Abstract:
A pulsed ion source is disclosed wherein the ion source is energised one or more times to generate a first group of ions and a second group of ions. The first and second groups of ions are simultaneously transmitted through an ion guide whilst keeping the first and second groups of ions isolated from each other.
Abstract:
A linear ion trap (6,7,8) is disclosed comprising a central quadrupole rod set (6) and a post-filter quadrupole rod set (8). A 180° phase difference is maintained between axially adjacent rod electrodes of the central quadrupole rod set (6) and the post-filter quadrupole (8) so that an axial pseudo-potential barrier is created between the central quadrupole rod set (6) and the post-filter quadrupole (8). A supplementary AC voltage is applied to the rods of the central quadrupole (6) in order to radially excite ions which are desired to be ejected from the ion trap. The ions are ejected from the ion trap (6,7,8) non-adiabatically in an axial direction.
Abstract:
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an orthogonal acceleration Time of Flight mass analyser. A pulse or packet of ions is released either from an ion trap (7) or alternatively from a travelling wave ion guide arranged upstream of an orthogonal acceleration electrode (2) which forms part of the Time of Flight mass analyser. Ions in the pulse or packet of ions which is released become temporally dispersed and the orthogonal acceleration electrode (2) is energised multiple times prior the release of a subsequent pulse or packet of ions.
Abstract:
A collision or fragmentation cell (4) is disclosed comprising a plurality of electrodes wherein a first RF voltage (7a) is applied to an upstream group of electrodes and a second different RF voltage (7b) is applied to a downstream group of electrodes. The radial confinement of parent ions entering the collision or fragmentation cell (4) is optimised by the first RF voltage applied to the upstream group of electrodes and the radial confinement of daughter or fragment ions produced within the collision or fragmentation cell (4) is optimised by the second different RF voltage applied to the downstream group of electrodes.
Abstract:
An ion guide or mass analyser (2) is disclosed comprising a plurality of electrodes (2a) having apertures through which ions are transmitted in use. A pseudo-potential barrier is created at the exit of the ion guide or mass analyser (2). The amplitude or depth of the pseudo-potential barrier is inversely proportional to the mass to charge ratio of an ion. One or more transient DC voltages (4) are applied to the electrodes (2a) of the ion guide or mass analyser (2) in order to urge ions along the length of the ion guides or mass analyser (2). The amplitude of the transient DC voltage (4) applied to the electrode (2a) may be increased with time so that ions are caused to be emitted from the ion guide or mass analyser (2) in reverse order of their mass to charge ratio.
Abstract:
A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising automatically and repeatedly performing multiple cycles of operation, wherein a cycle of operation comprises the steps of: (i) mass analysing first ions; (ii) exposing the first ions to a first photo-dissociation device to form a plurality of second ions and mass analysing the second ions; and (iii) exposing the first ions to a first photo-dissociation device to form a plurality of second ions, fragmenting the second ions to form a plurality of third ions and mass analysing the third ions.
Abstract:
A mass or mass to charge ratio selective ion trap is disclosed which directs ions into a small ejection region. A RF voltage acts to confine ions in a first (y) direction within the ion trap. A DC or RF voltage acts to confine ions in a second (x) direction. A quadratic DC potential well acts to confine ions in a third (z) direction within the ion trap. The profile of the quadratic DC potential well progressively varies along the second (x) direction.
Abstract:
A mass or mass to charge ratio selective ion trap is disclosed having an increased charge storage capacity. A RF voltage acts to confine ions in a first (y) direction within the ion trap. A DC voltage and/or an RF voltage acts to confine ions in a second (x) direction within the ion trap. A quadratic DC potential well acts to confine ions in a third (z) direction within the ion trap. Ions are excited in the third (z) direction and are caused to be mass or mass to charge ratio selectively ejected in the third (z) direction.
Abstract:
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising two vacuum chambers maintained at different pressures. The two vacuum chambers are interconnected by a differential pumping aperture (5a). The effective area of the opening (5a) between the two vacuum chambers may be varied by rotating a disk (7) having an aperture (7) a in front of the differential pumping aperture (5a) so as to vary the gas flow rate through the opening (5a) and between the two chambers.
Abstract:
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion trap (14) and a fragmentation device (15). Ions are fragmented in the ion trap (14) to form first generation fragment ions. The ion trap (14) has a relatively high mass cut-off. The first generation fragment ions are then transferred to a fragmentation device (15) which is arranged to have a substantially lower low mass cut-off. The first generation fragment ions are fragmented within the fragmentation device (15) and may optionally be stored in an ion accumulation region (18) prior to being passed to a mass analyser (16) for subsequent mass analysis.