ЭЛЕКТРОСТАТИЧЕСКИЙ ЭНЕРГОАНАЛИЗАТОР ЗАРЯЖЕННЫХ ЧАСТИЦ

Изобретение относится к области энергетического анализа потоков заряженных частиц, возбуждаемых рентгеновским излучением с поверхности твердого тела, и может быть использовано для улучшения аналитических, эксплуатационных и потребительских свойств электронных спектрометров, используемых для исследования объектов микро- и наноэлектроники методами рентгено-электронной спектроскопии. Технический результат - улучшение основного эксплуатационного параметра анализатора - чувствительности с одновременным упрощением компоновки спектрометра в целом. Решение поставленной задачи достигается путем использования трехступенчатого электростатического энергоанализатора заряженных частиц, обеспечивающего угловую фокусировку второго порядка типа «ось-кольцо» и диапазон входных углов, в пределах которого анализируются фотоэлектроны 60°±2°, что позволяет коаксиально встроить в анализатор рентгеновский источник, причем на практически минимально возможном расстоянии от образца. 1 ил.

СПОСОБ РАЗДЕЛЕНИЯ ЗАРЯЖЕННЫХ ЧАСТИЦ ПО УДЕЛЬНОМУ ЗАРЯДУ И УСТРОЙСТВО ДЛЯ ЕГО ОСУЩЕСТВЛЕНИЯ

Изобретение относится к области динамической масс-спектрометрии и может быть использовано для совершенствования способов развертки масс, улучшения аналитических и потребительских свойств гиперболоидных и времяпролетных масс-спектрометров. Способ разделения заряженных частиц по удельному заряду основан на использовании монополярного анализатора с прорезанной вдоль оси z в вершине уголкового электрода щелью, через которую в рабочую область анализатора под некоторым углом к оси z вводятся ионы с энергиями, обратно пропорциональными их массам, и нулевыми начальными координатами у0=0. Под действием ВЧ поля с квадратичным распределением потенциала по координатам х и у ионы по оси у движутся по траекториям, близким к синусоидальным, и через время ta, пропорциональное массам m, достигают плоскости у=0 и выводятся из анализатора через щель на систему регистрации. Масс-анализатор состоит из гиперболоидного и уголкового электродов. У уголкового электрода в вершине прорезана щель для ввода и вывода ...

ЭЛЕКТРОСТАТИЧЕСКИЙ АНАЛИЗАТОР ЭНЕРГИЙ ЗАРЯЖЕННЫХ ЧАСТИЦ

Изобретение относится к области энергетического анализа потоков заряженных частиц, возбуждаемых первичными электронами с поверхности твердого тела, и может быть использовано для улучшения аналитических и потребительских свойств электронных спектрометров, используемых для исследования объектов твердотельной электроники методами электронной спектроскопии. Технический результат - увеличение фокусного расстояния (расстояния между образцом и анализатором) для размещения вблизи исследуемого образца дополнительных устройств, например масс-анализаторов или ионных пушек. Для значительного уменьшения входного центрального угла размещают вблизи области влета электронов в цилиндрический анализатор конический электрод, создающий электростатическое поле, обеспечивающее угловую фокусировку второго порядка с центральным углом 20°, величина которого позволяет практически максимально возможным образом увеличить расстояние между образцом и анализатором с коаксиально встроенной электронной пушкой. 1 ил.

СПОСОБ РАЗДЕЛЕНИЯ ИОНОВ ПО УДЕЛЬНОМУ ЗАРЯДУ И УСТРОЙСТВО ДЛЯ ЕГО ОСУЩЕСТВЛЕНИЯ

... 1. Способ разделения заряженных частиц по удельному заряду заключается в воздействии на находящиеся в трехмерном гиперболоидном анализаторе с минимальными расстояниями z01 торцевого и r01 кольцевого электродов от начала координат ионов переменным электрическим полем, отличающимся тем, что путем ограничения пространства сортировки полусферой z≥0 в части 0≅z≅2r01 рабочей области анализатора создают поле с распределением потенциала, отличным от квадратичного и на заряженные частицы, образованные с начальными координатами z≈z01 или z=0.3z01 воздействуют переменным электрическим полем с оптимальной начальной фазой. 2. Устройство для разделения заряженных частиц по удельному заряду по п. 1, отличающееся тем, что в качестве электродной системы анализатора используют гиперболоидные торцевой и ограниченный плоскостью z=0 кольцевой электроды трехмерной ионной ловушки с параметрами z01≅0.2r01, с диаметром кольцевого электрода где dэ - толщина пучка ионизирующих электронов, причем по границам гиперболоидных ...

Ахроматический электростатический спектрометр с поперечным отклоняющим электрическим полем

A double focusing mass spectrometer

A double focusing mass spectrometer having a diverging electrostatic field, a converging electrostatic field and a converging magnetic field. The two electrostatic fields are connected with each other without substantial free space therebetween. The ion beam passes through the electrostatic fields coming to an intermediate focus point adjacent to the ion exit boundary of said converging electrostatic field. The beam then passes through the magnetic field to satisfy the double focusing condition in combination with the electrostatic field. Very small image magnification and aberration free focusing are obtained by this mass spectrometer.

MASS SPECTROMETER

CONTROL/ANALYSIS OF CHARGED PARTICLES

Sample analysis apparatus having improved input optics and component arrangement

The present invention relates to generally to components of scientific analytical equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to instruments such as mass spectrometers that rely on ion detectors and modifications thereto for extending the operational lifetime or otherwise improving performance. The invention may be embodied as a sample analysis apparatus comprising: an ion source configured to generate an ion from a sample input into the particle detection apparatus, and an ion detector having an input configured to receive an ion generated from an ion source, wherein the sample analysis apparatus is configured such that a contaminant comingling with an ion generated by the ion source and flowing in the same general direction as the ion, is inhibited or prevented from entering the detector input.

Ion optical system for a mass spectrometer

A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING IONS FROM AN ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE ION SOURCE INTO AN ION TRAP MASS SPECTROMETER

An ion transfer assembly for transferring ions from an atmospheric pressure ion source into an ion trap mass spectrometer with reduced random noise during analysis of the transferred ions. A method of reducing noise due to charged particles, undesolvated charged droplets, or ions in an ion trap mass spectrometer connected to an atmospheric pressure ionization source.

CHARGED PARTICLE SELECTION DEVICE, CAPABLE OF BIASING A GAS CLUSTER WHICH IS IONIZED THROUGH AN ELECTRIC FIELD APPLYING PART, AND A CHARGED PARTICLE IRRADIATION DEVICE THEREOF

PURPOSE: A charged particle selection device and a charged particle irradiation device thereof are provided to effectively select a gas cluster by applying an electric field which is aligned toward the progressing direction of the gas cluster. CONSTITUTION: An electric field applying part(21) applies an electric field arranged towards the progressing direction of a gas cluster. The electric field applying part applies an AC voltage to an electrode. The electric field applying part biases an ionized gas cluster. A slit(24), in which the gas cluster is selected, is included. The electric field applying part is composed of two electrodes(22,23). COPYRIGHT KIPO 2011 ...

AN ION DEFLECTOR FOR A MASS SPECTROMETER

There is provided an ion deflector for use with a mass spectrometer for directing a flow of ions between two distinct axes of travel. The ion deflector includes an electric field inducer arranged so as to establish at least one electrostatic field capable of deflecting ions travelling substantially along a first intended path of travel so as to travel substantially along a second intended path of travel.

ION TRANSPORT APPARATUS AND MASS SPECTROMETER USING THE SAME

An off-axis ion transport optical system () including a front-stage quadrupole ion guide (), a rear-stage quadrupole ion guide (), and an ion deflector () is disposed inside an intermediate vacuum chamber () in a stage next to an ionization chamber () maintained at an atmospheric pressure. Both of the quadrupole ion guides ( and ) have the same configuration as that of a conventional ion guide that transports ions while trapping the ions using a radio-frequency electric field. The ion deflector () includes a pair of parallel flat electrodes ( and ) and deflects ions using a direct-current electric field. By causing the deflected ions to reach the ion receiving range of the rear-stage quadrupole ion guide (), it is possible to efficiency introduce ions while deflecting the ions. Meanwhile, the ions and neutral particles are separated from each other in the ion deflector (). This provides an off-axis structure ion transport optical system that achieves a high ion transmission efficiency with a simple structure. 1. An off-axis structure ion transport apparatus that emits ions entering along a first ion beam axis along a second ion beam axis not lying on a same line as the first ion beam axis , the ion transport apparatus comprising:a) a front-stage ion transport unit for transporting the ions while focusing the ions along the first ion beam axis by an effect of radio-frequency electric field;b) a rear-stage ion transport unit for transporting the ions while focusing the ions along the second ion beam axis by an effect of radio-frequency electric field; andc) an ion deflector disposed between the front-stage ion transport unit and the rear-stage ion transport unit, the ion deflector for deflecting a traveling direction of the ions by an effect of a direct-current electric field so that the ions emitted from the front-stage ion transport unit reach an ion receiving range of the rear-stage ion transport unit.2. The ion transport apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at ...

SECONDARY ION MASS ANALYSER

PURPOSE: To focus ion beams on the effective refraction point of a beam refractor so as to refract the beams under the condition that chromatic aberration does not occur by providing an ion beam converging lens at the preceding stage of an ion beam refractor, and providing a means capable of monitoring beam converging state near a beam refractor. CONSTITUTION: Ions are drawn out from the ion source 1 of a secondary ion mass analyser and are accelerated and then, scanning voltage signal is given from a deflecting power source 19 to a deflecting electrode 4, and primary ion beams 14 are made to scan. Hereupon, a secondary ion detector 7 detects the secondary ions emitted from an aperture 5, and that signal is made the input of a CRT 12 as a brightness modulation signal so as to obtain the secondary electron image of an aperture 5. While observing this secondary electron image, voltage which is given from a lens power source 8 to a electrostatic lens 3 is adjusted so as to focus the ion beams ...

TETRODE MASS SPECTROGRAPH

PURPOSE: To enhance the positioning accuracy in the rotational direction of hyperbolic rods by causing the back section of each hyperbolic rod to form a cylindrical surface the center of which coincides with the center of an equivalent cylinder, and using a holder to support said rods in such a manner that the center position of the rod is accurately determined according to the cylindrical surface. CONSTITUTION: The section of electrode rods (R) forms a hyperbola in the area (A) which includes the facing surface of each electrode rod (R). The back surface of the electrode rod (R), (the entire circumference surface excluding the are a (A)), forms half of a cylindrical surface, the center (C) of which is located r0+r apart from the center (O) of a hyperbolic electric field. The symbol (r0) represents the distance between the center (O) and the apex of a hyperbola, and the symbol (r) represents the radius of the above described equivalent cylinder. A dotted line indicated in the figure represents ...

СПОСОБ РАЗДЕЛЕНИЯ ЗАРЯЖЕННЫХ ЧАСТИЦ ПО УДЕЛЬНОМУ ЗАРЯДУ

Способ разделения заряженных частиц по величине отношения массы к заряду относится к области масс-спектрометрии. Технический результат - повышение чувствительности и стабильности масс-анализа и улучшение масс-габаритных и конструктивно-технологических показателей масс-спектрометров. Способ включает воздействие на заряженные частицы неоднородного высокочастотного поля, при этом поле имеет градиент потенциала вдоль оси Y и близкий к нулевому градиент вдоль оси X, а пучок заряженных частиц с заданной величиной отношения кинетической энергии к заряду вводят в высокочастотное поле непрерывно в плоскости XY под острым углом α к оси Y. 3 ил.

СПОСОБ РАЗДЕЛЕНИЯ ИОНОВ ПО УДЕЛЬНОМУ ЗАРЯДУ И УСТРОЙСТВО ДЛЯ ЕГО ОСУЩЕСТВЛЕНИЯ

Изобретение относится к динамической масс-спектрометрии и может быть использовано для улучшения технологических и аналитических свойств гиперболоидных масс-спектрометров. Технический результат заключается в упрощении анализатора, эффективном решении проблем ввода и вывода ионов и улучшении аналитических параметров гиперболоидных масс-спектрометров. Способ разделения частиц по удельному заряду основан на ограничении объема ионной ловушки плоскостью z= 0, где под действием переменного электрического поля ионы анализируемой массы m0 совершают по оси z однополярные, а по оси r двуполярные колебания с ограниченной амплитудой. Рабочие точки анализируемых ионов по оси сортировки находятся на границе зоны стабильности, а по другим координатам в глубине зоны стабильности. Анализатор гиперболоидного масс-спектрометра на ограниченной ионной ловушке состоит из торцевого, кольцевого, ограниченного плоскостью z=0, гиперболоидных электродов, экранирующего электрода в форме усеченного конуса и полупрозрачного ...

СПОСОБ РАЗДЕЛЕНИЯ ЗАРЯЖЕННЫХ ЧАСТИЦ ПО УДЕЛЬНОМУ ЗАРЯДУ И УСТРОЙСТВО ДЛЯ ЕГО ОСУЩЕСТВЛЕНИЯ

Изобретение относится к динамической масс-спектрометрии и может быть использовано для улучшения потребительских свойств и увеличения срока службы масс-спектрометров с гиперболоидными электродными системами. Масс - анализатор на ограниченной ионной ловушке состоит из гиперболоидных торцевого и ограниченного плоскостью кольцевого электродов, цилиндрических экранирующего и фокусирующего электродов и полупрозрачного плоского корректирующего электрода. Заряженные частицы образуются электронным ударом в пространстве между кольцевым и корректирующим электродами вне рабочего объема масс-анализатора. Ввод ионов в анализатор происходит под действием ускоряющего напряжения на корректирующем и фокусирующем электродах, период и фаза ускоряющего напряжения согласованы с периодом и фазой переменного поля и начальными координатами и скоростями заряженных частиц. Вывод отсортированных ионов осуществляется через отверстие в кольцевом электроде и полупрозрачный корректирующий электрод под действием положительного ...

ЭЛЕКТРОСТАТИЧЕСКИЙ АНАЛИЗАТОР ЭНЕРГИЙ ЗАРЯЖЕННЫХ ЧАСТИЦ

Электростатический энергоанализатор заряженных частиц, содержащий коаксиально размещенные внутренний и внешний цилиндрические электроды, экранирующий электрод, электрически связанный с внутренним цилиндрическим электродом; конический электрод с углом наклона образующей конуса около 32°, электрически и механически связанный с внешним цилиндрическим электродом, корректирующее кольцо, электрически изолированное от внутреннего и внешнего цилиндрических электродов, выполненные на боковой поверхности внутреннего цилиндрического электрода и затянутые мелкоструктурной металлической сеткой входную и выходную кольцевые прорези (окна) для пролета вторичных электронов, исследуемый образец, встроенную электронную пушку для формирования сфокусированного пучка первичных электронов, выходную кольцевую диафрагму, приемник вторичных электронов, блок развертки потенциала внешнего цилиндрического электрода; делитель напряжения развертки, подключаемый к корректирующему кольцу, отличающийся тем, что вблизи входного ...

ЭЛЕКТРОСТАТИЧЕСКИЙ ЭНЕРГОАНАЛИЗАТОР ЗАРЯЖЕННЫХ ЧАСТИЦ

Электростатический энергоанализатор заряженных частиц, содержащий последовательно расположенные первую отклоняющую, вторую фокусирующую и третью отклоняющую ступени, экранирующий электрод, входное окно в первой ступени, затянутое мелкоструктурной металлической сеткой, кольцеобразные диафрагмы между первой и второй, а также между второй и третьей ступенями, выходную кольцеобразную диафрагму, исследуемый образец и приемник электронов, источники питания, подключенные к электродам трех ступеней отклонения и фокусировки, источник рентгеновского излучения, отличающийся тем, что рентгеновский источник коаксиально встроен в анализатор, причем на минимально возможном расстоянии от образца.

ANORDNUNG ZUM MASSENSPEKTROMETRISCHEN NACHWEIS VON IONEN

Detektionseinrichtungen in Massenspektrometern und Detektionsverfahren

ELECTROSTATIC MULTIPOLE LENS FOR CHARGED-PARTICLE BEAM.

An electrostatic multipole lens consisting of flat electrodes, a pair of rod-like electrodes, and means for applying potentials to these electrodes. Each of the flat electrodes takes the form of a flat plate. The flat electrodes are disposed along an equipotential plane in an electrostatic n-pole field in or near planes given by y=+/-(tan( pi /n))x, the planes intersecting each other at the Z axis. The flat electrodes are cut out in the vicinity of the Z axis. The rod-like electrodes have surfaces which approximate in shape to a second equipotential plane in the n-pole field. The rod-like electrodes are located on the X axis in a region which contains the Z axis and is located between the planes. The potentials applied to these two kinds of electrodes correspond to the equipotential planes associated with the electrodes. Since the lens essentially consists only of the flat electrodes and the rod-like electrodes, the structure is simple. The dimension of the lens taken along the Y axis can ...

A DOUBLE FOCUSING MASS SPECTROMETER

Способ разделения и контроля ионной и электронной составляющих потока частиц и устройство для его осуществления

Использование: пленочная технология и измерительная техника, в частности для измерения ионных и электронных составляющих потока частиц. Задача : создание способа разделения и контроля ионной и электронной составляющей потока частиц и устройства для его осуществления упрощенной конструкции, уменьшение величины напряжения, используемого для разделения электронной и ионной составляющих исследуемого потока, расширение функциональных возможностей за счет обеспечения одновременной регистрации электронной и ионной составляющих потока. Сущность изобретения: способ включает электронно-лучевое испарение потока частиц, разделение его на электронную и ионную составляющие и регистрацию электронного и ионного токов. Разделение ионной и электронной составляющих потока осуществляют посредством воздействия на поток поперечного электрического поля. Устройство включает корпус, разделяющий элемент, который выполнен в виде двух изолированных от корпуса и друг от друга пластин, расположенных внутри корпуса параллельно ...

Способ разделения и контроля ионной и электронной составляющих потока частиц и устройство для его осуществления

Использование: пленочная технология и измерительная техника, в частности для измерения ионных и электронных составляющих потока частиц. Задача : создание способа разделения и контроля ионной и электронной составляющей потока частиц и устройства для его осуществления упрощенной конструкции, уменьшение величины напряжения, используемого для разделения электронной и ионной составляющих исследуемого потока, расширение функциональных возможностей за счет обеспечения одновременной регистрации электронной и ионной составляющих потока. Сущность изобретения: способ включает электронно-лучевое испарение потока частиц, разделение его на электронную и ионную составляющие и регистрацию электронного и ионного токов. Разделение ионной и электронной составляющих потока осуществляют посредством воздействия на поток поперечного электрического поля. Устройство включает корпус, разделяющий элемент, который выполнен в виде двух изолированных от корпуса и друг от друга пластин, расположенных внутри корпуса параллельно ...

MASS SPECTROMETER HAS GREAT LUMINOSITY

ELECTRIC SECTOR TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETER WITH ADJUSTABLE ION OPTICAL ELEMENTS

The invention provides apparatus and methods for performing time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (200). A TOF mass spectrometer of the present invention comprises one or more ion focusing electric sectors (250, 350, 450, and 550). . At least one of the electric sectors is associated with an ion optical element (266, 267). The ion optical elements (266, 267) comprise at least one adjustable electrode (260, 261), such that the adjustable electrode (260, 261)is able to modify the potential experienced by an ion entering (70) or exiting (72) the electric sector (250, 350, 450, or 550) with which it is associated.

ORTHOGONAL ION INJECTION APPARATUS AND PROCESS

An orthogonal ion injection apparatus and process are described in which ions are directly injected into an ion guide orthogonal to the ion guide axis through an inlet opening located on a side of the ion guide. The end of the heated capillary is placed inside the ion guide such that the ions are directly injected into DC and RF fields inside the ion guide, which efficiently confines ions inside the ion guide. Liquid droplets created by the ionization source that are carried through the capillary into the ion guide are removed from the ion guide by a strong directional gas flow through an inlet opening on the opposite side of the ion guide. Strong DC and RF fields divert ions into the ion guide. In-guide orthogonal injection yields a noise level that is a factor of 1.5 to 2 lower than conventional inline injection known in the art. Signal intensities for low m/z ions are greater compared to convention inline injection under the same processing conditions.

MULTIPLEXING METHOD FOR SEPARATORS

The present disclosure provides a method comprising providing a sample to be analysed, separating successive populations of ions from said sample in a separator, wherein said populations of ions are introduced into said separator at regular intervals, and the intervals are timed such that at least some ions in a subsequent population of ions overlap ions in a preceding population of ions, varying one or more parameters of said separator such that different populations of ions experience different separation conditions, detecting ions from said populations of ions and obtaining a convolved data set, and deconvolving said convolved data set using the known variance of the parameters and outputting data corresponding to the successive populations of ions. 1. A method comprising:providing a sample to be analysed;separating successive populations of ions from said sample in a separator, wherein said populations of ions are introduced into said separator at regular intervals, and the intervals are timed such that at least some ions in a subsequent population of ions overlap ions in a preceding population of ions;varying one or more parameters of said separator such that different populations of ions experience different separation conditions;detecting ions from said populations of ions and obtaining a convolved data set; andde-convolving said convolved data set using the known variance of the parameters and outputting data corresponding to the successive populations of ions.2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the populations of ions are introduced into the separator at a first frequency or in a first pattern claim 1 , and the populations of ions exit the separator at a second frequency or in a second pattern claim 1 , wherein the second frequency or second pattern is different to the first frequency or first pattern due to the different separation conditions experienced by each population of ions as they travel through said separator.3. A method as claimed in ...

СПОСОБ РАЗДЕЛЕНИЯ ЗАРЯЖЕННЫХ ЧАСТИЦ ПО УДЕЛЬНОМУ ЗАРЯДУ И УСТРОЙСТВО ДЛЯ ЕГО ОСУЩЕСТВЛЕНИЯ

Изобретение относится к масс-спектрометрии и может быть использовано для создания гиперболоидных масс-спектрометров с простыми анализаторами и высокими аналитическими показателями. Технический результат состоит в упрощении конструкции электродной системы анализаторов, повышении их срока службы, а также в улучшении параметров гиперболоидных масс-спектрометров. Способ разделения заряженных частиц по удельному заряду заключается в ограничении по оси сортировки рабочего объема трехмерного гиперболоидного анализатора областью 0, где под действием переменного поля анализируемые ионы совершают периодические или близкие к периодическим однополярные колебания. Рабочие точки анализируемых ионов по оси сортировки располагают на границе зоны стабильности, а по другим координатам - в глубине зоны стабильности. Анализатор одномерного гиперболоидного масс-спектрометра состоит из двух осесимметричных гиперболоидных электродов с радиусами r1>r2, расположенных в полусфере Z>0, а также из экранирующего электрода ...

СПОСОБ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ ДВУМЕРНОГО ЛИНЕЙНОГО ПОЛЯ И УСТРОЙСТВО ДЛЯ ЕГО ОСУЩЕСТВЛЕНИЯ

... 1. Способ формирования двумерного линейного по осям X и Y электрического поля, заключающийся в создании по границам рабочей области поля параллельных оси Z проводящих поверхностей длиной L с заданными на них потенциалами, отличающийся тем, что в качестве проводящих используют дискретные по осям X и Y с шагом Δx и Δy, состоящие из плоских с переменной шириной si и sj по осям X и Y заземленных элементов поверхности прямоугольного в плоскости XOY сечения с размерами 2x0 и 2y0 по осям X и Y и расположенные по их внешнему периметру на расстоянии d Подробнее

Способ амплитудной развертки квадрупольных масс анализаторов

Cylindrical capacitor for charge particle passage - has perforated input shutter and slotted output shutter, whose slots are parabolic and outwards arcuated

The cylinder capacitors with concentric section surfaces are particularly used as energy or mass dispersing elements in the spectrometry of charged particles, or as monochromator for such particles. The capacitor has an input and an output shutter, the input shutter (6) being in the form of a perforated shutter, while the output one (7) is in the form of a slotted shutter with a parabolic, outwards arcuated slot (9). The width of this slot in the output shutter corresponds to the diameter of the aperture (8) in the input shutter, this dia. being typically 1mm. The design of the capacitor safeguards practically no intensity loss. The capacitor construction is based on an observation that particles, entering the capacitor through a punctiform aperture, leave the capacitor over a parabolic section.

