CA2351700A1 - Mass spectrometers and methods of mass spectrometry - Google Patents
Mass spectrometers and methods of mass spectrometry Download PDFInfo
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- CA2351700A1 CA2351700A1 CA002351700A CA2351700A CA2351700A1 CA 2351700 A1 CA2351700 A1 CA 2351700A1 CA 002351700 A CA002351700 A CA 002351700A CA 2351700 A CA2351700 A CA 2351700A CA 2351700 A1 CA2351700 A1 CA 2351700A1
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- Prior art keywords
- mass spectrometer
- vacuum chamber
- ion guide
- ion
- mbar
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J49/00—Particle spectrometers or separator tubes
- H01J49/02—Details
- H01J49/06—Electron- or ion-optical arrangements
- H01J49/062—Ion guides
- H01J49/065—Ion guides having stacked electrodes, e.g. ring stack, plate stack
Abstract
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a ring electrode ion guide 15 which spans two or more vacuum chambers 18,19. preferably, one of the ring electrodes 8 may also form true differential pumping aperture which separates the two vacuum chambers 18,19.
Description
75566.351 MASS SPECTROMETERS AND METHODS OF MASS SPECTROMETRY
The present invention relates to mass spectrometers arid methods of ma~;s spectromet.r-y.
Ion guides comprising rf-only multipole rod sets such as quadrupoles, hexapoles and octopoles are well known.
Whitehouse and co-workers have disclosed in W098/06481. and W099/62101 an arrangements wherein a multipole rod set ion guide extends between two vacuum chambers. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, since each rc~d in a multipole rod set has a typical d_i_amet:er of around 5 mm, and a space must be provided bet=ween opposed rods in order for there to be an ion guiding r_ec~ion, then the interchamber aperture when using such an arrangement is correspondingly ve:r~r large (i.e. > 15 mm in diameter?
with a correspondine~ cross sectional area > 150 mm'.
Such large interch<~mber aperture: drastically reduce the effectiveness of thEe vacuum pumps which are most effective when the i.nterchamber orifice is as small as possible (i.e. only a few millimetres in diameter).
It is therefore desired to provide an improved interchamber ion guide.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 1.
Conventional arrangements typically provide two discrete multipole ion guides in adjacent vacuum chambers with a differential pumping aperture therebetween. Such arrangement :puffer from a disruption to the rf field ne._z.r the end of_ a multipole rod set and other end effects. However, according to the preferred embodiment of the yresent invention, the ions do not leave the ion guide as they pass from one vacuum chamber to another. Accor~:lingly, E=_nd eff_ect problems are L
effectively eliminated thereby resulting in improved ion transmission.
An ion guide comprised of ring electrodes may take two dif ferent: form; . In a f first form all the ring electrodes are sub'~tantia=Lly she same and have substantially the same size internal apertures. Such an arrangement i_s known as an "iom tunnel". However, a second form referred to a:~ an "ion funnel" is known wherein the ring <electrodes have internal apertures which become progressively smaller in size.
The preferred embodiment c~f the present invention uses an ion t~unne=i. ion guide and. it has been found that an ion tunnel ion guide exhibits an approximately 25-750 improvement in ion transmission efficiency compared with a conventional mu=I_tipole, e.g. hexapole, ion guide of comparable length. The reason; for this enhanced i.on transmission efficiency are not:. fully understood, but. it is thought that ttxe ion tunnel may have a greater acceptance angle and a greater acceptance area than a comparable multipc~le rod set i_c>n guide.
Accordingly, one advantacte of the preferred embodiment is an improv~=meat in ion transmission efficiency.
Although an i.on tunnel ion guide is preferred, according to a less preferred embodiment, the inter-vacuum chamber ion guidE=_ rnay womprise an ion funnel. In order to act as an ion guide, a do potential gradient must be applied along the lengt=h of the ion funnel in order to urge ion~~ thrcn~gh the progressively smaller internal aperture; of the ring electrodes. The application of a do potential_ gradient:, however, may cause the ion funnel to suffer from having a narrow mass to charge ratio bandpass tran~,mission e:Eficiency. Such problems are not found when nr.-;ing an ion tunnel ion guide.
For the avoidance of any doubt, various types of ion optical devices other than a ring e:Lectrode ion guide are known including mult.ipole rod sets, Einzel _ 3 _ lenses, segmented multipol_es, short (so:lid) quadrupole pre/post filt=er lc_~nses ( "~~tubbies" ) , 3D quadrupole ion traps comprising a central. dou<~hnut shaped electrode together with two concave end cap electrodes, and linear (2D) quadrupole is>n traps comprising a multipole rod set with entrance and exit ring electrodes. However, such devices should not: be con~;trued as representing a ring electrode ion guide wit.hir~ the meaning of the present.
application.
According to a particularly preferred feature of the present inventi:~n, one of the ring electrodes forming the ion guide m<~y form or constitute a differential pumpin~.~ aperture between two vacuum chambers. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous since it a=Llcws the interchamber orific~e~ to be much smaller than that which would be provided if a multipole rod set ion guide were used. A smaller interchamber orifi.cc~ allows the: vacuum pumps pumping each vacuum chamber to operate more efficiently.
The ring electrode forming the differential pumping aperture may either have an internal aperture of different size (i.e. smaller) than the other ring electrodes forming the ion guide or may have the same sized internal aperture. The ring electrode forming the differential pumping aperture and/or the other ring electrodes may have an internal diameter selected from the group comprising: (i) 1.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (ii) 2.0 ~ 0.5 mm; ( iii ) 3 . 0 ~ 0 . 5 mm; ( i.v) 4 . 0 ~ 0 . 5 mm; (v) 5 . 0 + 0 . 5 mm; (vi) 6.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (vii) 7.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (viii) 8.0 ~
0.5 mm; (ix) 9.0 ~_ 0.5 mm; (x) 10.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (xi) 10.0 mm; (xii) 9.0 mm; (xiii) 8.0 mm; (xiv) < 7.0 mm; (xv) _ 6.0 mm; (xvi) . 5.0 mrn; (xvii) _ 4.0 mm;
(xviii) _ 3.0 mm; (:~c=ix) 2.0 mm; (xx) 1.0 mm; (xxi) 0-2 mm; (xxii) 2-4 rnm; (xxii.i) 4-6 mm; (xxiv) 6-8 mm;
and (xxv) 8-10 mm.
The differential pumping aperture pray have an area selected from the g~~oup comprising: (i) 40 mm'; (ii) _ 35 mm'; (iii) <30 rnrn-; (iv) 25 mm ; (v) _ 20 mm~; (vi) _ 15 mm ; (vii) 10 mrru; and (viii) 5 mm~. The area of the differential pumping aparture rnay therefore be more than an order: of rnagnitude smaller than the area of the differential pumping apert~.~re inherent with using a multipole ion guide to ext=end between two vacuum regions.
