MASS SPECTROMETER INCLUDING MULTIPLE MASS ANALYSIS STAGES AND METHOD OF OPERATION, TO GIVE IMPROVED RESOLUTION

摘要

A method is provided of operating a mass spectrometer apparatus comprising a pair of quadrupole rod sets. Each quadrupole rod set is operated in a mass resolving mode. They may be operated in the same or different stability regions. The rod sets are operated to select essentially ions of the same mass to charge ratio, and are operated such that the combined resolution of the two rod sets is greater than the resolution of either rod set. The rod sets can be operated at relatively low resolution, with the combined peak shape from the two rod sets showing high resolution. This can make up for mechanical imperfections in the rod sets, losses due to high gas pressures, etc. A mass shift can be provided to give the desired resolution. The rod sets can be close coupled, and for this purpose neutralizing capacitors can be provided to prevent electrical interference between adjacent rod sets. The rod sets can be provided with the same frequency signal, which preferably is a phase locked and shifted, to give enhanced sensitivity.