Abstract:
A method and apparatus for analyzing ions by determining times of flight including using a collision cell to activate ions toward fragmentation and a deflector to direct ions away from their otherwise intended or parallel course. Deflectors are used as gates, so that particular ions may be selected for deflection, while others are allowed to continue along their parallel or otherwise straight path, from the ion source, through a flight tube, and eventually, to a detector. According to the present invention, a postselector, in the form of two deflection plates is used as an ion deflector and is encountered by ions after the collision cell as they progress through the spectrometer.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus to direct ions away from their otherwise intended or parallel course. Deflectors are used to establish electric fields in regions through which ions are to pass. With such electric fields, ions may be deflected to a desired trajectory. According to the present invention, a multideflector, in the form of a series of bipolar plates spaced evenly across the ion beam path, is used as an ion deflector.
Abstract:
An arrangement and a process for adjusting imaging systems for bundles of charged particles, or for adjusting spectrometers for bundles of charged particles, are indicated, in which arrangement and process electric and/or magnetic correcting elements are used, which possess, in every case, a large number of electrodes and/or current conductors, which are arranged, symmetrically or asymmetrically, around the optical axis of the particle bundle, these electrodes being at potentials such that the resulting potentials V (r, .PHI.) at an azimuth angle (.PHI.) to a cylindrical surface at a radius (r) around an optical axis (Z) can be represented as the sum of V.sub.1 and V.sub.2, or, as the case may be, these current conductors carrying currents such that the magnitudes of the resulting currents I (r, .PHI.) at the azimuth angle (.PHI.), as defined above, can be represented as the sum of I.sub.1 and I.sub.2. The expressions V.sub.1, V.sub.2 and I.sub.1, I.sub.2 can, in their turn, be represented as sums, their addends being, respectively, of the type V.sub.1 =V.sub.1k sink.PHI., V.sub.2 =V.sub.2k cosk.PHI., and I.sub.1 =I.sub.1k sink.PHI. and I.sub.2 =I.sub.2k cosk.PHI., where k=1, 2, . . . P, with P representing the order of the multipole. The potentials and/or the currents are utilized, in this manner, to obtain superpositions of electric and/or magnetic dipoles, quadrupoles, hexapoles, etc.
Abstract:
A method of introducing and ejecting ions from an ion entry/exit device 4 is disclosed. The ion entry/exit device 4 has at least two arrays of electrodes 20,22. 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 20,22 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 20,22 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.
Abstract:
A time-of-flight (ToF) mass analyser determines mass to charge ratio (m/z) of ions by determining flight times along an ion path. In first and second modes of operation, flight times of the ions along the ion path are determined to obtain respective first and second sets of data. In the first and second modes, the ion path has first and second path lengths and the paths are maintained at first and second pressures, respectively, wherein the first and second path lengths and/or the first and second pressures are different. An ion peak in the first set of data is compared to a corresponding ion peak in the second set of data, and a collision cross section of the associated ions is determined based on the comparison.
Abstract:
A method of introducing and ejecting ions from an ion entry/exit device (4) is disclosed. The ion entry/exit device (4) has at least two arrays of electrodes (20,22). 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 ((20,22) 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 (20,22) 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.
Abstract:
In one aspect, an ion guide for use in a mass spectrometer is disclosed, which comprises a pair of printed circuit boards (PCBs) having an inlet for receiving a plurality of ions from an upstream ion source and outlet through which the ions exit the ion guide. The ion guide includes at least two ion paths provided in the space between the two PCBs for transmission of ions from the inlet to the outlet. The ion guide can further include at least one ion-routing device that can be coupled to the ions paths for selecting a propagation path of the ions between those ion paths. In some embodiments, the two ion paths can have at least one segment in common.
Abstract:
One mode of the mass spectrometer according to the present invention is a mass spectrometer including an ion source configured to ionize a component contained in a sample gas, the ion source (3) including: an ionization chamber (30) having an ion ejection opening (301) and forming a space substantially partitioned from an outside inside the ionization chamber; a thermal electron supply unit (32) configured to supply thermal electrons to an inside of the ionization chamber; a magnetic field forming unit (34, 35) configured to form a magnetic field inside the ionization chamber such that the thermal electrons move helically; and a deflection electric field forming unit (37, 7) configured to form a deflection electric field deflecting ions derived from the component generated in the ionization chamber by a direct or indirect action of the thermal electrons in a direction against a force received from the magnetic field when the ions are moving toward the ion ejection opening.
Abstract:
A rigid hull with a flat bottom is covered on the underside by a membrane or sail that is held taut and flush during flight mode for improved aerodynamics with conventional landing gear behind it that is attached to a rail or ski with hinges such that when the landing gear is deployed, the ski presses into the membrane, approximately forming the shape of a boat hull for maritime situations and soft landing especially.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for ion accumulation are disclosed. An apparatus for ion accumulation includes multiple regions. A first region receives and transfers ions to a second region using a first drive potential. The second region is switchable between a first state where it generates a first electric field preventing ions from further movement and entering a third region, and a second state where it generates a second electric field that guides the ions toward the third region. When in the first state, the ions are prevented from further movement by the first electric field, which causes the ions to accumulate in the second region. When in the second state, the ions are moved from the second region to the third region by the second electric field. A method of accumulating ions involves switching an electric field applied to a region between a trap state and a release state.