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 mass spectrometer

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 mass analyser may comprise an electrically insulating spacer 430a at the first end which forms a mounting surface for the mass analyser and is directly engaged with the support structure. In another aspect, 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.

Systems and methods for imaging and ablating a sample

Improved electrode arrangement

Method and apparatus for injection of ions into an electrostatic ion trap

A method of injecting ions into an electrostatic trap 60 comprises ejecting ions from an ion store 20 (e.g. an ion trap) to a downstream ion guide 30, and accelerating the ions from the ion guide into the electrostatic trap preferably after a delay. The electrostatic trap may be an orbital electrostatic trap such as an Orbitrap(TM) or Kingdon trap. Preferably, the ions are accelerated using a DC voltage pulse in the ion guide and bunched so that they are focused at a focal point within the electrostatic trap. The ion guide may be an RF linear ion guide (Fig 1). Alternatively, the ion guide may be a helical or spiral trajectory ion guide (Figs 2-4) wherein the ions are accelerated orthogonally to the direction of the release of ions from the ion store and parallel to a direction of mass separation z in the electrostatic trap.

Improved imaging mass spectrometry method and device

A method of performing imaging mass spectrometry of a sample. The method comprises performing a first mass analysis of the sample using a first mass analyser comprising a multi-pixel ion detector to obtain first mass spectral data representative of pixels of the sample thereby forming a mass spectral image of the sample. The method further comprises identifying clusters of pixels sharing one or more characteristics of first mass spectral data. The method also comprises performing a second mass analysis of the sample using a second mass analyser to obtain second mass spectral data at at least one location in each cluster, wherein the number of locations is significantly less than the number of pixels in each cluster, said second mass analysis being of higher mass resolution than said first mass analysis. Also a mass spectrometry apparatus configured for carrying out the method.

Coupling for connecting analytical systems with vibrational isolation

A coupling for connecting vacuum-based analytical systems required to be vibrationally isolated. The coupling comprises a tubular connector 202 having a longitudinal axis X. The connector comprises a first end for connection to a first analytical system and a flexible portion 206 permitting displacement of the first analytical system in a direction Y transverse to the longitudinal axis X of the connector. A seal 220 is provided, longitudinally separated from the flexible portion 206, for vacuum sealing between the connector 202 and a second analytical system 200. The connector 202 further contains ion optics 242, 250 for transmitting ions between the first and second analytical systems. Such optics can be lenses or ion guides such as multipole arrangements. Examples of analytical devices between which the coupling is provided are mass spectrometers and electron microscopes. The seal may comprise first and second sealing means 220, 230 which are preferably not electrically conductive and ...

Improved electrode arrangement

The present invention provides an electrode arrangement 10, 10’ comprising an RF electrode 12a, 12b, 12a’, 12b’ mechanically coupled to a dielectric material 11, e.g. a printed circuit board, by a plurality of separators 13 that are spaced apart and configured to define a gap between the RF electrode and the dielectric material. Each of the separators 13 may comprise a projecting portion 13b which is received by a corresponding receiving portion 11a of the dielectric, the projecting portion preferably extending from a head portion 13b through and beyond an opening in the dielectric PCB. The head portion of the separators may additionally include a receptacle (13d, Fig. 16) for receiving a portion (12c) protruding from the RF electrode. Alternatively, the separators (13’’, Fig. 15) may simply project through an opening (12d) in the RF electrode. DC electrodes provided on and between the surface of the dielectric and the RF electrodes shield the dielectric from RF fields generated by said ...

Systems and methods for imaging and ablating a sample

Structural analysis of ionised molecules

An ion mobility spectrometry method comprising: providing a sample; generating molecular ions from the sample; separating the molecular ions according to their mobility characteristics; fragmenting at least some of the separated molecular ions to form sub-molecular fragment ions in a fragmentation zone; separating at least some of the fragment ions according to their mobility characteristics; wherein each step of separating the molecular ions, fragmenting at least some of the separated molecular ions and separating at least some of the fragment ions is performed at a pressure of at least 50 mbar; detecting at least some of the separated fragment ions; and identifying at least one molecular ion based on its mobility characteristics and/or the mobility characteristics of at least one detected fragment ion. Also a method of analysing molecular structure comprising: thermally fragmenting ions in a gas at a pressure 10mbar or above to produce thermal fragment ions, wherein the gas temperature ...

