The invention relates to hybrid IMS/MS systems and provides hybrid IMS/MS system comprising an RF funnel, an ion mobility analyzer and a mass analyzer wherein the RF funnel is arranged non-collinearly to the ion mobility analyzer, preferably a TIMS analyzer (TIMS=trapped ion mobility spectrometry).

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion mobility spectrometer or separator and an ion guide arranged downstream of the ion mobility spectrometer or separator. A plurality of axial potential wells are created in the ion guide so that ions received from the ion mobility spectrometer or separator become confined in separate axial potential wells. The potential wells maintain the fidelity and/or composition of ions received from the ion mobility spectrometer or separator. The potential wells are translated along the length of the ion guide.

Disclosed herein is an ion supply system, having an ion source emitting ions into a fore vacuum chamber, an ion transport device having stacked electrodes arranged in the fore vacuum chamber, a control system supplying an oscillatory voltage to the electrodes of the ion transport device and a vacuum chamber, arranged downstream from the ion transport device. A vacuum gauge is arranged in the vacuum chamber. The pressure signal of the vacuum gauge is supplied to the control system supplying the oscillatory voltage to electrodes of the ion transport device. The control system adjusts the amplitude of the oscillatory voltage in accordance with the pressure signal.

An ion transfer apparatus for transferring ions from an ion source at an ion source pressure, which ion source pressure is greater than 500 mbar, along a path towards a mass analyser at a mass analyser pressure that is lower than the ion source pressure. The apparatus includes a plurality of pressure controlled chambers, wherein each pressure controlled chamber in the ion transfer apparatus includes an ion inlet opening for receiving ions from the ion source on the path and an ion outlet opening for outputting the ions on the path. The plurality of pressure controlled chambers are arranged in succession along the path from an initial pressure controlled chamber to a final pressure controlled chamber, wherein an ion outlet opening of each pressure controlled chamber other than the final pressure controlled chamber is in flow communication with the ion inlet opening of a successive adjacent pressure controlled chamber. The ion transfer apparatus is configured to have, in use, at least one pair of adjacent pressure controlled chambers for which a ratio of pressure in an upstream pressure controlled chamber to pressure in a downstream pressure controlled chamber is set such that there is substantially subsonic gas flow in the downstream pressure controlled chamber.

Atmospheric pressure ion guides are provided. The atmospheric pressure ion guides can include a multi-ring electrode structure connecting a larger opening to a smaller opening and having a series of ring electrodes with decreasing diameter and voltage going from the larger opening to the smaller opening. The electrodes can be made from stainless steel or other suitable conductive material. The multi-ring electrode structure can be contained in a housing, such as a housing made from polyetheretherketone or other suitable thermosetting polymer. The atmospheric pressure ion guide can focus ions from an ion source for use with ion detection devices such as an ion mobility spectrometer or a mass spectrometer. Methods of using the atmospheric pressure ion guides are provided, for example to focus a plurality of ions to be injected into an ion detection device. The atmospheric pressure ion guides can increase the signal intensity of the ion detection device.

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising separating ions temporally in a first device 5 and analysing the mass or mass to charge ratio of the ions or of product or fragment ions derived from the ions in a mass or mass to charge ratio analyser 8 disposed downstream of the first device 5. The method further comprises obtaining a first set of drift times for the ions through the first device 5 by measuring ion arrival times and determining the transit time of the ions and/or of the product or fragment ions through one or more intermediate regions or devices 6, 7 disposed between the first device 5 and the mass to charge ratio analyser 8. The method further comprises obtaining a second set of drift times for the ions through the first device 5 by correcting the first set of drift times to account for the determined transit times.

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion mobility spectrometer or separator and an ion guide arranged downstream of the ion mobility spectrometer or separator. A plurality of axial potential wells are created in the ion guide so that ions received from the ion mobility spectrometer or separator become confined in separate axial potential wells. The potential wells maintain the fidelity and/or composition of ions received from the ion mobility spectrometer or separator. The potential wells are translated along the length of the ion guide.

An ion transfer device that transfers ions from at least one ion inlet to at least one ion outlet. The ion transfer device includes an enclosure configured to maintain reduced pressure, and a plurality of electrodes disposed at least in part inside the enclosure such that the ion transfer device is configured to be flexible or re-configurable.

An example system includes an electron ionization ion source and a mass analyzer. The electron ion source is configured, during operation of the system, to create from sample molecules a beam of ions extending along an ion beam axis. The system also includes a collision cooling chamber comprising a gas manifold and an electric field generator. The cooling chamber defines an entrance aperture and an exit aperture on respective opposing ends of the cooling chamber, the entrance aperture of the cooling chamber being in axial alignment with the ion beam axis. The cooling chamber is configured, during operation of the system, to generate a radio frequency (RF) field within the cooling chamber using the electric field generator, and receive collision gas through the gas manifold to pressurize the cooling chamber.

A plurality of electrodes may be arrayed to provide a lateral passage for analyte particles introduced off-axis, communicating with a central passage aligned with an outlet.