Mass spectrometers comprising accelerator devices

摘要

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising providing a flight region for ions to travel through and a detector or fragmentation device. A potential profile is maintained along the flight region such that ions travel towards the detector or fragmentation device. The potential at which a first length of the flight region is maintained is then changed from a first potential to a second potential while at least some ions are travelling within the first length of flight region. The changed potential provides a first potential difference at an exit of the length of flight region, through which the ions are accelerated as they leave the length of flight region. This increases the kinetic energy of the ions prior to them reaching the detector or fragmentation cell.

主权项

1. A method of mass spectrometry comprising:
providing a flight region for ions to travel through between an acceleration electrode and an ion detector, wherein ions are accelerated into the flight region by applying a voltage pulse to the acceleration electrode; maintaining a potential profile along the flight region such that ions travel towards the detector, wherein ions having a range of different mass to charge ratios are passed into the flight region and separate spatially according to mass to charge ratio as the ions travel towards the detector; and changing the potential at which a first length of the flight region is maintained from a first potential to a second potential whilst at least some ions are travelling within said first length of the flight region, the changed potential providing a first potential difference at an exit of said length of the flight region, whereby said at least some ions are accelerated through the potential difference as the ions leave said length of the flight region so as to arrive at the detector with increased kinetic energy so as to increase ion detection efficiency of these ions.