Ion mobility analyser

An ion mobility analyser 10 comprises an RF ion guide defining an ion drift channel extending in an axial (z) direction. The ion guide comprises first and second electrode assemblies 11, 12 spaced apart on opposing sides of the ion drift channel by a first distance at a narrowest point along the axial direction, each of the assemblies extending in the axial direction and an (x) direction transverse thereto. The first and second electrode assemblies each comprise a set of first electrodes 13 and a set of second electrodes 14, the electrodes in the first and second sets being arranged in an alternating pattern (Figs 5 & 6) that extends in the transverse direction a second distance that is greater than the first. The first and second electrode assemblies may transversely along straight lines or along concentric circles or arcs (Figs 9-11). The ion mobility analyser may operate as a trapped ion mobility spectrometer (TIMS).

System and methods for imaging and ablating a sample

Disclosed herein are systems for imaging and ablating a sample. An imaging/ablating device (110) includes an optical assembly (112), a sample stage (114), and a receiver (116). The optical assembly (112) is disposed in an inverted position below the sample stage (114) and the receiver (116) is positioned above the sample stage (112). The optical assembly enables imaging of a sample disposed on the sample stage (114). The optical assembly (112) also enables ablation of a region of interest within the sample. The laser light propagated from the optical assembly during ablation propagates substantially in the same direction as the direction of travel of the ablation plume (20) toward the receiver (116).

Improved electrode arrangement

A method of manufacturing an electrode arrangement 10/10’ comprises: mechanically coupling an RF electrode 12a/12b/12a’/12b to a dielectric material 11, e.g. a PCB, using a plurality of separators 13 that are spaced apart such that a gap is defined between the RF electrode and the dielectric; and cutting the RF electrode, e.g. using a wire erosion process, while it is coupled to the dielectric so as to reshape the RF electrode. Each of the separators 13 may comprise a projecting portion 13b which is received by a corresponding receiving portion 11a in the dielectric material. A head portion 13b of the separators may additionally include a receptacle (13d, Fig. 16) for receiving a portion (12c) protruding from the RF electrode. Alternatively, the separators (13’’, Fig. 15) may simply project through an opening (12d) in the RF electrode. DC electrodes 14 provided on the dielectric shield it from RF fields generated by the RF electrodes, thereby reducing the effects of dielectric heating.

Elemental analysis of organic samples

Imaging one or more analyte elements in an organic sample, comprising: providing the sample as a layer on a substrate 2; oxidizing the sample on the substrate to produce one or more volatile products that leave the sample, whilst the one or more elements remain in the sample, whereby a majority of the sample layer by weight is removed from the substrate by the oxidation and the remaining sample layer is concentrated in the one or more elements; and subsequently detecting the one or more elements in the concentrated sample layer using an imaging elemental analyser. Also provided is an apparatus for imaging one or more elements in an organic sample and an imaging elemental analyser that comprises an ion gun 20 for focusing primary ions on a sample, an RF ion guide 40 and a TOF analyser 50 for respectively receiving and analysing secondary ions from the sample. The analyte elements may be elemental tags such as nanoparticles. In one embodiment the oxidising agent passes through pores in the ...

Systems and methods for imaging and ablating a sample

A device for imaging and ablating a sample, comprises; sample stage 314 with first side for sample placement and a second side; an optical assembly including an objective 318 on the second side of the stage for imaging the sample, and ablation laser 354 configured to direct light through the objective to ablate a portion of the sample; a receiver on the first side of the stage to receive ablated material from the sample; the optical assembly also includes a laser focus detection unit comprising; a reference laser 2002 configured to direct light through the objective and stage into the sample; and photodetectors 2006, 12, to detect the reference laser light to generate a detection signal for a controller 2050 to dynamically control parameters of the ablation laser and/or position of the objective and/or position of the receiver. Imaging light source 356 and camera 352 are included. Light source 1011 enables trans-illumination of the sample. The receiver may be an analyser such as a PCR device ...

Ion mobility spectrometry

A method of IMS and an ion mobility spectrometer. The method comprises; introducing sample ions into a chamber 105, the sample ions including an ion for analysis and the chamber housing a drift region 110 and a deflection region 112; the sample ions are passed on a drift trajectory through the drift region towards the deflection region, wherein the ions separate according to their ion mobility; the sample ions received from the drift region are passed on a deflection trajectory through the deflection region whilst changing the direction of the sample ions on the deflection trajectory to travel towards the same drift region or a further drift region; the chamber is maintained at a pressure that is substantially homogeneous throughout, the pressure being such that the mean free path of the ion for analysis is greater than the length of the deflection trajectory, and less than the length of the drift trajectory.