Abstract:
A system and method for sample analysis using sub-atmospheric pressure (sub-AP) laser ionization. The sub-AP ion source includes a holder with a sample containing analyte molecules, a pulsed laser beam configured to generate ionized species from the sample, an ion extractor adjacent to the holder configured to extract analyte ions from the ionized species by an extraction electric field Es near the sample, an ion funnel structure composed of orifice electrodes located along an ion funnel pathway direction z. The ion funnel structure has an entrance and an exit, the exit being the electrode with the smallest aperture in the structure. This structure is configured for accepting the analyte ions from the ion extractor at the entrance and dragging them toward the exit using an axial electric field Ez along the direction z. The extraction electric field Es is at least partly electrically shielded from the axial electric field Ez.
Abstract:
A system and method for sample analysis using sub-atmospheric pressure (sub-AP) laser ionization. The sub-AP ion source includes a holder with a sample containing analyte molecules, a pulsed laser beam configured to generate ionized species from the sample, an ion extractor adjacent to the holder configured to extract analyte ions from the ionized species by an extraction electric field Es near the sample, an ion funnel structure composed of orifice electrodes located along an ion funnel pathway direction z. The ion funnel structure has an entrance and an exit, the exit being the electrode with the smallest aperture in the structure. This structure is configured for accepting the analyte ions from the ion extractor at the entrance and dragging them toward the exit using an axial electric field Ez along the direction z. The extraction electric field Es is at least partly electrically shielded from the axial electric field Ez.
Abstract:
An orbital ion trap for electrostatic field ion trapping which includes an electrode structure defining an internal volume of the trap with at least some of electrode surfaces shaped to substantially follow equipotential lines of an ideal quadro-logarithmic electric potential around a longitudinal axis z. The ideal electric potential has an inner potential canyon, an outer potential canyon, and a low potential passage therebetween. The trap includes a trapping voltage supply which provides trapping voltages on the electrodes to generate a trapping electrostatic potential within the internal volume of the trap. The trapping electrostatic potential closely approximates at least a part of the ideal electric potential in at least a part of the internal volume of the trap.
Abstract:
A system and method for sample analysis using sub-atmospheric pressure (sub-AP) laser ionization. The sub-AP ion source includes a holder with a sample containing analyte molecules, a pulsed laser beam configured to generate ionized species from the sample, an ion extractor adjacent to the holder configured to extract analyte ions from the ionized species by an extraction electric field Es near the sample, an ion funnel structure composed of orifice electrodes located along an ion funnel pathway direction z. The ion funnel structure has an entrance and an exit, the exit being the electrode with the smallest aperture in the structure. This structure is configured for accepting the analyte ions from the ion extractor at the entrance and dragging them toward the exit using an axial electric field Ez along the direction z. The extraction electric field Es is at least partly electrically shielded from the axial electric field Ez.
Abstract:
An interchangeable ion source for a spectrometer. The ion source includes an interface which mounts the ion source relative to a gas inlet of the spectrometer, a sample holder, a laser which produces a laser beam capable of ionizing the sample at ambient pressure, and an optical system. The ion source includes an equipment chassis which supports the interface, the sample holder, the laser and the optical system as a rigid unit such that the interface, the sample holder, the laser and the optical system remain in alignment upon attachment and detachment of the ion source from the spectrometer and an enclosure which embraces an atmosphere around components of the ion source. In addition, the ion source includes a circulator which circulates at least part of the atmosphere within the enclosure.