ELECTROSTATIC MULTIPOLE LENS FOR CHARGED-PARTICLE BEAM

ION OPTICAL SYSTEM FOR A MASS SPECTROMETER

A mass spectrometer having an ion reflecting instead of ion transmissive optics system. The spectrometer includes an ion source (16) for providing a beam of sample particles including ions along an axis (24). Its ion optics system (34-46) establishes a reflecting electrostatic field for reflecting ions along a path (30) from the particle beam and focussing them at an entrance aperture (26) of a mass analyser (25) and ion detector (27) for spectrometric analysis. The invention allows more efficient separation of ions from neutral particles, gives better signal to noise ratios and allows for a compact "optical" path and thus cheaper instrument to be manufacctured. The reflecting electrostatic field can also be used to filter higher energy ions from lower energy ions. An ion optical system as such is also disclosed.

METHOD FOR MEASURING GASES AND CORRESPONDING ION MOBILITY SPECTROMETER

The invention relates to a method and device for measuring gaseous substances, in which the method comprises the stages: - ionization of the sample gas in a gas flow (10), - leading of the ionized gas flow through an elongated ion-mobility measuring chamber (12) in the cross-section defined by it, - filtering out (14) of ions from the ionized gas flow at a distance from the measuring electrodes (ex, e2, e3), permitting the passage of only the ions travelling from the flow cross-section at the selected point, - separation of ions (J1-n) with a different ion mobility, with the aid of a transverse static electric field and at least one mea-suring-electrode pair (e1, e2, e3) arranged along the wall of the measuring chamber.

FIELD TERMINATION PLATES FOR CHARGED PARTICLE ANALYZERS

INSTRUMENTS FOR MEASURING ION SIZE DISTRIBUTION AND CONCENTRATION

Instruments are disclosed for analyzing ions from about 1000 to 10,000,000 Daltons by controlling a gaseous medium through which the ions travel under the influence of an electric field so that properties of the ions, such as diameter, electrical mobility, and charge, are measured. One embodiment of the disclosed instruments include an ion source, a nozzle, a jet relaxation region, an ion accumulation region, an electronic gate, a flow chamber and an ion detector.

Time-of-flight mass spectrometer

A mass spectrometry system comprises a source (10) of ions for analysis, an ion storage device (20) for separating the source ions as a function of their different mass-to-charge ratios, means (30) for dissociating the separated source ions in order to generate daughter ions and an ion mirror (40) for analysing the daughter ions as a function of the mass-to-charge ratios. The mass spectrometry system has particular utility in the analysis of large molecules contained in biological and biochemical samples. ...

Электростатический спектрометр заряженных частиц

Электростатический энергоанализатор

GEKRÜMMTE IONENFÜHRUNG MIT VARIIERENDEM IONENABLENKFELD UNDDARAUF BEZOGENE VERFAHREN

Eine Ionenführung umfasst eine Mehrzahl gekrümmter Elektroden und eine Ionenablenkeinrichtung. Die Elektroden sind um eine zentrale gekrümmte Achse angeordnet und radial von derselben beabstandet und umschreiben eine gekrümmte Ionenführungsregion von einem Ioneneintritt zu einem Ionenaustritt. Die Ionenablenkeinrichtung kann eine Vorrichtung zum Anlegen eines elektrischen Gleichfeldes an eine oder mehrere Elektroden in einer radialen Richtung umfassen. Der Betrag des elektrischen Gleichfeldes, und somit die Ionenablenkkraft, variiert entlang der gekrümmten Achse. Die Ionenführung kann beispielsweise als Stoßzelle oder ähnliches Instrument arbeiten.

Elektrodenstruktur zum Führen eines Strahls geladener Teilchen

Eine Elektrodenstruktur zum Führen und beispielsweise Aufteilen eines Strahls geladener Teilchen, beispielsweise eines Elektronenstrahls, entlang eines longitudinalen Pfades weist entlang des longitudinalen Pfades voneinander beabstandete mehrpolige Elektrodenanordnungen mit Gleichspannungselektroden auf. Die Elektrodenanordnungen sind dazu eingerichtet, in senkrecht zu dem longitudinalen Pfad orientierten transversalen Ebenen um den Pfad zentrierte statische Multipolfelder zu erzeugen, wobei die Feldstärken der statischen Multipolfelder in den transversalen Ebenen jeweils ein lokales Minimum am Ort des Pfades aufweisen und mit zunehmender Entfernung vom Ort des Pfades ansteigen. Feldrichtungen der statischen Multipolfelder variieren entlang des Pfades mit einer Periodenlänge periodisch, so dass die entlang des Pfades propagierenden Teilchen aufgrund ihrer Eigenbewegung einem inhomogenen elektrischen Wechselfeld ausgesetzt sind und im zeitlichen Mittel eine transversale Rückstellkraft in ...

FELDBEGRENZUNGSPLATTEN UND VERFAHREN ZU DEREN HERSTELLUNG

Ion Optical system for a mass spectrometer

CONDUCTIVE TUBE FOR USE AS A REFLECTRON LENS

A reflection lens and method are provided. The reflection lens comprises a tube having a continuous conductive surface along the length of the tube for providing an electric field interior to the tube that varies in strength along the length of the tube. The tube may comprise glass, and in particular, a glass comprising metal ions, such as lead, which may be reduced to form the conductive surface. The method includes a step of introducing a beam of ions into a first end of a dielectric tube having a continuous conductive surface along the length of the tube. The method further includes a step of applying an electric potential across the tube to create an electric field gradient that varies in strength along the length of the tube so the electric field deflects the ions to cause the ions to exit the tube through the first end of the tube.

A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING IONS FROM AN ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE ION SOURCE INTO AN ION TRAP MASS SPECTROMETER

An ion transfer assembly for transferring ions from an atmospheric pressure ion source into an ion trap mass spectrometer with reduced random noise during analysis of the transferred ions. A method of reducing noise due to charged particles, undesolvated charged droplets, or ions in an ion trap mass spectrometer connected to an atmospheric pressure ionization source.

FIELD TERMINATION PLATES FOR CHARGED PARTICLE ANALYZERS

Reflectors for time-of-flight mass spectrometers having plates with symmetric shielding edges

The invention relates to reflectors for time-of-flight mass spectrometers, and especially their design. A Mamyrin reflector is provided which consists of metal plates with cut-out internal apertures, and symmetric shielding edges which are set back from the inner edges. The dipole field formed by these shielding edges penetrates only slightly through the plates and into the interior of the reflector. With a good mechanical design, the resolving power of the time-of-flight mass spectrometer increases by around fifteen percent compared to the best prior art to date.

СПОСОБ ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ ДВУМЕРНОГО ЛИНЕЙНОГО ВЫСОКОЧАСТОТНОГО ЭЛЕКТРИЧЕСКОГО ПОЛЯ И УСТРОЙСТВО ДЛЯ ЕГО ОСУЩЕСТВЛЕНИЯ

Изобретение относится к области фокусировки, энерго и масс-анализа заряженных частиц в линейных высокочастотных электрических полях и может использовано для улучшения конструкторских и коммерческих характеристик приборов для микроанализа вещества. Технический результат - усовершенствование конструкции электродных систем для образования двумерных линейных высокочастотных электрических полей с целью достижения при изготовлении высокой точности реализации их расчетной геометрии с помощью современных технологий. Способ основан на формировании на плоских поверхностях дискретно-линейных распределений высокочастотного потенциала с помощью параллельных емкостных делителей. Система состоит из 3-х плоских электродов, одного заземленного и двух с противофазными дискретно-линейными распределениями вдоль одной оси высокочастотных потенциалов. Дискретные электроды выполнены из тонких диэлектрических пластин с нанесенными на них проводящими поверхностями. Внешние поверхности разделены по диагонали на ...

Спектрометр заряженных частиц малых энергии

Massenspektrometer mit variabler Dispersion

Detection arrangement in mass spectrometers

An approach to extending the dynamic range of the detector of a mass spectrometer is described. In one embodiment, in the case of high intensity beams, means are provided to deflect the ion beam, after the collector slit 1, on to an attenuator 4, which may be a grid or an array of small holes, through which only a small fraction of the ion beam reaches the ion detector 6. Use of an array of holes ensures that the recorded signal is insensitive to the distribution of ions within the beam. The beam passes directly to a detector if the signal is of low intensity.

Method for measuring gases and corresponding ion mobility spectrometry

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE CONTROL AND/OR ANALYSIS OF CHARGED PARTICLES

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE CONTROL AND/OR ANALYSIS OF CHARGED PARTICLES A method of analysis of a gaseous sample comprises the steps of introducing into a quistor a sample of ions characteristic of the gaseous sample, applying a potential to the electrodes of said quistor so that only one ionic species is stable in a trap of said quistor at any given instant, incrementing the potential applied to the electrodes of said quistor so that said ionic species becomes unstable and is ejected from said trap and determining the mass/change ratio from the measurements of the parameters of said ion trap at the point of instability.

DYNAMIC ELECTRON IMPACT ION SOURCE

An ion source can include a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field in a direction parallel to a direction of the electron beam and coincident with the electron beam. However, this magnetic field can also influence the path of ionized sample constituents as they pass through and exit the ion source. An ion source can include an electric field generator to compensate for this effect. As an example, the electric field generator can be configured to generate an electric field within the ion source chamber, such that an additional force is imparted on the ionized sample constituents, opposite in direction and substantially equal in magnitude to the force imparted on the ionized sample constituents by the magnetic field.

Multi-electrode ion trap

This invention relates generally to multi-reflection electrostatic systems, and more particularly to improvements in and relating to the Orbitrap electrostatic ion trap. A method of operating an electrostatic ion trapping device having an array of electrodes operable to mimic a single electrode is proposed, the method comprising determining three or more different voltages that, when applied to respective electrodes of the plurality of electrodes, generate an electrostatic trapping field that approximates the field that would be generated by applying a voltage to the single electrode, and applying the three or more so determined voltages to the respective electrodes. Further improvements lie in measuring a plurality of features from peaks with different intensities from one or more collected mass spectra to derive characteristics, and using the measured characteristics to improve the voltages to be applied to the plurality of electrodes.

ENERGY ANALYZER USING INCLINED MAGNETIC POLE

PURPOSE: To obtain the stigmatic image formation by providing nonmagnetic members on magnetic poles constituting inclined magnetic pole faces as parallel planes and arranging electrodes between them to form the uniform electric field in a Wien filter constituting an energy analyzer. CONSTITUTION: A Wien filter used for the energy analysis of an electron beam or the like is constituted so that a charged particle beam passes through the uniform electric field and magnetic field superimposed at a right angle and is dispersed in response to the magnitude of the energy. No lens action is applied in the magnetic field, the beam is only expanded, and no energy dispersion occurs. Therefore, inclined magnetic poles 11, 12 are faced to each other, nonmagnetic members 15, 16 are provided on the magnetic pole faces as perallel planes, and electrodes 13, 14 are arranged between the parallel planes. Accordingly, the magnetic distribution to have the stigmatic image formation is obtained, the uniform ...

MASS ANALYZER

PURPOSE: To eliminate the influence due to overlapped field in the proximity of border between magnetic and electric fields, by departing the electric field from the magnetic field without sacrifice of the convergency of uniform electric field. CONSTITUTION: An ion beam I is converged through a lens 2 and injected vertically through point O on end face α of magnetic field B. In the magnetic field B the ion is rotated with radius corresponding to the number of mass and dispersed, then it is forcused and projected in parallel from end face β. Then it enters into an electric field E crossing perpendicularly with the beam. Thereafter the ions I1WI3 separated in accordance with the number of mass and projected in parallel from end face β move parabolically under uniform electric field E to be converged on end face S. Said converged ion beam is caught and detected by a collector C through a collector slit CS arranged on the end face S. When sweeping the strength of the electric field E properly ...

СПОСОБ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ ДВУМЕРНОГО ЛИНЕЙНОГО ПОЛЯ И УСТРОЙСТВО ДЛЯ ЕГО ОСУЩЕСТВЛЕНИЯ

Изобретение относится к области масс-спектрометрических приборов, основанных на движении заряженных частиц в двумерных линейных электрических полях, и может быть использовано для улучшения аналитических и потребительских характеристик таких приборов. Способ формирования двумерных линейных электрических полей основан на использовании системы, состоящей из плоских непрерывных и дискретных электродов с заданными на них потенциалами. Внешние непрерывные электроды с потенциалами -φ и φ создают в рабочей области анализатора электрическое поле, а внутренние заземленные дискретные электроды формируют за счет экранирующего действия требуемое распределение потенциала по осям Х и Y. Для этого дискретные электроды выполняют из набора тонких металлических пластин, ширина которых по осям Х и Y изменяется таким образом, чтобы получить требуемое распределение потенциала в рабочей области. Число элементов дискретных электродов определяется исходя из размеров x0 и у0 рабочей области по осям Х и Y и требуемой ...

СПОСОБ МАСС-СЕЛЕКТИВНОГО АНАЛИЗА ИОНОВ ПО ВРЕМЕНИ ПРОЛЕТА В ЛИНЕЙНОМ ВЧ ПОЛЕ И УСТРОЙСТВО ДЛЯ ЕГО ОСУЩЕСТВЛЕНИЯ

Изобретение относится к области масс-селективного анализа заряженных частиц в двумерных линейных ВЧ полях и может быть использовано для улучшения аналитических, эксплуатационных и потребительских свойств масс-спектрометров времяпролетного типа. Способ масс-селективного анализа состоит в формировании двумерного линейного периодического по оси Х ВЧ поля и осуществления в нем времяпролетного разделения ионов по удельному заряду. Периодическое поле состоит из элементарных двумерных линейных электрических ВЧ полей в областях у>0 и у<0, сдвинутых относительно друг друга по оси Х на величину х0. Анализируемые ионы вводятся в рабочий объем анализатора и совершают в плоскости XOY(n-2)/2 близких к периодическим с периодом 2х0 колебаний. Время дрейфа ионов в анализаторе оказывается пропорциональным массе заряженных частиц и числу (n-2) элементарных ВЧ полей. Способ и устройство масс-селективного разделения заряженных частиц в периодических двумерных линейных ВЧ полях увеличивают время движения ионов ...

СПОСОБ ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ ДВУМЕРНОГО ЛИНЕЙНОГО ЭЛЕКТРИЧЕСКОГО ПОЛЯ И УСТРОЙСТВО ДЛЯ ЕГО ОСУЩЕСТВЛЕНИЯ

Изобретение относится к области масс-спектрометрии, в основе которой лежит движение заряженных частиц в двумерных линейных высокочастотных электрических полях, и может быть использовано для усовершенствования конструкций приборов для масс-анализа и улучшения их аналитических и коммерческих характеристик. Устройство образования таких полей содержит плоские электроды с дискретным линейным по одной координате распределением потенциала. Для усовершенствования конструкции и системы высокочастотного питания анализаторов линейные по двум координатам электрические поля формируются с помощью двух дискретных из тонких металлических нитей с противоположными потенциалами электродов и трех сплошных заземленных электродов. Требуемое поле в рабочей области анализатора образуется путем неравномерного распределения координат нитей в плоскостях дискретных электродов, при котором заряды на электродах вдоль одной оси распределены по дискретному линейному закону. Технический результат - усовершенствование конструкции ...

Atmosphärendruck-Ionisationsvorrichtung

Atmosphärendruck-Ionisationsvorrichtung (400), die folgende Merkmale aufweist: ein Gehäuse (402), das eine Kammer (404) aufweist; eine Ioneneinlassstruktur (416), die eine Probenahmeöffnung (440) aufweist, die koaxial zu einer Probenahmeachse (406) ist und mit der Kammer (404) kommuniziert; eine Elektrode (420), die eine Elektrodenbohrung (518) aufweist und von der Ioneneinlassstruktur (416) beabstandet ist, wobei zwischen der Ioneneinlassstruktur (416) und der Elektrode (420) eine Ionisationsregion (436) definiert ist; eine aufgeweitete Struktur (490), die koaxial um die Ioneneinlassstruktur (416) herum angeordnet ist und sich entlang einer Auswärtsrichtung erstreckt, die eine radiale Komponente relativ zu der Probenahmeachse (406) umfasst; eine Probenausgabevorrichtung (408), die in der Kammer (404) angeordnet ist und in einem Winkel zu der Probenahmeachse (406) orientiert ist, um einen Probenstrom zu der Ionisationsregion (436) hin zu lenken; und einen Gasdurchgang (452), der dazu konfiguriert ...

GEKRÜMMTE IONENFÜHRUNG MIT VARIIERENDEM IONENABLENKFELD UNDDARAUF BEZOGENE VERFAHREN

Ionenführung, die Folgendes aufweist: eine Mehrzahl gekrümmter Elektroden, die um eine gekrümmte zentrale Achse angeordnet sind, wobei sich die gekrümmte zentrale Achse mit einem Bogen eines Kreisquerschnitts, der einen Krümmungsradius aufweist, gemeinsam erstreckt, wobei jede Elektrode von der gekrümmten zentralen Achse radial beabstandet ist, wobei die Mehrzahl von Elektroden eine gekrümmte Ionenführungsregion umschließt, die um die gekrümmte zentrale Achse angeordnet ist, wobei die Ionenführungsregion an einem Ioneneintritt beginnt und an einem Ionenaustritt endet; und eine Ionenablenkvorrichtung, die zum Anlegen eines radialen elektrischen Gleichfeldes über die Ionenführungsregion mit einem Betrag, der entlang der gekrümmten zentralen Achse variiert, konfiguriert ist, wobei der Betrag an dem Ioneneintritt bei einem Maximum liegt und entlang der gekrümmten zentralen Achse zu dem Ionenaustritt hin abnimmt.

OPTISCHES SYSTEM FUER GELADENE TEILCHEN MIT VORRICHTUNG ZUR KORREKTUR DER ABERRATION.

Teilchenstrahlgerät und Verfahren zum Betreiben eines Teilchenstrahlgeräts

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Teilchenstrahlgerät und ein Verfahren zum Betreiben eines Teilchenstrahlgeräts. Das Teilchenstrahlgerät weist eine Probenkammer, eine in der Probenkammer angeordnete Probe (16), eine erste Teilchenstrahlsäule (2), eine zweite Teilchenstrahlsäule und mindestens einen Detektor (34) auf, der in einem ersten Hohlraum (35, 38) eines ersten Hohlkörpers (36, 37) angeordnet ist, wobei der erste Hohlraum (35, 38) eine erste Eintrittsöffnung (39, 40) aufweist. Die erste Teilchenstrahlsäule (2) und die zweite Teilchenstrahlsäule sind in einer Ebene angeordnet, hingegen ist der Detektor (34) nicht in der Ebene angeordnet. An der ersten Teilchenstrahlsäule (2) ist mindestens eine Steuerelektrode (41) angeordnet. Ferner weist die zweite Teilchenstrahlsäule eine Abschlusselektrode auf. Eine erste Hohlkörperspannung, eine Steuerelektrodenspannung und/oder eine Abschlusselektrodenspannung ist/sind derart gewählt, dass erste Wechselwirkungsteilchen und/oder zweite Wechselwirkungsteilchen ...

ION STORAGE DEVICE

Curved ion guide with varying ion deflecting field and related methods

An ion guide includes a plurality of curved electrodes and an ion deflecting device. The electrodes are arranged about and radially spaced from a central curved axis, and circumscribe a curved ion guide region from an ion entrance to an ion exit. The ion deflecting device may include a device for applying a DC electric field to one or more electrodes in a radial direction. The magnitude of the DC electric field, and thus the ion deflecting force, varies along the curved axis. The ion guide may for example operate as a collision cell or like instrument.

AN ANGULAR ALIGNEMENT OF THE ION DETECTOR SURFACE IN TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETERS

Electrostatic deflectors (11, 12) are used in a time of flight mass spectrometer to steer ions (41) into a detector (40) positioned at the end of a drift region (28); where the detector (40) is tilted in relation with the steered ion beam (41) in a manner which improves mass spectral resolution.

MASS SPECTROMETER HAS GREAT LUMINOSITY

Charged particle analysers and methods of separating charged particles

A method of separating charged particles is described including the provision of an analyser 10 comprising two opposing mirrors 40, 50 wherein each mirror comprises inner 20 and outer 30 field-defining electrode systems elongated along an axis z. The outer system 30 surrounding the inner system 20 and defining there between an analyser volume 60. The mirrors 40, 50 create an electric field within the analyser volume 60 comprising opposing electric fields along z wherein the strength along z The electric field is at a minimum at a plane z=0. A beam of charged particles (120, Fig. 3a) are caused to fly through the analyser 10, orbiting around the z axis within the analyser volume 60 and reflecting from one mirror to the other at least once. This defines a maximum turning point within each mirror where the electric field strength X along z is at its maximum. The absolute electric field strength along z is less than IXI/2 for not more than 2/3 of the distance along z between the plane z=0 and ...

Mirror lens for directing an ion beam

An electrostatic dual-mode lens assembly 1 is provided for selectively transmitting or reflecting an ion beam 17 in a mass spectrometer. The assembly comprises at least one electrode that provides a switchable electric field that, during a first mode of operation, directs an ion beam that enters the assembly along a first path so that thebeam is transmitted through the assembly along the first path (Figure 1A), and during a second mode of operation, directs an ion beam that enters the assembly along the first path so that the ion beam is reflected by the electric field and exits the assembly along a second path (Figure 1B). In one embodiment a range of mass to charge ratios (m/z) are sent along one path and in another embodiment a larger range of mass to charge ratios are sent along another path. A mass filter may be used to transmit ions from the ion source and the beam paths may lead to mass analysers and detectors.

AN ANGULAR ALIGNEMENT OF THE ION DETECTOR SURFACE IN TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETERS

Electrostatic deflectors (11, 12) are used in a time of flight mass spectrometer to steer ions (41) into a detector (40) positioned at the end of a drift region (28); where the detector (40) is tilted in relation wi th the steered ion beam (41) in a manner which improves mass spectral resolution.

INSTALLATION OF DETECTION Of IONS BY MASS SPECTROMETRY

Apparatus and method for the control and/or analysis of charged particles

A method of analysis of a gaseous sample comprises the steps of introducing into a quistor (1) a sample of ions characteristic of the gaseous sample, applying a potential to the electrodes of said quistor so that only one ionic species is stable in a trap of said quistor at any given instant, incrementing the potential applied to the electrodes of said quistor so that said ionic species becomes unstable and is ejected from said trap and determining the mass/change ratio from the measurements of the parameters of said ion trap at the point of instability.

Charged particle analysers and methods of separating charged particles

Apparatus and method for the control and/or analysis of charged particles

A method of analysis of a gaseous sample comprises the steps of introducing into a quistor (1) a sample of ions characteristic of the gaseous sample, applying a potential to the electrodes of said quistor so that only one ionic species is stable in a trap of said quistor at any given instant, incrementing the potential applied to the electrodes of said quistor so that said ionic species becomes unstable and is ejected from said trap and determining the mass/change ratio from the measurements of the parameters of said ion trap at the point of instability.

Apparatus and method for removal of selected particles from a charged particle beam

An apparatus for removing neutral particles from a high energy charged beam 501 is provided. It deflects the beam magnetically in two or more deflection regions 551, 552 and all beams above a particular energy, determined by the geometry of the deflecting magnets, are returned to a required beam direction. In the range of energies for which neutral particle filtering is required, the un-deflected energetic neutral particle beam 505 is obstructed by an obstructing structure, e.g. beam stop 561, which can be removed 562 for the transmission of higher energy, un-decelerated ion beams, which also have the direction and position of the beam entering the apparatus.

