Mass spectrometer

A method of injecting analyte ions into a mass analyser is provided comprising injecting analyte ions of a first charge and counter ions of a second charge into an ion trap. The analyte and counter ions are cooled simultaneously in the ion trap such that a spatial distribution of the analyte ions in...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author Hamish Ian Stewart
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 31.07.2019
Subjects
BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
ELECTRICITY
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Summary:A method of injecting analyte ions into a mass analyser is provided comprising injecting analyte ions of a first charge and counter ions of a second charge into an ion trap. The analyte and counter ions are cooled simultaneously in the ion trap such that a spatial distribution of the analyte ions in the ion trap is reduced. The analyte ions are then ejected as an ion packet from the ion trap into the mass analyser. The counter ions may have a charge of the opposite polarity to the analyte ions, thereby reducing the total charge density in the ion trap and the space charge of the analyte ions. Alternatively, the spatial distribution of the analyte ions is reduced by laser cooling the counter ions in the trap, which in turn cools the analyte ions by a transfer of kinetic energy. In this case, the counter ions may be of the same or an opposing charge to the analyte ions but are preferably of a lower mass to charge ratio allowing them to be cooled rapidly.
Bibliography:Application Number: GB20170019222