US 2004/0169137 A1 · Inductive detection for mass spectrometry

Abstract

The invention provides devices, device configurations and methods for improved sensitivity, resolution and efficiency in mass spectrometry, particularly as applied to biological molecules, including biological polymers, such as proteins and nucleic acids. More particularly, the invention provides methods and devices for analyzing and detecting electrically charged particles, especially suitable for gas phase ions generated from high molecular weight compounds. In one aspect, the invention provides devices and methods for determining the velocity, charged state or both of electrically charged particles and packets of electrically charged particles. In another aspect, the invention provides methods and devices for the time-of-flight analysis of electrically charged particles comprising spatially collimated sources. In another aspect, the invention relates to multiple detection using inductive detectors, improved methods of signal averaging and charged particle detection in coincidence.

Claims52

Dependent claims

An analyzer for analyzing electrically charged particles comprising:

a) a collimator having an external end and an internal end for receiving a flow of bath gas and a stream of electrically charged particles, wherein the stream of electrically charged particles exit the external end of the collimator having a momentum substantially directed along a charged particle detection axis;
b) an inductive detector in fluid communication with said collimator and located a selected distance downstream of the collimator along the charged particle detection axis with respect to the flow of bath gas;
and
c) an electrically charged particle detector in fluid communication with said inductive detector and located a selected distance downstream of the inductive detector along the charged particle detection axis with respect to the flow of bath gas;
wherein said inductive detector is positioned sufficiently close to the detection axis such that the electric field of the charged particles induce electric charges on the surface of the inductive detector.

2 more elements

A mass spectrometer comprising:

a) a electrically charged particle source for generating a stream of electrically charged particles having a first spatial distribution in a flow of bath gas,
b) a collimator having an external end and an internal end for receiving a flow of bath gas and a stream of electrically charged particles, wherein the stream of electrically charged particles exits the external end of the collimator having a momentum substantially directed along a charged particle detection axis;
c) an accelerator positioned along the detection axis a selected distance downstream from the first inductive detector, wherein the accelerator generates an extraction pulse that accelerates the electrically charged particles to achieve a selected kinetic energy;
d) a first inductive detector in fluid communication with said accelerator and located a selected distance downstream of the accelerator;
e) a second inductive detector in fluid communication with the first inductive detector and located a selected distance downstream of the second inductive detector;
and
f) at least one flow inlet, in fluid communication with said collimator for introducing the flow of bath gas;
wherein said first and second inductive detectors are positioned close enough to the detection axis such that the electric fields of the charged particles induce electric charges on the surface of the first and second inductive detectors.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Inductive detection for mass spectrometry

Life of this patent

Inductive detection for mass spectrometry

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims52