Elongation of orthogonal accelerators is assisted by ion spatial transverse confinement within novel confinement means, formed by spatial alternation of electrostatic quadrupolar field (22). Contrary to prior art RF confinement means, the static means provide mass independent confinement and may be readily switched. Spatial confinement defines ion beam (29) position, prevents surfaces charging, assists forming wedge and bend fields, and allows axial fields in the region of pulsed ion extraction, this way improving the ion beam admission at higher energies and the spatial focusing of ion packets in multi- reflecting, multi-turn and singly reflecting TOF MS or electrostatic traps.

The invention relates to the operation of an energy-focusing and solid-angle-focusing reflector for time-of-flight mass spectrometers with pulsed ion acceleration into a flight tube, e.g. from an ion source with ionization by matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI). The objective of the invention is to generate high mass resolution in wide mass ranges up to high masses above eight kilodaltons by varying at least one operating voltage on one of the diaphragms of the reflector which can be varied according to a suitable time function during the spectrum acquisition. It may also be advantageous to adapt the operation of the accelerating voltages in the starting region of the ions accordingly. These measures make it possible to achieve a mass resolution much higher than R=100,000 in a wide mass range extending up to and above eight kilodaltons.

A time-of-flight mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising ion optics that map an array of ions at an ion source array (71) to a corresponding array of positions on a position sensitive ion detector (79). The ion optics include at least one gridless ion mirror (76) for reflecting ions, which may compensate for various aberrations and allows the spectrometer to have relatively high mass and spatial resolutions.

A mass analyzing apparatus and system are disclosed for time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry analysis. A representative system includes a first electrostatic mirror prism to reflect a first ion beam and provide an intermediate ion beam having an intermediate TOF focus and having a spatial dispersion of ions proportional to ion kinetic energies; and a second electrostatic mirror prism to reflect the second ion beam and converge the spatial dispersion of ions to provide a third, recombined ion beam having an output TOF focus; and an ion detector arranged at the output TOF focus to receive and detect the ions of the third ion beam. A bandpass filter may be arranged at the intermediate TOF focus to selectively allow propagation of ions of the second ion beam having a selected range of ion kinetic energies. Configurations having additional electrostatic mirror prisms are disclosed, including for tandem MS-MS and selectable time-of-flight.

The invention relates to the operation of an energy-focusing and solid-angle-focusing reflector for time-of-flight mass spectrometers with pulsed ion acceleration into a flight tube, e.g. from an ion source with ionization by matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI). The objective of the invention is to generate high mass resolution in wide mass ranges up to high masses above eight kilodaltons by varying at least one operating voltage on one of the diaphragms of the reflector which can be varied according to a suitable time function during the spectrum acquisition. It may also be advantageous to adapt the operation of the accelerating voltages in the starting region of the ions accordingly. These measures make it possible to achieve a mass resolution much higher than R=100,000 in a wide mass range extending up to and above eight kilodaltons.

Improved ion mirrors 30 (FIG. 3) are proposed for multi-reflecting TOF MS and electrostatic traps. Minor and controlled variation by means of arranging a localized wedge field structure 35 at the ion retarding region was found to produce major tilt of ion packets time fronts 39. Combining wedge reflecting fields with compensated deflectors is proposed for electrically controlled compensation of local and global misalignments, for improved ion injection and for reversing ion motion in the drift direction. Fine ion optical properties of methods and embodiments are verified in ion optical simulations.

A mass spectrometer comprising: a vacuum housing comprising a first vacuum chamber having a first gas exhaust port; a gas pump (1700) having a first gas inlet port connected to the first gas exhaust port (H1) by a first gas conduit for evacuating the first vacuum chamber; and a first apertured cover (2010) arranged over the first gas exhaust port (H1) or first gas inlet port, or in the first gas conduit therebetween.

Even if vibration is applied to an electrode, a connector section is not separated due to urge of a spring section by using a mass spectrometer that includes an electrode (plate-like electrode); a power source section that supplies electric power to the electrode with a predetermined voltage and/or current; a connection line formed of a conductive wire rod having elasticity for electrically connecting the electrode and the power source section; a connector section provided at one end of the connection line; a seat provided in the electrode to be contacted with the connector section; a fixation section provided in the connection line to be fixed to the power source section; and a spring section formed between the connector section and the fixation section of the connection line or in the connector section and for urging the connector section to the seat.

Two-channel electrical and photo-electrical TOF ion detection systems are provided. These systems maintain the resolution and dynamic range advantages of four-channel systems but at a lower cost. Electrodes or light pipes are configured to direct electrons or photons produced by ion impacts into two separate channels. The first channel receives electrons or photons resulting from the inner or central part of the rectangular pattern of each ion impact. The second channel receives electrons or photons resulting from the two outer ends of the rectangular pattern of each ion impact. In a two-channel digitizer, the first channel and the second channel are independently calibrated to align the first digital value and the second digital value in time and account for the convex shape of the ion impacts of each ion packet and/or the curvature of a microchannel plate.

A mass spectrometer comprising: a vacuum housing comprising a first vacuum chamber having a first gas exhaust port; a gas pump (1700) having a first gas inlet port connected to the first gas exhaust port (H1) by a first gas conduit for evacuating the first vacuum chamber, and a first apertured cover (2010) arranged over the first gas exhaust port (H1) or first gas inlet port, or in the first gas conduit therebetween.