The present invention addresses ways to facilitate the detection and analysis of ion abundance, in particular for analysis of elemental ions, and in particular embodiments for isotope ratio analysis, by use of collision cells that employ an axial drag field, i.e. an axial electric field that exerts a drag force on ions within the cell. By means of the invention, the drag field allows an increase in the transmission in the case of Li from a few % up to almost 100%. The drag field is generated by electric fields and can be switched on and off within microsecond (μs) timescales and thus improves the sensitivity for the lighter elements dramatically. The invention allows use of collision cells for analysis of elemental ions in a simple and fast workflow with high throughput and without compromising transmission.

The present invention addresses ways to facilitate the detection and analysis of ion abundance, in particular for analysis of elemental ions, and in particular embodiments for isotope ratio analysis, by use of collision cells that employ an axial drag field, i.e. an axial electric field that exerts a drag force on ions within the cell. By means of the invention, the drag field allows an increase in the transmission in the case of Li from a few % up to almost 100%. The drag field is generated by electric fields and can be switched on and off within microsecond (μs) timescales and thus improves the sensitivity for the lighter elements dramatically. The invention allows use of collision cells for analysis of elemental ions in a simple and fast workflow with high throughput and without compromising transmission.

The present application relates to a method for improving analytical efficiency and cost effectiveness of oxygen isotope analysis of an aqueous sample. In particular, the present application relates to a method of determining an oxygen isotope composition of an aqueous sample by (a) equilibrating the aqueous sample with CO.sub.2 gas wherein the aqueous sample comprises an effective amount of carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme; and (b) measuring the oxygen isotope composition of the CO.sub.2 at equilibrium, wherein the oxygen isotope composition of the CO.sub.2 corresponds to the oxygen isotope composition of the aqueous sample.

The present application relates to a method for improving analytical efficiency and cost effectiveness of oxygen isotope analysis of an aqueous sample. In particular, the present application relates to a method of determining an oxygen isotope composition of an aqueous sample by (a) equilibrating the aqueous sample with CO.sub.2 gas wherein the aqueous sample comprises an effective amount of carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme; and (b) measuring the oxygen isotope composition of the CO.sub.2 at equilibrium, wherein the oxygen isotope composition of the CO.sub.2 corresponds to the oxygen isotope composition of the aqueous sample.

The present invention comprises novel methods of continuously monitoring the performance of an atmospheric pressure ionization (API) system. The methods of the invention allow for improved quality monitoring of the processes that leads to the formation of ions at atmospheric pressure. The methods of the invention further allow for continuously monitoring for the quality of the ion formation process in API without the addition of extraneous material (such as labelled compounds or control known compounds) to the system being monitored.

The present invention comprises novel methods of continuously monitoring the performance of an atmospheric pressure ionization (API) system. The methods of the invention allow for improved quality monitoring of the processes that leads to the formation of ions at atmospheric pressure. The methods of the invention further allow for continuously monitoring for the quality of the ion formation process in API without the addition of extraneous material (such as labelled compounds or control known compounds) to the system being monitored.

A method of static gas mass spectrometry is provided. The method includes the steps of: introducing a sample gas comprising two or more isotopes to be analyzed into a static vacuum mass spectrometer at a time, t.sub.0; operating an electron impact ionization source of the mass spectrometer with a first electron energy below the ionization potential of the sample gas for a first period of time that is following t.sub.0 until a time t.sub.1; and operating the electron impact ionization source with a second electron energy at least as high as the ionization potential of the sample gas for a second period of time that is after time t.sub.1. The first time period from t.sub.0 to t.sub.1 is a period corresponding to a period taken for the isotopes of the sample gas to equilibrate in the mass spectrometer. A constant ion source temperature is preferably maintained. Also provided is a static gas mass spectrometer.

A method of static gas mass spectrometry is provided. The method includes the steps of: introducing a sample gas comprising two or more isotopes to be analyzed into a static vacuum mass spectrometer at a time, t.sub.0; operating an electron impact ionization source of the mass spectrometer with a first electron energy below the ionization potential of the sample gas for a first period of time that is following t.sub.0 until a time t.sub.1; and operating the electron impact ionization source with a second electron energy at least as high as the ionization potential of the sample gas for a second period of time that is after time t.sub.1. The first time period from t.sub.0 to t.sub.1 is a period corresponding to a period taken for the isotopes of the sample gas to equilibrate in the mass spectrometer. A constant ion source temperature is preferably maintained. Also provided is a static gas mass spectrometer.

A device includes a first surface, a second surface and a controller. The second surface is adjacent to the first surface. The first and the second surfaces define a first ion channel therebetween. The first ion channel extends along a first direction. The second surface includes a first plurality of electrodes including a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode along a second direction lateral to the first direction. The first plurality of electrodes extends along the first direction. The first electrode is configured to receive a first voltage signal and generate at least a portion of a pseudopotential that inhibits ions in the first ion channel from approaching the second surface. The second plurality of electrodes is located between the first electrode and the second electrode and arranged along the first direction. The second plurality of electrodes are configured to receive a second voltage signal to generate a first traveling drive potential that travels along the first direction. The first traveling drive potential is configured to guide ions along the first ion channel. The device further includes a controller electrically coupled to the first and the second surface. The controller is configured to generate the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal.

A device includes a first surface, a second surface and a controller. The second surface is adjacent to the first surface. The first and the second surfaces define a first ion channel therebetween. The first ion channel extends along a first direction. The second surface includes a first plurality of electrodes including a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode along a second direction lateral to the first direction. The first plurality of electrodes extends along the first direction. The first electrode is configured to receive a first voltage signal and generate at least a portion of a pseudopotential that inhibits ions in the first ion channel from approaching the second surface. The second plurality of electrodes is located between the first electrode and the second electrode and arranged along the first direction. The second plurality of electrodes are configured to receive a second voltage signal to generate a first traveling drive potential that travels along the first direction. The first traveling drive potential is configured to guide ions along the first ion channel. The device further includes a controller electrically coupled to the first and the second surface. The controller is configured to generate the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal.