An apparatus for detecting constituents in a sample includes first and second drift tubes defining first and second drift regions and a controllable electric field device within a fragmentation region coupled to the first and second drift tubes. The apparatus also includes a first ion shutter positioned between the first drift and fragmentation regions. The apparatus further includes a control system configured to regulate the first ion shutter, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of ions from the first drift region into the fragmentation region. The control system is also configured to regulate the controllable device to modify the selected portion of ions to generate predetermined ion fragments within the fragmentation region, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of the predetermined fragmented ions into the second drift region. A method of detecting constituents in a sample is facilitated through such an apparatus.

An apparatus 41 and operation method are provided for an electrostatic trap mass spectrometer with measuring frequency of multiple isochronous ionic oscillations. For improving throughput and space charge capacity, the trap is substantially extended in one Z-direction forming a reproduced two-dimensional field. Multiple geometries are provided for trap Z-extension. The throughput of the analysis is improved by multiplexing electrostatic traps. The frequency analysis is accelerated by the shortening of ion packets and either by Wavelet-fit analysis of the image current signal or by using a time-of-flight detector for sampling a small portion of ions per oscillation. Multiple pulsed converters are suggested for optimal ion injection into electrostatic traps.

A mass analyser for use in a mass spectrometer, the mass analyser having: a set of sector electrodes spatially arranged to provide an electrostatic field in a 2D reference plane suitable for guiding ions along an orbit in the 2D reference plane, wherein the set of sector electrodes extend along a drift path that is locally orthogonal to the reference plane so that, in use, the set of sector electrodes provide a 3D electrostatic field region; and an injection interface configured to inject ions into the mass analyser via an injection opening such that the ions injected into the mass analyser are guided by the 3D electrostatic field region along a 3D reference trajectory according to which ions perform multiple turns within the mass analyser whilst drifting along the drift path, wherein each turn corresponds to a completed orbit in the 2D reference plane. The injection interface includes at least one injection deflector located within the mass analyser, the at least one injection deflector being configured to deflect ions injected into the mass analyser in the direction of the drift path, wherein the injection interface is preferably configured so that ions guided along the 3D reference trajectory are, after injection into the mass analyser, kept adequately distant from the injection opening such that they are substantially unaffected by electric field distortions around the injection opening.

Voltages are applied by a voltage application device having an electrode circuit including a plurality of electrode connection parts connected in series via a resistance R between neighboring electrode connection parts; and power sources P for outputting both positive and negative polarities, each power source connected to both ends of the electrode circuit. The method of applying a voltage includes determining a polarity and a magnitude of an output voltage of so that a voltage having a predetermined polarity and magnitude is applied to the electrodes; and based on the polarities, switching the polarities of the output voltages by switching the polarities of the output voltages of the plurality of power sources P one at a time while maintaining a state where a polarity of an output voltage of at least one power source P, among the plurality of power sources P, is different from others.

An apparatus 41 and operation method are provided for an electrostatic trap mass spectrometer with measuring frequency of multiple isochronous ionic oscillations. For improving throughput and space charge capacity, the trap is substantially extended in one Z-direction forming a reproduced two-dimensional field. Multiple geometries are provided for trap Z-extension. The throughput of the analysis is improved by multiplexing electrostatic traps. The frequency analysis is accelerated by the shortening of ion packets and either by Wavelet-fit analysis of the image current signal or by using a time-of-flight detector for sampling a small portion of ions per oscillation. Multiple pulsed converters are suggested for optimal ion injection into electrostatic traps.

An ion detection system is disclosed that comprises one or more first devices (11) configured to produce secondary electrons in response to incident ions. The one or more first devices (11) comprise a first ion collection region and a second ion collection region and are configured to produce first secondary electrons in response to one or more ions incident at the first ion collection region and to produce second secondary electrons in response to one or more ions incident at the second ion collection region. The ion detection system also comprises a first output device (14) configured to output a first signal in response to first secondary electrons produced by the one or more first devices (11) and a second output device (15) configured to output a second signal in response to second secondary electrons produced by the one or more first devices (11).

An apparatus 41 and operation method are provided for an electrostatic trap mass spectrometer with measuring frequency of multiple isochronous ionic oscillations. For improving throughput and space charge capacity, the trap is substantially extended in one Z-direction forming a reproduced two-dimensional field. Multiple geometries are provided for trap Z-extension. The throughput of the analysis is improved by multiplexing electrostatic traps. The frequency analysis is accelerated by the shortening of ion packets and either by Wavelet-fit analysis of the image current signal or by using a time-of-flight detector for sampling a small portion of ions per oscillation. Multiple pulsed converters are suggested for optimal ion injection into electrostatic traps.

When a normal mass spectrometry is performed without dissociating an ion, the m/z range limitation voltage setting unit applies a radio-frequency voltage to each rod electrode of the quadrupole mass filter and controls the quadrupole voltage generator so as to apply a direct current voltage smaller than that at the time of ion selection for MS/MS spectrometry. When a small direct current voltage is applied, a mass scanning line is set so as to pass through a stability region on a Mathieu diagram over a long range, hence large m/z ions that do not fall within the stability region are blocked in the quadrupole mass filter. By adjusting a cut-off point on larger m/z side blocked in accordance with the measurement period of OA-TOFMS including the orthogonal accelerator, heavy ions that cause period delay are prevented from being introduced into the orthogonal accelerator.

A Time of Flight analyser comprising a flight tube (160) and a reflectron (170), wherein the reflectron comprises a stack of electrodes (172) that are compressed against the flight tube such that they remain parallel to each other under compression.

An apparatus 41 and operation method are provided for an electrostatic trap mass spectrometer with measuring frequency of multiple isochronous ionic oscillations. For improving throughput and space charge capacity, the trap is substantially extended in one Z-direction forming a reproduced two-dimensional field. Multiple geometries are provided for trap Z-extension. The throughput of the analysis is improved by multiplexing electrostatic traps. The frequency analysis is accelerated by the shortening of ion packets and either by Wavelet-fit analysis of the image current signal or by using a time-of-flight detector for sampling a small portion of ions per oscillation. Multiple pulsed converters are suggested for optimal ion injection into electrostatic traps.