The ion guidE:may cornprise at least 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, -~80, 190 or 200 ring electrodes. At least ~)Oo, pre:=erably 1000 of the ring electrodes may be arranged anc~ adapted to be maintained at substantially the same do voltage or are connectE=d to a common do voltage supply.
Accox.-ding to the pref=errec:l embodiment, when the ion guide extends between two tractrum chambers, the pressure in the upstream v~~cuum chamber may, preferably, be. (i) 0.5 mbar; (iij 0.7 mbar; rii) 1..0 mbar; (iv) >_ 1.3 mbar; (v) _ 1.5 mbar; (vi) > 2.0 mbar; (vii) >_ 5.0 mbar; (viii) 10.0 mbar; (ix) 1-5 mbar; (x) 1-2 mbar;
or (xi) 0.5-1.5 mi~ar. 'rhe pressure in the downstream vacuum chamber rnay, pre f erably, be : 1 i ) 10 -'-10- mbar ;
(ii) __ 2 x 10 j mbar; (iii; '~ x: 10 mbar; (iv) < 10 mbar; (v) 10 '-5 x 1.0 ' mbar; or (vi) 5 x 10 '-10 mb~ir.
At least a majority, preferably all, of the ring electrodes forming the ion guide may have apertures having internal diarnete:rs or dimensions: (i) <_ 5.0 rnm;
(ii) _4.5 mrn; (iii) _ 4.0 mm; (iv) 3.5 mm; (v) < 3.0 mm; (vi) 2.5 mm; (vii) 3.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (viii) <_ 10.0 mm;
(ix) _. 9 . 0 mm; (x) - 8 , 0 mm; (xi) '7. 0 mm; (xii) _< 6 . 0 mm; (xiii) 5.0 ~ 0.5 mm; or- (xiv) 4-6 mm.
The length of the ion guide may ~>e: (i) >_ 100 mm;
(ii) 120 mm; (iii) >_ 150 mm; (iv) 130 ~ 10 mm; (v) 100-150 mm; (vi) 160 mm; (vii) _. 180 mm; (viii) s 200 mm; (ix) 130-150 mm; (x) 1.20-=:.80 mm; (xi) 120-140 mrn;
(xii) 130 mm -~ 5, 10, 15, 20, 2.5 or 30 mm; (xiii) 50-300 mm; (xiv) 150-300 mm; (xv) 50 mm; (xvi) 50-100 mm;
(xvii) 60-90 mm; (xwiii) 75 mm; (xix) 50-75 mm; (xx) 75-100 mm; (xxi) approx. 25 cm; (xxii) 24-28 cm; (x:~i.ii) c, 20-30 cm; or (xxi~r) > 30 cm.
According to a preferred ~~rnbodiment, the ion source may be an atrnosphc_~ric pre:~sure ion source such as an Electrospray ("ES") ion source or an Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionisation ("A.PCI") ion source.
According to an a:Lternative embodiment, the ion source may be a Matrix A;~sisted baser Desorption Ionisation ("MALDI") ion source.
The mas:~ spectrometer preferably comprises either a time-of-f:Light ma:~~s analyser, preferably an orthogonal time of flight mass analy~~er, a quadrupole mass analyser or a quadrupole ion trap.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there i.s provided a mass spectrometer as claimed in c7_aim al.
Preferably, ~r ring electrode of the ion guide forms a differential pun;ping <~perture between the first and second vacuum chambers.
Preferably, the mass spectrometer comprises means for supplying an zf-voltage tc> the ring electrodes and a.Lso preferably means for maint=aining all the ring e.Lectrodes at. sub~atantially ttie same do potential.
According to a thi=rd aspe<:t of the present invention, there i..s provided a mass spectrometer as claimed in claim <;4.
Preferably, pit least 5, J.O, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or 100 of the ring electrodes are disposed in one or both vacuum ch~imbers .
According to a fou=rth aspect of the present invention, there i.s provided a mass spectrometer as c:Laimed in claim a:9.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there i.s provided a mass spectrometer as c=Laimed in claim 30.
Preferably, ~a differential pumping aperture between the vacuum chambers is formed by a ring electrode of the ion guide, the di:f=:ferentiai pumping aperture having an area - 20 mm?, preferabl.y ~._ 15 mm', further preferably <_ mm- .
According to a sixth <aspect of the present invention, there i.s provided a mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 32.
5 According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there i_s provided a mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 33.
According to a eighth. aspect of the present invention, there i.s provided a mass spectrometer as 10 c7_aimed in claim 34.
According t=o t~~r.is embodimen~ a substantially continuous ion tunnel ion guide tnay be provided which extends through two, three, four or more vacuum chambers. Also, in;~tead of each vacuum chamber being separately pumped, a~ single split flow vacuum pump may preferably be used.t~o pump each chamber.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a me=_thod of: mass spectrometry as claimed in claim 35.
According to a tenth aspect. of the present invention, there is provided a method of: mass spectrometry as cla:irned in claim 36.
According t:o an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a m<~ss spectrometer as claimed in claim 37.
Various embod.irnents of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 shows an ion tunnel ion guide; and Fig. 2 shows a preferred arrangement.
As shown in Fig. 1, an ion tunnel 1.5 comprises a plurality of ring e:Lectrodes 15a,15b. Adjacent ring electrodes l5a,l5b are connected to different phase; of an rf power supply. For example, the first, third, fifth etc. ring electrodes 15a may be connected to the 0°
phase supply 16a, and the :~ecor_d, fourth, sixth etc.
ring electrodes 15b may be conr:ec~ted to the 180" phase supply 16b. Ions from an i.on source pass through the _ y _ ion tunnel 15 and are efficiently transmitted by it. In contrast to an ion funnel arrangement, preferably all of the ring electrodes 1~a,15b are maintained at substantially the same do voltage/potential. Unlike ion traps, blocking d~_~ potent_ials are riot applied to either the entrance or e:~i_t of the ion tunnel 15. Instead, all the ring electrode='s are maintained at substantially the same do potential during operation, preferably by connecting all thE: ring elect~~odes 15a, 15b to a common do voltage supply.
Fig. 2 :shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. An ElErctrospray ( "ES" ) ion source 1 or an Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionisation ("APCI") ion source 1 (which requires a corona pin 2) emits ions which enter a first vacuum chamber 17 pumped by a rot:ary o:r mechanical pumL> 4 via a sample cone 3 and a portion of the gas and ions pa~~se:> through a first differential pumping aperture a?1 preferably maintained at 50-120V
into a second vacuum chamber 7_8 housing an ion tunnel ion guide 15 whicLo. extends into a third vacuum chamber 1'3. The second vacuum chamber 18 is pumped by a rotary or mechanical. pump 7. Ions are transmitted by the ion guide 15 through the second vacuum chamber 18 and p<~~>s, without exiting true ion guide =~5, through a second differential pumping apert:are E3 formed by a ring e=Lectrode of the i.on tunne_L ion guide 15 into a thi:rc~
vacuum chamber :19 pumped by a turbo-molecular pump 10.
