A start-up routine for a mass spectrometer is performed automatically upon switching ON the mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer comprises a plurality of functional modules connected thereto, each module operable to perform a predetermined function of the mass spectrometer in use. The start-up routine comprises detecting which functional modules are present in the set of a plurality of functional modules connected to the mass spectrometer, and performing one or more steps of the start-up routine based upon the results of the detection. The mass spectrometer automatically determines whether configuration information is stored locally in respect of each one of the detected functional modules, and, for the or each one of the detected functional modules for which such information is found to be stored locally, automatically uses the information in configuring the mass spectrometer, and, for any detected functional module(s) for which such information is not found to be stored locally, automatically obtains configuration information for the detected functional module(s) from a remote server, and uses the information in configuring the mass spectrometer.

A start-up routine for a mass spectrometer is performed automatically upon switching ON the mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer comprises a plurality of functional modules connected thereto, each module operable to perform a predetermined function of the mass spectrometer in use. The start-up routine comprises detecting which functional modules are present in the set of a plurality of functional modules connected to the mass spectrometer, and performing one or more steps of the start-up routine based upon the results of the detection. The mass spectrometer automatically determines whether configuration information is stored locally in respect of each one of the detected functional modules, and, for the or each one of the detected functional modules for which such information is found to be stored locally, automatically uses the information in configuring the mass spectrometer, and, for any detected functional module(s) for which such information is not found to be stored locally, automatically obtains configuration information for the detected functional module(s) from a remote server, and uses the information in configuring the mass spectrometer.

A vacuum chamber module and an apparatus are disclosed. The vacuum chamber module comprises: a pump wall defining a recess shaped to receive a multi-stage vacuum pump; a plurality of vacuum chambers, each vacuum chamber being configured to be pumped by a respective stage of the multi-stage vacuum pump, each vacuum chamber being defined at least partially by a portion of the pump wall, each vacuum chamber having an pumping port located at a different circumferential position on the pump wall for fluid communication with the respective stage of the multi-stage vacuum pump. In this way, a module is provided which shares components, with the multi-stage pump at least partially accommodated within space otherwise occupied by the vacuum chambers and with the vacuum chambers located around the pump wall, which provides for a simpler and more compact arrangement.

A vacuum chamber module and an apparatus are disclosed. The vacuum chamber module comprises: a pump wall defining a recess shaped to receive a multi-stage vacuum pump; a plurality of vacuum chambers, each vacuum chamber being configured to be pumped by a respective stage of the multi-stage vacuum pump, each vacuum chamber being defined at least partially by a portion of the pump wall, each vacuum chamber having an pumping port located at a different circumferential position on the pump wall for fluid communication with the respective stage of the multi-stage vacuum pump. In this way, a module is provided which shares components, with the multi-stage pump at least partially accommodated within space otherwise occupied by the vacuum chambers and with the vacuum chambers located around the pump wall, which provides for a simpler and more compact arrangement.

An ion mobility analyser is disclosed having a gas flow directed along the ion travel axis and a set of electrodes to which DC voltages are applied to establish a DC field. The opposing forces of the gas flow and DC field cause ions to be trapped within a separation region in axial regions determined by their ion mobilities. A gas recirculator, having inlet and outlet ends respectively located downstream and upstream of the separation region, supplies at least fifty percent of the gas flow within the separation region, thereby reducing vacuum pumping requirements.

A mass spectrometer collision cell system, comprising: a gas containment vessel comprising an internal chamber having ion inlet and ion outlet ends and a cross-sectional area, A.sub.chamber; a gas inlet aperture; first and second gas outlet apertures that are disposed at or proximal to the ion inlet and outlet ends, respectively, and that have respective outlet aperture cross-sectional areas, A.sub.aperture1 and A.sub.aperture2, and an average outlet aperture cross-sectional area, A.sub.aperture.sup.ave; a longitudinal axis of the chamber extending from the ion inlet end to the ion outlet end and having a length, L.sub.chamber; and a set of multipole rod electrodes, at least a portion of each multipole rod electrode being within the chamber, wherein the values of A.sub.chamber, L.sub.chamber and A.sub.aperture.sup.ave are such that the combined gas conductance of the chamber and the gas outlet apertures is not greater than 95 percent of the gas conductance of the gas outlet apertures alone.

A mass spectrometer collision cell system, comprising: a gas containment vessel comprising an internal chamber having ion inlet and ion outlet ends and a cross-sectional area, A.sub.chamber; a gas inlet aperture; first and second gas outlet apertures that are disposed at or proximal to the ion inlet and outlet ends, respectively, and that have respective outlet aperture cross-sectional areas, A.sub.aperture1 and A.sub.aperture2, and an average outlet aperture cross-sectional area, A.sub.aperture.sup.ave; a longitudinal axis of the chamber extending from the ion inlet end to the ion outlet end and having a length, L.sub.chamber; and a set of multipole rod electrodes, at least a portion of each multipole rod electrode being within the chamber, wherein the values of A.sub.chamber, L.sub.chamber and A.sub.aperture.sup.ave are such that the combined gas conductance of the chamber and the gas outlet apertures is not greater than 95 percent of the gas conductance of the gas outlet apertures alone.

An instrument having a vacuum chamber, wherein a wall of the vacuum chamber includes a layer of carbon fiber reinforced thermoset having a thickness in a range of 1-10 mm, a first and a second layer of ceramic material having a thickness in a range of 40-60 μm, and a layer of aluminum having a thickness in a range of 0.5-10 mm. The first layer of ceramic material is positioned between the layer of carbon fiber reinforced thermoset and the layer of aluminum. The layer of aluminum is positioned between the first layer of ceramic material and the second layer of ceramic material. The second layer of ceramic material is positioned most to a side of an interior surface of the wall of the vacuum chamber.

An instrument having a vacuum chamber, wherein a wall of the vacuum chamber includes a layer of carbon fiber reinforced thermoset having a thickness in a range of 1-10 mm, a first and a second layer of ceramic material having a thickness in a range of 40-60 μm, and a layer of aluminum having a thickness in a range of 0.5-10 mm. The first layer of ceramic material is positioned between the layer of carbon fiber reinforced thermoset and the layer of aluminum. The layer of aluminum is positioned between the first layer of ceramic material and the second layer of ceramic material. The second layer of ceramic material is positioned most to a side of an interior surface of the wall of the vacuum chamber.

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target comprising or consisting of a microbial population; mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and analysing said spectrometric data in order to analyse said microbial population.