摘要:
To provide comprehensive (i.e. rapid and sensitive) MS-MS analysis, the inventor employs a time-nested separation, using two time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometers. Parent ions are separated in a slow and long TOF1, operating at low ion energy (1 to l00eV), and fragment ions are mass analyzed in a fast and short TOF2, operating at much higher keV energy. Low energy fragmentation cell between TOF1 and TOF2 is tailored to accelerate fragmentation and dampening steps, mostly by shortening the cell and employing higher gas pressure. Since separation in TOF1 takes milliseconds and mass analysis in TOF2- microseconds, the invention provides comprehensive MS-MS analysis of multiple precursor ions per single ion pulse. Slow separation in TOF1 becomes possible with an introduction of novel TOF1 analyzers. The TOF-TOF could be implemented using a static TOF1, here described on the examples of spiratron, planar and cylindrical multi-pass separators with griddles spatial focusing ion mirrors. Higher performance is expected with the use of novel hybrid TOF 1 analyzers, combining radio frequency (RF) and quadratic DC fields. RF field retains low-energy ions within TOF 1 analyzer, while quadratic DC field improves resolution by compensate for large relative energy spread.
摘要:
A crucible and sample handling system and method provides a crucible-holding cartridge (50) which is prepackaged to hold a plurality of crucibles (30). Upon removal of an end cap exposing an exit aperture, it is loaded onto a crucible delivery assembly which discharges individual crucibles (30) from the cartridge (50) on a platform (92) where a pick-and-place arm (200) assembly places the crucible (30) in a combustion furnace (40). Individual samples are dropped from stacked sample holding carousels (340-345) onto a balance (25), after weighing, are pneumatically drawn from the balance and introduced into the furnace (40) and crucible (30) for combustion.
摘要:
A non-conductive isolator (10) for supporting a sample (137) to be analyzed by radio frequency energy induced glow discharge techniques has a conductive ring (19) for coupling a source of radio frequency energy to the same surface of the sample which is in direct contact with the induced glow discharge. An adapter kit for converting a direct current glow discharge analysis apparatus to a radio frequency energy induced flow discharge is described as well as the method of analysing non-conductive and conductive samples using a source of RF energy coupled to the same sample surface being analyzed.
摘要:
A sample autoloader (50) loads a sample into a furnace (54) and removes a sample from the furnace. The sample autoloader includes a sealing plate (70) for sealing the furnace. The sample autoloader also includes a mechanism (76) for pushing a sample into the furnace and removing a sample from the furnace . The sample autoloader may include a hotel (56) which stores sample containers (52) for automatic loading and a container (86) which receives spent sample containers.
摘要:
An ion mirror is disclosed comprising an ion entrance electrode section (62) at the ion entrance to the ion mirror, an energy focussing electrode section (66) for reflecting ions back along a longitudinal axis towards said ion entrance, and a spatial focussing electrode section (64) arranged between the ion entrance electrode section (62) and the energy focussing electrode section (66) for spatially focussing the ions. One or more DC voltage supply is provided to apply a DC potential to the ion entrance electrode section (62) that is intermediate the DC potential applied to the spatial focussing electrode section (64) and the DC potential applied to the energy focussing electrode section (66). The ion mirror further comprises: (i) at least one first transition electrode (68) arranged between said ion entrance electrode section (62) and said spatial focussing electrode section (64), wherein said one or more DC voltage supply is configured to apply a DC potential to said at least one first transition electrode that is intermediate the DC potential applied to the ion entrance electrode section (62) and the DC potential applied to the spatial focussing electrode section (64); and (ii) at least one second transition electrode (69) arranged between said energy focussing electrode section (66) and said spatial focussing electrode section (64), wherein said one or more DC voltage supply is configured to apply a DC potential to said at least one second transition electrode (69) that is intermediate the DC potential applied to the spatial focussing electrode section (64) and the DC potential applied to the ion entrance electrode section (62).
摘要:
To provide comprehensive (i.e. rapid and sensitive) MS-MS analysis, the inventor employs a time-nested separation, using two time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometers. Parent ions are separated in a slow and long TOF1, operating at low ion energy (1 to l00eV), and fragment ions are mass analyzed in a fast and short TOF2, operating at much higher keV energy. Low energy fragmentation cell between TOF1 and TOF2 is tailored to accelerate fragmentation and dampening steps, mostly by shortening the cell and employing higher gas pressure. Since separation in TOF1 takes milliseconds and mass analysis in TOF2- microseconds, the invention provides comprehensive MS-MS analysis of multiple precursor ions per single ion pulse. Slow separation in TOF1 becomes possible with an introduction of novel TOF1 analyzers. The TOF-TOF could be implemented using a static TOF1, here described on the examples of spiratron, planar and cylindrical multi-pass separators with griddles spatial focusing ion mirrors. Higher performance is expected with the use of novel hybrid TOF 1 analyzers, combining radio frequency (RF) and quadratic DC fields. RF field retains low-energy ions within TOF 1 analyzer, while quadratic DC field improves resolution by compensate for large relative energy spread.