Ions continue to be transmitted by the .ion tunnel ion guide 15 t:hrc>ugh the third vacuum chamber 19. The ions then leave the ion guide 7_5 and pass through a third d=ifferential pumping aperture -~1 into a fourth vacuum chamber 20 which i.s pumped by a turbo-molecular pump 14.
The fourth vacuum chamber 20 houses a p_refilter rod :yet 1:?, a first quadrupole ma:>:~ fi~.ter/analyser 13 and may include other elen~ent.~ such a~> a colli_s:ion cell (not shown) , a seconc:l cluadrupol_e mass f:ilter/analyser together with an i.on detector (not shown) or a time of flight analyser (not :~hownl .
An rE--vc_~ltagt-a i s app:Lied to the ring electrodes and the ion tunnel 15 is preferably maintained at 0-2 V do above the do potential of the third differential pumping aperture Ll which is preferab:Ly at ground (0 V dc) when two quadrupol.e ma>s filters/analysers are provided in the fourth vacuum chamber 20. I-however, if a time of flight mass analy:~er is u:~ed instead of a second quadrupole mass az-zalyser t: hen .he ion tunnel ion guide may be maintained at: 0--2V. According to other 10 embodiments, the t:bird dif=ferential pumping aperture 11 may be maintained at ot=her do pctentials.
Although an r~f vo7_taqe an<~ optionally a do potential may be applied to the ring electrodes forming the ion tunnel 15, the ion tunnel 15 may nonetheless be 15 referred to as being an "rf-on7_y" ion guide since all the ring electrodE~s are ma:int~zined at substantially t:he same do potential ( in contrast: to a quadrupole mass falter wherein ad-jacent. rod e7_ectrode:~ are maintained at different do potemtial_s) .
The ion tunnE:l 15 is preferably about 26 cm long and in one embodiment compr_isF~s approximately 170 ring e=Lectrodes. The :second vacuum chamber :18 is preferably maintained at a pz~essure 1 mbar, and the third vacuum chamber 19 is pref erably maintained at: a pressure o:E 10--10-~ mbar. 'rhe ion guide 15 i.s preferably supplied with an rf-voltage at a frequency of between 1-2 MHz.
However, accordincf to other_ embodiment:s, rf frequenci_es of 800kHz-3MHz may :be u:~ed. The ring e=Lectrodes fo=rming the ion tunnel 15 preferably Lwzve circular aperture:
which are approximately 3-5 mm in diameter.
Embodiments of the: present: invention are also contemplated wherF:i:rz ring elect:rodes of the ion tunnel in one vacuum chamber have a c_iifferent peak rf voltage amplitude compared with. ring electrodes of the same i.on tunnel which are disposed .in a second vacuum chamber.
For example, with r~sference tc> Fig. 2 the ring electrodes disposed in c=hamber 18 may be coupled to the ri= power supply 16a, 16b v:ia az cvapacitor but the ring _ c~
electrodes di.sposced. in chamber 19 may be directly coupled to the rf powe~~ supply 16a, 16b. Accordingly, the ring electrodE~s dispo:~ed i.n chamber 19 may see a peak rf voltage oi:- 500V, but the ring electrodes disposed in chambe.~r 18 may see a peak rf voltage of 300V.
The present invention relates to mass spectrometers arid methods of ma~;s spectromet.r-y.
Ion guides comprising rf-only multipole rod sets such as quadrupoles, hexapoles and octopoles are well known.
Whitehouse and co-workers have disclosed in W098/06481. and W099/62101 an arrangements wherein a multipole rod set ion guide extends between two vacuum chambers. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, since each rc~d in a multipole rod set has a typical d_i_amet:er of around 5 mm, and a space must be provided bet=ween opposed rods in order for there to be an ion guiding r_ec~ion, then the interchamber aperture when using such an arrangement is correspondingly ve:r~r large (i.e. > 15 mm in diameter?
with a correspondine~ cross sectional area > 150 mm'.
Such large interch<~mber aperture: drastically reduce the effectiveness of thEe vacuum pumps which are most effective when the i.nterchamber orifice is as small as possible (i.e. only a few millimetres in diameter).
It is therefore desired to provide an improved interchamber ion guide.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 1.
Conventional arrangements typically provide two discrete multipole ion guides in adjacent vacuum chambers with a differential pumping aperture therebetween. Such arrangement :puffer from a disruption to the rf field ne._z.r the end of_ a multipole rod set and other end effects. However, according to the preferred embodiment of the yresent invention, the ions do not leave the ion guide as they pass from one vacuum chamber to another. Accor~:lingly, E=_nd eff_ect problems are L
effectively eliminated thereby resulting in improved ion transmission.
An ion guide comprised of ring electrodes may take two dif ferent: form; . In a f first form all the ring electrodes are sub'~tantia=Lly she same and have substantially the same size internal apertures. Such an arrangement i_s known as an "iom tunnel". However, a second form referred to a:~ an "ion funnel" is known wherein the ring <electrodes have internal apertures which become progressively smaller in size.
The preferred embodiment c~f the present invention uses an ion t~unne=i. ion guide and. it has been found that an ion tunnel ion guide exhibits an approximately 25-750 improvement in ion transmission efficiency compared with a conventional mu=I_tipole, e.g. hexapole, ion guide of comparable length. The reason; for this enhanced i.on transmission efficiency are not:. fully understood, but. it is thought that ttxe ion tunnel may have a greater acceptance angle and a greater acceptance area than a comparable multipc~le rod set i_c>n guide.
Accordingly, one advantacte of the preferred embodiment is an improv~=meat in ion transmission efficiency.
Although an i.on tunnel ion guide is preferred, according to a less preferred embodiment, the inter-vacuum chamber ion guidE=_ rnay womprise an ion funnel. In order to act as an ion guide, a do potential gradient must be applied along the lengt=h of the ion funnel in order to urge ion~~ thrcn~gh the progressively smaller internal aperture; of the ring electrodes. The application of a do potential_ gradient:, however, may cause the ion funnel to suffer from having a narrow mass to charge ratio bandpass tran~,mission e:Eficiency. Such problems are not found when nr.-;ing an ion tunnel ion guide.
For the avoidance of any doubt, various types of ion optical devices other than a ring e:Lectrode ion guide are known including mult.ipole rod sets, Einzel _ 3 _ lenses, segmented multipol_es, short (so:lid) quadrupole pre/post filt=er lc_~nses ( "~~tubbies" ) , 3D quadrupole ion traps comprising a central. dou<~hnut shaped electrode together with two concave end cap electrodes, and linear (2D) quadrupole is>n traps comprising a multipole rod set with entrance and exit ring electrodes. However, such devices should not: be con~;trued as representing a ring electrode ion guide wit.hir~ the meaning of the present.
application.
According to a particularly preferred feature of the present inventi:~n, one of the ring electrodes forming the ion guide m<~y form or constitute a differential pumpin~.~ aperture between two vacuum chambers. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous since it a=Llcws the interchamber orific~e~ to be much smaller than that which would be provided if a multipole rod set ion guide were used. A smaller interchamber orifi.cc~ allows the: vacuum pumps pumping each vacuum chamber to operate more efficiently.
The ring electrode forming the differential pumping aperture may either have an internal aperture of different size (i.e. smaller) than the other ring electrodes forming the ion guide or may have the same sized internal aperture. The ring electrode forming the differential pumping aperture and/or the other ring electrodes may have an internal diameter selected from the group comprising: (i) 1.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (ii) 2.0 ~ 0.5 mm; ( iii ) 3 . 0 ~ 0 . 5 mm; ( i.v) 4 . 0 ~ 0 . 5 mm; (v) 5 . 0 + 0 . 5 mm; (vi) 6.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (vii) 7.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (viii) 8.0 ~
0.5 mm; (ix) 9.0 ~_ 0.5 mm; (x) 10.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (xi) 10.0 mm; (xii) 9.0 mm; (xiii) 8.0 mm; (xiv) < 7.0 mm; (xv) _ 6.0 mm; (xvi) . 5.0 mrn; (xvii) _ 4.0 mm;
(xviii) _ 3.0 mm; (:~c=ix) 2.0 mm; (xx) 1.0 mm; (xxi) 0-2 mm; (xxii) 2-4 rnm; (xxii.i) 4-6 mm; (xxiv) 6-8 mm;
and (xxv) 8-10 mm.
The differential pumping aperture pray have an area selected from the g~~oup comprising: (i) 40 mm'; (ii) _ 35 mm'; (iii) <30 rnrn-; (iv) 25 mm ; (v) _ 20 mm~; (vi) _ 15 mm ; (vii) 10 mrru; and (viii) 5 mm~. The area of the differential pumping aparture rnay therefore be more than an order: of rnagnitude smaller than the area of the differential pumping apert~.~re inherent with using a multipole ion guide to ext=end between two vacuum regions.
The ion guidE:may cornprise at least 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, -~80, 190 or 200 ring electrodes. At least ~)Oo, pre:=erably 1000 of the ring electrodes may be arranged anc~ adapted to be maintained at substantially the same do voltage or are connectE=d to a common do voltage supply.
Accox.-ding to the pref=errec:l embodiment, when the ion guide extends between two tractrum chambers, the pressure in the upstream v~~cuum chamber may, preferably, be. (i) 0.5 mbar; (iij 0.7 mbar; rii) 1..0 mbar; (iv) >_ 1.3 mbar; (v) _ 1.5 mbar; (vi) > 2.0 mbar; (vii) >_ 5.0 mbar; (viii) 10.0 mbar; (ix) 1-5 mbar; (x) 1-2 mbar;
or (xi) 0.5-1.5 mi~ar. 'rhe pressure in the downstream vacuum chamber rnay, pre f erably, be : 1 i ) 10 -'-10- mbar ;
(ii) __ 2 x 10 j mbar; (iii; '~ x: 10 mbar; (iv) < 10 mbar; (v) 10 '-5 x 1.0 ' mbar; or (vi) 5 x 10 '-10 mb~ir.
At least a majority, preferably all, of the ring electrodes forming the ion guide may have apertures having internal diarnete:rs or dimensions: (i) <_ 5.0 rnm;
(ii) _4.5 mrn; (iii) _ 4.0 mm; (iv) 3.5 mm; (v) < 3.0 mm; (vi) 2.5 mm; (vii) 3.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (viii) <_ 10.0 mm;
(ix) _. 9 . 0 mm; (x) - 8 , 0 mm; (xi) '7. 0 mm; (xii) _< 6 . 0 mm; (xiii) 5.0 ~ 0.5 mm; or- (xiv) 4-6 mm.
The length of the ion guide may ~>e: (i) >_ 100 mm;
(ii) 120 mm; (iii) >_ 150 mm; (iv) 130 ~ 10 mm; (v) 100-150 mm; (vi) 160 mm; (vii) _. 180 mm; (viii) s 200 mm; (ix) 130-150 mm; (x) 1.20-=:.80 mm; (xi) 120-140 mrn;
(xii) 130 mm -~ 5, 10, 15, 20, 2.5 or 30 mm; (xiii) 50-300 mm; (xiv) 150-300 mm; (xv) 50 mm; (xvi) 50-100 mm;
(xvii) 60-90 mm; (xwiii) 75 mm; (xix) 50-75 mm; (xx) 75-100 mm; (xxi) approx. 25 cm; (xxii) 24-28 cm; (x:~i.ii) c, 20-30 cm; or (xxi~r) > 30 cm.
According to a preferred ~~rnbodiment, the ion source may be an atrnosphc_~ric pre:~sure ion source such as an Electrospray ("ES") ion source or an Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionisation ("A.PCI") ion source.
According to an a:Lternative embodiment, the ion source may be a Matrix A;~sisted baser Desorption Ionisation ("MALDI") ion source.
The mas:~ spectrometer preferably comprises either a time-of-f:Light ma:~~s analyser, preferably an orthogonal time of flight mass analy~~er, a quadrupole mass analyser or a quadrupole ion trap.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there i.s provided a mass spectrometer as claimed in c7_aim al.
Preferably, ~r ring electrode of the ion guide forms a differential pun;ping <~perture between the first and second vacuum chambers.
Preferably, the mass spectrometer comprises means for supplying an zf-voltage tc> the ring electrodes and a.Lso preferably means for maint=aining all the ring e.Lectrodes at. sub~atantially ttie same do potential.
According to a thi=rd aspe<:t of the present invention, there i..s provided a mass spectrometer as claimed in claim <;4.
Preferably, pit least 5, J.O, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or 100 of the ring electrodes are disposed in one or both vacuum ch~imbers .
According to a fou=rth aspect of the present invention, there i.s provided a mass spectrometer as c:Laimed in claim a:9.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there i.s provided a mass spectrometer as c=Laimed in claim 30.
Preferably, ~a differential pumping aperture between the vacuum chambers is formed by a ring electrode of the ion guide, the di:f=:ferentiai pumping aperture having an area - 20 mm?, preferabl.y ~._ 15 mm', further preferably <_ mm- .
According to a sixth <aspect of the present invention, there i.s provided a mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 32.
5 According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there i_s provided a mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 33.
According to a eighth. aspect of the present invention, there i.s provided a mass spectrometer as 10 c7_aimed in claim 34.
According t=o t~~r.is embodimen~ a substantially continuous ion tunnel ion guide tnay be provided which extends through two, three, four or more vacuum chambers. Also, in;~tead of each vacuum chamber being separately pumped, a~ single split flow vacuum pump may preferably be used.t~o pump each chamber.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a me=_thod of: mass spectrometry as claimed in claim 35.
According to a tenth aspect. of the present invention, there is provided a method of: mass spectrometry as cla:irned in claim 36.
According t:o an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a m<~ss spectrometer as claimed in claim 37.
Various embod.irnents of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 shows an ion tunnel ion guide; and Fig. 2 shows a preferred arrangement.
As shown in Fig. 1, an ion tunnel 1.5 comprises a plurality of ring e:Lectrodes 15a,15b. Adjacent ring electrodes l5a,l5b are connected to different phase; of an rf power supply. For example, the first, third, fifth etc. ring electrodes 15a may be connected to the 0°
phase supply 16a, and the :~ecor_d, fourth, sixth etc.
ring electrodes 15b may be conr:ec~ted to the 180" phase supply 16b. Ions from an i.on source pass through the _ y _ ion tunnel 15 and are efficiently transmitted by it. In contrast to an ion funnel arrangement, preferably all of the ring electrodes 1~a,15b are maintained at substantially the same do voltage/potential. Unlike ion traps, blocking d~_~ potent_ials are riot applied to either the entrance or e:~i_t of the ion tunnel 15. Instead, all the ring electrode='s are maintained at substantially the same do potential during operation, preferably by connecting all thE: ring elect~~odes 15a, 15b to a common do voltage supply.
Fig. 2 :shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. An ElErctrospray ( "ES" ) ion source 1 or an Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionisation ("APCI") ion source 1 (which requires a corona pin 2) emits ions which enter a first vacuum chamber 17 pumped by a rot:ary o:r mechanical pumL> 4 via a sample cone 3 and a portion of the gas and ions pa~~se:> through a first differential pumping aperture a?1 preferably maintained at 50-120V
into a second vacuum chamber 7_8 housing an ion tunnel ion guide 15 whicLo. extends into a third vacuum chamber 1'3. The second vacuum chamber 18 is pumped by a rotary or mechanical. pump 7. Ions are transmitted by the ion guide 15 through the second vacuum chamber 18 and p<~~>s, without exiting true ion guide =~5, through a second differential pumping apert:are E3 formed by a ring e=Lectrode of the i.on tunne_L ion guide 15 into a thi:rc~
vacuum chamber :19 pumped by a turbo-molecular pump 10.
Ions continue to be transmitted by the .ion tunnel ion guide 15 t:hrc>ugh the third vacuum chamber 19. The ions then leave the ion guide 7_5 and pass through a third d=ifferential pumping aperture -~1 into a fourth vacuum chamber 20 which i.s pumped by a turbo-molecular pump 14.
The fourth vacuum chamber 20 houses a p_refilter rod :yet 1:?, a first quadrupole ma:>:~ fi~.ter/analyser 13 and may include other elen~ent.~ such a~> a colli_s:ion cell (not shown) , a seconc:l cluadrupol_e mass f:ilter/analyser together with an i.on detector (not shown) or a time of flight analyser (not :~hownl .
An rE--vc_~ltagt-a i s app:Lied to the ring electrodes and the ion tunnel 15 is preferably maintained at 0-2 V do above the do potential of the third differential pumping aperture Ll which is preferab:Ly at ground (0 V dc) when two quadrupol.e ma>s filters/analysers are provided in the fourth vacuum chamber 20. I-however, if a time of flight mass analy:~er is u:~ed instead of a second quadrupole mass az-zalyser t: hen .he ion tunnel ion guide may be maintained at: 0--2V. According to other 10 embodiments, the t:bird dif=ferential pumping aperture 11 may be maintained at ot=her do pctentials.
Although an r~f vo7_taqe an<~ optionally a do potential may be applied to the ring electrodes forming the ion tunnel 15, the ion tunnel 15 may nonetheless be 15 referred to as being an "rf-on7_y" ion guide since all the ring electrodE~s are ma:int~zined at substantially t:he same do potential ( in contrast: to a quadrupole mass falter wherein ad-jacent. rod e7_ectrode:~ are maintained at different do potemtial_s) .
The ion tunnE:l 15 is preferably about 26 cm long and in one embodiment compr_isF~s approximately 170 ring e=Lectrodes. The :second vacuum chamber :18 is preferably maintained at a pz~essure 1 mbar, and the third vacuum chamber 19 is pref erably maintained at: a pressure o:E 10--10-~ mbar. 'rhe ion guide 15 i.s preferably supplied with an rf-voltage at a frequency of between 1-2 MHz.
However, accordincf to other_ embodiment:s, rf frequenci_es of 800kHz-3MHz may :be u:~ed. The ring e=Lectrodes fo=rming the ion tunnel 15 preferably Lwzve circular aperture:
which are approximately 3-5 mm in diameter.
Embodiments of the: present: invention are also contemplated wherF:i:rz ring elect:rodes of the ion tunnel in one vacuum chamber have a c_iifferent peak rf voltage amplitude compared with. ring electrodes of the same i.on tunnel which are disposed .in a second vacuum chamber.
For example, with r~sference tc> Fig. 2 the ring electrodes disposed in c=hamber 18 may be coupled to the ri= power supply 16a, 16b v:ia az cvapacitor but the ring _ c~
electrodes di.sposced. in chamber 19 may be directly coupled to the rf powe~~ supply 16a, 16b. Accordingly, the ring electrodE~s dispo:~ed i.n chamber 19 may see a peak rf voltage oi:- 500V, but the ring electrodes disposed in chambe.~r 18 may see a peak rf voltage of 300V.
Claims (41)
1. A mass spectrometer, comprising:
an ion source;
a first vacuum chamber;
a second vacuum chamber; and an ion guide extending between said first and second vacuum chambers;
characterised in that said ion guide comprises a plurality of ring electrodes having internal apertures.
an ion source;
a first vacuum chamber;
a second vacuum chamber; and an ion guide extending between said first and second vacuum chambers;
characterised in that said ion guide comprises a plurality of ring electrodes having internal apertures.
2. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a majority of said rung electrodes have substantially similar sized internal apertures.
3. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a majority of said rang electrodes have internal apertures which become progressively smaller.
4. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a ring electrode of said ion guide forms a differential pumping aperture between said first and second vacuum chambers.
5. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ring electrode forming said differential pumping aperture has an internal diameter selected from the group comprising: (i) 1.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (ii) 2.0 ~ 0.5 mm;
(iii) 3.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (iv) 4.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (v) 5.0 ~ 0.5 mm;
(vi) 6.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (vii) 7.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (viii) 8.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (ix) 9.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (x) 10.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (xi) <= 10.0 mm; (xii) <= 9.0 mm; (xiii) <= 8.0 mm; (xiv) <= 7.0 mm;
(xv) <= 6.0 mm; (xvi) <= 5.0 mm; (xvii) <= 4. 0 mm; (xviii) <= 3.0 mm; (xix) <= 2.0 mm; (xx) <= 1.0 mm; (xxi) 0-2 mm;
(xxii) 2-4 mm; (xxiii) 4-6 mm; (xxiv) 6-8 mm; and (xxv) 8-10 mm.
(iii) 3.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (iv) 4.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (v) 5.0 ~ 0.5 mm;
(vi) 6.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (vii) 7.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (viii) 8.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (ix) 9.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (x) 10.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (xi) <= 10.0 mm; (xii) <= 9.0 mm; (xiii) <= 8.0 mm; (xiv) <= 7.0 mm;
(xv) <= 6.0 mm; (xvi) <= 5.0 mm; (xvii) <= 4. 0 mm; (xviii) <= 3.0 mm; (xix) <= 2.0 mm; (xx) <= 1.0 mm; (xxi) 0-2 mm;
(xxii) 2-4 mm; (xxiii) 4-6 mm; (xxiv) 6-8 mm; and (xxv) 8-10 mm.
6. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein at least a majority, preferably all, of the ring electrodes apart from the rind electrode forming said differential pumping aperture have internal diameters selected from the group comprising: (i) 1.0 ~ 0.5 mm;
(ii) 2.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (iii) 3.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (iv) 4.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (v) 5.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (vi) 6.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (vii) 7.0 ~
0.5 mm; ;viii) 8.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (ix) 9.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (x) 10.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (xi) <= 10.0 mm; (xii) <= 9.0 mm; (xiii) <= 8.0 mm; (xiv) <= 7.0 mm; (xv) <= 6.0 mm; (xvi) <= 5.0 mm;
(xvii) <= 4.0 mm; (xviii) <= 3.0 mm; (xix) <= 2.0 mm; (xx) <= 1.0 mm; (xxi) 0-2 mm; (xxii) 2-4 mm; (xxiii) 4-6 mm;
(xxiv) 6-8 mm; and (xxv) 8-10 mm.
(ii) 2.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (iii) 3.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (iv) 4.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (v) 5.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (vi) 6.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (vii) 7.0 ~
0.5 mm; ;viii) 8.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (ix) 9.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (x) 10.0 ~ 0.5 mm; (xi) <= 10.0 mm; (xii) <= 9.0 mm; (xiii) <= 8.0 mm; (xiv) <= 7.0 mm; (xv) <= 6.0 mm; (xvi) <= 5.0 mm;
(xvii) <= 4.0 mm; (xviii) <= 3.0 mm; (xix) <= 2.0 mm; (xx) <= 1.0 mm; (xxi) 0-2 mm; (xxii) 2-4 mm; (xxiii) 4-6 mm;
(xxiv) 6-8 mm; and (xxv) 8-10 mm.
7. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ring electrode forming said differential pumping aperture has an internal aperture of different size to the other ring electrodes forming said ion guide.
8. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 7, wherein the ring electrode forming said differential pumping aperture has a smaller internal aperture than the other ring electrodes forming said ion guide.
9. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ring electrode forming said differential pumping aperture has an internal aperture substantially the same size as the other ring electrodes forming said ion guide.
10. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 4, wherein said differential pumping aperture has an area selected from the group comprising: (i) <= 40 mm2; (ii) <= 35 mm2;
(iii) <= 30 mm2; (iv) <= 25 mm2; (v) <= 20 mm2; (vi) <= 15 mm2; (vii) <= 10 mm2; and (viii) <= 5 mm2.
(iii) <= 30 mm2; (iv) <= 25 mm2; (v) <= 20 mm2; (vi) <= 15 mm2; (vii) <= 10 mm2; and (viii) <= 5 mm2.
11. A mass spectrometer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said guide comprises at least 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30. 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190 or 200 ring electrodes.
12. A mass spectrometer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pressure in said first vacuum chamber is selected from the group comprising: (i) >= 0.5 mbar;
(ii) >= 0.7 mbar; (:iii) >= 1.0 mbar; (iv) >= 1.3 mbar; (v) >=~1.5 mbar; (vi) >= 2.0 mbar; (vii) >= 5.0 mbar; (viii) >=
10.0 mbar; (ix) 1-5 mbar; (x) 1-2 mbar; and (xi) 0.5-1.5 mbar.
(ii) >= 0.7 mbar; (:iii) >= 1.0 mbar; (iv) >= 1.3 mbar; (v) >=~1.5 mbar; (vi) >= 2.0 mbar; (vii) >= 5.0 mbar; (viii) >=
10.0 mbar; (ix) 1-5 mbar; (x) 1-2 mbar; and (xi) 0.5-1.5 mbar.
13. A mass spectrometer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pressure in said second vacuum chamber is selected from the group comprising: (i) 10 -3-10 -2 mbar; (ii) >= 2 x 10 -3 mbar; (iii) >= 5 x 10 -3 mbar;
(iv) <= 10 -2 mbar; (v) 10 -3 -5 x 10 -3 mbar; and (vi) 5 x 10 -3 -10 -2 mbar.
(iv) <= 10 -2 mbar; (v) 10 -3 -5 x 10 -3 mbar; and (vi) 5 x 10 -3 -10 -2 mbar.
14 . A mass spectrometer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the length of said ion guide is selected from the group comprising: (i) >= 100 mm; (ii) >= 120 mm;
(iii) >= 150 mm; (iv) 130 ~ 10 mm; (v) 100-150 mm; (vi) <=
160 mm; (vii) <= 180 mm; (viii) <= 2,00 mm; (ix) 130-150 mm; (x) 120-180 mm; (xi) 120-140 mm; (xii) 130 mm ~ 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 mm; (xiii) 50-300 mm; (xiv) 150-300 mm; (xv) >= 50 mm; (xvi) 50-100 mm; (xvii) 60-90 mm;
(xviii) >= 75 mm; (xix) 50-75 mm; (xx) 75-100 mm; (xxi) approx. 26 cm; (xxii) 24-28 cm; (xxiii) 20-30 cm; and (xxiv) > 30 cm.
(iii) >= 150 mm; (iv) 130 ~ 10 mm; (v) 100-150 mm; (vi) <=
160 mm; (vii) <= 180 mm; (viii) <= 2,00 mm; (ix) 130-150 mm; (x) 120-180 mm; (xi) 120-140 mm; (xii) 130 mm ~ 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 mm; (xiii) 50-300 mm; (xiv) 150-300 mm; (xv) >= 50 mm; (xvi) 50-100 mm; (xvii) 60-90 mm;
(xviii) >= 75 mm; (xix) 50-75 mm; (xx) 75-100 mm; (xxi) approx. 26 cm; (xxii) 24-28 cm; (xxiii) 20-30 cm; and (xxiv) > 30 cm.
