Methods, apparatus, and system for mass spectrometry

A method for mass spectrometry, the method comprising:

• (A) maintaining a pressure of about 10−5 mm Hg or less in a vacuum cavity defined by a vacuum housing;
• (B) charging an electrode disposed within the vacuum cavity to an electrode potential so as to control acceleration of a charged particle propagating through the vacuum cavity;
• and
• (C) controlling the electrode potential at the electrode via a digital controller disposed within the vacuum cavity and in electrical communication with the electrode;
• and (D) heating the at least one component within the vacuum cavity so as to drive gas off the at least one component.

A mass spectrometer, comprising:

• a vacuum housing defining a vacuum cavity;
• an inlet, in fluid communication with the vacuum cavity, to allow introduction of a gaseous sample into the vacuum cavity for mass-spectrometric analysis;
• an electron source, disposed within the vacuum cavity, to generate electrons that ionize particles of the gaseous sample to form ions;
• a grid electrode, disposed within the vacuum cavity and configured to be charged to a grid electrode potential, to control acceleration of the electrons ionizing the particles of the gaseous sample;
• an electrostatic lens system, disposed within the vacuum cavity and comprising:
• an electrostatic lens electrode, configured to be charged to an electrostatic lens electrode potential, to focus the ions into an ion beam;
• at least one aperture, defined by a mass spectrometer component, to focus the ion beam;
• at least one flexure, integral to the mass spectrometer component, to change a width of the at least one aperture;
• a digital controller, disposed within the vacuum cavity and in electrical communication with the grid electrode and/or the electrostatic lens electrode, to control and/or modulate the grid electrode potential and/or to control the electrostatic lens electrode potential;
• and a heater, in thermal communication with at least one component within the vacuum cavity, to heat the at least one component so as to drive gas off the at least one component.