Ion detector and mass analyzer for TOF (time of flight) mass spectrometer and ion detection control method

The invention discloses an ion detector and a mass analyzer for a TOF (time of flight) mass spectrometer and an ion detection control method. The ion detector for the TOF mass spectrometer comprises a metal shield cover, at least one deflecting plate group, a pulse power source of the at least one deflecting plate group and at least two receivers composed of micro channel plates, wideband current amplifiers and high speed analog to digital converters, wherein each deflecting plate group is arranged in the metal shield cover, the metal shield cover is provided with an incoming hole and an outgoing hole which are located on the same axis, two portions of each deflecting plate group are symmetrically arranged on two sides of the axis, and the at least one deflecting plate group is used to generate an even electric field through impulse voltage applied by the pulse power source so as to change fight directions of ions which pass through the at least one deflecting plate group and infiltrate ...

CURVED ION GUIDE WITH VARYING ION DEFLECTING FIELD AND RELATED METHODS

An ion guide includes a plurality of curved electrodes and an ion deflecting device. The electrodes are arranged about and radially spaced from a central curved axis, and circumscribe a curved ion guide region from an ion entrance to an ion exit. The ion deflecting device may include a device for applying a DC electric field to one or more electrodes in a radial direction. The magnitude of the DC electric field, and thus the ion deflecting force, varies along the curved axis. The ion guide may for example operate as a collision cell or like instrument.

Electrostatic mass spectrometer with encoded frequent pulses

A method, apparatus and algorithms are disclosed for operating an open electrostatic trap (E-trap) or a multi-pass TOF mass spectrometer with an extended flight path. A string of start pulses with non equal time intervals is employed for triggering ion packet injection into the analyzer, a long spectrum is acquired to accept ions from the entire string and a true spectrum is reconstructed by eliminating or accounting overlapping signals at the data analysis stage while using logical analysis of peak groups. The method is particularly useful for tandem mass spectrometry wherein spectra are sparse. The method improves the duty cycle, the dynamic range and the space charge throughput of the analyzer and of the detector, so as the response time of the E-trap analyzer. It allows flight extension without degrading E-trap sensitivity.

ION MOBILITY ANALYZER, COMBINATION DEVICE THEREOF, AND ION MOBILITY ANALYSIS METHOD

An ion mobility analyzer, combination device thereof, and ion mobility analysis method. The ion mobility analyzer comprises an electrode system that surrounds the analytical space and a power device that attaches to the electrode system an ion mobility electric potential field that moves along one space axis. During the process of analyzing mobility of ions to be measured, by always placing the ions to be measured in the moving ion mobility electric potential field, and keeping the movement direction of the ion mobility electric potential field consistent with the direction of the electric field on the ions to be measured within the ion mobility electric potential field, theoretically a mobility path of an infinite length can be formed so as to distinguish ions having mobility or ion cross sections that have very small differences.

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO MASS SPECTROMETRY

MASSENSPEKTROMETER MIT VARIABLER STREUUNG

VARIABLE DISPERSION MASS SPECTROMETER

PCT No. PCT/GB89/00602 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 29, 1990 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 29, 1990 PCT Filed Jun. 1, 1989 PCT Pub. No. WO89/12315 PCT Pub. Date Dec. 14, 1989.The invention relates to a variable dispersion double-focusing mass spectrometer comprising at least a magnetic sector analyzer (4) preceding an electrostatic analyzer (6), which analyzers cooperate to form a direction and velocity focused image on a multichannel detector (34) locatable in a focal plane of the electrostatic analyzer (6). The geometrical parameters of the electrostatic analyzer are selected so that the magnification of the electrostatic analyzer is substantially zero, which makes it possible to use a variable radius electrostatic analyzer to vary the extent of the mass spectrum imaged on the detector (34) while still maintaining double focusing. A variable radius electrostatic analyzer suitable for use in the invention is also described.

Gate for eliminating charged particles in time of flight spectrometers

INSTALLATION OF DETECTION Of IONS BY MASS SPECTROMETRY

ION CONTROLLER FOR A MASS SPECTROMETER, THE MASS SPECTROMETER INCLUDING THE SAME, AND AN ION CONTROLLING METHOD FOR THE MASS SPECTROMETER CAPABLE OF MINIMIZING A PARAMETER FOR CONTROLLING IONS

PURPOSE: An ion controller for a mass spectrometer, the mass spectrometer including the same, and an ion controlling method for the mass spectrometer are provided to minimize the number of ion controlling electrodes and the number of related power sources by not using additional electrodes and power sources for focusing on ions and controlling a direction of the ions. CONSTITUTION: A first extraction lens(21) comprises a first hole(210). An ion passes through the first hole. A second extraction lens(22) is electrically separated from the first extraction lens. The second extraction lens comprises a second hole(220). The second hole is arranged with the first hole. The ion passed through the first hole passes through the second hole. The surface of the first hole is inclined to the progressing direction of the ion. COPYRIGHT KIPO 2013 [Reference numerals] (AA) Laser; ...

RATCHET-BASED ION PUMPING MEMBRANE SYSTEMS

Described herein is an ion pump system implementing an electronic ratchet mechanism produced by modulating a spatially varying electric potential distribution that can result in a net ionic current and voltage. The ion pumping membrane system includes an ion-permeable layer integrated with ion-selective membranes. The electric potential distribution within the ion-permeable layer is modulated through external stimuli. When immersed in solution, ions within the ion-permeable layer experience a time varying, spatially asymmetric electric field distribution resulting in ratchet-driven direct ion pumping, which can be used in applications such as desalination.

ION FLOW GUIDE DEVICES AND METHODS

Certain configurations of devices are described herein that include DC multipoles that are effective to direct ions. In some instances, the devices include a first multipole configured to provide a DC electric field effective to direct first ions of an entering particle beam along a first exit trajectory that is substantially orthogonal to an entry trajectory of the particle beam. The devices may also include a second multipole configured to provide a DC electric field effective to direct the received first ions from the first multipole along a second exit trajectory that is substantially orthogonal to the first exit trajectory.

Periodic field differential mobility analyzer

A periodic field differential mobility analyzer apparatus for separating and identifying ionic analytes employs a series of elongated parallel channels, a pump, a first voltage providing an electric field Ex in a direction opposing the gas flow, a second voltage providing an electric field Ey in a direction perpendicular to the gas flow, an ion source, and a detector. The periodic field differential mobility analyzer provides high resolution and sensitivity.

Mass Spectrometry for Gas Analysis in Which both a Charged Particle Source and a Charged Particle Analyzer are Offset from an Axis of a Deflector Lens, Resulting in Reduced Baseline Signal Offsets

Apparatus, methods and systems are provided to inhibit a sightline from a charged particle source to an analyzer and for changing a baseline offset of an output spectrum of an analyzer. A supply of charged particles is directed through a hollow body of a deflector lens that is positioned relative to a charged particle source and an analyzer. A flow path along a preferred flow path through a deflector lens permits passage of the ions from the source to the detector while inhibiting a sightline from the detector to the source in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the deflector lens.

Methods of Determining Polydispersity and/or Molecular Weight Distribution of a Polyethylene Glycol Sample

Disclosed herein are methods of determining polydispersity (PDI) and molecular mass distribution (MMD) of reactive PEG samples using mass spectrometry. More specifically, a mass spectrometry method called GEMMA is used to determine PDI and MMD of PEG samples which provides more accurate measurements for high molecular weight PEG samples than prior known MALDI-TOF analysis.

Multireflection Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometer

A method of reflecting ions in a multireflection time of flight mass spectrometer is disclosed. The method includes guiding ions toward an ion mirror having multiple electrodes, and applying a voltage to the ion mirror electrodes to create an electric field that causes the mean trajectory of the ions to intersect a plane of symmetry of the ion mirror and to exit the ion mirror, wherein the ion are spatially focussed by the mirror to a first location and temporally focused to a second location different from the first location. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed. 1. A method of reflecting ions in a time of flight mass spectrometer , comprising:providing an ion mirror having a plurality of electrodes, the ion mirror having a cross section with a first, minor axis (Y) and a second, major axis (X) each perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (Z) of the ion mirror which lies generally in the direction of time of flight separation of the ions in the mirror;guiding ions towards the ion mirror; causes the mean trajectory of the ions to intercept a plane of symmetry of the ion mirror which contains the longitudinal (Z) and major axes (X) of the mirror;', 'causes the ions to reflect in the ion mirror;', 'causes the ions to exit the ion mirror; and', 'spatially focuses the ions to at least one first location and temporally focuses the ions to a second location, the second location not being coincident with the at least one first location., 'applying a voltage to the electrodes so as to create an electric field which2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electric field spatially focuses the ions in one but not both of the X and Y axes at the at least one first location.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electric field causes ions to cross the plane of symmetry at least three times per reflection in the ion mirror.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first location is positioned within the ion mirror.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ...

Process for Monitoring Industrial Fluids and Treatment of Same

Industrial fluids can be monitored by employing differential ion mobility spectrometer to sample the industrial fluids. This process may also include controlling an industrial device or an industrial process using the results of the output from the field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer. The process may also include employing a device to condition the sample prior to introducing the sample into field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer. 1. A process for monitoring industrial fluids comprising employing differential ion mobility spectrometry to sample the industrial fluids.2. The process of wherein the process further comprises using the differential ion mobility spectrometry to control an industrial process.3. The process of wherein the differential ion mobility spectrometry is performed using a field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer.4. The process of further comprising conditioning an industrial fluid prior to introducing the industrial fluid into field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer.5. The process of wherein the industrial fluids are selected from the group consisting of aqueous fluids claim 2 , non-aqueous fluids claim 2 , and mixtures of aqueous and nonaqueous fluids.6. The process of wherein the industrial fluids are selected from the group consisting of emulsions and other multiphase fluids which are admixtures of aqueous and non-aqueous fluids.7. The process of wherein the industrial fluids are selected from the group consisting of: fluids present in the exploration for or production of oil and gas claim 5 , fluids present during the refining of crude oil claim 5 , and fluids present during the production of chemical products.8. The process of wherein the industrial fluid is selected from the group consisting of cooling water claim 2 , process water claim 2 , oil field drilling and completion fluids claim 2 , oil and gas well production fluids claim 2 , crude oil claim 2 , feed streams to desalting units claim 2 , outflow from desalting units ...

Combination Ion Gate And Modifier

A detection device including an ionization region, an ion gate comprising two electrodes, an ion modifier comprising two electrodes, a drift chamber and a collector. The ion gate and ion modifier are combined so the ion gate is one of the ion modifier electrodes.

Control of Gas Flow in High Field Asymmetric Waveform Ion Mobility Spectrometry

A High Field Asymmetric Waveform ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS) apparatus comprises (a) a first and a second gas inlet; a)) an expansion chamber receiving ions from an ion source and the first and second gas flows from the first and second gas inlets, respectively; (c) an outer electrode having a generally concave inner surface and comprising: (i) an ion inlet operable to receive, from the expansion chamber, the ions and a combined gas flow comprising portions of the first and second gas flows; and (ii) an ion outlet; and (d) an inner electrode having a generally convex outer surface that is disposed in a spaced-apart and facing arrangement relative to the inner surface of the outer electrode for defining an ion separation region therebetween, wherein the combined gas flow and a portion of the ions travel through the ion separation region from the ion inlet to the ion outlet. 1. A High Field Asymmetric Waveform Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS) apparatus comprising:(a) an ion source;(b) a first and a second gas inlet;(c) an expansion chamber receiving first and second gas flows from the first and second gas inlets, respectively; (i) an ion inlet operable to receive ions from the ion source and to receive a combined gas flow comprising portions of the first and second gas flows from the expansion chamber; and', '(ii) an ion outlet; and, '(d) an outer electrode having a generally concave inner surface and comprising(e) an inner electrode having a generally convex outer surface that is disposed in a spaced-apart and facing arrangement relative to the inner surface of the outer electrode for defining an ion separation region therebetween, wherein the combined gas flow and a portion of the ions are received into the ion separation region from the ion inlet and travel through the ion separation region from the ion inlet to the ion outlet.2. A FAIMS apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first and second gas inlets are disposed at opposite sides of the ion inlet ...

Multi-Electrode Ion Trap

This invention relates generally to multi-reflection electrostatic systems, and more particularly to improvements in and relating to the Orbitrap electrostatic ion trap. A method of operating an electrostatic ion trapping device having an array of electrodes operable to mimic a single electrode is proposed, the method comprising determining three or more different voltages that, when applied to respective electrodes of the plurality of electrodes, generate an electrostatic trapping field that approximates the field that would be generated by applying a voltage to the single electrode, and applying the three or more so determined voltages to the respective electrodes. Further improvements lie in measuring a plurality of features from peaks with different intensities from one or more collected mass spectra to derive characteristics, and using the measured characteristics to improve the voltages to be applied to the plurality of electrodes. 1. A trapping mass analyzer for a mass spectrometer , comprising:an inner and an outer electrode, the inner and outer electrodes extending along a longitudinal axis and defining therebetween a trapping volume;a controller for applying a set of voltages to the inner and outer electrodes to generate an electrostatic field that causes ions within the trapping volume to undergo periodic motion in the dimension defined by the longitudinal axis; anda plurality of pairs of detection electrodes, each pair of detection electrodes having first and second detection electrodes opposed across a plane of symmetry orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, the first and second detection electrodes being positioned to generate an image current responsive to the periodic motion of ions within the trapping volume.2. The mass analyzer of claim 1 , wherein the outer electrode is divided into at least four ring electrodes claim 1 , which form the plurality of pairs of detection electrodes.3. The mass analyzer of claim 2 , wherein the inner diameters of the at ...

SPATIAL FOCUSING ION GATE ASSEMBLY AND SPATIAL FOCUSING ION MOBILITY SPECTROMETER

Provided is a spatial focusing ion mobility tube, including an ionzation source, an ion gate, a grid mesh and a faraday disc. A focusing grid mesh parallel to the ion gate is provided at one side of the ion gate away from the ionization source, and the ion gate and the focusing grid mesh combine into a spatial focusing ion gate assembly which controls the flight of the ions. The mobility tube employs a traditional design and changes the ion gate portion to one or more spatial focusing ion gate assemblies. The spatial focusing assembly can realize the injection function of the ion gate and produce the spatial compression focusing of ions. 1322123. A spatial focusing ion gate assembly comprising ion gate , wherein focusing grid () locates on the side of ion gate () and parallels to ion gate (); the spatial focusing ion gate assembly () is composed of ion gate () and focusing grid ().2231. The spatial focusing ion gate assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said ion gate is the Bradbury-Nielsen gate (I) or Tyndall-Powell gate (II); the distance from the ion gate () to the focusing grid () in spatial focusing ion gate assembly () is in the range of 0.1 mm to 10 cm.3322123. The spatial focusing ion mobility spectrometer according to comprising ionization source claim 1 , ion gate claim 1 , grid claim 1 , faraday plate claim 1 , wherein focusing grid () locates on the side of ion gate () far away from ionization source and parallels to ion gate (); the spatial focusing ion gate assembly () is composed of ion gate () and focusing grid ().4. The ion mobility spectrometer according to claim 3 , wherein:there is only one spatial focusing ion gate assembly, dividing the drift tube into two regions:the reaction region between ionization source and focusing grid, and the drift region between focusing grid and faraday plate;there are more than two spatial focusing ion gate assemblies, which are parallel to each other, the spatial focusing ion gate assembly near the ionization ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ION MOBILITY SEPARATIONS UTILIZING ALTERNATING CURRENT WAVEFORMS

Methods and apparatuses for ion manipulations, including ion trapping, transfer, and mobility separations, using traveling waves (TW) formed by continuous alternating current (AC) are disclosed. An apparatus for ion manipulation includes a surface to which are coupled a first plurality of continuous electrodes and a second plurality of segmented electrodes. The second plurality of segmented electrodes is arranged in longitudinal sets between or adjacent to the first plurality of electrodes. An RF voltage applied to adjacent electrodes of the first plurality of electrodes is phase shifted by approximately 180° to confine ions within the apparatus. An AC voltage waveform applied to adjacent electrodes within a longitudinal set of the second plurality of segmented electrodes is phase shifted on the adjacent electrodes by 1°-359° to move ions longitudinally through the apparatus for separation. 1. An apparatus for ion manipulations , comprising:at least one surface;a first plurality of continuous electrodes coupled to the at least one surface and in electrical communication with a radiofrequency (RF) voltage source, wherein an RF voltage applied to adjacent electrodes of the first plurality of electrodes by the RF voltage source is phase shifted on the adjacent electrodes of the first plurality of electrodes by approximately 180°; anda second plurality of segmented electrodes coupled to the at least one surface and arranged in longitudinal sets between or adjacent to the first plurality of electrodes, the second plurality of segmented electrodes being further in electrical communication with an alternating current (AC) voltage source, wherein an AC voltage waveform applied to adjacent electrodes within a longitudinal set of the second plurality of segmented electrodes by the AC voltage source is phase shifted on the adjacent electrodes of the second plurality of electrodes by 1°-359°.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of guard electrodes ...

SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USE WITH GAS IONIZATION SYSTEMS

An ion mobility gas detector apparatus including a detector core, an inlet gas path, an exhaust gas path, a source of diluent gas, and at least one or more sensors for measuring temperature, pressure and humidity of gas streams. Further included is a mixing mechanism adapted to mix at least first and second gas streams in response to one or more sensor measurements. A controller is provided for applying drive signals to the detector core. 173-. (canceled)74. A method for mixing gas streams in an ion mobility sensor , comprising:providing a first inlet gas stream to the ion mobility sensor;providing a second diluent gas stream to the ion mobility sensor;measuring at least one of temperature, pressure and humidity of each first and second gas stream; andmixing at least the first and second gas streams in response to measurement of at least the first and second gas streams.75. The method as recited in claim 74 , wherein the ion mobility sensor further includes:a detector core;an inlet gas path; andan outlet gas path.76. The method as recited in claim 75 , further including applying drive signals to the detector core.77. The method as recited in claim 76 , wherein a controller applies the drive signals to the detector core.78. The method as recited in claim 74 , wherein at least one or more sensors are used to measure at least one of temperature claim 74 , pressure and humidity of each first and second gas stream.79. The method as recited in claim 74 , wherein a mixing mechanism mixes at least the first and second gas streams in response to measurement of at least the first and second gas streams.80. The method as recited in wherein the at least one or more sensors includes a humidity sensor positioned in a gas flow path connected in parallel with the detector core whereby at least a portion of inlet gas passes over the humidity sensor.81. The method as recited in wherein the ion mobility gas detector is a Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS) detector.82. ...

MULTIPLE ION GATE METHOD AND APPARATUS

A second gate in an Ion Mobility Spectrometer is used to select or block different time windows of the ion mobility spectrum. A second gate in the Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometer is used to modulate peak intensities in the IMS spectrum, allowing each peak in the IMS spectrum to be unambiguously matched with its set of fragment ions in a subsequent MS-MS mass spectrum. 1. A method for operating a ion mobility spectrometer , comprising:(a) Opening a first ion gate to allow a packet of mixed ions into the ion mobility analyzer,(b) Separating ions in the ion mobility analyzer,(c) Opening a second gate multiple times according to a waveform consisting of a series of time windows to allow ions with certain ion mobilities to pass through the second gate and block the ions with other ion mobilities.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the series of time windows is predetermined by on-line or off-line ion mobility measurement of the mixed ions.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the series of time windows is predetermined by theoretical calculation of ion mobility of the mixed ions.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the series of time windows is chosen to select ions with certain collision cross section from the mixed ions.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ions with certain ion mobilities are the ions of interest.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the time windows when the second gate is closed are chosen to selectively block ions with specific ion mobilities.7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: analyzing the ions that passed through the second gate with a mass spectrometer.8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:(a) generating two or more waveforms, wherein the two or more waveforms have different combinations of opening times and widths;(b) opening and closing the second ion gate according to the first waveform, while collecting a spectrum;(c) opening and closing the second ion gate according to the second and subsequent waveforms, while collecting ...

REFLECTORS FOR TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETERS

The invention relates to reflectors for time-of-flight mass spectrometers, and especially their design. A Mamyrin reflector is provided which consists of metal plates with cut-out internal apertures, and symmetric shielding edges which are set back from the inner edges. The dipole field formed by these shielding edges penetrates only slightly through the plates and into the interior of the reflector. With a good mechanical design, the resolving power of the time-of-flight mass spectrometer increases by around fifteen percent compared to the best prior art to date. 1. A reflector for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer in which approaching ions are decelerated and re-accelerated by electric fields , the reflector comprising a plurality of apertured potential plates arranged substantially parallel to one another and separated by insulating spacers in a first direction , wherein each potential plate has a symmetric shielding edge that extends symmetrically in the first direction to both sides of the potential plate at a predetermined distance from an interior of the reflector.2. The reflector according to claim 1 , wherein the potential plates are manufactured from planar metal plates.3. The reflector according to claim 2 , wherein the potential plates are laser cut from the metal plates.4. The reflector according to claim 2 , wherein each potential plate comprises a metal base plate with tabs extending therefrom and two angle plates with openings through which the tabs pass such that the angle plates reside adjacent to an outer edge of the base plate and extend in a substantially perpendicular direction to form the shielding edge.5. The reflector according to claim 4 , wherein the tabs of a potential plate are integral with and parallel to the base plate and the openings in the angle plates comprise slits within which the tabs reside such that the potential plates are positioned and mechanically stabilized thereby.6. The reflector according to claim 1 , wherein the ...

Ion guide

An ion guide may comprise a set of plate electrodes, each plate electrode having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. The set of plate electrodes are spatially arranged such that a relative positioning of each plurality of apertures of a respective plate electrode of the set of plate electrodes and respective adjacent plate electrodes of the set of plate electrodes defines a continuous ion flight path through the respective plurality of apertures of each plate electrode of the set of plate electrodes. The continuous ion flight path has a helical-based and/or spiral-based shape.

DOUBLE BEND ION GUIDES AND DEVICES USING THEM

Certain configurations of devices are described herein that include a DC multipole that is effective to doubly bend the ions in an entering particle beam. In some instances, the devices include a first multipole configured to provide a DC electric field effective to direct first ions of an entering particle beam along a first internal trajectory at an angle different from the entry trajectory of the particle beam. The first multipole may also be configured to direct the ions in the first multipole along a second internal trajectory that is different than the angle of the first internal trajectory of the particle beam. 1. A device comprising a first multipole comprising a plurality of electrodes configured to provide a DC electric field effective to direct first ions of an entering particle beam along a first internal trajectory that is substantially orthogonal to an entry trajectory of the particle beam , in which the plurality of electrodes of the first multipole are further configured to direct the directed , first ions along a second internal trajectory that is substantially orthogonal to the first internal trajectory.2. The device of claim 1 , in which a first set of poles of the first multipole are configured to direct the first ions along the first internal trajectory claim 1 , and a second set of poles of the first multipole are configured to direct the first ions along the second internal trajectory.3. The device of claim 2 , in which each of the first set and the second set comprises a pair of poles.4. The device of claim 2 , in which the first set and the second set are each configured to provide the DC electric field using a direct current voltage applied to each electrode of the first multipole.5. The device of claim 4 , in which the direct current voltage applied to each electrode of the first multipole is a different direct current voltage.6. The device of claim 1 , in which the electrodes are configured to direct the first ions along the second ...