15. A mass spectrometer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said ion source is an atmospheric pressure ion source.
16. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 15, wherein said ion source is an Electrospray ("ES") ion source or an Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionisation ("APCI") ion source.
17. A mass spectrometer as claimed in any of claims 1-14, wherein said ion source is a Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation ("MALDI") ion source.
18. A mass spectrometer as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a mass analyser.
19. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 18, wherein said mass analyser is selected from the group comprising: (i) a time-of-flight mass analyser, preferably an orthogonal time of flight mass analyser;
(ii) a quadrupole mass analyser; and (iii) a quadrupole ion trap.
(ii) a quadrupole mass analyser; and (iii) a quadrupole ion trap.
20. A mass spectrometer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at beast 90%, preferably 100% of said.
plurality of ring electrodes are arranged and adapted to be maintained at substantially the same dc voltage or are connected to a common dc voltage supply.
plurality of ring electrodes are arranged and adapted to be maintained at substantially the same dc voltage or are connected to a common dc voltage supply.
21. A mass spectrometer, comprising:
a first and a second vacuum chamber;
characterised. in that:
said mass spectrometer further comprises an ion guide comprising at least five ring electrodes, said ion guide extending from said first vacuum chamber through to said second vacuum chamber.
a first and a second vacuum chamber;
characterised. in that:
said mass spectrometer further comprises an ion guide comprising at least five ring electrodes, said ion guide extending from said first vacuum chamber through to said second vacuum chamber.
22. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 21, wherein a ring electrode of said ion guide forms a differential pumping aperture between said first and second vacuum chambers.
23. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 21 or 22, further comprising means for supplying an rf-voltage to said ring electrodes and preferably means for maintaining all said ring electrodes at substantially the same dc potential.
24. A mass spectrometer, comprising:
an inter-vacuum chamber ion guide, said inter-vacuum chamber ion guide being > 5 cm in length;
characterised in that:
said ion guide comprises a plurality of ring electrodes.
an inter-vacuum chamber ion guide, said inter-vacuum chamber ion guide being > 5 cm in length;
characterised in that:
said ion guide comprises a plurality of ring electrodes.
25. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 24, wherein said ion guide comprises at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190 or 200 ring electrodes.
26. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 25, wherein at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or 100 of said rind electrodes are disposed in a first vacuum chamber.
27. A mess spectrometer as claimed in claim 26, wherein at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 or 100 of said ring electrodes are disposed in a second vacuum chamber, said first and second vacuum chambers being separated by an inter-chamber differential pumping aperture or orifice.
28. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 27, wherein a ring electrode of said ion guide forms said inter-chamber orifice.
29. A mass spectrometer comprising:
an ion source selected from the group comprising:
(i) an Electrospray ("ES") ion source; (ii) an Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionisation ("APCI") ion source; and (iii) a Matrix: Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation ("MALDI") ion source;
a first vacuum chamber;
a second vacuum chamber separated from the first vacuum chamber by a differential pumping aperture; and a mass analyser, preferably a time of flight or a quadrupole mass analyser; and an ion guide spanning said first and second vacuum chambers;
characterised in that:
said ion guide comprises >= 10 ring electrodes with a rind electrode forming said differential pumping aperture.
an ion source selected from the group comprising:
(i) an Electrospray ("ES") ion source; (ii) an Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionisation ("APCI") ion source; and (iii) a Matrix: Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation ("MALDI") ion source;
a first vacuum chamber;
a second vacuum chamber separated from the first vacuum chamber by a differential pumping aperture; and a mass analyser, preferably a time of flight or a quadrupole mass analyser; and an ion guide spanning said first and second vacuum chambers;
characterised in that:
said ion guide comprises >= 10 ring electrodes with a rind electrode forming said differential pumping aperture.
30. A mass spectrometer comprising:
an rf-only ring electrode ion guide spanning two vacuum chambers, each said vacuum chamber comprising a vacuum pump for pumping gas from said vacuum chamber so as to produce a partial vacuum in said vacuum chamber.
an rf-only ring electrode ion guide spanning two vacuum chambers, each said vacuum chamber comprising a vacuum pump for pumping gas from said vacuum chamber so as to produce a partial vacuum in said vacuum chamber.
31. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 30, wherein a differential pumping aperture between said vacuum chambers is formed by a ring electrode of said ion guide, said differential pumping aperture having an area <= 20 mm2, preferably <= 15 mm2, further preferably <=
10 mm2.
10 mm2.
32. A mass spectrometer comprising:
a first vacuum chamber, said first vacuum chamber including a port connected to a first vacuum pump;
a second vacuum chamber, said second vacuum chamber including a port connected to a second vacuum pump; and an interchamber orifice or aperture separating said first and second vacuum chambers;
characterised in that:
said interchamber orifice is formed by a ring electrode of an ion guide comprised of a plurality of ring electrodes.
a first vacuum chamber, said first vacuum chamber including a port connected to a first vacuum pump;
a second vacuum chamber, said second vacuum chamber including a port connected to a second vacuum pump; and an interchamber orifice or aperture separating said first and second vacuum chambers;
characterised in that:
said interchamber orifice is formed by a ring electrode of an ion guide comprised of a plurality of ring electrodes.
33. A mass spectrometer, comprising:
an ion source;
a first vacuum chamber;
a second vacuum chamber; and an rf only ion guide disposed in said first vacuum chamber and extending beyond said first vacuum chamber into said second vacuum chamber;
characterised in that:
said ion guide comprises a plurality of ring electrodes each having substantially similar internal apertures and wherein at least one ring electrode of said ion guide forms a differential pumping aperture between said first and second vacuum chambers.
an ion source;
a first vacuum chamber;
a second vacuum chamber; and an rf only ion guide disposed in said first vacuum chamber and extending beyond said first vacuum chamber into said second vacuum chamber;
characterised in that:
said ion guide comprises a plurality of ring electrodes each having substantially similar internal apertures and wherein at least one ring electrode of said ion guide forms a differential pumping aperture between said first and second vacuum chambers.
34. A mass spectrometer comprising:
at least two, preferably at least three or four, vacuum chambers, said vacuum chambers preferably connected to a split flow turbo vacuum pump; and a substantially continuous ion guide extending between said vacuum chambers, said ion guide comprising a plurality of ring electrodes.
at least two, preferably at least three or four, vacuum chambers, said vacuum chambers preferably connected to a split flow turbo vacuum pump; and a substantially continuous ion guide extending between said vacuum chambers, said ion guide comprising a plurality of ring electrodes.
