Mass spectrometer power sources with polarity switching

摘要

A method of switching between two modes of power supply to a mass analyzer is provided. In a first mode of operation, operated for a first predefined time duration, a first power supply, coupled to the mass analyzer, generates a first nonzero potential, while a second power supply, disconnected from the mass analyzer, generates a second non-zero potential. In a second mode of operation, operated for a second predefined time duration, the second potential is coupled to the mass analyzer, while the first power supply, disconnected from the mass analyzer, generates the first potential. These predefined time durations are selected such that only one of: the first potential; and the second potential is coupled to the mass analyzer at any time, and such that the first and second modes of operation are carried out at least once within a predetermined length of time.

主权项

1. A method of switching between first and second modes of power supply to a mass analyser, comprising:
operating in a first mode of operation for a first predefined time duration, wherein in the first mode of operation:
a first non-zero potential generated by a first power supply is coupled to the mass analyser, while a second power supply generates a second non-zero potential but is disconnected from the mass analyser;an electric field is generated in the mass analyser using the first potential;charged particles are received at the mass analyser; andthe charged particles are analysed; and subsequent to operating in the first mode of operation, switching to a second mode of operation for a second predefined time duration, wherein in the second mode of operation, the second non-zero potential generated by the second power supply is coupled to the mass analyser, while the first power supply generates the first potential but is disconnected from the mass analyser; wherein the first predefined time duration and second predefined time duration are selected such that only one of the first potential and the second potential is coupled to the mass analyser at any time, and such that the steps of operating in the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation are carried out at least once within a predetermined length of time; and wherein the polarity of the first potential is opposite to the second potential.