A mass spectrometry apparatus includes an ion detector and a control circuit coupled to the ion detector. The ion detector includes a pulse counting stage and an analog stage configured to generate a pulse counting signal and an analog signal, respectively, responsive to incident ions. The a control circuit is configured to output the pulse counting signal in a pulse counting output mode and to output the analog signal in an analog output mode. The control circuit is configured to switch from the pulse counting output mode to the analog output mode responsive to the pulse counting signal exceeding a first threshold within a range of about 10 million counts per second to about 200 million counts per second. Related devices and operating methods are also discussed.

A hybrid ion mobility spectrometer includes a single-pass drift tube having an ion inlet and an ion outlet, a multiple-pass drift tube having an ion inlet and an ion outlet each coupled to the single pass drift tube between the ion inlet and the ion outlet thereof, and at least one ion steering channel controllable to selectively pass ions traveling through the single-pass drift tube into the multiple-pass drift tube via the ion inlet of the multiple-pass drift tube and to selectively pass ions traveling through the multiple-pass drift tube into the single-pass drift tube via the ion outlet of the multiple-pass drift tube. The single-pass drift tube separates in time ions traveling therethrough according to a first function of ion mobility, and the multiple-pass drift tube separates in time ions traveling one or more times therethrough according to the first or a second function of ion mobility.

Methods and apparatuses for ion peak compression and increasing resolution of ions are disclosed. Packets of ions are introduced into a device. A first electric field is applied for dispersing the ion packets temporally or spatially according to their mobilities. A second intermittent traveling wave is applied for regrouping or merging the dispersed ion packets into a lesser number of trapping regions with narrower peaks. The ions packets are compressed into the narrower peak regions by varying a duty cycle of the intermittent traveling wave.

An interface transports ions from a first pressure environment to a lower pressure analysis instrument and may include a first region pumped to a second pressure less than the first pressure, a first ion funnel disposed in the first region, a first ion carpet in the first region opposite an ion outlet end of the first ion funnel, a second region pumped to a third pressure less than the second pressure and greater than the instrument pressure, a second ion funnel disposed in the second region and a second ion carpet in the second region opposite an ion outlet end of the second ion funnel. Ions from the environment pass sequentially through the first and second ion funnels and into the analysis instrument. Each of the first and second ion funnels define a tapered axial passageway therethrough each defining a respective virtual jet disrupter therein.

An ion guide or mass analyser is disclosed comprising a plurality of electrodes 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. 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 are applied to the electrodes of the ion guide or mass analyser in order to urge ions along the length of the ion guides or mass analyser. The amplitude of the transient DC voltage applied to the electrode may be increased with time so that ions are caused to be emitted from the ion guide or mass analyser in reverse order of their mass to charge ratio.

An analytical device includes: a mass spectrometry unit that separates ions based on flight time and detects the ions having been separated; an analysis unit that creates data corresponding to a spectrum in which an intensity of the ions having been detected and the flight time or m/z corresponding to the flight time are associated; a peak width calculation unit that calculates a first peak width at a first intensity and a second peak width at a second intensity different from the first intensity for at least one peak in the spectrum; and an adjustment unit that performs an adjustment of the mass spectrometry unit based on the first peak width and the second peak width.

In one aspect, an electron-ion reaction module, e.g., an electron capture dissociation module, for use in a mass spectrometer is disclosed, which comprises a chamber, an electron source for generating electrons and introducing the electrons into the chamber, a gate electrode positioned relative to the electron source and the chamber, and a DC voltage source operatively coupled to the gate electrode for applying control voltages to the gate electrode. The electron-ion interaction module can further include a controller operably coupled to the DC voltage source and configured for adjusting the DC voltage applied to the gate electrode to adjust flow of electrons into the chamber.

An analytical device includes: a first acceleration unit including a first acceleration electrode to which a pulse voltage for accelerating ions is applied; a flight tube; a second acceleration unit that is arranged between the first acceleration unit and the flight tube, and includes a second acceleration electrode to which a voltage for accelerating the ions is applied; an ion detector that detects the ions; and a capacitance adjustment unit that causes adjustment of a capacitance between at least one set of electrodes among a plurality of electrodes arranged in the first acceleration unit, the second acceleration unit, and a flight tube.

A miniature, low cost mass spectrometer capable of unit resolution over a mass range of 10 to 50 AMU. The mass spectrometer incorporates several features that enhance the performance of the design over comparable instruments. An efficient ion source enables relatively low power consumption without sacrificing measurement resolution. Variable geometry mechanical filters allow for variable resolution. An onboard ion pump removes the need for an external pumping source. A magnet and magnetic yoke produce magnetic field regions with different flux densities to run the ion pump and a magnetic sector mass analyzer. An onboard digital controller and power conversion circuit inside the vacuum chamber allows a large degree of flexibility over the operation of the mass spectrometer while eliminating the need for high-voltage electrical feedthroughs. The miniature mass spectrometer senses fractions of a percentage of inlet gas and returns mass spectra data to a computer.

Mass spectrometry instruments are provided that are configured to provide dynamic switching between positive and negative ion preparation and analysis during a single sample analysis. Mass spectrometry analysis methods are also provided that can include switching between positive and negative ion preparation and analysis during a single sample analysis.