35. A method of mass spectrometry, comprising:
guiding ions from a first vacuum chamber to a second vacuum chamber by passing said ions through an ion guide extending between two vacuum chambers, said ion guide comprising a plurality of ring electrodes.
guiding ions from a first vacuum chamber to a second vacuum chamber by passing said ions through an ion guide extending between two vacuum chambers, said ion guide comprising a plurality of ring electrodes.
36. A method of mass spectrometry, comprising:
generating a beam of ions from an ion source;
passing said ions into an ion guide comprised of a plurality of ring electrodes which extends between a first and a second vacuum chamber;
guiding the ions along the ion guide so that they pass from said first vacuum chamber into said second vacuum chamber without leaving said ion guide; and then mass analysing at least some of said ions.
generating a beam of ions from an ion source;
passing said ions into an ion guide comprised of a plurality of ring electrodes which extends between a first and a second vacuum chamber;
guiding the ions along the ion guide so that they pass from said first vacuum chamber into said second vacuum chamber without leaving said ion guide; and then mass analysing at least some of said ions.
37. A mass spectrometer comprising a substantially continuous ion guide, preferably comprising a plurality of ring electrodes, extending through three or more vacuum chambers.
38. A mass spectrometer as claimed in any of claims 1-20, further comprising an rf power supply for supplying an rf voltage to said ring electrodes.
39. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 38, wherein ring electrodes in said first vacuum chamber are arranged to be supplied with an rf voltage having a first amplitude and ring electrodes in said second vacuum chamber are arranged to be supplied with an rf voltage having a second different amplitude.
40. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 39, wherein said first amplitude is smaller than said second amplitude, preferably at least 100 V smaller.
41. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 39 or 40, wherein said first amplitude is 300 ~ 100 V and/or said second amplitude is 500 ~ 100 V.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002355552A CA2355552C (en) | 2000-11-29 | 2001-08-23 | Mass spectrometers and methods of mass spectrometry |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0029088.2 | 2000-11-29 | ||
| GBGB0029088.2A GB0029088D0 (en) | 2000-11-29 | 2000-11-29 | Ion tunnel |
| GB0109760.8 | 2001-04-20 | ||
| GBGB0109760.9A GB0109760D0 (en) | 2000-11-29 | 2001-04-20 | Mass spectrometers and methods of mass spectrometry |
| GB0110149A GB0110149D0 (en) | 2000-11-29 | 2001-04-25 | Mass spectrometers and methods of mass spectrometry |
| GB0110149.2 | 2001-04-25 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2351700A1 true CA2351700A1 (en) | 2002-05-29 |
Family
ID=27255989
Family Applications (3)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002346526A Abandoned CA2346526A1 (en) | 2000-11-29 | 2001-05-04 | Mass spectrometers and methods of mass spectrometry |
| CA002351700A Abandoned CA2351700A1 (en) | 2000-11-29 | 2001-06-26 | Mass spectrometers and methods of mass spectrometry |
| CA002355554A Abandoned CA2355554A1 (en) | 2000-11-29 | 2001-08-23 | Mass spectrometer and methods of mass spectrometry |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002346526A Abandoned CA2346526A1 (en) | 2000-11-29 | 2001-05-04 | Mass spectrometers and methods of mass spectrometry |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002355554A Abandoned CA2355554A1 (en) | 2000-11-29 | 2001-08-23 | Mass spectrometer and methods of mass spectrometry |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20020063210A1 (en) |
| CA (3) | CA2346526A1 (en) |
| GB (2) | GB0115504D0 (en) |
Families Citing this family (17)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1215712B1 (en) * | 2000-11-29 | 2010-09-08 | Micromass UK Limited | Mass spectrometer and methods of mass spectrometry |
| US6583408B2 (en) * | 2001-05-18 | 2003-06-24 | Battelle Memorial Institute | Ionization source utilizing a jet disturber in combination with an ion funnel and method of operation |
| CA2391140C (en) | 2001-06-25 | 2008-10-07 | Micromass Limited | Mass spectrometer |
| US6762404B2 (en) | 2001-06-25 | 2004-07-13 | Micromass Uk Limited | Mass spectrometer |
| US6794641B2 (en) | 2002-05-30 | 2004-09-21 | Micromass Uk Limited | Mass spectrometer |
| US7095013B2 (en) * | 2002-05-30 | 2006-08-22 | Micromass Uk Limited | Mass spectrometer |
| US6800846B2 (en) | 2002-05-30 | 2004-10-05 | Micromass Uk Limited | Mass spectrometer |
| US6791078B2 (en) | 2002-06-27 | 2004-09-14 | Micromass Uk Limited | Mass spectrometer |
| US6884995B2 (en) * | 2002-07-03 | 2005-04-26 | Micromass Uk Limited | Mass spectrometer |
| US7071467B2 (en) | 2002-08-05 | 2006-07-04 | Micromass Uk Limited | Mass spectrometer |
| CA2431603C (en) * | 2003-06-10 | 2012-03-27 | Micromass Uk Limited | Mass spectrometer |
| DE10326156B4 (en) * | 2003-06-10 | 2011-12-01 | Micromass Uk Ltd. | Mass spectrometer with gas collision cell and AC or RF ion guide with differential pressure ranges and associated methods for mass spectrometry |
| DE102004048496B4 (en) * | 2004-10-05 | 2008-04-30 | Bruker Daltonik Gmbh | Ion guide with RF diaphragm stacks |
| US8610806B2 (en) * | 2006-08-28 | 2013-12-17 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Color filter array, imagers and systems having same, and methods of fabrication and use thereof |
| US10566169B1 (en) * | 2008-06-30 | 2020-02-18 | Nexgen Semi Holding, Inc. | Method and device for spatial charged particle bunching |
| GB0817115D0 (en) * | 2008-09-18 | 2008-10-29 | Micromass Ltd | Mass spectrometer |
| CN112185797B (en) * | 2020-09-24 | 2022-04-01 | 复旦大学 | Normal-pressure high-temperature ion cooling focusing device |
-
2001
- 2001-05-04 CA CA002346526A patent/CA2346526A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-06-25 GB GBGB0115504.3A patent/GB0115504D0/en not_active Ceased
- 2001-06-26 CA CA002351700A patent/CA2351700A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-08-16 US US09/930,294 patent/US20020063210A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-08-16 GB GBGB0120028.6A patent/GB0120028D0/en not_active Ceased
- 2001-08-23 CA CA002355554A patent/CA2355554A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0120028D0 (en) | 2001-10-10 |
| CA2346526A1 (en) | 2002-05-29 |
| US20020063210A1 (en) | 2002-05-30 |
| CA2355554A1 (en) | 2002-05-29 |
| GB0115504D0 (en) | 2001-08-15 |
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