Electrostatic Mass Spectrometer With Encoded Frequent Pulses

A method, apparatus and algorithms are disclosed for operating an open electrostatic trap (E-trap) or a multi-pass TOF mass spectrometer with an extended flight path. A string of start pulses with non equal time intervals is employed for triggering ion packet injection into the analyzer, a long spectrum is acquired to accept ions from the entire string and a true spectrum is reconstructed by eliminating or accounting overlapping signals at the data analysis stage while using logical analysis of peak groups. The method is particularly useful for tandem mass spectrometry wherein spectra are sparse. The method improves the duty cycle, the dynamic range and the space charge throughput of the analyzer and of the detector, so as the response time of the E-trap analyzer. It allows flight extension without degrading E-trap sensitivity. 1. An electrostatic mass spectrometer comprising:(a) a pulsed ion source for ion packet formation;(b) an ion detector;(c) a multi-pass electrostatic mass analyzer providing an ion packet passage though said analyzer in a Z-direction and isochronous ion oscillations in the locally orthogonal direction X;(d) a pulse string generator for triggering said pulsed ion source or pulsed converter with time intervals between any pair of start pulses being unique within the peak time width ΔT on the detector;(e) a data acquisition system recording of detector signal at the duration of said pulse string and for summing spectra corresponding to multiple pulse strings;(f) a main pulse generator for triggering both—said data acquisition system and said pulse string generator; and(g) a spectral decoder for reconstructing mass spectra based on the detector signal and on the information on the preset time intervals of said start pulses.2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , wherein within the pulse string claim 1 , for any non-equal numbers of start pulses i and j claim 1 , the start times T claim 1 , and Tsatisfy one condition of the group: (i) |(T−T)−(T−T ...

MASS ANALYSER

A mass analyser for use in a mass spectrometer, the mass analyser having: a set of sector electrodes spatially arranged to provide an electrostatic field in a 2D reference plane suitable for guiding ions along an orbit in the 2D reference plane, wherein the set of sector electrodes extend along a drift path that is locally orthogonal to the reference plane so that, in use, the set of sector electrodes provide a 3D electrostatic field region; and an injection interface configured to inject ions into the mass analyser via an injection opening such that the ions injected into the mass analyser are guided by the 3D electrostatic field region along a 3D reference trajectory according to which ions perform multiple turns within the mass analyser whilst drifting along the drift path, wherein each turn corresponds to a completed orbit in the 2D reference plane. The injection interface includes at least one injection deflector located within the mass analyser, the at least one injection deflector being configured to deflect ions injected into the mass analyser in the direction of the drift path, wherein the injection interface is preferably configured so that ions guided along the 3D reference trajectory are, after injection into the mass analyser, kept adequately distant from the injection opening such that they are substantially unaffected by electric field distortions around the injection opening. 1. A mass analyser for use in a mass spectrometer , the mass analyser having:a set of sector electrodes spatially arranged to provide an electrostatic field in a 2D reference plane suitable for guiding ions along an orbit in the 2D reference plane, wherein the set of sector electrodes extend along a drift path that is locally orthogonal to the reference plane so that, in use, the set of sector electrodes provide a 3D electrostatic field region; andan injection interface configured to inject ions into the mass analyser via an injection opening such that the ions injected into the ...

ION MOBILITY SPECTROMETER

An inner space having a rectangular cross section with the long-side-to-short-side ratio greater than one is formed in a housing (A, B) made of an insulator. The inner space forms a desolvation region () and a drift region (). A shutter gate () located within the inner space also has a long-side-to-short-side ratio greater than one. A number of conductive wires are stretched over the opening of the gate to form grid electrodes. This configuration allows the shutter gate () to have a large opening area while using short conductive wires to decrease the amount of deflection of the wires due to the potential difference between the wires and thereby prevent the adjacent wires from coming in contact with each other as well as prevent the electric field from being disordered due to an operation for allowing ions to pass through or blocking ions. Since the desolvation region () and drift region () have a rectangular cross section, the Reynolds number is low, and a diffusion gas forms a laminar flow. Thus, the analysis accuracy and resolving power will also be improved. 1. An ion mobility spectrometer in which ions originating from a sample component are introduced into a drift region and separated from each other according to mobilities of the ions by being made to move through the drift region , and the separated ions are either detected or further sent to a subsequent analyzing-detecting section , the ion mobility spectrometer comprising:a) a housing including an insulating member in which an inner space having a rectangular columnar shape penetrating through the insulating member is formed, where at least a portion of the inner space forms the drift region, and a ratio of a long side to a short side of a rectangular cross section orthogonal to an axis of the inner space is greater than one;b) a plurality of electrodes arrayed along the axis of the inner space of the housing in order to create an electric field for driving ions within the inner space, where each of the ...

FIELD ASYMMETRIC ION MOBILITY SPECTROMETRY FILTER

Ion filter for FAIMS fabricated using the LIGA technique. The ion filter is manufactured using a metal layer to form the ion channels and an insulating support layer to hold the structure rigidly together after separation of the metal layer into two electrodes. 1. A ion filter , comprising:at least one metal electrode layer;at least one ion channel formed through the at least one electrode layer; andat least one support layer adjacent the at least one electrode layer and configured to maintain regions of the at least one electrode layer in fixed relative positions, the at least one support layer including an aperture formed therein configured to permit gas to flow therethrough.2. A ion filter as recited in wherein the at least one support layer is formed by molding a polymer structure onto the at least one electrode layer.3. A ion filter as recited in wherein the at least one support layer is configured as an electronic circuit carrier.4. A ion filter as recited in wherein the at least one support layer includes at least one capacitance in parallel with the at least one metal electrode layer.5. A ion filter as recited in wherein the at least one capacitance is at least partially formed by one or more discrete capacitors.6. A ion filter as recited in wherein the at least one support layer comprises a support layer disposed on a front surface portion of the at least one electrode layer and a support layer disposed on a back surface portion of the at least one electrode layer.7. A ion filter as recited in wherein an adhesive attaches the at least one electrode layer to the at least one support layer.8. A ion filter as recited in wherein the at least one support layer is configured to provide electrical interconnection between the at least one electrode layer and ion filter drive electronics.9. A ion filter as recited in wherein the electrical interconnection is provided by wire bonding the at least one electrode layer and the at least one support layer.10. A ion filter ...

MULTI-REFLECTION MASS SPECTROMETER

A multi-reflection mass spectrometer is provided comprising two ion-optical mirrors, each mirror elongated generally along a drift direction (Y), each mirror opposing the other in an X direction, the X direction being orthogonal to Y, characterized in that the mirrors are not a constant distance from each other in the X direction along at least a portion of their lengths in the drift direction. In use, ions are reflected from one opposing mirror to the other a plurality of times while drifting along the drift direction so as to follow a generally zigzag path within the mass spectrometer. The motion of ions along the drift direction is opposed by an electric field resulting from the non-constant distance of the mirrors from each other along at least a portion of their lengths in the drift direction that causes the ions to reverse their direction. 1. A multi-reflection mass spectrometer comprising two ion-optical mirrors , each mirror elongated generally along a drift direction (Y) , each mirror opposing the other in an X direction , the X direction being orthogonal to Y , wherein the mirrors are not a constant distance from each other in the X direction along at least a portion of their lengths in the drift direction.2. The multi-reflection mass spectrometer of further comprising an ion injector located at one end of the ion-optical mirrors in the drift direction claim 1 , the elongated ion-optical mirrors being closer together in the X direction along at least a portion of their lengths as they extend in the drift direction away from the ion injector.3. The multi-reflection mass spectrometer of claim 1 , in which the opposing mirrors are elongated generally linearly in the drift direction and are not parallel to each other.4. The multi-reflection mass spectrometer of claim 1 , in which at least one mirror curves towards the other mirror along at least a portion claim 1 , of its length in the drift direction.5. The multi-reflection mass spectrometer of claim 1 , in ...

Ion Mobility Separator with Variable Effective Length

An ion mobility separator or spectrometer is disclosed comprising an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder defining an annular volume through which ions are transmitted. Spiral electrodes a-f are arranged on a surface of the inner cylinder and/or on a surface of the outer cylinder. A first device is arranged and adapted to maintain a DC electric field and/or a pseudo-potential force which acts to urge ions from a first end of the ion mobility separator or spectrometer to a second end of the ion mobility separator or spectrometer. A second device is arranged and adapted to apply transient DC voltages to the one or more spiral electrodes in order to urge ions towards the first end of the ion mobility separator or spectrometer. The net effect is to extend the effective path length of the ion mobility separator. 1. Apparatus for separating ions according to one or more physico-chemical properties , wherein said apparatus is arranged and adapted to create an ion channel in which ions are confined in use and wherein said ions are caused to separate according to said one or more physico-chemical properties along an axis of said ion channel or along said ion channel towards a first end and wherein said apparatus is further arranged and adapted to move said axis of said ion channel or said ion channel away from said first end.2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said ion channel is formed between: (i) a first DC voltage gradient claim 1 , a first DC potential claim 1 , a first electrostatic barrier claim 1 , a first DC potential barrier or a first pseudo-potential; and (ii) a second moving DC potential barrier claim 1 , a second moving electrostatic barrier claim 1 , a second moving DC potential barrier or a second moving pseudo-potential barrier.3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said ion channel comprises a DC barrier and said ions are urged along the DC barrier and wherein said apparatus is arranged and adapted to move said DC barrier such that ions are ...

Spectrometry System

We describe a method and apparatus for detecting humidity using a Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS) system. The system may comprise an ionizer for generating ions within a gas sample, wherein each ion has an associated ion mobility; an ion filter for separating the ions by applying a compensation field and a dispersion field to the generated ions; a detector for detecting an output from the ion filter; and a processor. The processor may be configured to extract a spectrum of peak intensity of the detected output as a function of the compensation field and the dispersion field; calculate a turning point for the extracted spectrum; determine operating parameters of the field asymmetric ion mobility system; obtain, from a database, a plurality of known turning points each of which have an associated humidity and each of which were obtained using a field asymmetric ion mobility system having operating parameters aligned with the determined operating parameters; and determine the humidity by comparing the calculated turning point with known turning points. 1. A method of determining humidity using a field asymmetric ion mobility system , the method comprising:generating ions within a gas sample flowing through the field asymmetric ion mobility system,applying a compensation field and a dispersion field to the generated ions;measuring an output ion current;extracting a spectrum of peak intensity of the measured output as a function of the compensation field and the dispersion field;calculating a turning point for the extracted spectrum;determining operating parameters of the field asymmetric ion mobility system;obtaining, from a database, a plurality of known turning points each of which have an associated humidity value and each of which were obtained using a field asymmetric ion mobility system having operating parameters aligned with the determined operating parameters; anddetermining a value for the humidity by comparing the calculated turning point ...

Mass Spectrometer

Methods and apparatus for operating a mass spectrometer are described. In various aspects, ions of a mass range of interest may be mass-selectively ejected from an accumulation ion trap into a multi-ion trap structure. Each ion trap of the multi-ion trap structure may be configured to confine ions within a portion of the mass range of interest. The ions may be simultaneously scanned from the ion traps of the multi-ion trap structure for concurrent detection at a detector component.

TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETER AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING MASS AND SPATIAL RESOLUTION OF AN IMAGE

Disclosed embodiments include a time-of-flight mass spectrometer with a straight ion optical axis comprising: an ion gate is electrically insolated electrode on which applied voltages to reject/pass ions through ion gate, entrance module and exit module set in focus/mirror modes, and create ion optical image on image plane located in field view aperture, electrostatic object lens, entrance module in focus mode and, transport electrostatic lens, exit module in focus mode and projection lens focused and map ions from image plane of field view aperture to image plane of ion detector, projection lens configured to form ion optical image of sample holder on image plane of ion detector and ion optical components with corrected geometrical, chromatic and timed aberrations configured to compensate time arriving disturbance in image plane of ion detector and improve mass and spatial resolution of image on image plane of ion detector. 1. A time-of-flight mass spectrometer with a straight ion optical axis comprising:{'b': ['101', '102', '103'], '#text': 'a vacuum chamber divided into a sample vacuum cluster , an objective lens vacuum cluster , and an ion formational and projection optical lens vacuum cluster ;'}{'b': ['112', '101', '112', '101'], '#text': 'a sample holder configured to manipulate, heat, cool the sample vacuum cluster to provide access for a radiation source, pulse light or charged particle beam, to illuminate, evaporate and ionize a substance of the sample holder from the sample vacuum cluster ;'}{'b': ['105', '102', '112', '101', '104', '103'], '#text': 'an electrostatic object lens from the objective lens vacuum cluster configured to extract, formation, and transport a plurality of ions of the sample holder from the sample vacuum cluster to an ion mirror trap of the ion formational and projection optical lens vacuum cluster ;'}{'b': ['113', '113', '104', '107', '108', '109', '110', '114', '105', '107', '109', '112', '114', '110', '108', '106', '114', '111', ...

METHOD OF OPERATING TANDEM ION TRAPS

A method is provided comprising accumulating ions in a first ion trap at a first time; transmitting a first plurality of ions out of the first ion trap through a timed-ion selector; applying a pulsed DC voltage to the timed-ion selector; transmitting the first portion of selected ions into a second ion trap at a second time; retaining a second plurality of ions in the first ion trap at the second time; transmitting the first portion of selected ions out of the second ion trap at a third time; transmitting the second plurality of ions out of the first ion trap through a timed-ion selector; applying a pulsed DC voltage to the timed-ion selector transmitting a second portion of selected ions into the second ion trap at a fourth time; and transmitting the second portion of selected ions out of the second trap. 1. A method of operating a mass spectrometer system having a first ion trap and a second ion trap , the method comprising:a) accumulating ions in the first ion trap at a first time;b) transmitting a first plurality of ions out of the first ion trap through a timed-ion selector;c) applying a pulsed DC voltage to the timed-ion selector for deflecting a first group of unwanted ions from the first plurality of ions, leaving a first portion of selected ions having masses within a first mass range;d) transmitting the first portion of selected ions out of the timed-ion selector and into the second ion trap at a second time;e) retaining a second plurality of ions in the first ion trap at the second time, the second plurality of ions having masses within a second mass range different from the first mass range;f) transmitting the first portion of selected ions out of the second ion trap at a third time; and,g) transmitting the second plurality of ions out of the first ion trap through a timed-ion selector;h) applying a pulsed DC voltage to the timed-ion selector for deflecting a second group of unwanted ions from the second plurality of ions, leaving a second portion of ...

Method and Apparatus for Tandem Mass Spectrometry with MALDI-TOF Ion Source

A MALDI ion source for tandem mass spectrometers includes a pulsed energy source that generates a pulse of ions from a sample on a sample plate. An ion accelerator includes an input that receives the pulse of ions from the pulsed energy source and generates an electric field that accelerates the pulse of ions. An ion decelerator that generates an electric field that is a mirror image of the electric field generated by the ion accelerator that accelerates the pulse of ions so that the ion decelerator decelerates the accelerated pulse of ions and transmits the decelerated pulse of ions through an exit aperture. 1. A MALDI ion source for tandem mass spectrometers , the MALDI ion source comprising:a) a pulsed energy source that generates a pulse of ions from a sample on a sample plate;b) an ion accelerator having an input that receives the pulse of ions from the pulsed energy source, the ion accelerator generating an electric field that accelerates the pulse of ions; andc) an ion decelerator that generates an electric field that is a mirror image of the electric field generated by the ion accelerator that accelerates the pulse of ions so that the ion decelerator decelerates the accelerated pulse of ions and transmits the decelerated pulse of ions through an exit aperture.2. The MALDI ion source of further comprising a first mass analyzer having an input that receives the decelerated pulse of ions transmitted through the exit aperture.3. The MALDI ion source of wherein the first mass analyzer comprises a timed ion selector that selects ions with a range of predetermined mass-to-charge ratios and provides the selected ions at an output.4. The MALDI ion source of further comprising a fragmentation chamber having an input coupled to the output of the first mass analyzer.5. The MALDI ion source of further comprising a second mass analyzer having an input coupled to the output of the first mass analyzer.6. The MALDI ion source of wherein the sample plate is electrically ...

AN ION MIRROR, AN ION MIRROR ASSEMBLY AND AN ION TRAP

An ion mirror () for use in a time of flight mass spectrometer () comprises a first conductor () for producing a quadratic field along a first axis (), and a second conductor () for producing a quadratic field along a second axis (), the axes () being orthogonal. 1. An ion mirror comprising:a first means for producing a quadratic field along a first axis;a second means for producing a quadratic field along a second axis, the axes being orthogonal; anda front plate defining an entry aperture for admission of ions, wherein the first means and the second means are arranged to generate a quadratic field along a first axis and a quadratic field along a second axis by application of a first potential at the first means and a second potential at the second means, wherein the first potential and the second potential are concurrently alternately and oppositely biased, thereby to define a plane of zero field in between the first means and the second means, the entry aperture lying in the plane of zero field.2. The ion mirror as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second means is arranged to produce a hyberbolic electric field.3. The ion mirror as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the front plate includes an exit aperture in the plane of zero field between the first and second means and displaced from the entry aperture.4. The ion mirror as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first means comprises a series of discrete electrodes.5. The ion mirror as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the series of discrete electrodes comprises a capacitive divider that is configurable to apportion different potentials to different ones of the discrete electrodes in the series of discrete electrodes.6. The ion mirror as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the capacitive divider is arranged such that the capacitance of each of the discrete electrodes increases linearly across the series of discrete electrodes from one discrete electrode to the next.7. The ion mirror as claimed in claim 4 , ...

MIRROR LENS FOR DIRECTING AN ION BEAM

An electrostatic dual-mode lens assembly is provided for selectively transmitting or reflecting an ion beam in a mass spectrometer. The assembly comprises at least one electrode that provides a switchable electric field that, during a first mode of operation, directs an ion beam that enters the assembly along a first path so that the beam is transmitted through the assembly along the first path, and during a second mode of operation, directs an ion beam that enters the assembly along the first path so that the ion beam is reflected by the electric field and exits the assembly along a second path. Methods for operating a mass spectrometer using an electrostatic lens are also provided. 1. An electrostatic dual-mode lens assembly for selectively transmitting or reflecting an ion beam in a mass spectrometer , the assembly comprising at least two cylindrical electrodes that are arranged and spaced apart along a first path and are separated by a gap such that the electrodes are asymmetric about the gap , and wherein the electrodes are operable to provide a switchable electric field that , during a first mode of operation , directs an ion beam that enters the assembly along a first path so that the beam is transmitted through the assembly along the first path , and during a second mode of operation , directs an ion beam that enters the assembly along the first path so that the ion beam is reflected by the electric field and exits the assembly along a second path , wherein the angle between the first and the second paths is in the range from about 100° to about 170°.2. The lens assembly of wherein the second path claim 1 , at the exit from the assembly claim 1 , is directed sidewards and backwards with respect to the direction of the first path at its entry into the assembly.3. The lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electric field during the first mode of operation is symmetric with respect to the direction of motion of the incoming ion beam claim 1 , and during the ...

ULTRAHIGH RESOLUTION MASS SPECTROMETRY USING AN ELECTROSTATIC ION BOTTLE WITH COUPLING TO A QUADRUPOLE ION TRAP

An apparatus for measuring mass of one or more ions, the apparatus including an ion trap coupled to an electrostatic ion bottle (EIB). 1. A method of measuring the mass of one or more ion types , comprising:trapping one or more ion types in an ion trap;transferring (gating) one or more of the ion types to an electrostatic ion bottle (EIB) interfaced with the ion trap, the EIB comprising a cavity bounded by a first electrostatic mirror and a second electrostatic mirror at opposite ends of the cavity;applying a first voltage to the first mirror and a second voltage to the second mirror, with a timing and phase between the first and second voltages, wherein an electrostatic field at the first mirror resulting from the first voltage repels the one or more ion types at the first mirror towards the second mirror, and an electrostatic field at the second mirror resulting from the second voltage repels the one or more ion types at the second mirror towards the first mirror, thereby causing the one or more ion types to resonantly oscillate between the first and second mirrors, each of the ion types with its unique oscillation period;measuring the oscillation period representing a time taken for each of the ion types to perform oscillations in the cavity;detecting the number of each of the ion types in the cavity having that oscillation period; anddetermining the mass of each of the ion types from its oscillation period.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring comprises:applying one or more transfer voltages to electrodes of the ion trap to eject the one or more of the ion types from the ion trap, forming an ejected ion beam;applying a gate voltage to an entry gate at an interface between the EIB and the ion trap; andwherein a timing and phase of the gate voltage with respect to the transfer voltages is selected such that the gate voltage opens the entry gate allowing the ejected ion beam to pass into the cavity.3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:biasing ...

DEVICE AND METHOD TO MANIPULATE IONS IN MULTI-LEVEL SYSTEM

An apparatus includes multiple levels of ion transport channels, with successive levels coupled by elevator channels. Efficient three dimensional packing provides long path lengths in practical volumes for ion mobility separation with high resolving power. Disclosed elevator configurations provide efficient routing of ion transport channels across levels with low ion loss, enabling ion mobility separation over 100 levels or more. Elevator configurations include (i) opposed traveling waves meeting at an elevator entrance, (ii) external elevator with a wrap-around electrode bank, (iii) external elevator with electrode banks on parallel extension plates, or (iv) elevator operating in surfing mode, in various combinations. Manufacture is aided by printed wiring boards, with interchangeable boards. Assembly with motherboard, spacer block(s), and alignment pins provides efficient distribution of electrode excitations and accurate reproducible positioning.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERFACING ION AND MOLECULAR SELECTING DEVICES WITH AN ION COUNTER

An apparatus comprising an ion selecting device; an individual ion counter device; and an interface device integral with the ion selecting device and downstream of an ion separating chamber of the ion selecting device. The interface device comprises a tagging particle generator and a tagging chamber. Sample gas containing ions of a selected mobility enters the tagging chamber from the ion selecting device and is exposed to uncharged neutral tagging particles from the tagging particle generator. The ions collide with the tagging particles to form a mixture of tagged ions and uncharged neutral tagging particles which is then separated in a tagged ions separator forming part of the individual ion counting device before the separated tagged ions are counted.

Targeted Analysis for Tandem Mass Spectrometry

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

Improved Ionisation of Gaseous Samples

A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing an analyte; supplying a matrix compound to said analyte such that said analyte dissolves in said matrix; forming first droplets of the dissolved analyte; and colliding said first droplets with a collision surface. The use of matrix improves the analyte ion signal. 1. A method of mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry comprising:using a first device to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from a target to be analysed;supplying a matrix compound to said aerosol, smoke or vapour such that said aerosol, smoke or vapour is diluted by, dissolved in, or forms first clusters with said matrix,colliding said first clusters or first droplets of said diluted or dissolved matrix with a collision surface located within a vacuum chamber of a mass spectrometer so as to generate a plurality of analyte ions; andheating said collision surface.2116-. (canceled)117. The method of mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said matrix is supplied to said aerosol claim 1 , smoke or vapour at a flow rate selected from the group consisting of: (i) 50-100 μl/min; (ii) 100-150 μl/min; (iii) 150-200 μl/min; (iv) 200-250 μl/min; (v) 250-300 μl/min; (vi) 300-350 μl/min; (vii) 350-400 μl/min; (viii) 400-450 μl/min; (ix) 450-500 μl/min; (x) 500-550 μl/min; (xi) 550-600 μl/min; (xii) 600-650 μl/min; (xiii) 650-700 μl/min; (xiv) 700-750 μl/min; (xv) 750-800 μl/min; (xvi) 800-850 μl/min; (xvii) 850-900 μl/min; (xviii) 900-950 μl/min; (xix) 950-1000 μl/min; (xx) 50 μl/min to 1 ml/min; (xxi) 100-800 μl/min; (xxii) 150-600 μl/min; and (xxiii) 200-400 μl/min.118. The method of mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising heating said collision surface to a temperature selected from the group consisting of: (i) 200-300° C.; (ii) 300-400° C.; (iii) 400-500° C.; (iv) 500-600° C.; (v) 600-700° C.; (vi) 700-800° C.; (vii ...

