METHOD OF AVOIDING SPACE CHARGE SATURATION EFFECTS IN AN ION TRAP

摘要

A mass spectrometer is provided comprising a first ion trap (2) arranged upstream of an analytical second ion trap (5). The charge capacity of the first ion trap (2) is set at a value such that if all the ions stored within the first ion trap (2) up to the charge capacity limit of the first ion trap (2) are then transferred to the second ion trap (5), then the analytical performance of the second ion trap (5) is not substantially degraded due to space charge effects.