Disclosed is a method of quantification of one or more ion species, in a sample of ions, using a mass spectrometer, the method including the steps of: obtaining a time domain data set corresponding to a signal induced by motion of the ions in the mass spectrometer; adjusting the data set by applying an asymmetric window function thereto; generating an absorption mode mass spectrum in the frequency domain including the step of applying a Fourier transform to the adjusted data set; determining peak ranges for one or more peaks in the mass spectrum associated with the one or more ion species; integrating, for each determined peak range, the spectral data within the respective peak range to generate a respective peak intensity value; and quantifying each of the one or more ion species on the basis of the respective peak intensity values.

During an accumulation time period of each time cycle of an ion guide and before a ramped AC voltage is applied to at least one set of axial rods to eject ions according to m/z value, a number of steps are performed. Ions are received from outside of the ion guide through an entrance aperture and into a first cell. A low DC voltage is applied to a barrier electrode to receive ions from the first cell into a second cell. And, a high DC voltage is applied to an exit electrode to prevent ions from exiting the ion guide. During a cooling time period before the AC time period, a high DC voltage is applied to the barrier electrode to trap and cool ions in the second cell and to continue to receive ions into the first cell without being affected by the ramped AC voltage.

During an accumulation time period of each time cycle of an ion guide and before a ramped AC voltage is applied to at least one set of axial rods to eject ions according to m/z value, a number of steps are performed. Ions are received from outside of the ion guide through an entrance aperture and into a first cell. A low DC voltage is applied to a barrier electrode to receive ions from the first cell into a second cell. And, a high DC voltage is applied to an exit electrode to prevent ions from exiting the ion guide. During a cooling time period before the AC time period, a high DC voltage is applied to the barrier electrode to trap and cool ions in the second cell and to continue to receive ions into the first cell without being affected by the ramped AC voltage.

Improvements to a side-on Penning trap include methods to stabilize ions in the trap. The ions are stabilized by injecting ions in the focusing region of the non-uniform DC fields produced by the pad electrodes of the trap. Ions are injected along an injection axis shifted from the central axis of a gap between a positively biased electrode pad and negatively biased electrode pad of the trap. Improvements also include methods to compensate for the Lorentz force that is produced when ions are injected into a side-on Penning trap. Electrodes of an ion injection device are DC biased so that the electrodes produce an electric field along the axis of the device that compensates for the Lorentz force. Finally, methods are provided to increase the m/z range of ions injected into a side-on Penning trap by pre-trapping ions just before injection of the ions into the trap.

Improvements to a side-on Penning trap include methods to stabilize ions in the trap. The ions are stabilized by injecting ions in the focusing region of the non-uniform DC fields produced by the pad electrodes of the trap. Ions are injected along an injection axis shifted from the central axis of a gap between a positively biased electrode pad and negatively biased electrode pad of the trap. Improvements also include methods to compensate for the Lorentz force that is produced when ions are injected into a side-on Penning trap. Electrodes of an ion injection device are DC biased so that the electrodes produce an electric field along the axis of the device that compensates for the Lorentz force. Finally, methods are provided to increase the m/z range of ions injected into a side-on Penning trap by pre-trapping ions just before injection of the ions into the trap.

A method for examining a gas by mass spectrometry includes: ionizing the gas for producing ions; and storing, exciting and detecting at least some of the produced ions in an FT ion trap. Producing and storing the ions in the FT ion trap and/or exciting the ions prior to the detection of the ions in the FT ion trap includes at least one selective IFT excitation, such as a SWIFT excitation, which is dependent on the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions. The disclosure further relates to a mass spectrometer. A mass spectrometer includes: an FT ion trap; and an excitation device for storing, exciting, and detecting ions in the FT ion trap.

A method for examining a gas by mass spectrometry includes: ionizing the gas for producing ions; and storing, exciting and detecting at least some of the produced ions in an FT ion trap. Producing and storing the ions in the FT ion trap and/or exciting the ions prior to the detection of the ions in the FT ion trap includes at least one selective IFT excitation, such as a SWIFT excitation, which is dependent on the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions. The disclosure further relates to a mass spectrometer. A mass spectrometer includes: an FT ion trap; and an excitation device for storing, exciting, and detecting ions in the FT ion trap.

Improvements to a side-on Penning trap include a feedback system for stabilizing the magnetic field. This system includes a magnetic sensor that measures the magnetic field and a solenoid coil that in response to the magnetic field measurements increases or decreases the overall magnetic field. Improvements also include a number of different configurations of the two sets of PCB electrodes used to produce the quadrupole electric field. Dimensions of the PCB electrodes are optimized, an equipotential surface electrode is added, and additional ring electrodes are added to produce a purer quadrupole field. A central disk electrode is segmented to direct charged particles to the trap center to make the trap useful for applications other than mass spectrometry. Finally, outer ring electrodes are segmented to increase the path of charged particles, thereby increasing sensitivity.

Improvements to a side-on Penning trap include a feedback system for stabilizing the magnetic field. This system includes a magnetic sensor that measures the magnetic field and a solenoid coil that in response to the magnetic field measurements increases or decreases the overall magnetic field. Improvements also include a number of different configurations of the two sets of PCB electrodes used to produce the quadrupole electric field. Dimensions of the PCB electrodes are optimized, an equipotential surface electrode is added, and additional ring electrodes are added to produce a purer quadrupole field. A central disk electrode is segmented to direct charged particles to the trap center to make the trap useful for applications other than mass spectrometry. Finally, outer ring electrodes are segmented to increase the path of charged particles, thereby increasing sensitivity.

Disclosed is a method of quantification of one or more ion species, in a sample of ions, using a mass spectrometer, the method including the steps of: obtaining a time domain data set corresponding to a signal induced by motion of the ions in the mass spectrometer; adjusting the data set by applying an asymmetric window function thereto; generating an absorption mode mass spectrum in the frequency domain including the step of applying a Fourier transform to the adjusted data set; determining peak ranges for one or more peaks in the mass spectrum associated with the one or more ion species; integrating, for each determined peak range, the spectral data within the respective peak range to generate a respective peak intensity value; and quantifying each of the one or more ion species on the basis of the respective peak intensity values.