CORONA IONIZATION APPARATUS AND METHOD

A corona discharge ionizer device which emits ions generated by corona discharge to a gas flow to be ionized includes a discharge electrode having a pin configured tip portion. A second grid electrode positioned at a spaced distance from the discharge electrode is provided. The grid electrode is preferably formed from a sheet configured material which has at least one hole formed therein adapted and configured to permit the gas flow to pass therethrough. A power supply is coupled to the discharge electrode and grid electrode configured cause ion emission from the discharge electrode. The power supply is preferably an alternating current power supply configured to produce an alternating electric field region in close proximity to the tip portion of the discharge electrode sufficient to cause avalanche breakdown in the gas flowing in close proximity to the tip portion of the discharge electrode. 152-. (canceled)53. An apparatus , comprising:a corona discharge ionizer which emits ions generated by corona discharge to a gas flow to be ionized, including:a discharge electrode;a second electrode positioned at a spaced distance from the discharge electrode; andan AC power supply and an element for maintaining a DC offset between the discharge electrode and the second electrode.54. An apparatus as recited in claim 53 , wherein the element for maintaining the DC offset includes a capacitor coupled between the AC power supply and at least one of the discharge electrode and the second electrode whereby a DC offset voltage is allowed to develop between the discharge electrode and the second electrode.55. An apparatus as recited in claim 54 , whereby the DC offset voltage acts to provide a desired amount of positive and/or negative ions.56. An apparatus as recited in claim 54 , further including at least one resistor element configured such that the DC offset voltage is discharged when power is removed.57. An apparatus as recited in claim 53 , wherein the element for maintaining ...

ION DEFLECTION IN TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETRY

A time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS) system includes an ion deflector, ion extractor, a flight tube, and a detector. The deflector may be disposed in the flight tube or outside the flight tube upstream of the extractor. The deflector deflects ions away from a main flight path such that the defected ions are not detected. 1. A method for controlling ions in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF MS) , the method comprising:transmitting ions to an extractor;extracting at least some of the ions transmitted to the extractor into a flight tube as a plurality of successive ion packets, by applying an extraction voltage to the extractor;deflecting at least some of the ions by applying a deflection voltage to a deflector; andtiming the application of the deflection voltage relative to the application of the extraction voltage such that ions from one or more entire ion packets of are deflected and prevented from reaching a detector and the non-deflected ions travel through the flight tube to the detector.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-deflected ions travel along a flight path to the detector claim 1 , the deflector is disposed in the flight tube claim 1 , and deflecting comprises deflecting at least some of the extracted ions such that the deflected ions travel away from the flight path.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein deflecting at least some of the ions comprises preventing the deflected ions from being extracted from the extractor.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein deflecting is done at the extractor.5. The method of claim 4 , wherein extracting comprises applying the extraction voltage to one or more electrodes of the extractor claim 4 , and deflecting comprises applying the deflection voltage to at least one of the electrodes of the extractor.6. The method of claim 3 , wherein deflecting is done prior to transmitting the ions to the extractor.7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the deflector is positioned upstream of a TOF analyzer that includes the ...

Ion deflector for a mass spectrometer

There is provided an ion deflector for use with a mass spectrometer for directing a flow of ions between two distinct axes of travel. The ion deflector includes an electric field inducer arranged so as to establish at least one electrostatic field capable of deflecting ions travelling substantially along a first intended path of travel so as to travel substantially along a second intended path of travel.

DEVICE FOR PERFORMING FIELD ASYMMETRIC WAVEFORM ION MOBILITY SPECTROMETRY

A device for performing field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry, “FAIMS”, including a power supply that applies voltage waveforms to first and second segmented planar electrodes to produce an asymmetric time dependent electric field in an analytical gap for FAIMS analysis of ions. The voltage waveforms are configured such that the asymmetric time dependent electric field has curved contours of equal field strength when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the analytical axis so as to focus ions having different differential mobilities towards different spatial domains, each spatial domain extending along a respective curved contour of equal field strength when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the analytical axis. A focus controller is configured to allow a user to change the curvature of the contours of equal field strength so as to change the strength of focussing provided by the asymmetric time dependent electric field. 1. A device for performing field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry , “FAIMS” , the device comprising:a first segmented planar electrode including three or more segments, wherein the segments of the first segmented planar electrode are arranged in a first plane and extend in a direction parallel to an analytical axis of the device;a second segmented planar electrode including three or more segments, wherein the segments of the second segmented planar electrode are arranged in a second plane and extend in a direction parallel to the analytical axis of the device, wherein the first segmented planar electrode and the second segmented electrode are separated from each other to provide an analytical gap therebetween;propelling means for propelling ions through the analytical gap in a direction parallel to the analytical axis of the device; anda power supply;wherein the device is configured to operate in a FAIMS mode in which the power supply applies a set of voltage waveforms to the segments of the first and second segmented ...

DEVICE FOR PERFORMING FIELD ASYMMETRIC WAVEFORM ION MOBILITY SPECTROMETRY

A device for performing field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry, “FAIMS” including first and second segmented planar electrodes, each electrode including three or more segments and extending in a direction parallel to an analytical axis of the device, the first and second segmented electrodes are separated from each other to provide an analytical gap therebetween; and propelling means for propelling ions through the analytical gap in a direction parallel to the analytical axis. The device is configured to operate in: a FAIMS mode in which a power supply applies voltage waveforms to the segments to produce an asymmetric time dependent electric field in the analytical gap for FAIMS analysis of ions propelled through the analytical gap; and a transparent mode in which the power supply applies voltage waveforms to the to produce a confining electric field in the analytical gap for focussing ions towards the longitudinal axis. 1. A device for performing field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry , “FAIMS” , the device comprising:a first segmented planar electrode including three or more segments, wherein the segments of the first segmented planar electrode are arranged in a first plane and extend in a direction parallel to an analytical axis of the device;a second segmented planar electrode including three or more segments, wherein the segments of the second segmented planar electrode are arranged in a second plane and extend in a direction parallel to the analytical axis of the device, wherein the first segmented planar electrode and the second segmented electrode are separated from each other to provide an analytical gap therebetween;propelling means for propelling ions through the analytical gap in a direction parallel to the analytical axis of the device; anda power supply; a FAIMS mode in which the power supply applies a first set of voltage waveforms to the segments of the first and second segmented planar electrodes so as to produce an ...

Extraction System For Charged Secondary Particles For Use In A Mass Spectrometer Or Other Charged Particle Device

The invention is directed to mass spectrometer comprising an extraction system for secondary ions. The system comprises: an inner spherical deflecting sector; an outer spherical deflecting sector; a deflecting gap formed between the sectors; a housing in which the sectors are arranged. The deflecting sectors () are biased at retarding gap (). The system further comprises an exit disc electrode with an exit through hole centered about the exit axis, the intermediate electrode being biased at an intermediate voltage between the voltage of the housing and the average voltage of the sectors. The trajectories of the secondary ions become more parallel to the exit axis and become closer to the axis. 131.-. (canceled)32. A charged particle beam deflecting system , the charged particle beam deflecting system comprising:an inner spherical sector;an outer spherical sector;an entry for the charged particle beam;an exit passageway with an exit axis through which a deflected charged particle beam leaves the system;a deflecting gap which is formed between the spherical sectors and which communicates with the entry and with the exit passageway;an exit wall electrode with an exit opening facing the deflecting gap, the exit wall electrode comprising an exit wall potential;the spherical sectors being biased at deflecting potentials in order to deflect the charged particle beam entering the deflecting gap by a given angle;wherein the system further comprises:an intermediate electrode with a plate shape and with an exit through hole centred about the exit axis,the intermediate electrode being downstream the spherical sectors, and the intermediate electrode is biased at an intermediate potential between the exit wall potential and the average potential of the spherical sectors.33. The system in accordance with claim 32 , wherein the spherical sectors are biased at a retarding voltage in order to reduce the energy of the charged particle beam in the deflecting gap.34. The system in ...

ELECTROSTATIC LENSES AND SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE SAME

A system includes an electrostatic lens positioned in a path between a charged-particle source and a charged-particle detector. The electrostatic lens includes: a first electrode having a first aperture positioned in the path and aligned with a first axis; a second electrode positioned in the path between the first electrode and the charged-particle detector, the second electrode having a second aperture positioned in the path and aligned with a second axis, the second axis being parallel to the first axis and displaced from the first axis along a first direction; a third electrode positioned in the path between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a potential generator coupled to the first, second, and third electrodes. During operation, the potential generator applies a first potential to the first electrode, a second potential to the second electrode, and a third potential to the third electrode so that the electrostatic lens directs a beam of charged particles from the charged-particle source propagating along the first axis to propagate along the second axis. 1. A system , comprising: a first electrode having a first aperture positioned in the path and aligned with a first axis;', 'a second electrode positioned in the path between the first electrode and the charged-particle detector, the second electrode having a second aperture positioned in the path and aligned with a second axis, the second axis being parallel to the first axis and displaced from the first axis along a first direction;', 'a third electrode positioned in the path between the first electrode and the second electrode; and, 'an electrostatic lens positioned in a path between a charged-particle source and a charged-particle detector; the electrostatic lens comprisinga potential generator coupled to the first, second, and third electrodes,wherein during operation, the potential generator applies a first potential to the first electrode, a second potential to the second electrode, and ...

Ion mobility spectrometer chamber

A FAIMS ion mobility spectrometer chamber with a high repeatability of dimensions, permitting stable gas flow, mechanical rigidity, excellent thermal conductivity, and high temperature stability of gas flow. The heating resistor, ionizer electrodes, HV detector electrodes and collecting electrodes, and conducting contacts, are applied in the form of layers of precious metals on ceramic plates. The heating resistor is located on the outer surface of the top and bottom ceramic plate in the form of a resistive layer of ruthenium dioxide. On the inner surface of each of the top and bottom ceramic plates, there are gas ionizer electrodes in the form of a layer of radioactive nickel, HV electrodes and collecting electrodes, in the form of layers of gold. The conducting contacts are made of a palladium-silver layer, whereas on the edge surfaces of the ceramic plates there are edge contacts, which are made of silver paste.

HYBRID MASS SPECTROMETER AND METHODS OF OPERATING A MASS SPECTROMETER

A hybrid mass spectrometer design and architecture, and methods of operating mass spectrometers are disclosed. According to one operating method, an analysis time is determined for each one of a plurality of ion species to be analyzed in an ordered sequence, and an injection time is calculated for at least some of the ion species based on an analysis time of a preceding ion species in the ordered list. The method enables more efficient utilization of analyzer time. 1. A mass spectrometer , comprising:an ion source for generating ions from a sample;a mass selector for receiving the ions from the ion source, and for selecting a subset of the ions for delivery to a gas-filled collision cell through a first end thereof;the collision cell including a multipole having a plurality of elongated electrodes extending from the first end of the multipole to a second end thereof;first and second mass analyzers;a controller, coupled to the collision cell, programmed with logic to selectably release ions from the first or second end of the collision cell, wherein the first mass analyzer receives ions released from the first end of the collision cell, and the second mass analyzer receives ions from the second end of the collision cell; andwherein neither the first nor the second mass analyzer is positioned in an ion path extending from the ion source to the collision cell.2. The mass spectrometer of claim 1 , wherein the mass selector includes a quadrupole mass filter.3. The mass spectrometer of claim 2 , wherein the first mass analyzer includes an electrostatic ion trap mass analyzer.4. The mass spectrometer of claim 2 , wherein the second mass analyzer includes a two-dimensional quadrupole ion trap mass analyzer.5. The mass spectrometer of claim 4 , wherein the controller is further programmed with logic to cause ions received by the second mass analyzer to be fragmented and the resultant product ions to be returned to the collision cell.6. A method of operating a hybrid mass ...

APPARATUS FOR MASS ANALYSIS OF ANALYTES BY SIMULTANEOUS POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IONIZATION

Among other things, we describe methods and apparatus for the ionization of target molecular analytes of interest, e.g., for use in mass spectrometry. In some implementations, a thin molecular stream is emitted in either single or a split mode and encounters both an electron-impact ion source and trochoidal electron monochromator placed sequentially or coincidently. The first ion source emits high-energy electrons (˜70 eV) to generate characteristic positively-charged mass fragment spectra while the second source emits low-energy electrons in a narrow bandwidth to generate negative molecular ions or other ions via electron capture ionization. The dual ion source may be coupled to analytical instruments such as a gas chromatograph and to any number of mass analyzers such as a polarity switching quadrupole mass analyzer or to multiple mass analyzers. 1. An apparatus for the ionization of target molecular analytes , comprising:an electron-impact ion source configured to emit positively-charged molecular ions and fragment ions and operate at 70 eV with a bandspread of 1-2 eV;a trochoidal electron monochromator configured to emit negatively-charged molecularions and fragment ions and operate between 0 to 10 eV, and configured for a bandwidth of ±0.1 eV;a first set of collimating electrodes arranged along a path of an electron beam of the electron-impact ion source;a second set of collimating electrodes arranged along a path of an electron beam of the trochoidal electron monochromator;the trochoidal electron monochromator comprising an electron deflecting region defined by the path of the electron beam of the trochoidal electron monochromator, wherein electrons enter the electron deflecting region at a point that can be offset from their outlet due to the trochoidal motion of electrons;at least one ionization chamber having inlets for at least one of the electron beams and a gaseous molecular stream, the at least one ionization chamber comprising an ion repeller plate and ...

Ion Entry/Exit Device

A method of introducing and ejecting ions from an ion entry/exit device () is disclosed. The ion entry/exit device () has at least two arrays of electrodes (). The device is operated in a first mode wherein DC potentials are successively applied to successive electrodes of at least one of the electrode arrays (() in a first direction such that a potential barrier moves along the at least one array in the first direction and drives ions into and/or out of the device in the first direction. The device is also operated in a second mode, wherein DC potentials are successively applied to successive electrodes of at least one of the electrode arrays () in a second, different direction such that a potential barrier moves along the array in the second direction and drives ions into and/or out of the device in the second direction. The device provides a single, relatively simple device for manipulating ions in multiple directions. For example, the device may be used to load ions into or eject ions from an ion mobility separator in a first direction, and may then be used to cause ions to move through the ion mobility separator in the second direction so as to cause the ions to separate. 127-. (canceled)28. An ion entry/exit device for an ion guide , comprising:at least one array of electrodes, wherein each array of electrodes comprises electrodes arranged in rows and columns; andat least one DC voltage supply;wherein said at least one DC voltage supply is configured to successively apply DC potentials to successive rows of electrodes of the at least one array of electrodes.29. The device of claim 28 , wherein said at least one DC voltage supply is configured to successively apply DC potentials to successive columns of electrodes of the at least one array of electrodes.30. The device of claim 28 , wherein said at least one array of electrodes is at least two arrays of electrodes arranged parallel to each other.31. The device of claim 28 , wherein said at least one DC voltage ...

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SEPARATING METABOLITES OR STEREOISOMERS

A method of quantifying the amount of at least two analytes A1 and A2 involving (a) adding at least one salt (S) to at least a portion (P1) of the sample comprising the at least two analytes A1 and A2, (b) ionizing at least a portion of the sample according to (a) thereby forming an analyte flow comprising the analytes A1 and A2 in ionized form, (c) separating the ionized analytes A1 and A2 from each other by using at least one ion mobility separator (), wherein the analyte flow according to (b) at least partially passes through the ion mobility separator (), and (d) quantifying the amount of the separated ionized analytes obtained according to (c), wherein A is a pharmaceutically active compound C or derivative thereof and A2 is a metabolite or stereoisomer of C. 1. A method of quantifying the amount of at least two analytes A1 and A2 comprised in a sample , comprising:(a) adding at least one salt (S) to at least a portion (P1) of the sample comprising the at least two analytes A1 and A2,(b) ionizing at least a portion of the sample according to (a) thereby forming an analyte flow comprising the analytes A1 and A2 in ionized form,(c) separating the ionized analytes A1 and A2 from each other by using at least one ion mobility separator, wherein the analyte flow according to (b) at least partially passes through the ion mobility separator, 'wherein A1 has a log P value of greater than 0.', '(d) quantifying the amount of the separated ionized analytes obtained according to (c), wherein A1 is a pharmaceutically active compound C or derivative thereof and A2 is a metabolite or stereoisomer of C, and'}2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein A1 is the pharmaceutically active compound C and A2 is an epimer thereof.3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said log P value of A1 is the octanol/water partitioning coefficient of A1.4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein A1 is a vitamin D and wherein A2 is 3-epi-25-hydroxy vitamin D3.5. The method according to ...

ION MODIFICATION

An ion mobility spectrometer comprising an ioniser for ionising a sample; a detector separated from the ioniser by a drift chamber along which ions can travel from the ioniser toward the detector; a gate for controlling the passage of ions from the ioniser to the drift chamber; an ion modifier arranged between the ioniser and the detector and comprising a first electrode and a second electrode; and a voltage provider configured to provide a time varying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode wherein the time varying voltage has a frequency of at least 2.5 MHz. 1. An ion mobility spectrometer comprising:an ioniser for ionising a sample to provide parent ions;a detector separated from the ioniser by a drift chamber along which the parent ions can travel from the ioniser toward the detector, the parent ions each having a time of flight to the detector;an ion modifier arranged between the ioniser and the detector, the ion modifier comprising a first electrode and a second electrode; anda voltage provider configured to provide a time varying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode to provide additional information to be used to infer an identity of the parent ions by fragmenting the parent ions in a region between the first electrode and the second electrode to provide daughter ions, each daughter ion having a different time of flight than its respective parent ion, wherein the time varying voltage has a frequency of at least 2.5 MHz.2. The ion mobility spectrometer of wherein the ioniser is arranged in an ionisation chamber that is separated from the drift chamber by a gate.3. The ion mobility spectrometer of wherein the ion modifier is arranged in one of the drift chamber and the ionisation chamber.4. The ion mobility spectrometer of comprising a drift gas inlet and a drift gas outlet arranged to provide a flow of drift gas along the drift chamber and through the ion modifier.5. The ion mobility spectrometer of wherein the ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MULTI-CHANNEL DIFFERENTIAL MOBILITY SPECTROMETRY

In accordance with various aspects of the present teachings, methods and systems for differential mobility spectrometry are provided herein for simultaneously applying a plurality of SV/CV combinations to subsets of a population of ions generated by one or more ion sources. In various aspects, DMS devices in accordance with the present teachings can provide multiple channels (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more) for operating in parallel and within which different electrical fields can be generated for filtering sample ions within those channels based on the characteristic mobilities of the ions within each channel. In this manner, devices and methods in accordance with the present teachings can, in various aspects, enable improved duty cycle, increased throughput, decreased sample consumption, increased sensitivity for a plurality of ions of interest, and/or increased resolution. 1. A differential mobility spectrometer , comprising:a plurality of electrodes extending from an inlet end for receiving sample ions contained within a drift gas to an outlet end for transmitting at least a portion of said sample ions, a first pair of opposed filter electrodes extending from the inlet end to the outlet end and configured to receive a first portion of the sample ions therebetween, wherein the first pair of opposed filter electrodes is configured to be electrically coupled to a power supply so as to generate a first differential mobility electric field between the first pair of opposed filter electrodes; and', 'a second pair of opposed filter electrodes extending from the inlet end to the outlet end and configured to a second portion of the sample ions therebetween, wherein the second pair of opposed filter electrodes is configured to be electrically coupled to the power supply so as to generate a second differential mobility electric field between the second pair of opposed filter electrodes,, 'wherein said plurality of electrodes comprisewherein the first differential mobility ...

Fast continuous srm acquisitions with or without ion trapping

A mass spectrometer includes an ion source, an ion guide, a first gate, first and second mass filters, a fragmentation cell, a detector, and a controller. The ion source is configured to produce an ion beam from a sample. The first and second mass filters are configured to selectively transmit ions within a mass-to-charge range and reject ions outside of the mass-to-charge range. The detector is configured to measure the intensity of the transmitted ion beam. The controller is configured to close the first ion gate to prevent ions from entering the first mass filter, switch a first quadrupole voltage of the first mass filter to a voltage of a first transition, and open the first ion gate to allow ions to enter the first mass filter, the opening offset from the switching by at least the time required to adjust the voltage of the first mass filter.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ION MOBILITY SEPARATIONS UTILIZING ALTERNATING CURRENT WAVEFORMS

Methods and apparatuses for ion manipulations, including ion trapping, transfer, and mobility separations, using traveling waves (TW) formed by continuous alternating current (AC) are disclosed. An apparatus for ion manipulation includes a surface to which are coupled a first plurality of continuous electrodes and a second plurality of segmented electrodes. The second plurality of segmented electrodes is arranged in longitudinal sets between or adjacent to the first plurality of electrodes. An RF voltage applied to adjacent electrodes of the first plurality of electrodes is phase shifted by approximately 180° to confine ions within the apparatus. An AC voltage waveform applied to adjacent electrodes within a longitudinal set of the second plurality of segmented electrodes is phase shifted on the adjacent electrodes by 1°-359° to move ions longitudinally through the apparatus for separation.

SPACE ION ANALYZER WITH MASS SPECTROMETER ON A CHIP (MSOC) USING FLOATING MSOC VOLTAGES

A space ion analyzer in a spacecraft includes an axis and an aperture to receive an ion stream. An ion focuser to focus the ion stream along the axis responsive to a focus voltage, and an ion deflector deflects ions from the axis based on energies of the ions and a deflector voltage difference applied across plates of the ion deflector. A mass spectrometer on a chip (MSOC) directs ions from the ion deflector to an ion detector array responsive to an MSOC voltage difference applied to the MSOC. A focus voltage generator generates the focus voltage as a variable voltage referenced to a spacecraft ground. A deflector voltage generator generates the deflector voltage difference with a controllable magnitude and referenced to the spacecraft ground. An MSOC voltage generator generates the MSOC voltage difference with a controllable magnitude and referenced to a breaking potential controllable relative to the spacecraft ground. 1. An ion analyzer for space applications , comprising:a housing configured to be fixed to a spacecraft, the housing having an interior axis and an aperture to receive an ion stream including ions having a range of ion energies;an ion focuser to focus the ion stream along the axis responsive to a focus voltage;an ion deflector to deflect ions in the ion stream away from the axis based on energies of the ions and a deflector voltage difference applied across plates of the ion deflector;a mass spectrometer on a chip (MSOC) to direct ions from the ion deflector to an ion detector array responsive to an MSOC voltage difference applied to plates of the MSOC;a focus voltage generator to generate the focus voltage as a variable voltage referenced to a spacecraft ground;a deflector voltage generator to generate the deflector voltage difference with a controllable magnitude and referenced to the spacecraft ground; andan MSOC voltage generator to generate the MSOC voltage difference with a controllable magnitude and referenced to a breaking potential that is ...

Mass Analyser and Method of Mass Analysis

An electrostatic ion trap for mass analysis includes a first array of electrodes and a second array of electrodes, spaced from the first array of electrode. The first and second arrays of electrodes may be planar arrays formed by parallel strip electrodes or by concentric, circular or part-circular electrically conductive rings. The electrodes of the arrays are supplied with substantially the same pattern of voltage whereby the distribution of electrical potential in the space between the arrays is such as to reflect ions isochronously in a flight direction causing them to undergo periodic, oscillatory motion in the space, focused substantially mid-way between the arrays. Amplifier circuitry is used to detect image current having frequency components related to the mass-to-charge ratio of ions undergoing the periodic, oscillatory motion. 1. An electrostatic ion trap for mass analysis comprising:a first array of electrodes and a second array of electrodes, spaced from the first array of electrodes, voltage being supplied, in use, to electrodes of the first and second arrays of electrodes to create an electrostatic field in the space between the electrode arrays,wherein electrodes of the first array and electrodes of the second array are supplied, in use, with substantially the same pattern of voltage, whereby the distribution of electrical potential in said space is such as to reflect ions isochronously in a flight direction causing them to undergo periodic, oscillatory motion in said space, focused substantially mid-way between said first and second arrays,wherein at least one electrode of said arrays is connected to amplifier circuitry for detection of image current having frequency components related to the mass-to-charge ratio of ions undergoing said periodic oscillatory motion in said space between the first and second arrays of electrodes, andwherein each said strip electrode extends in a drift direction of said periodic oscillatory motion and comprises a main ...

