Mass Separator for Use in a Mass Spectrometry System
AssigneeDH Technologies Development Pte. Ltd.
InventorJames Hager
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Abstract
Systems and methods disclosed herein utilize an interface positioned between an ion source and an ion guide of a mass spectrometry system that can be useful to control transmission ions from an ion source to a downstream mass analyzer. In various aspects, the present disclosure provides methods of modulating an introduction of ions into an ion guide. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of making and using disclosed interface elements and mass spectrometry systems. In some embodiments, implementations of the present disclosure are useful in mass spectrometry systems, including, for example, improving signal-to-noise and reducing contamination.
Claims20
A mass spectrometry system, comprising:
- an ion source for generating ions;
- an ion guide positioned downstream of the ion source;
- an interface disposed between the ion source and the ion guide to modulate introduction of ions generated by the ion source into the ion guide, the interface having an opened state in which the interface allows introduction of ions into the ion guide and a closed state in which the interface inhibits introduction of ions into the ion guide;
- a mass analyzer disposed downstream of the ion guide;
- and
- one or more controllers for switching the interface between the closed and opened states so as to introduce pulses of ions into the ion guide,
- wherein during a time window after introduction of ions into the ion guide, the one or more controllers causes the ion guide to release at least a portion of the introduced pulse of ions from the ion guide into the downstream mass analyzer so as to provide a mass separation of at least a portion of the released ions.
A process of separating ions in a mass spectrometry system, comprising the steps of:
- introducing one or more pulses of gas having entrained ions into an ion guide so as to cause a pressure change in the ion guide, wherein an internal pressure of the ion guide increases as a pulse of gas and ions enters the ion guide and decreases after the pulse of gas and ions is terminated, and
- releasing at least a portion of the ions from the ion guide for transmission into a downstream mass analyzer,
- wherein the steps of introducing and releasing causes the separating of at least a portion ions based on their m/z ratios.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.