portion of the continuous electron emissive resistive surface.

Inception Electrostatic Linear Ion Trap

An ELIT includes voltage sources (), switches (), a first set of electrode plates () aligned along a central axis, and a second set of electrode plates () aligned along the central axis with the first set. A first group of plates () of the first set and the second set is positioned to trap ions within a first path length (). A second group of plates () of the first set and the second set is positioned to trap ions within a shorter second path length (). The switches select the first path length by applying voltages from the voltage sources to the first set and the second set that cause the first group of plates to trap ions within the first path length. Alternatively, the switches can select the second path length by applying voltages that cause the second group of plates to trap ions within the second path length.

Mass Spectrometer Detector Using Optically Active Membrane

A detector suitable for mass spectroscopy uses a thin membrane that converts the kinetic energy of impinging molecules into corresponding photons, the latter detected with a suitable photosensor. The arrival of molecules at the membrane is detected by detection of the corresponding photons. 1. A detector for use in detecting impinging molecules comprising:a membrane positionable to receive impinging molecules at a front face, the membrane adapted to convert a kinetic energy of at least one impinging molecule to at least one light photon emitted from the membrane; andan electronic photosensor positioned to detect light photons from membrane caused by at least one molecule impinging on the front face of the membrane to provide an electric signal corresponding to receipt of at least one molecule impinging on the front face of the membrane;wherein the light photons are generated substantially only by a radiative decay of electrons between quantized energy states; andwherein the membrane provides at least one quantum-well formed of a series of membrane layers and defining quantum states through which electrons may be promoted by the kinetic energy of the impinging molecule and through which electrons may decay to provide radiative relaxation emitting the photons.2. The detector of wherein the membrane is adapted to provide room temperature light emission from at least a 5 kDa molecule impinging on the membrane with the kinetic energy of 25 keV.3. The detector of wherein the membrane dimensions are constrained to prevent kinetic energy of the impinging ionized molecules from being dissipated as heat laterally without stimulation of electrons between quantum states.4. The detector of wherein the membrane has a thickness between five nanometers and 15 micrometers.5. The detector of wherein the membrane has a thickness between 20 and 500 nanometers.67-. (canceled)8. The detector of wherein the membrane includes a semiconducting material.97. The detector of claim wherein the ...

Analytical device

An analytical device includes: a valve assembly that is connected to a plurality of gas supply conduits; and a gas supply chamber to which a plurality of gases are supplied through the valve assembly, wherein: the valve assembly includes a plurality of valves that regulate flow rates of the plurality of gases supplied to the gas supply chamber through the plurality of gas supply conduits, a fixing member that integrally fixes the plurality of valves, a plurality of first sealing members that seal the plurality of valves against the fixing member, and a retainer that is fastened to the fixing member to integrally press the first sealing member against the fixing member.

Mass Spectrometer

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. 1. An ion trap comprising:a first electrode set comprising a first plurality of electrodes, wherein said first plurality of electrodes comprises a first quadrupole rod set;a second electrode set comprising a second plurality of electrodes, wherein said second plurality of electrodes comprises a second quadrupole rod set, wherein said second electrode set is arranged downstream of said first electrode set;a first device arranged and adapted to apply one or more DC voltages to said second quadrupole rod set;a second device arranged and adapted to vary, increase, decrease or alter a radial displacement of at least some ions within said ion trap;wherein:said second device is arranged and adapted to apply one or more excitation, AC or tickle voltages to at least some of said first plurality of electrodes in order to excite in a mass or mass to charge ratio selective manner at least some ions radially within said first electrode set so as to increase in a mass or mass to charge ratio selective manner a radial motion of at least some ions within said first electrode set in at least one radial direction; andsaid first device is arranged and adapted to apply said one or more DC voltages to said second quadrupole rod set so as to create a radially dependent axial DC potential barrier so that: (a) ions having a radial displacement within a first range experience a DC trapping field, a DC potential barrier or a barrier field which acts to confine at least ...