DRIFT TUBE ION MOBILITY SPECTROMETER FOR AEROSOL MEASUREMENT

A drift tube ion mobility spectrometry sample introduction scheme allows introduction of a sample packet at ground voltages. The sample packet of ionized particles is captured by subjecting particles within a defined region to an electric field at an elevated voltage. The ionized particles in the captured packet then migrate through the drift tube down the voltage gradient according to their electrical mobility. The particles are directed to a high sensitivity detector, such as a condensation particle counter (CPC), for detection. 1. A method comprising:introducing a sample aerosol into a drift tube of an ion mobility spectrometer; wherein the sample aerosol and carrier gas are introduced into the drift tube such that the sample aerosol circulates within a portion of the drift tube, and', 'wherein an applied electrostatic separation field blocks migration of ionized particles in the sample aerosol into a separation region of the drift tube; and, 'introducing a carrier gas into the drift tube of the ion mobility spectrometer such that at least a portion of the carrier gas flows through the drift tube in a direction generally opposing migration of ionized particles through the drift tube,'}applying a capturing electric field to the drift tube to increase the electrical potential of ionized particles within at least a portion of the sample circulation to a potential greater than that of the applied electrostatic separation field to allow the ionized particles at the increased potential to migrate in the drift tube down a gradient of the applied separation field against the flow of the carrier gas to separate according to their ion mobility.2. (canceled)3. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising deactivating an electronic gate to allow at least a portion of the ionized particles having the increased potential to pass through the gate claim 1 , wherein the gate is positioned within the drift tube electrically downstream of the sample circulation region.4. ( ...

Ion Entry/Exit Device

A method of introducing and ejecting ions from an ion entry/exit device () is disclosed. The ion entry/exit device () has at least two arrays of electrodes (). The device is operated in a first mode wherein DC potentials are successively applied to successive electrodes of at least one of the electrode arrays (() in a first direction such that a potential barrier moves along the at least one array in the first direction and drives ions into and/or out of the device in the first direction. The device is also operated in a second mode, wherein DC potentials are successively applied to successive electrodes of at least one of the electrode arrays () in a second, different direction such that a potential barrier moves along the array in the second direction and drives ions into and/or out of the device in the second direction. The device provides a single, relatively simple device for manipulating ions in multiple directions. For example, the device may be used to load ions into or eject ions from an ion mobility separator in a first direction, and may then be used to cause ions to move through the ion mobility separator in the second direction so as to cause the ions to separate. 1. A method of introducing and ejecting ions from an ion mobility separation device , said method comprising:providing an ion entry/exit device having at least two arrays of electrodes;operating the device in a first mode, wherein DC potentials are successively applied to successive electrodes of at least one of the electrode arrays in a first direction such that a potential barrier moves along the at least one array in the first direction and drives ions into and/or out of the device in the first direction; andoperating the device in a second mode, wherein DC potentials are successively applied to successive electrodes of at least one of the electrode arrays in a second, different direction such that a potential barrier moves along the at least one array in the second direction and drives ...

Ion Current On-Off Switching Method and Device

In one aspect, a mass spectrometer is disclosed, which comprises an ion source for generating ions, a chamber comprising a curtain plate providing an inlet orifice for receiving at least a portion of said generated ions, and a deflection electrode disposed upstream of said inlet orifice and positioned relative thereto so as to modulate, in response to application of different voltages thereto, a flux of said ions reaching the inlet orifice. 1. A mass spectrometer , comprising:an ion source for generating ions,a chamber comprising a curtain plate providing an inlet orifice for receiving at least a portion of said generated ions,a deflection electrode disposed upstream of said inlet orifice and positioned relative thereto so as to modulate, in response to application of different voltages thereto, a flux of said ions reaching the inlet orifice.2. The mass spectrometer of claim 1 , wherein said electrode is configured such that application of at least a first voltage thereto results in an electric field in a region between the ion source and said inlet orifice that substantially inhibits the generated ions from reaching the inlet orifice.3. The mass spectrometer of claim 2 , wherein said electrode is configured such that application of at least a second voltage thereto results in an electric field in said region between the ion source and said inlet orifice that substantially directs the generated ions to said inlet orifice.4. The mass spectrometer of claim 3 , further comprising a DC voltage source electrically coupled to said deflection electrode for application of said different voltages thereto.5. The mass spectrometer of claim 3 , further comprising a controller in electrical communication with said DC voltage source for causing the voltage source to apply said voltages to said deflection electrode.6. The mass spectrometer of claim 5 , wherein said controller is configured to cause the voltage source to apply said at least first voltage to said deflection ...

Systems and Methods for Effective Gap Filtering and Atmospheric Pressure RF Heating of Ions

An apparatus includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode is placed in parallel with the first electrode to provide constant gap distance. The gap between the first electrode and the second electrode is at atmospheric pressure. Ions are introduced into the center of the gap and travel through the apparatus in a direction parallel to the first electrode and the second electrode. The apparatus is configured as a high-field symmetric-waveform apparatus for filtering high mobility ions or for fragmenting ions. The apparatus is also configured for three modes of operation: as a conventional DMS; as a filter high mobility ions; and as fragmentation device. A symmetric electric field is produced in the gap with a maximum density normalized field strength greater than 10 Td to filter high mobility ions and with a maximum density normalized field strength greater than 100 Td to fragment ions. 1. A high-field symmetric-waveform apparatus for filtering high mobility ions , comprising:a first electrode;a second electrode placed in parallel with the first electrode to provide constant gap distance, d, between the first electrode and the second electrode; wherein the first symmetric waveform produces a symmetric electric field waveform in the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode with a maximum density normalized electric field strength, E/N, greater than 10 Td and the electric field waveform displaces an ion radially from the center of the gap during one half of the electric field waveform a distance y=K(E)×E×t, where K(E) is the mobility coefficient and t is the half period of the electric field waveform and', 'wherein the constant gap distance and the amplitude and frequency of the first symmetric waveform are configured to filter high mobility ions., 'a first high-voltage waveform generator electrically connected to the first electrode and configured to produce a first symmetric waveform,'}2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further ...

APPARATUS FOR MASS ANALYSIS OF ANALYTES BY SIMULTANEOUS POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IONIZATION

Among other things, we describe methods and apparatus for the ionization of target molecular analytes of interest, e.g., for use in mass spectrometry. In some implementations, a thin molecular stream is emitted in either single or a split mode and encounters both an electron-impact ion source and trochoidal electron monochromator placed sequentially or coincidentally. The first ion source emits high-energy electrons (˜70 eV) to generate characteristic positively-charged mass fragment spectra while the second source emits low-energy electrons in a narrow bandwidth to generate negative molecular ions or other ions via electron capture ionization. The dual ion source may be coupled to analytical instruments such as a gas chromatograph and to any number of mass analyzers such as a polarity switching quadrupole mass analyzer or to multiple mass analyzers. 1. An apparatus for the ionization of target molecular analytes , comprising:an electron-impact ion source configured to emit positively-charged molecular ions and fragment ions and operate at 70 eV with a bandspread of 1-2 eV;a trochoidal electron monochromator configured to emit negatively-charged molecularions and fragment ions and operate between 0 to 10 eV, and configured for a bandwidth of +/−0.1 eV;a first set of collimating electrodes arranged along a path of an electron beam of the electron-impact ion source;a second set of collimating electrodes arranged along a path of an electron beam of the trochoidal electron monochromator;the trochoidal electron monochromator comprising an electron deflecting region defined by the path of the electron beam of the trochoidal electron monochromator, wherein electrons enter the electron deflecting region at a point that can be offset from their outlet due to the trochoidal motion of electrons;at least one ionization chamber having inlets for at least one of the electron beams and a gaseous molecular stream, the at least one ionization chamber comprising an ion repeller plate ...

REDUCING INTERFERENCES IN ISOBARIC TAG-BASED QUANTIFICATION

Methods and systems for performing mass spectrometry of analytes labeled with isobaric tags are provided herein. In accordance with various aspects of the applicants' teachings, the methods and systems can enable enhanced discrimination between an analyte of interest and one or more interfering species when using isobaric tagging techniques. 1. A method for performing mass spectrometry , comprising:reacting at least one sample with a labeling reagent to generate a plurality of labeled analytes, the sample containing or suspected of containing an analyte of interest;ionizing said plurality of labeled analytes to generate a plurality of labeled analyte ions, wherein said plurality of labeled analyte ions comprises labeled ions of the analyte of interest, if any, and labeled ions of an interfering species, the labeled ions of the interfering species being characterized by a m/z ratio substantially identical to that of the labeled ions of the analyte of interest;reacting the labeled analyte ions with a neutral reagent to change the charge state of at least one of the labeled ions of the analyte of interest and the labeled ions of the interfering species such that a m/z ratio of the labeled ions of the analyte of interest differs from a m/z ratio of the labeled ions of the interfering species; and, subsequently:isolating the labeled ions of the analyte of interest from the labeled ions of the interfering species based on said difference in m/z ratio;fragmenting the labeled ions of the analyte of interest so as to cleave a reporter group therefrom; anddetecting the reporter group.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein reacting the at least one sample with a labeling reagent comprises reacting each of two or more samples with a different isobaric labeling reagent claim 1 , the method further comprising mixing the plurality of labeled analytes from the two or more samples.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein each of the isobaric labeling reagents comprise a reporter group claim 2 ...

Controlling Gas-Phase Ion Interactions

A mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed comprising: a first device for separating ions or molecules according to a physicochemical property; an ion mobility separation device for receiving and separating at least some of said ions or ions derived from said molecules according to their ion mobility; a gas supply connected to said ion mobility separation device for supplying gas into said ion mobility separation device; and a control system configured to adjust said gas supply so as to change the composition of gas within the ion mobility separation device as a function of time. 1. A mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer comprising:a first device for separating ions or molecules according to a physicochemical property;an ion mobility separation or filter device for receiving and separating or filtering at least some of said ions, or ions derived from said molecules, according to their ion mobility;a gas supply connected to said ion mobility separation or filter device for supplying gas into said ion mobility separation or filter device; anda control system configured to adjust said gas supply so as to change the composition of gas within the ion mobility separation or filter device as a function of time.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ion mobility separation or filter device is configured to drive ions of different ion mobility from an entrance of the device towards an exit of the device at different rates so as to separate or filter ions according to their drift time along or through the device.3. A spectrometer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured to vary the gas composition in said ion mobility separation or filter device dynamically based on the separation or elution time in said first device.4. A spectrometer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the gas composition in the ion mobility separation or filter device is controlled based on the ions or molecules eluting from the first device and passing into ...

Contamination Filter for Mass Spectrometer

Methods and systems for performing mass spectrometry are provided herein. In accordance with various aspects of the applicants' teachings, the methods and systems can utilize an ion mobility spectrometer operating at atmospheric or low-vacuum pressure to remove the major contributors to the contamination and degradation of critical downstream components of a mass spectrometer located within a high-vacuum system (e.g., ion optics, mass filters, detectors), with limited signal loss. 18-. (canceled)9. A system for analyzing ions comprising:an ion source;a low resolution, high transmission ion mobility spectrometer for reducing contamination having an input end for receiving ions from the ion source and an output end, the ion mobility spectrometer having an internal operating pressure, electrodes, and at least one voltage source for providing DC and RF voltages to the electrodes;a mass spectrometer in fluid communication with the ion mobility spectrometer for receiving the ions from the output end of ion mobility spectrometer; and a controller operably coupled to the ion mobility spectrometer and configured to control the DC and RF voltages; andwherein the ion mobility spectrometer is configured such that a ratio of a residence time of the ions through the ion mobility spectrometer to a product of gap height between electrodes of the ion mobility spectrometer and a maximum separation voltage applied to the electrodes of the ion mobility spectrometer being less than 0.002 second/(meter*volt).10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the spectrometer is configured such that the ratio of the residence time of the ions through the ion mobility spectrometer to the product of gap height between electrodes of the ion mobility spectrometer and the maximum separation voltage applied to the electrodes of the ion mobility spectrometer being less than 0.0015 second/(meter*volt).11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the residence time of the ions is less than 100 milliseconds.12. The system ...

Ion Entry/Exit Device

A method of introducing and ejecting ions from an ion entry/exit device () is disclosed. The ion entry/exit device () has at least two arrays of electrodes (). The device is operated in a first mode wherein DC potentials are successively applied to successive electrodes of at least one of the electrode arrays (() in a first direction such that a potential barrier moves along the at least one array in the first direction and drives ions into and/or out of the device in the first direction. The device is also operated in a second mode, wherein DC potentials are successively applied to successive electrodes of at least one of the electrode arrays () in a second, different direction such that a potential barrier moves along the array in the second direction and drives ions into and/or out of the device in the second direction. The device provides a single, relatively simple device for manipulating ions in multiple directions. For example, the device may be used to load ions into or eject ions from an ion mobility separator in a first direction, and may then be used to cause ions to move through the ion mobility separator in the second direction so as to cause the ions to separate. 1. A method of introducing and ejecting ions from an ion mobility separation device , said method comprising:providing an ion entry/exit device having at least two arrays of electrodes;operating the device in a first mode, wherein DC potentials are successively applied to successive electrodes of at least one of the electrode arrays in a first direction such that a potential barrier moves along the at least one array in the first direction and drives ions into and/or out of the device in the first direction; andoperating the device in a second mode, wherein DC potentials are successively applied to successive electrodes of at least one of the electrode arrays in a second, different direction such that a potential barrier moves along the at least one array in the second direction and drives ...

Intelligent Dynamic Range Enhancement

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising transmitting ions and obtaining first mass spectral data and automatically determining during an acquisition whether the first mass spectral data suffers from saturation or is approaching saturation. If a determination is made during an acquisition that the first mass spectral data suffers from saturation or is approaching saturation then the method further comprises automatically changing or altering the intensity of ions which are detected by an ion detector and obtaining second mass spectral data. The method further comprises substituting one or more portions of the first mass spectral data with one or more corresponding portions of the second mass spectral data multiplied or scaled by an attenuation or scale factor and/or by an integer or other value so as to form a composite mass spectrum, wherein the composite mass spectrum comprises one or more ion peaks from the first mass spectral data and one or more ion peaks from the second mass spectral data. 1. A method of mass spectrometry comprising:transmitting ions and obtaining first mass spectral data; andautomatically determining during an acquisition whether said first mass spectral data suffers from saturation or is approaching saturation;wherein if it is determined during an acquisition that said first mass spectral data suffers from saturation or is approaching saturation then said method further comprises:(i) automatically changing or altering the intensity of ions which are detected by an ion detector and obtaining second mass spectral data; and(ii) substituting one or more portions of said first mass spectral data with one or more corresponding portions of said second mass spectral data multiplied or scaled by an attenuation or scale factor or by an integer or other value so as to form a composite mass spectrum, wherein said composite mass spectrum comprises one or more ion peaks from said first mass spectral data and one or more ion peaks from said ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF SUPPRESSING UNWANTED IONS

Certain embodiments described herein are directed to systems including a cell downstream of a mass analyzer. In some instances, the cell is configured as a reaction cell, a collision cell or a reaction/collision cell. The system can be used to suppress unwanted ions and/or remove interfering ions from a stream comprising a plurality of ions. 1. A system comprising:an ion source;ion optics fluidically coupled to the ion source;a mass analyzer fluidically coupled to the ion optics, in which the mass analyzer is the only mass analyzer in the system;a cell fluidically coupled to the mass analyzer and downstream of the mass analyzer; anda detector fluidically coupled to the cell.2. The system of claim 1 , in which the cell is configured as a reaction cell claim 1 , a collision cell or a reaction/collision cell.3. The system of claim 1 , in which the cell comprises a plurality of electrodes.4. The system of claim 3 , in which the plurality of electrodes are configured together to provide a quadrupolar field in the cell.5. The system of claim 4 , in which each of the plurality of electrodes is configured as a rod.6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an interface between the ion source and the ion optics.7. The system of claim 1 , in which the ion source is selected from the group consisting of an inductively coupled plasma claim 1 , an arc claim 1 , a spark claim 1 , a glow discharge and a flame.8. The system of claim 1 , in which the ion source is an ion source with a temperature less than a temperature of an inductively coupled plasma.9. The system of claim 1 , in which the mass analyzer is selected from the group consisting of a scanning mass analyzer claim 1 , a magnetic sector analyzer claim 1 , a quadrupole mass analyzer claim 1 , an ion trap analyzer claim 1 , and a time-of-flight analyzer.10. The system of claim 1 , in which the detector is selected from the group consisting of a Faraday cup claim 1 , an electron multiplier claim 1 , and a microchannel ...

Method of Transmitting Ions Through an Aperture

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising: an ion source; an aperture; a flight region arranged between the ion source and aperture for separating ions according to their mass to charge ratio; and ion optics arranged and configured for causing ions to be reflected or deflected whilst they separate according to mass to charge ratio in the flight region and such that the ions are focussed to a geometrical focal point at the aperture so that the ions are transmitted through the aperture. The multi-reflecting or multi-deflecting ion optics provides a relatively long flight path for the ions, whilst naturally converging the ion beam to a focus. As this focus is arranged at the aperture, it enables the aperture to be made relatively small whilst still maintaining high ion transmission efficiency. 1. A mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer comprising:an ion source;an aperture;a flight region arranged between said ion source and aperture for separating ions according to their mass to charge ratio; andion optics arranged and configured for causing ions to be reflected or deflected whilst they separate according to mass to charge ratio in the flight region and such that the ions are focussed to a geometrical focal point at said aperture so that the ions are transmitted through the aperture.2. The spectrometer of claim 1 , comprising a first vacuum chamber containing the flight region and a second vacuum chamber; wherein the aperture is a differential pumping aperture arranged at the interface between the first and second vacuum chambers.3. The spectrometer of claim 1 , wherein the ion optics are arranged and configured to cause the mean ion path to be reflected or deflected as the ions pass along the flight region; and to cause the ion trajectories to alternate between diverging and converging as the ions pass along the flight region such that the ions converge to the geometrical focal point at said aperture.4. The spectrometer of claim 1 , wherein the ion optics ...

Mass Analyser and Method of Mass Analysis

An electrostatic ion trap for mass analysis includes a first array of electrodes and a second array of electrodes, spaced from the first array of electrode. The first and second arrays of electrodes may be planar arrays formed by parallel strip electrodes or by concentric, circular or part-circular electrically conductive rings. The electrodes of the arrays are supplied with substantially the same pattern of voltage whereby the distribution of electrical potential in the space between the arrays is such as to reflect ions isochronously in a flight direction causing them to undergo periodic, oscillatory motion in the space, focused substantially mid-way between the arrays. Amplifier circuitry is used to detect image current having frequency components related to the mass-to-charge ratio of ions undergoing the periodic, oscillatory motion. 1. An electrostatic ion trap for mass analysis comprising:a first array of electrodes and a second array of electrodes, spaced from the first array of electrodes, voltage being supplied, in use, to electrodes of the first and second arrays of electrodes to create an electrostatic field in the space between the electrode arrays,wherein electrodes of the first array and electrodes of the second array are supplied, in use, with substantially the same pattern of voltage, whereby the distribution of electrical potential in said space is such as to reflect ions isochronously in a flight direction causing them to undergo periodic, oscillatory motion in said space, focused substantially mid-way between said first and second arrays, andwherein at least one electrode of said arrays is connected to amplifier circuitry for detection of image current having frequency components related to the mass-to-charge ratio of ions undergoing said periodic oscillatory motion in said space between the first and second arrays of electrodes.2. An electrostatic ion trap according to wherein said first and second arrays of electrodes are planar arrays formed by ...

MASS SPECTROMETRIC SYSTEM WITH ION MOBILITY ANALYZER AT ELEVATED PRESSURE

The invention provides hybrid mass spectrometric systems which comprise an ion source, a first trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS) analyzer and a mass analyzer, wherein the TIMS analyzer is located and operated in a first vacuum chamber at an elevated pressure above 500 Pa, and methods for operating the hybrid mass spectrometric systems. 1. A mass spectrometric system comprising an ion source , a first ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) analyzer , in which (i) ions are at first trapped along one of a non-uniform electric DC field by a counteracting gas flow and a uniform electric DC field by a counteracting gas flow which has a non-uniform axial velocity profile , in which (ii) the trapped ions are at first separated in space in the first IMS analyzer according to mobility and subsequently eluted from the first IMS analyzer over time according to their mobility by adjusting one of the gas velocity and a height of axial electric DC field , and in which (iii) ions are radially confined by an electric RF field , and further comprising a mass analyzer , wherein the first IMS analyzer is located and operated in a first vacuum chamber at an elevated pressure at or above 1000 Pa.2. The mass spectrometric system according to claim 1 , further comprising an ion gate and a second IMS analyzer wherein the second IMS analyzer is located downstream of the first IMS analyzer and the ion gate is located between the first IMS analyzer and the second IMS analyzer.3. The mass spectrometric system according to claim 2 , wherein the second IMS analyzer is located in a second vacuum chamber.4. The mass spectrometric system according to claim 3 , wherein the pressure in the second vacuum chamber is lower than the pressure in the first vacuum chamber.5. The mass spectrometric system according to claim 4 , wherein the pressure in the second vacuum chamber is below 500 Pa.6. The mass spectrometric system according to claim 4 , wherein the pressure in the second vacuum chamber is lower by ...

MULTI-REFLECTION MASS SPECTROMETER WITH DECELERATION STAGE

Disclosed herein is a multi-reflection mass spectrometer comprising two ion mirrors spaced apart and opposing each other in an X direction, each mirror elongated along a drift direction Y orthogonal to the direction X, and an ion injector for injecting ions as an ion beam into the space between the ion mirrors at an inclination angle to the X direction. Along a first portion of their length in the drift direction Y the ion mirrors converge with a first degree of convergence, and along a second portion of their length in the drift direction Y the ion mirrors converge with a second degree of convergence or are parallel, the first portion of their length being closer to the ion injector than the second portion and the first degree of convergence being greater than the second degree of convergence. 1. A multi-reflection mass spectrometer comprising two ion mirrors spaced apart and opposing each other in an X direction , each mirror elongated generally along a drift direction Y , the X direction being orthogonal to the drift direction Y , and an ion injector for injecting ions as an ion beam into the space between the ion mirrors at an inclination angle to the X direction , wherein along a first portion of their length in the drift direction Y the ion mirrors converge with a first degree of convergence and along a second portion of their length in the drift direction Y the ion mirrors converge with a second degree of convergence or are parallel , the first portion of their length being closer to the ion injector than the second portion and the first degree of convergence being greater than the second degree of convergence.2. The multi-reflection mass spectrometer of wherein the first degree of convergence is such that the drift velocity of the ions in the direction Y is reduced across the first portion of length by at least 5% after the ions undergo one or more reflections in the ion mirrors in the first portion of length.3. The multi-reflection mass spectrometer of ...

Photo-Dissociation of Proteins and Peptides in a Mass Spectrometer

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising directing first photons from a laser onto ions located within a 2D or linear ion guide or ion trap. The frequency of the first photons is scanned and first photons and/or second photons emitted by the ions are detected. The ions are then mass analysed using a Time of Flight mass analyser. 1. A method of mass spectrometry comprising:subjecting biomolecular ions to Hydrogen-Deuterium exchange to form first ions; and thencausing said first ions to at least partially unfold or alter their conformation to form second ions by either:(i) subjecting said first ions or ions derived from said first ions to IR, visible or UV photo-activation; and/or(ii) exposing said first ions or ions derived from said first ions to acidic vapours or supercharging said ions; and/or(iii) subjecting said first ions or ions derived from said first ions to IR, visible or UV photo-dissociation2. A method of mass spectrometry comprising:causing biomolecular ions to at least partially unfold or alter their conformation to form first ions by either:(i) subjecting said biomolecular ions or ions derived from said biomolecular ions to IR, visible or UV photo-activation; and/or(ii) exposing said biomolecular ions or ions derived from said biomolecular ions to acidic vapours or supercharging said ions; and/or(iii) subjecting said biomolecular ions or ions derived from said biomolecular ions to IR, visible or UV photo-dissociation; and thensubjecting said first ions to Hydrogen-Deuterium exchange to form second ions.3. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of subjecting said biomolecular ions or first ions to photo-dissociation results in cleaving one or more disulfide bonds in said ions.4. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of subjecting said biomolecular ions or first ions to photo-dissociation comprises fragmenting said ions.5. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising fragmenting at least some of said second ions ...

Multi-reflecting tof mass spectrometer

A method of time-of-flight mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing two ion mirrors ( 42 ) that are spaced apart in a first dimension (X-dimension) and that are each elongated in a second dimension (Z-dimension) orthogonal to the first dimension; introducing packets of ions ( 47 ) into the space between the mirrors using an ion introduction mechanism ( 43 ) such that the ions repeatedly oscillate in the first dimension (X-dimension) between the mirrors ( 42 ) as they drift through said space in the second dimension (Z-dimension); oscillating the ions in a third dimension (Y-dimension) orthogonal to both the first and second dimensions as the ions drift through said space in the second dimension (Z-dimension); and receiving the ions in or on an ion receiving mechanism ( 44 ) after the ions have oscillated multiple times in the first dimension (X-dimension); wherein at least part of the ion introduction mechanism ( 43 ) and/or at least part of the ion receiving mechanism ( 44 ) is arranged between the mirrors ( 42 ).

Ion Mobility Separation Device

An ion mobility separation device includes: an ion source that generates an ion; a pair of flat-plate electrodes having an introduction opening and a discharge opening for the ion generated by the ion source; a pump for causing the ion introduced via the introduction opening of the pair of flat-plate electrodes to travel toward the discharge opening; a voltage control unit that applies an asymmetric time-varying voltage and a direct-current voltage to the pair of flat-plate electrodes; a plurality of detectors disposed in a direction orthogonal to both an ion travel direction due to the pump and an applied direction of the asymmetric time-varying voltage; and a signal processing unit that processes a signal detected by the plurality of detectors. The voltage control unit performs a total transmission measurement involving application of the voltages to the pair of flat-plate electrodes so as to generate equal fields at least at two different points in the direction orthogonal to both the ion travel direction due to the pump and the applied direction of the asymmetric time-varying voltage. Compared to conventional technology, both high accuracy and high throughput are achieved in an asymmetric field application-type ion mobility separation device. 1. An ion mobility separation device comprising:an ion source that generates an ion;a pair of flat-plate electrodes having an introduction opening and a discharge opening for the ion generated by the ion source;a pump that causes the ion introduced from the introduction opening of the pair of fiat-plate electrodes to travel toward the discharge opening;a voltage control unit that applies an asymmetric time-varying voltage and a direct-current voltage to the pair of flat-plate electrodes;a plurality of detectors disposed in a direction orthogonal to both an ion travel direction due to the pump and an applied direction of the asymmetric time-varying voltage; anda signal processing unit that processes a signal detected by the ...

ION GUIDE

An ion guide may comprise a set of plate electrodes, each plate electrode having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. The set of plate electrodes are spatially arranged such that a relative positioning of each plurality of apertures of a respective plate electrode of the set of plate electrodes and respective adjacent plate electrodes of the set of plate electrodes defines a continuous ion flight path through the respective plurality of apertures of each plate electrode of the set of plate electrodes. The continuous ion flight path has a helical-based and/or spiral-based shape. 1. An ion guide , comprising:a first plurality of electrode arrangements, each electrode arrangement comprising respective parallel bar electrodes, with a respective gap therebetween; anda second plurality of electrode arrangements, each electrode arrangement comprising respective parallel electrode parts, with a respective gap therebetween, the parallel electrode parts of the second plurality of electrode arrangements being arranged orthogonally with respect to the parallel bar electrodes of the first plurality of electrode arrangements, such that the respective gaps of the first plurality of electrode arrangements are aligned with the respective gaps of the second plurality of electrode arrangements to allow ions to travel therethrough along a continuous path;wherein the first and second pluralities of electrode arrangements are arranged alternately along the continuous path; andwherein each of the first plurality of electrode arrangements is provided with an RF potential and each of the second plurality of electrode arrangements is provided only with one or more DC potentials or wherein each of the first plurality of electrode arrangements is provided with only one or more DC potentials and each of the second plurality of electrode arrangements is provided with an RF potential.2. The ion guide of claim 1 , wherein each electrode arrangement of the second plurality of electrode ...

Double bend ion guides and devices using them

Certain configurations of devices are described herein that include a DC multipole that is effective to doubly bend the ions in an entering particle beam. In some instances, the devices include a first multipole configured to provide a DC electric field effective to direct first ions of an entering particle beam along a first internal trajectory at an angle different from the entry trajectory of the particle beam. The first multipole may also be configured to direct the ions in the first multipole along a second internal trajectory that is different than the angle of the first internal trajectory of the particle beam.

MASS SPECTROMETRY OF SAMPLES INCLUDING COAXIAL DESORPTION/ABLATION AND IMAGE CAPTURE

A technique for sample analysis includes capturing an image of an analysis location of a sample disposed within a sample chamber using an imaging device having a field of view into the sample chamber along an axis. Subsequent to capturing the image, a material removal beam is directed along the axis the sample to desorb or ablate sample material from the sample at the analysis location. An ionization beam is then applied to the sample material to generate ionized sample material and the ionized sample material is delivered to a mass spectrometer for analysis. Each of organic and inorganic analysis may be conducted at a given analysis location by desorbing and analyzing organic material and subsequently ablating and analyzing inorganic material, the desorption and ablation processes performed using beams delivered along the same axis as the imaging device's field of view. 1. A method of sample analysis comprising:capturing an image of an analysis location of a sample disposed within a sample chamber using an imaging device having a field of view into the sample chamber along an axis;subsequent to capturing the image, applying a material removal beam along the axis to the sample to desorb or ablate sample material from the sample at the analysis location, the material removal beam produced from a source beam originating from a laser source;applying an ionization beam to the sample material to generate ionized sample material; anddelivering the ionized sample material to a mass spectrometer for analysis.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the source beam is a first source beam claim 1 , the material removal beam is a first material removal beam and desorbs organic material claim 1 , the sample material is a first sample material claim 1 , and the ionized sample material is a first ionized sample material claim 1 , the method further comprising:subsequent to delivering the first ionized sample material to the mass spectrometer for analysis, applying a second material ...

MASS SPECTROMETER

In order to solve a problem in a mass spectrometry that a distribution of an emitted ion and a substance distribution on the measurement object surface are different from each other, which is due to a shaded portion of a irregular surface which falls under a shadow of primary beam, a primary ion optical system of the present apparatus includes a deflection unit configured to deflect the primary ion in such a manner that the primary ion intersects a flight space of the secondary ion in the course of flight. 1. A mass spectrometer comprising:a platform on which a measurement object is placed;a primary ion generator configured to generate a primary ion to be flown;a primary ion optical system configured to guide the primary ion to the measurement object and irradiate the measurement object with the primary ion;a detection unit configured to detect a secondary ion emitted from the measurement object; anda secondary ion optical system configured to guide the secondary ion to the detection unit;wherein the primary ion optical system includes a deflection unit configured to deflect the primary ion in such a manner that the primary ion intersects a flight space of the secondary ion in the course of flight.2. The mass spectrometry device according to claim 1 , wherein the primary ion flies in such a manner that the primary ion is deflected by the deflection unit from outside of a flight space of the secondary ion to inside of the flight space.3. The mass spectrometer according to claim 1 , wherein an ion optical axis of the primary ion optical system is coaxial with the ion optical axis of the secondary ion optical system at least when the primary ion is made incident to the measurement object.4. The mass spectrometer according to claim 1 , wherein the deflection unit deflects a trajectory of the primary ion by an electric field.5. The mass spectrometer according to claim 4 , wherein the deflection unit includes two or more electrodes6. The mass spectrometer according to ...

Improved Quadrupole Robustness

An apparatus for filtering ions is disclosed comprising a separation device for separating ions temporally according to a first physico-chemical property and a first quadrupole rod set for filtering ions according to their mass to charge ratio, wherein the first quadrupole rod set comprises a plurality of rods and wherein the first quadrupole rod set is arranged downstream of the separation device. The apparatus further comprises a control system arranged and adapted during a single cycle of separation of the separation device: (i) to operate the first quadrupole rod set in a first resolving mode of operation wherein ions of interest are selected by the first quadrupole rod set; and (ii) to operate the first quadrupole rod set in a second non-resolving or transmission mode of operation at separation times when substantially no ions of interest are present so that substantially no ions impact upon the rods of the first quadrupole rod set. 1. An apparatus for filtering ions comprising:a separation device for separating ions temporally according to a first physico-chemical property;a first quadrupole rod set for filtering said ions according to their mass to charge ratio, wherein said first quadrupole rod set comprises a plurality of rods and wherein said first quadrupole rod set is arranged downstream of said separation device; and (i) to operate said first quadrupole rod set in a first substantially resolving mode of operation at separation times when ions of interest are expected to emerge from said separation device so that said ions of interest are selected by or filtered according to their mass to charge ratio by said first quadrupole rod set; and', '(ii) to operate said first quadrupole rod set in a second substantially non-resolving or transmission mode of operation at separation times when substantially no ions of interest are expected to emerge from said separation device so that substantially no ions impact upon said rods of said first quadrupole rod set., ' ...

TIME OF FLIGHT MASS ANALYSER WITH SPATIAL FOCUSSING

A Time of Flight mass analyser is disclosed comprising: at least one ion mirror (() for reflecting ions; an ion detector () arranged for detecting the reflected ions; a first pulsed ion accelerator () for accelerating an ion packet in a first dimension (Y-dimension) towards the ion detector () so that the ion packet spatially converges in the first dimension as it travels to the detector (); and a pulsed orthogonal accelerator () for orthogonally accelerating the ion packet in a second, orthogonal dimension (X-dimension) into one of said at least one ion mirrors (). 1. A Time of Flight mass analyser comprising:at least one ion mirror for reflecting ions;an ion detector arranged for detecting the reflected ions;a first pulsed ion accelerator for accelerating an ion packet in a first dimension (Y-dimension) towards the ion detector so that the ion packet spatially converges in the first dimension as it travels to the detector; anda pulsed orthogonal accelerator for orthogonally accelerating the ion packet in a second, orthogonal dimension (X-dimension) into one of said at least one ion mirrors.2. The mass analyser of claim 1 , wherein the first ion accelerator is configured to pulse the ion packet out having a first length in the first dimension (Y-dimension) claim 1 , wherein the orthogonal accelerator is configured to pulse the ion packet out having a second length in the first dimension (Y-dimension) claim 1 , and wherein the detector is arranged such that the ion packet has a third length in the first dimension (Y-dimension) when it impacts the detector claim 1 , wherein the third length is shorter than or substantially the same as the first length and/or second length.3. The mass analyser of claim 1 , wherein the first ion accelerator comprises a voltage supply for applying a voltage pulse that accelerates the ion packet in the first dimension (Y-dimension) such that the ion packet is spatially focused in the first dimension to a spatial focal point that is ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF SUPPRESSING UNWANTED IONS

Certain embodiments described herein are directed to systems including a cell downstream of a mass analyzer. In some instances, the cell is configured as a reaction cell, a collision cell or a reaction/collision cell. The system can be used to suppress unwanted ions and/or remove interfering ions from a stream comprising a plurality of ions. 120-. (canceled)21. A mass spectrometry system comprising a single mass analyzer , the system comprising:an ion source;ion optics fluidically coupled to the ion source and downstream of the ion source;a single mass analyzer fluidically coupled to the ion optics and downstream of the ion optics so the ion optics are between the ion source and the single mass analyzer, in which the single mass analyzer is the only mass analyzer present in the system;a cell fluidically coupled to the single mass analyzer and downstream of the single mass analyzer so the single mass analyzer is between the cell and the ion optics; anda detector fluidically coupled to the cell and downstream of the cell so the cell is between the single mass analyzer and the detector.22. The system of claim 21 , in which the cell is configured as a reaction cell claim 21 , a collision cell or a reaction/collision cell.23. The system of claim 21 , in which the cell comprises a plurality of electrodes.24. The system of claim 23 , in which the plurality of electrodes are configured together to provide a quadrupolar field in the cell.25. The system of claim 21 , further comprising an additional cell upstream of the single mass analyzer claim 21 , in which the additional cell is between the single mass analyzer and the ion optics.26. The system of claim 21 , further comprising an interface between the ion source and the ion optics.27. The system of claim 21 , in which the ion source is selected from the group consisting of an inductively coupled plasma claim 21 , an arc claim 21 , a spark claim 21 , a glow discharge and a flame.28. The system of claim 21 , in which the ...

MASS SELECTOR, AND ION GUN, ION IRRADIATION APPARATUS AND MASS MICROSCOPE

When a time-of-flight mass selector having a chopper using a deflector selects the masses of the ions, an ion beam is deflected. As a result, at least a part of the ion beams diagonally pass through an aperture electrode with respect to the axis. Accordingly, there has been a problem that a position on an object irradiated with a cluster ion beam, results in moving. This mass selector includes: a flight tube having an equipotential space that makes a charged substance fly therein; a deflector that is installed in a downstream side with respect to the flight tube in a direction in which the charged substance flies; a first aperture electrode that is installed in a downstream side with respect to the deflector in a direction in which the charged substance flies; and a second aperture electrode that is installed in between the deflector and the first aperture electrode.

GC-TOF MS with Improved Detection Limit

For improving sensitivity, dynamic range, and specificity of GC-MS analysis there are disclosed embodiments of novel apparatuses based on improved characteristics of semi-open source with electron impact ionization, providing much higher brightness compared to known open EI sources. In an implementation, the source becomes compatible with multi-reflecting TOF analyzers for higher resolution analysis for improving detection limit. With improved schemes of spatial and temporal refocusing there are proposed various tandem TOF-TOF spectrometers with PSD, CID, and SID fragmentation and using either singly reflecting TOF or MR-TOF analyzers. 1. A chromato-mass spectrometer comprising:a single or dual stage gas chromatograph;a semi-open EI source defining a source opening having an area between about (0.1 to 1) square cm and positively biased slits for an electron beam, wherein the source is arranged in a separate differential pumping stage, provides ion storage in the electron beam, and provides pulsed ejection of accumulated ions;a multi-reflecting time-of-flight analyzer having a periodic lens and a time-of-flight detector; andan interface comprising a set of focusing and deflecting ion-optical elements coupling said ion source with said analyzer in such a way that a spatial emittance of said ion source is matched to an acceptance of said analyzer and that time broadening of ion signal due to said spatial emittance is eliminated at said detector at least to a first order of Tailor expansion.2. A mass spectrometer as in claim 1 , to increases dynamic range by frequent encoding pulsing claim 1 , further comprising: (i) a synchronizing clock capable of triggering at programmed non-uniform time intervals with time increments no more than 10 ns; (ii) a pulse generator capable of pulsing at average frequency at least 30 kHz; and (iii) a data system for spectral decoding.3. A mass spectrometer as in claim 1 , wherein said interface is selected from the group consisting of: (i) ...

A METHOD OF MASS ANALYSIS USING ION FILTERING

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising detecting the ions transmitted by a mass filter () with a detector (); changing the RF and/or DC voltage applied to the mass filter () during a voltage transition period so as to change the mass to charge ratio capable of being transmitted by the mass filter (); preventing ions from reaching the detector during the voltage transition period; and allowing ions to be transmitted to the detector () after the voltage transition period. 2. The method of claim 1 , comprising:measuring the signal output from the detector during said voltage transition period, when ions are prevented from reaching the detector, so as to determine the baseline signal of the detector;measuring the ion signal from the detector after the voltage transition period, when ions are allowed to be transmitted to the detector; andsubtracting said baseline signal from the measured ion signal.3. The method of claim 2 , changing the RF and/or DC voltage applied to said electrodes during a further voltage transition period so as to change said selected mass to charge ratio claim 2 , or said selected range of mass to charge ratios claim 2 , that the mass filter is capable of transmitting;preventing all ions from reaching the detector during the further voltage transition period; andallowing ions to be transmitted by the mass filter to the detector after the further voltage transition period.4. The method of claim 3 , comprising measuring the signal output from the detector during said further voltage transition period claim 3 , when ions are prevented from reaching the detector claim 3 , to determine an updated baseline signal for the detector;measuring the ion signal from the detector after the further voltage transition period, when ions are allowed to be transmitted to the detector; andsubtracting said updated baseline signal from the measured ion signal.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mass filter is a multipole mass filter comprising a ...

ION MOBILITY ANALYZER AND ANALYSIS METHOD

The invention provides ion mobility analyzer and analysis method. The analyzer includes an ion source, a first drift/analyzer region provided with an ions entrance, a second drift/analyzer region provided with an ions exit, a connection region connecting the first drift/analyzer region and the second drift/analyzer region, and a detector connected to the ion exit. Direct current electric fields and gas flows in the first drift/analyzer region and the second drift/analyzer region apply opposing forces on ions, and first and second gas flows have the same gas flow direction. The connection region includes a third direct current electric field that causes ions to transfer from the first drift/analyzer region to the second drift/analyzer region. Because the first and second regions have the same gas flow direction, the invention achieves stable resolution and sensitivity as a high-resolution ion mobility analyzer and/or an ion mobility filter for a continuous ion beam. 1. An ion mobility analyzer , comprising:an ion source:a first drift/analyzer region provided with an ions entrance connected to the ion source,wherein the first drift/analyzer region comprises a first direct current electric field and a first gas flow, wherein the first direct current electric field and the first gas flow cause ions to move along an axis of the first drift/analyzer region, and wherein the first direct current electric field and the first gas flow apply opposing forces on ions;a second drift/analyzer region provided with an ions exit, wherein the second drift/analyzer region comprises a second direct current electric field and a second gas flow, wherein the second direct current electric field and the second gas flow cause ions to move along an axis of the second drift/analyzer region, wherein the second direct current electric field and the second gas flow apply opposing forces on ions, and the second gas flow has the same gas flow direction as the first gas flow;a connection region ...

ION MIGRATION RATE ANALYSIS DEVICE AND ANALYSIS METHOD APPLIED

The invention provides an ion mobility analyzer apparatus and analysis method. The analyzer apparatus includes an ion source, two groups of parallel electrodes, a power supply unit and a detector. The drift region is formed between the two groups of parallel electrodes, and has an ion entrance connected to the ion source and an ion exit. Each group of parallel electrodes is located in a plane respectively, and the two planes are parallel to each other. The power supply unit is configured to apply direct current potentials on the two groups of parallel electrodes to form a direct current electric field that applies an opposing force on ions against the gas flow so that ions with different mobilities are trapped under the combined effect of the gas flow and the direct current electric field. The detector is connected to the ion exit to detect ions. 1. An ion mobility analyzer apparatus for separating and identifying ionic analytes , comprising:an ion source;two groups of parallel electrodes, wherein a drift region is formed between the two groups of parallel electrodes, the drift region has an ion entrance and an ion exit, and the ion entrance is connected to the ion source; wherein each of the two groups of parallel electrodes is located in a plane respectively, the two planes are parallel to each other, and a gas flow exists in the drift region, the gas flow is a laminar flow;a power supply unit, configured to apply direct current voltage on the two groups of parallel electrodes to form a direct current electric field that applies an opposing force on ions against the gas flow, so that ions with different mobilities are trapped under the combined effect of the gas flow and the direct current electric field, wherein the power supply unit scans the direct current electric field to separate ions with different mobilities in the drift region; and the power supply unit adds radio frequency voltages on the parallel electrodes to confine ions in a direction perpendicular ...

Ionization Chamber Having a Potential-Well for Ion Trapping and Ion Compression

An ionization chamber. The ionization chamber includes a vessel, an ionization source, an ion gate, and a mid-ring electrode. The vessel defines an ionization region. The vessel includes a first end axially disposed opposite a second end. The ionization source is located at the first end and generates ions. The ion gate is located at the second end of the vessel. The mid-ring electrode is located between the ionization source and the ion gate. During an ion compression stage, the ionization source is charged to a first ionization source potential, the ion gate is charged to a first ion gate potential, and the mid-ring electrode is charged to a first mid-ring potential that is less than the first ionization source potential and the first ion gate potential. The first mid-ring potential is configured to generate a potential well proximate the mid-ring electrode. The ions collect at the potential well. 1. An ionization chamber , comprising:a vessel within which an ionization region is defined, said vessel comprising a first end axially disposed opposite a second end;an ionization source located at said vessel's first end and configured to generate ions, said ionization source configured to be charged to a first ionization source potential during an ion compression stage;an ion gate located at said second end and configured to be charged to a first ion gate potential during the ion compression stage; anda mid-ring electrode located between said ionization source and said ion gate, said mid-ring electrode configured to be charged, during the ion compression stage, to a first mid-ring potential that is less than the first source potential and the first ion gate potential, the first mid-ring potential configured to generate a potential well, proximate said mid-ring electrode.2. The ionization chamber of claim 1 , wherein said ion gate is further configured to be charged to the first ion gate potential to prevent the ions from traveling through said ion gate and from said ...

DIFFERENTIAL MOBILITY SPECTROMETER AND METHODS THEREOF

An apparatus and method are provided for analyzing samples of molecules. The apparatus comprises a mass analysis system including a differential mobility spectrometer, which includes at least three filter electrodes defining two ion flow paths where the filter electrodes generate electric fields for passing through selected portions of the sample ions based on the mobility characteristics of the sample ions. The differential mobility spectrometer also includes a voltage source that provides DC and RF voltages to at least one of the filter electrodes to generate the electric field, a first and a second ion inlet that receive sample ions, and an ion outlet that outputs the selected portion of the sample ions. A mass spectrometer receives some or all of the selected portion of the sample ions. 1. A mass analysis system comprising: a differential mobility spectrometer including: at least three filter electrodes defining a first ion flow path and a second ion flow path, the filter electrodes generating electric fields for passing selected portions of the sample ions based on the mobility characteristics of the sample ions;', 'a voltage source for providing RF and DC voltages to at least one of the filter electrodes to generate the electric field;', 'a first and a second ion inlet for receiving sample ions from the at least two ion sources; and', 'an ion outlet for outputting the selected portion of the sample ions, and', 'a mass spectrometer for receiving some or all of the selected portion of the sample ions., 'at least two ion sources for generating sample ions;'}2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first inlet receives sample ions having a first polarity and the second inlet receives sample ions having a polarity opposite to the first polarity.3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the sample ions having a first polarity comprise analyte ions and the sample ions having a polarity opposite to the first polarity comprise reagent ions.4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the ...

ION OPTICAL SYSTEM FOR MASS SPECTROMETER

A mass spectrometer includes: a plasma generation device for generating plasma for ionizing an introduced sample; an interface device for drawing the plasma into vacuum; an ion lens device for extracting and inducing ions as an ion beam from the plasma; a collision/reaction cell for removing an interference ion from the ion beam; a mass analyzer or filter for allowing a predetermined ion in the ion beam from the collision/reaction cell to pass along a first axis based on a mass-to-charge ratio; an ion detector for detecting the ion; an ion deflection device before the mass analyzer, and also an ion deflection device between the mass analyzer and the ion detector. The mass spectrometer reduces background noises in a mass analyzer by removing neutral particles from the ion beam without reducing the measurement sensitivity on ions to be analyzed as much as possible. 1. A plasma mass spectrometer comprising:a plasma generation device for generating plasma for ionizing an introduced sample;an interface device for drawing the plasma into vacuum;an ion lens device for extracting and inducing ions as an ion beam from the plasma;a collision/reaction cell for removing an interference ion from the ion beam;a mass analyzer for allowing a predetermined ion in the ion beam from the collision/reaction cell to pass along a first axis based on a mass-to-charge ratio;an ion detector for detecting the ion;at least one first ion deflection device disposed prior to the mass analyzer to conduct ion deflection; andat least one second ion deflection device disposed between the mass analyzer and the ion detector to conduct ion deflection.2. The mass spectrometer according to claim 1 , wherein the second ion deflection device comprises an electrode for generating an electric field to deflect and induce the predetermined ion having passed the mass analyzer along the first axis so as to be along a second axis to the ion detector.3. The mass spectrometer according to claim 2 , wherein the ...

