US 11,887,832 B2 · Mass spectrometer

Abstract

An isotope ratio mass spectrometer has an ion source, a static field mass filter, a reaction cell to induce a mass shift reaction, and a sector field mass analyser for spatially separating ions from the reaction cell according to their m/z. A detector platform detects a plurality of different ion species separated by the sector field mass analyser. The static field mass filter has a first Wien filter that deflects ions away from a longitudinal symmetry axis of the spectrometer in accordance with the ions' m/z, and a second Wien filter that deflects ions back towards the longitudinal symmetry axis in accordance with the ions' m/z. An inverting lens is positioned along the longitudinal axis between the Wien filters to invert the direction of deflection of the ions from the first Wien filter. The static field mass filter provides high transmission and improved spectrometer sensitivity. The first and second Wien filters permit simple tuning.

Claims36

Dependent claims

A mass spectrometer comprising:

a static field mass filter having:
an entrance aperture configured to receive an ion beam from an ion source,
an exit aperture configured to eject ions, the static field mass filter defining a longitudinal symmetry axis between the entrance and exit apertures,
a first Wien filter configured to deflect ions away from the longitudinal symmetry axis in accordance with their m/z,
a second Wien filter configured to deflect the ions back towards the longitudinal symmetry axis in accordance with their m/z, and
an inverting lens positioned along the longitudinal symmetry axis between the first and second Wien filters, to invert the direction of deflection of the ions from the first Wien filter;
an ion source arranged upstream of the static field mass filter and configured to direct ions into the entrance aperture thereof;
and
a mass analyser arranged downstream of the static field mass filter, configured to mass analyse either (a) ions ejected from the exit aperture thereof, or (b) product ions derived from the ions ejected from the exit aperture of the static field mass filter.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Mass spectrometer

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Mass spectrometer

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Abstract

Claims36