Abstract:
A method is disclosed for generating a mass spectrum, e.g. for Fourier transform mass spectrometry, having improved resolving power. The method includes steps of acquiring a plurality of mass spectra from a mass spectrometer using image current detection determining the centroids of at least some of the peaks which have a sufficient signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio so that the variation of the centroid of each such peak from the plurality of mass spectra is significantly lower than the full-width at half-maximum, dM, of the peak in the m/z domain; and generating a histogram of the centroids determined from the plurality of acquired mass spectra thereby forming a composite mass spectrum. The resultant composite mass spectrum comprises peaks having full-width at half-maximum, dMC, significantly narrower than the peak width, dM, of the corresponding peaks in the plurality of acquired mass spectra.
Abstract:
The invention relates to mass spectrometers in which ion clouds are stored in two spatial directions by radial forces while oscillating largely harmonically at a mass-specific frequency in a third spatial direction perpendicular to the other two, in a potential minimum, the shape of which is as close to a parabola as possible. Analysis of the oscillation frequencies of these ion clouds, preferably by a Fourier analysis, leads via a frequency spectrum to a mass spectrum. The frequency spectrum is analyzed to identify false signals in the frequency spectrum as harmonics and eliminating them where necessary.
Abstract:
A target supplier accelerates a target material injected from a nozzle such that a velocity of the target material after accelerated is kept within a predetermined range. The target supplier includes: a target nozzle that injects a target material in a liquid droplet state or solid particle state; an electric charge supplying unit that supplies electric charge to the target material; a charge amount measuring unit that measures an amount of the electric charge supplied to the target material by the electric charge supplying unit; a control unit that controls the electric charge supplying unit in a feedback manner based on a measurement result obtained by the charge amount measuring unit; and an accelerator that accelerates the target material supplied with the electric charge by the electric charge supplying unit.
Abstract:
The invention provides devices, device configurations and methods for improved sensitivity, resolution and efficiency in mass spectrometry, particularly as applied to biological molecules, including biological polymers, such as proteins and nucleic acids. More particularly, the invention provides methods and devices for analyzing and detecting electrically charged particles, especially suitable for gas phase ions generated from high molecular weight compounds. In one aspect, the invention provides devices and methods for determining the velocity, charged state or both of electrically charged particles and packets of electrically charged particles. In another aspect, the invention provides methods and devices for the time-of-flight analysis of electrically charged particles comprising spatially collimated sources. In another aspect, the invention relates to multiple detection using inductive detectors, improved methods of signal averaging and charged particle detection in coincidence.
Abstract:
The design and operation of a new type of charged-particle trap provides simultaneous measurements of mass, charge, and velocity of large electrospray ions. The trap consists of a detector tube mounted between two sets of center-bored trapping plates. Voltages applied to the trapping plates define symmetrically-opposing potential valleys which guide axially-injected ions to cycle back and forth through the charge-detection tube. A low noise charge-sensitive amplifier, connected to the tube, reproduces the image charge of individual ions as they pass through the detector tube. Ion mass is calculated from measurement of ion charge and velocity following each passage through the detector.
Abstract:
A method of processing an image-charge/current signal representative of one or more ions undergoing oscillatory motion within an ion analyser apparatus, the method comprising obtaining a recording of the image-charge/current signal generated by the ion analyser apparatus in the time domain. By a signal processing unit, the method includes selecting N (where N is an integer>1) separate values (OPn, where n=1 to N; N≥M) of the frequency-domain spectrum of the image-charge/current signal each from amongst a plurality of spectral peaks which include a harmonic peak associated with a target ion. By solving a system of equations:
OP n
=
∑
m = 1
N
α
n m
×
TP m
,
for
n
=
1
to
N
;
N ≥ M
where αnm are coefficients and TPm are corrected values of the spectrum, the charge of the target ion is determined based on a magnitude of a corrected value(s) (TPm) associated with that ion.
Abstract:
A charge detection mass spectrometer, CDMS, is described. The CDMS comprises: an electrostatic sector field ion trap and an inductive charge detector, wherein the electrostatic sector field ion trap is configured to define, at least in part, an ion path via the inductive charge detector; and a fragmentation device. A method is also described.
Abstract:
A method of mass spectral analysis in an analytical electrostatic trap (14) is disclosed. The electrostatic trap (14) defines an electrostatic field volume and includes trap electrodes having static and non-ramped potentials. The method comprises injecting a continuous ion beam into the electrostatic field volume.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and device for measuring m/z ratios of ions in ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) mass spectrometry. The described ion traps for ICR mass spectrometry are distinct from the previous configurations by having one or many narrow aperture (flat) detection electrodes that could be moved radially inward the ICR trap, for example on the plane where radiofrequency excitation potential is minimal, closer to the post-excitation ion trajectories.
Abstract:
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.