FIELDS FOR MULTI-REFLECTING TOF MS

A multi-reflecting time-of-flight mass spectrometer MR TOF with an orthogonal accelerator () is improved with at least one deflector () and/or (R) in combination with at least one wedge field () for denser folding of ion rays (). Systematic mechanical misalignments () of ion mirrors () may be compensated by electrical tuning of the instrument, as shown by resolution improvements between simulated peaks for non compensated case () and compensated one (), and/or by an electronically controlled global electrostatic wedge/arc field within ion mirror (). 1. A multi-reflecting time-of-flight mass spectrometer comprising:{'sub': '0', '(a) a pulsed ion emitter having a pulsed acceleration region and a static acceleration region to accelerate ions substantially along an X-direction; said pulsed ion emitter configured to emit ion packets at an inclination angle αto said X-direction;'}(b) a pair of parallel gridless ion mirrors separated by a drift space; wherein electrodes of said ion mirrors are substantially elongated in a Z-direction that is orthogonal to said X-direction so as to form a substantially two-dimensional electrostatic field in the XY-plane orthogonal to said Z-direction;(c) a time-of-flight detector;(d) at least one electrostatic ion deflector arranged for deflecting ion trajectories by angle c in the XZ plane; and(e) at least one electrode structure configured to form a local wedge electrostatic field having equipotential field lines that are tilted with respect to the Z-direction, arranged either in said pulsed accelerating region and/or in an ion retarding region of one or both of said ion mirrors, followed by an electrostatic acceleration field having equipotential field lines that are parallel to the Z-direction; said at least one electrode structure being arranged to adjust the time front tilt angle γ of said ion packets in the XZ plane, and to steer the ion trajectories by inclination angle θ in the XZ plane;{'sub': '0', '(f) wherein said angles ψ and ϕ ...

Ion Mobility Method and Apparatus

A method and system for performing an ion mobility based analysis that ionizes the components of a sample into ions; provides a field asymmetric waveform ion mobility or differential mobility spectrometry ion mobility based filter that comprises at least two electrodes, the at least two electrodes being spaced apart such that a constant sized gap is formed there between, through which a drift gas flows; introducing said ions into the drift gas, wherein said drift gas also comprises a mixture of liquid modifiers. 1. A method of performing an ion mobility based analysis comprisingionizing the components of a sample into ions;providing a field asymmetric waveform ion mobility or differential mobility spectrometry ion mobility based filter that comprises at least two electrodes, the at least two electrodes being spaced apart such that a constant sized gap is formed there between, through which a drift gas flows;introducing said ions into the drift gas, wherein said drift gas also comprises a mixture of liquid modifiers, said mixture comprising:a first solvent to improve the separation capability of said drift gas;a second solvent to suppress either proton transfer or analyte dissociation of said ions, said second solvent having a higher proton solvation energy than that of the first solvent, and being added in excess to that of said first solvent; anddetecting the ions after they have passed through the drift gas.2. The method of wherein said first solvent is selected to cluster with the ions.3. The method of wherein said first solvent is selected from a group consisting of C1-C10 alcohols claim 2 , nitrile solvents claim 2 , halogenated solvents and non-alcohol hydrocarbon based solvents.4. The method of wherein said first solvent is hexanol and optionally said second solvent is methanol.5. The method of wherein said second solvent is selected from a group consisting of C1-C10 alcohols claim 1 , nitrile solvents claim 1 , halogenated solvents and non-alcohol ...

IONIZATION CHAMBER HAVING A POTENTIAL-WELL FOR ION TRAPPING AND ION COMPRESSION

An ionization chamber. The ionization chamber includes a vessel, an ionization source, an ion gate, and a mid-ring electrode. The vessel defines an ionization region. The vessel includes a first end axially disposed opposite a second end. The ionization source is located at the first end and generates ions. The ion gate is located at the second end of the vessel. The mid-ring electrode is located between the ionization source and the ion gate. During an ion compression stage, the ionization source is charged to a first ionization source potential, the ion gate is charged to a first ion gate potential, and the mid-ring electrode is charged to a first mid-ring potential that is less than the first ionization source potential and the first ion gate potential. The first mid-ring potential is configured to generate a potential well proximate the mid-ring electrode. The ions collect at the potential well. 1. An ionization chamber , comprising:a vessel within which an ionization region is defined, said vessel comprising a first end axially disposed opposite a second end;an ionization source located at said vessel's first end and configured to generate ions, said ionization source configured to have a first ionization source potential during an ion compression stage;an ion gate located at said second end and configured to have a first ion gate potential during the ion compression stage; anda mid-ring electrode located between said ionization source and said ion gate, said mid-ring electrode configured to have, during the ion compression stage, a first mid-ring potential that is less than the first source potential and the first ion gate potential, the first mid-ring potential set at a value to generate a potential well, proximate said mid-ring electrode.2. The ionization chamber of claim 1 , wherein said first ion gate potential is set at a value such that ions are prevented from traveling through said ion gate and from said vessel.3. The ionization chamber of claim 1 , ...

AC GATE ION FILTER METHOD AND APPARATUS

The present invention uses an AC voltage instead of DC voltage on an ion gate to filter/selectively pass ions. The ions that pass through the AC ion gate can be further separated in a spectrometric instrument. An ion mobility spectrometer using the AC ion gate can achieve better gating performance. For a time of flight ion mobility spectrometer with an AC ion gate, a narrow pulse of selected ions can be passed into a drift tube where they are separated based on their low field ion mobility. Moreover, when the AC voltage at the AC ion gate has a waveform as used for differential ion mobility spectrometry, the time of flight ion mobility spectrometer is converted into a two dimensional separation spectrometer, where ions are first separated based on their high field ion mobility and then further separated based on their low field ion mobility. 1. A method for operating an ion mobility spectrometer comprising:(a) ionizing a sample to form sample ions;(b) guiding some of the sample ions toward an ion gate, passing some of the sample ions through the ion gate, and continuously guiding the ions in a drift tube after the ion gate;(c) applying at least one AC voltage to the grid elements of the ion gate to selectively pass at least one kind of sample ions through the ion gate;(d) separating the sample ions in a drift tube2. The method of claim 1 , wherein guiding the ionized sample includes using a gas flow and/or an electric field3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the AC voltage has a constant or a varying frequency and/or amplitude during one ion mobility measurement4. The method of claim 1 , wherein selectively passing ions is realized by changing the waveform of the AC voltage5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the waveform is asymmetric or symmetric6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the AC voltage has a waveform that is same as the asymmetric waveform used in differential/field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometers.7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the AC voltage is a ...

ION SOURCE, ION GUN, AND ANALYSIS INSTRUMENT

Provided are an ion source, an ion gun, and an analysis instrument, which are capable of performing sputtering without damage to a surface of a sample and improving detection sensitivity in mass spectroscopy. In the ion source, an emission opening to which ionization liquid is supplied is disposed in an electric field formed in vacuum environment by an extracting electrode so that super large droplet cluster ions are generated from the emission opening. When the sample is irradiated with a super large droplet cluster ion beam, the sample surface is subjected to sputtering without damage, so as to remove contamination substances or to expose a new surface of the sample. In mass spectroscopy, detection sensitivity is improved. 1. An ion source , comprising:a vacuum chamber;an emission tube inserted in the vacuum chamber in a hermetic manner, the emission tube having conductivity in at least a surface thereof;an ionization liquid supply device disposed outside the vacuum chamber so as to supply ionization liquid to a thin tube disposed in the emission tube, at a part positioned outside the vacuum chamber;an extracting electrode configured to extract ions in the ionization liquid supplied from the ionization liquid supply device to the emission tube, as cluster ions from an emission opening of the thin tube positioned inside the vacuum chamber and to cause the cluster ions to fly in vacuum environment; anda laser beam emitting device configured to irradiate the emission opening with a laser beam.2. An ion source according to claim 1 , wherein a transparent window for observation of the emission opening is provided on the vacuum chamber claim 1 , and wherein the vacuum chamber is configured to be able to observe the emission opening through the transparent window for observation.3. An ion source according to claim 2 , further comprising a measurement device disposed outside the vacuum chamber for observing the emission opening and for checking whether or not the emission ...

ION MODIFICATION

An ion mobility spectrometer comprising an ioniser for ionising a sample; a detector separated from the ioniser by a drift chamber along which ions can travel from the ioniser toward the detector; a gate for controlling the passage of ions from the ioniser to the drift chamber; an ion modifier arranged between the ioniser and the detector and comprising a first electrode and a second electrode; and a voltage provider configured to provide a time varying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode wherein the time varying voltage has a frequency of at least 2.5 MHz. 1. An ion mobility spectrometer comprising:an ioniser for ionising a sample;a detector separated from the ioniser by a drift chamber along which ions can travel from the ioniser toward the detector;a gate for controlling the passage of ions from the ioniser to the drift chamber;an ion modifier arranged between the ioniser and the detector, the ion modifier including a first electrode and a second electrode; anda voltage provider configured to provide a time varying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode wherein the time varying voltage has a frequency of at least 2.5 MHz.2. The ion mobility spectrometer of wherein the ioniser is arranged in an ionisation chamber that is separated from the drift chamber by the gate.3. The ion mobility spectrometer of wherein the ion modifier is arranged in one of the drift chamber and the ionisation chamber.4. The ion mobility spectrometer of comprising a drift gas inlet and a drift gas outlet arranged to provide a flow of drift gas along the drift chamber and through the ion modifier.5. The ion mobility spectrometer of wherein the voltage provider is configured to vary the voltage of the first electrode less than the voltage of the second electrode.6. The ion mobility spectrometer of wherein the voltage provider is configured to vary the voltage of the second electrode more quickly than the voltage of the first electrode.7. The ion ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING METALS IN A SOLUTION

There is provided a system that detects metal ions in a solution easily and with high precision. Such system includes: a unit that produces a mixed solution by mixing a first solution, which includes a first organic compound that has affinity with metal ions to be measured, and a second solution to be measured and supplies the mixed solution to a container; and a unit that detects the metal ions to be measured in the second solution based on a spectrum obtained by ionizing gas in a head space of the container. An example of the first organic compound is siderophores, such as catechol or AHA. The unit that detects the concentration is an ion mobility sensor and is capable of detecting the concentration of metal ions in a solution in real time. 1. A system comprising:a unit that supplies a mixed solution produced by mixing a first solution that includes a first organic compound that has affinity with metal ions to be measured, and a second solution to be measured to a container; anda unit that detects the metal ions to be measured in the second solution based on a spectrum obtained by ionizing gas in a head space of the container.2. The system according to claim 1 ,wherein the unit that supplies includes a mixing unit that produces a flow of the mixed solution in which a flow of the first solution and a flow of the second solution are mixed,the container includes a part where the mixed solution flows, andthe unit that detects includes a unit that detects the metal ions to be measured in the flow of the second solution based on a spectrum obtained by ionizing gas in the head space to the part where the mixed solution flows.3. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a unit that changes at least one of a concentration of the first organic compound in the first solution and a concentration of the first organic compound in the mixed solution according to a state of the spectrum.4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the first organic compound includes a ...

Systems and Methods for Identifying Precursor ions from Product Ions Using Arbitrary Transmission Windowing

Ions are separated from a sample over time and filtered. The precursor ions produced at each step are fragmented. Resulting product ions are analyzed using a mass analyzer, producing a product ion spectrum for each step of the transmission window and a plurality of product ion spectra for the mass range for the each scan. The plurality of product ion spectra are received, producing a plurality of multi-scan product ion spectra. At least one product ion is selected from the plurality of multi-scan product ion spectra that is present at least two or more times in product ion spectra from each of two or more scans. A known separation profile of a precursor ion is fit to intensities from the at least one product ion in the plurality of multi-scan product ion spectra to reconstruct a separation profile of a precursor ion of the at least one product ion. 1. A system for reconstructing a separation profile of a precursor ion in a tandem mass spectrometry experiment from multiple scans across a mass range , comprising:a separation device that separates ions from a sample;a mass filter that receives the ions from the separation device and filters the ions by, in each of two or more scans across a mass range, stepping a transmission window that has a constant rate of precursor ion transmission for each precursor ion across the mass range, producing a series of overlapping transmission windows across the mass range for each scan of the two or more scans;a fragmentation device that fragments the precursor ions produced at each step;a mass analyzer that analyzes resulting product ions, producing a product ion spectrum for each step of the transmission window and a plurality of product ion spectra for the mass range for the each scan; and receives the plurality of product ion spectra produced by the series of overlapping transmission windows for the each scan, producing a plurality of multi-scan product ion spectra,', 'selects at least one product ion from the plurality of multi- ...

Controlling Gas-Phase Ion Interactions

A mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed comprising: 129-. (canceled)30. A mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer comprising:a first device for separating ions, or molecules, according to a physicochemical property;an ion mobility separation or filter device for receiving and separating or filtering at least some of said ions, or ions derived from said molecules, according to their ion mobility;a gas supply connected to said ion mobility separation or filter device for supplying gas into said ion mobility separation or filter device; anda control system configured to adjust said gas supply so as to change the composition of gas within the ion mobility separation or filter device as a function of time;wherein the control system is configured to vary the gas composition in said ion mobility separation or filter device dynamically based on the separation or elution time in said first device.31. The spectrometer of claim 30 , wherein the ion mobility separation or filter device is configured to drive ions of different ion mobility from an entrance of the device towards an exit of the device at different rates so as to separate or filter ions according to their drift time along or through the device.32. A spectrometer as claimed in claim 30 , wherein the ion mobility separation or filter device is a FAIMS device or a differential ion mobility separator device.33. A spectrometer as claimed in claim 30 , wherein the gas composition in the ion mobility separation or filter device is controlled based on the ions or molecules eluting from the first device and passing into the ion mobility separation or filter device so that the gas in the ion mobility separation or filter device is controlled to be of a first composition whilst a first analyte ion is passing through the ion mobility separation or filter device claim 30 , and the gas in the ion mobility separation or filter device is controlled to be of a second composition whilst a second claim 30 ...

Multipath Duty Cycle Enhancement

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a first device, a second device and a switch arranged and adapted: (i) to direct ions at a first time T to the first device and to substantially prevent ions from entering the second device; and (ii) to direct ions at a second later time T to the second device and to substantially prevent ions from entering the first device. At the first time T the second device may not be in an operational state to potentially optimally fragment, react, mass filter or otherwise process ions since the second device may be in a process of equilibration, changing state, re-filling, recharging, transition, replenishing, switching voltage or altering an operational parameter. Likewise, at the second time T the first device may not be in an operational state to potentially optimally fragment, react, mass filter or otherwise process ions since the first device may be in a process of equilibration, changing state, re-filling, recharging, transition, replenishing, switching voltage or altering an operational parameter. 1. A mass spectrometer comprising:a first device;a second device; anda switch arranged and adapted:{'b': '1', '(i) to direct ions at a first time T to said first device and to substantially prevent ions from entering said second device; and'}{'b': '2', '(ii) to direct ions at a second later time T to said second device and to substantially prevent ions from entering said first device;'}wherein either:{'b': '1', '(a) at said first time T said second device is not in an operational state to potentially optimally fragment, react, mass filter or otherwise process ions since said second device is in a process of equilibration, changing state, re-filling, recharging, transition, replenishing, switching voltage or altering an operational parameter; and/or'}{'b': '2', '(b) at said second time T said first device is not in an operational state to potentially optimally fragment, react, mass filter or otherwise process ions since said first ...

CHEMICALLY MODIFIED ION MOBILITY SEPARATION APPARATUS AND METHOD

An ion mobility spectrometry apparatus and method used to separate ions and select some of the ions using an AC gate; the selected ions are further separated along a drift axis of a drift tube, where the AC gate is controlled using a series of AC voltages and/or frequencies to select different ions for the drift tube. 1. An ion mobility analyzer apparatus comprising:a. A first ion gate that is located between an ionization source and a first drift region of a drift tube, and pulses a group of ions into the first drift region where the group of ions are separated along a drift axis of the first drift region;b. A second ion gate that is an AC ion gate located between the first drift region of the drift tube and a second drift region of the drift tube, and pulses a group of ions into the second drift region where the group of ions are separated along a drift axis of the second drift region;c. At least one drift gas in the drift tube.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the AC ion gate uses at least one power supply to apply at least one AC voltage to at least one grid element.3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the AC voltage is controlled by altering the AC waveform frequency and/or amplitude.4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first ion gate is a first AC ion gate.5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first AC ion gate has an AC waveform that is different from that of the second AC ion gate.6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the AC waveforms of the first and second AC ion gates have different frequency claim 5 , amplitude claim 5 , or both.7. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the AC waveform of the second AC ion gate is altered to a new waveform when targeted ions arrive at the second AC ion gate.8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the new waveform is to allow ions to pass through the second AC ion gate.9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drift gas is in uni- claim 1 , counter- claim 1 , or cross-flow direction.10. An ion mobility analyzer ...

MASS ANALYSER HAVING EXTENDED FLIGHT PATH

A time-of-flight or electrostatic trap mass analyzer is disclosed comprising: an ion flight region comprising a plurality of ion-optical elements (-) for guiding ions through the flight region in a deflection (x-y) plane. The ion-optical elements are arranged so as to define a plurality of identical ion-optical cells, wherein the ion-optical elements in each ion-optical cell are arranged and configured so as to generate electric fields for either focusing ions travelling in parallel at an ion entrance location of the cell to a point at an ion exit location of the cell, or for focusing ions diverging from a point at the ion entrance location to travel parallel at the ion exit location. Each ion-optical cell comprises a plurality of electrostatic sectors having different deflection radii for bending the flight path of the ions in the deflection (x-y) plane. The ion-optical elements in each cell are configured to generate electric fields that either (i) have mirror symmetry in the deflection plane about a line in the deflection plane that is perpendicular to a mean ion path through the cell at a point half way along the mean ion path through the cell, or (ii) have point symmetry in the deflection plane about a point in the deflection plane that is half way along the mean ion path through the cell. The ion-optical elements are arranged and configured such that, in the frame of reference of the ions, the ions are guided through the deflection plane in the ion-optical cells along mean flight paths that are of the same shape and length in each ion-optical cell. 1. A time-of-flight or electrostatic trap mass analyzer comprising:an ion flight region comprising a plurality of ion-optical elements for guiding ions through the flight region in a deflection (x-y) plane;wherein said ion-optical elements are arranged so as to define a plurality of identical ion-optical cells;wherein the ion-optical elements in each ion-optical cell are arranged and configured so as to generate ...

Ion Mobility Method and Apparatus

A method and system for performing an ion mobility based analysis that ionizes the components of a sample into ions; provides a field asymmetric waveform ion mobility or differential mobility spectrometry ion mobility based filter that comprises at least two electrodes, the at least two electrodes being spaced apart such that a constant sized gap is formed there between, through which a drift gas flows; introducing said ions into the drift gas, wherein said drift gas also comprises a mixture of liquid modifiers. 1. A method of utilizing a differential mobility spectrometer or a field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer , comprising:performing a first differential mobility or field asymmetric waveform ion mobility analysis of a sample at a first separation voltage,detecting an electric discharge taking place within the differential mobility spectrometer or field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer,if an electric discharge takes place, performing a second differential mobility or field asymmetric waveform ion mobility analysis of the sample at a second separation voltage wherein the second separation voltage is the same or higher than the first separation voltage,wherein the second differential mobility of field asymmetric waveform ion mobility analysis is performed by introducing a liquid modifier into a drift gas of the differential mobility spectrometer or the field asymmetric waveform ion spectrometer wherein the liquid modifier comprises an arc-suppressant modifier,determining whether an electric discharge takes place during the second differential mobility or field asymmetric waveform ion mobility analysis.2. The method of wherein the arc-suppressant modifier is operable to accept electrons.3. The method of wherein the arc-suppressant modifier is non-polar.4. The method of wherein the arc-suppressant modifier is chloroform.5. The method of wherein the first differential mobility or field asymmetric waveform ion mobility analysis is performed ...

Methods for Distinguishing Dioleinates of Aged and Non-Aged Olive Oil

Systems and methods are provided for selectively filtering 1,2-diolein and 1,3-dioleine ions from an olive oil sample. An ion source is instructed to ionize a mixture of an olive oil sample and a pre-ionization modifier. The pre-ionization modifier includes silver (Ag). A differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) device is instructed to separate ions received from the ion source and affected by a post-ionization modifier based on ion mobility. The second post-ionization modifier is butanol, for example. The DMS device is instructed to selectively filter separated 1,2-diolein precursor ions by selecting a first compensation voltage (CoV) for the DMS device. The first CoV is specific to separate 1,2-diolein precursor ions from 1,3-diolein precursor ions. The DMS device is instructed to selectively filter separated 1,3-diolein precursor ions by selecting a second CoV for the DMS device. The second CoV is specific to separate 1,3-diolein precursor ions from 1,2-diolein precursor ions. 1. A system for selectively filtering 1 ,2-diolein and 1 ,3-dioleine ions from an olive oil sample , comprising:an ion source configured to receive a mixture of an olive oil sample and a pre-ionization modifier and ionize the mixture;a differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) device configured to receive ions from the ion source, to receive a post-ionization modifier from a modifier source, to separate ions affected by the modifier based on ion mobility, and to selectively filter separated ions based on a compensation voltage (CoV); instructs the DMS device to separate ions received from the ion source and affected by the post-ionization modifier based on ion mobility,', 'instructs the DMS device to selectively filter separated 1,2-diolein precursor ions by selecting a first CoV for the DMS device, and', 'instructs the DMS device to selectively filter separated 1,3-diolein precursor ions by selecting a second CoV for the DMS device., 'a processor in communication with the ion source and the ...

Ion Mass Separation Using RF Extraction

An apparatus which has the capability of filtering unwanted species from an extracted ion beam without the use of a mass analyzer magnet is disclosed. The apparatus includes an ion source having chamber walls that are biased by an RF voltage. The use of RF extraction causes ions to exit the ion source at different energies, where the energy of each ion species is related to its mass. The extracted ion beam can then be filtered using only electrostatic energy filters to eliminate the unwanted species. The electrostatic energy filter may act as a high pass filter, allowing ions having an energy above a certain threshold to reach the workpiece. Alternatively, the electrostatic energy filter may act as a low pass filter, allowing ions having an energy below a certain threshold to reach the workpiece. In another embodiment, the electrostatic energy filter operates as a bandpass filter. 1. An apparatus for extracting an ion beam , comprising:an ion source having a plurality of chamber walls defining an ion source chamber, wherein one of the chamber walls comprises an extraction plate having an extraction aperture, wherein the extraction plate is biased using an RF voltage;extraction optics, disposed outside the ion source chamber, to extract an ion beam from the ion source chamber through the extraction aperture; andan electrostatic energy filter disposed downstream from the extraction optics to selectively allow certain ions from the ion beam to reach a workpiece.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the extraction optics are DC biased.3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electrostatic energy filter uses only electric fields to manipulate the ion beam.4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the electrostatic energy filter functions as a high pass filter claim 3 , passing ions having an energy greater than a first predetermined value.5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the electrostatic energy filter functions as a low pass filter claim 3 , passing ions having an ...