TIME VERSUS INTENSITY DISTRIBUTION ANALYSIS USING A MATRIX-ASSISTED LASER DESORPTION/IONIZATION TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETER

An apparatus, method, or computer program. spectrometer test data of a sample may be received for processing. The spectrometer test data may include time-of-flight data in units of time and intensity of ionized particles travelling through a flight tube. The spectrometer test data may be matched to a reference library to determine characteristic information of the sample. The reference library may include spectrometer sample data in units of time and intensity of ionized particles of pre-stored reference samples detected by spectrometers in the past. The spectrometer reference data has known characteristics that the matching associates with the received spectrometer test data. 1. A method comprising:receiving spectrometer test data of a sample that comprises time-of-flight data in units of time-of-flight and intensity of ionized particles travelling through a flight tube;matching the spectrometer test data to a reference library to determine characteristic information of the sample, wherein the reference library comprises spectrometer sample data in units of time-of-flight and intensity of ionized particles of pre-stored reference samples detected by at least one spectrometer, and wherein the spectrometer reference data has known characteristics that the matching associates with the received spectrometer test data.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the matching processes the time-of-flight data without converting the time-of-flight data into units of mass-to-charge-ratio and intensity.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the matching processes the time-of-flight data to minimize the spread of peaks associated with the time-of-flight data due to a quadratic operation when converting time-of-flight data into units of mass-to-charge-ratio and intensity.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the minimization of the spread of peaks minimizes a relative standard deviation of the time-of-flight data in units of time-of-flight and intensity.5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the ...

Systems and Methods for Two-Dimensional Mobility Based Filtering of Ions

A system for separating ions includes first and second surfaces extending along first and second perpendicular directions, an ion channel defined between the surfaces and configured to receive a stream of ions, first and second electrode arrays each including a plurality of electrodes extending in a third direction and respectively associated with the first and second surfaces, means for causing gas to flow across the ion channel in a fourth direction substantially opposite the first direction, and a controller configured to apply a DC voltage gradient to the electrode arrays. The electrode arrays are configured to generate an electric field based on the DC voltage gradient. The electric field and the flow of gas are configured to direct ions having mobilities in a first mobility range along a first path and ions having mobilities in a second mobility range along a second path.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPATIAL COMPRESSION AND INCREASED MOBILITY RESOLUTION OF IONS

Methods and apparatuses for ion peak compression and increasing resolution of ions are disclosed. Packets of ions are introduced into a device. A first electric field is applied for dispersing the ion packets temporally or spatially according to their mobilities. A second intermittent traveling wave is applied for regrouping or merging the dispersed ion packets into a lesser number of trapping regions with narrower peaks. The ions packets are compressed into the narrower peak regions by varying a duty cycle of the intermittent traveling wave. 120.-. (canceled)21. An ion manipulation apparatus comprising:a first region configured to receive an ion packet comprising a plurality of ions; receive a first ion sub-packet comprising a first portion of the plurality of ions of the ion packet, and', 'generate an electric field waveform traveling along a first direction and having a varying duty cycle, the electric field waveform configured to drive the received first ion sub-packet along the first direction and generate a compressed ion sub-packet from the first ion sub-packet., 'a second region separate from the first region, the second region configured to22. The ion manipulation device of claim 21 , wherein the electric field waveform travels from a first sub-region of the second region to a second sub-region of the second region claim 21 , wherein the varying duty cycle of the electric field waveform changes from a first duty cycle in the first sub-region to a second duty cycle in the second sub-region.23. The ion manipulation device of claim 22 , wherein change in the duty cycle from the first duty cycle to the second duty cycle is configured to generate the compressed ion sub-packet in the second sub-region from the first ion sub-packet in the first sub-region.24. The ion manipulation device of claim 22 , wherein the second region is further configured to receive a second ion sub-packet comprising a second portion of the plurality of ions of the ion packet claim 22 , ...