Mass Spectrometer

• US 20100108879A1
• Filed: 11/15/2007
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Micromass UK Ltd (Waters Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Micromass UK Ltd (Waters Corporation)
• Inventors: Giles, Kevin, Bateman, Robert Harold, Pringle, Steven Derek, Wildgoose, Jason Lee
• Granted Patent: US 9,685,313 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/283
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/622 Ion mobility spectrometry
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 49/004 Combinations of spectrometers, tandem spectrometers, e.g. MS/MS, MSn
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 49/4215 Quadrupole mass filters H01J49/4225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 49/426 Methods for controlling ions

Abstract

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion mobility spectrometer (8) and an ion gate (9). A collision cell (10) is arranged downstream of the ion gate (9). The operation of the ion mobility spectrometer (8) and the ion gate (9) are synchronised so that only ions having a particular mass to charge ratio and a desired charge state are onwardly transmitted to the collision cell (10).

Claims

1. A mass spectrometer comprising:

a first mass to charge ratio filter or mass to charge ratio mass analyser arranged and adapted in a first mode of operation to transmit parent or precursor ions having a mass to charge ratio within a first range;

an ion mobility spectrometer or separator;

attenuation means, comprising an ion gate, ion deflector or ion barrier, for attenuating or diverting ions in a mode of operation;

a collision, fragmentation or reaction device; and

a control device arranged and adapted to control the operation of said attenuation means so that ions having mass to charge ratios within said first range but having one or more undesired first charge states are substantially attenuated.

2. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first mass to charge ratio filter or mass to charge ratio mass analyser is arranged and adapted in said first mode of operation to attenuate ions having mass to charge ratios outside of said first range.

6. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ion mobility spectrometer or separator is arranged upstream of said attenuation means.

11. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said attenuation means is arranged to transmit ions during a first time period or first time window and to attenuate or divert ions during a second time period or second time window, wherein said second time period or second time window is different from said first time period or first time window.

14. A mass spectrometer as claimed in preceding claim 1, wherein said first undesired charge state is selected from one or more of the following:

(i) singly charged;

(ii) doubly charged;

(iii) triply charged;

(iv) quadruply charged;

(v) quintuply; and

(vi) multiply charged.

58. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first mass to charge ratio filter or mass to charge ratio mass analyser is arranged upstream or downstream of said ion mobility spectrometer or separator.

3-5. -5. (canceled)

7-10. -10. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

15-57. -57. (canceled)

59-69. -69. (canceled)

70. A method of mass spectrometry comprising:

transmitting parent or precursor ions having mass to charge ratios within a first range;

providing an ion mobility spectrometer or separator;

providing an attenuation means, comprising an ion gate, ion deflector or ion barrier, for attenuating or diverting ions in a mode of operation;

providing a collision, fragmentation or reaction device; and

controlling the operation of said attenuation means so that ions having mass to charge ratios within said first range but having one or more first undesired charge states are substantially attenuated.

71-74. -74. (canceled)

75. A mass spectrometer comprising:

a first mass to charge ratio filter or mass to charge ratio mass analyser arranged and adapted in a first mode of operation to transmit parent or precursor ions having a mass to charge ratio within a first range;

an ion mobility spectrometer or separator;

attenuation means, for attenuating or diverting ions in a mode of operation, comprising means for removing, attenuating or reducing the amplitude of an AC or RF voltage or potential which is applied to at least a portion of said ion mobility spectrometer or separator;

a collision, fragmentation or reaction device; and

a control device arranged and adapted to control the operation of said attenuation means so that ions having mass to charge ratios within said first range but having one or more undesired first charge states are substantially attenuated.

76. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 75, wherein, in use, said attenuation means removes, attenuates or reduces the amplitude of an AC or RF voltage or potential which is applied to at least a portion of said ion mobility spectrometer or separator so that ions within at least a portion of said ion mobility spectrometer or separator are no longer confined radially within said ion mobility spectrometer or separator.

77. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 75, wherein said first mass to charge ratio filter or mass to charge ratio mass analyser is arranged and adapted in said first mode of operation to attenuate ions having mass to charge ratios outside of said first range.

78. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 75, wherein said attenuation means is arranged to transmit ions during a first time period or first time window and wherein said attenuation means is arranged to attenuate or divert ions during a second time period or second time window, wherein said second time period or second time window is different from said first time period or first time window.

79. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 75, wherein said first undesired charge state is selected from one or more of the following:

(i) singly charged;

(ii) doubly charged;

(iii) triply charged;

(iv) quadruply charged;

(v) quintuply; and

(vi) multiply charged.

80. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 75, wherein said first mass to charge ratio filter or mass to charge ratio mass analyser is arranged upstream or downstream of said ion mobility spectrometer or separator.

81. A method of mass spectrometry comprising:

transmitting parent or precursor ions having mass to charge ratios within a first range;

providing an ion mobility spectrometer or separator;

providing an attenuation means, for attenuating or diverting ions in a mode of operation, comprising means for removing, attenuating or reducing the amplitude of an AC or RF voltage or potential which is applied to at least a portion of said ion mobility spectrometer or separator;

providing a collision, fragmentation or reaction device; and

controlling the operation of said attenuation means so that ions having mass to charge ratios within said first range but having one or more first undesired charge states are substantially attenuated.

82. A method of mass spectrometry as claimed in claim 81, wherein said attenuation means removes, attenuates or reduces the amplitude of an AC or RF voltage or potential which is applied to at least a portion of said ion mobility spectrometer or separator so that ions within at least a portion of said ion mobility spectrometer or separator are no longer confined radially within said ion mobility spectrometer or separator.

83. A mass spectrometer comprising:

a first mass to charge ratio filter or mass to charge ratio mass analyser arranged and adapted in a first mode of operation to transmit parent or precursor ions having a mass to charge ratio within a first range;

an ion mobility spectrometer or separator;

attenuation means, for attenuating or diverting ions in a mode of operation, comprising means for removing, attenuating or reducing the amplitude of an AC or RF voltage or potential which is applied to at least a portion of an ion guide or other ion optical device arranged downstream of said ion mobility spectrometer or separator;

a collision, fragmentation or reaction device; and

a control device arranged and adapted to control the operation of said attenuation means so that ions having mass to charge ratios within said first range but having one or more undesired first charge states are substantially attenuated.

84. A mass spectrometer as claimed in claim 83, wherein when, in use, said attenuation means removes, attenuates or reduces the amplitude of an AC or RF voltage or potential which is applied to at least a portion of said ion guide or other ion optical device which is arranged downstream of said ion mobility spectrometer or separator, then ions within at least a portion of said ion guide or other ion optical device are no longer confined radially within said ion guide or other ion optical device.

85. A method of mass spectrometry comprising:

transmitting parent or precursor ions having mass to charge ratios within a first range;

providing an ion mobility spectrometer or separator;

providing an attenuation means, for attenuating or diverting ions in a mode of operation, comprising means for removing, attenuating or reducing the amplitude of an AC or RF voltage or potential which is applied to at least a portion of an ion guide or other ion optical device arranged downstream of said ion mobility spectrometer or separator;

providing a collision, fragmentation or reaction device; and

controlling the operation of said attenuation means so that ions having mass to charge ratios within said first range but having one or more first undesired charge states are substantially attenuated.

86. A method of mass spectrometry as claimed in claim 85, wherein, when said attenuation means removes, attenuates or reduces the amplitude of an AC or RF voltage or potential which is applied to at least a portion of said ion guide or other ion optical device which is arranged downstream of said ion mobility spectrometer or separator, then ions within at least a portion of said ion guide or other ion optical device are no longer confined radially within said ion guide or other ion optical device.