Micromass UK Limited

Micromass Limited

Anthony James Gilbert

Jason Lee Wildgoose

John Brian Hoyes

Robert Harold Bateman

Martin Raymond Green

Jeffery Mark Brown

Steven Derek Pringle

David John Langridge

Garry Michael Scott

Keith George Richardson

Motohiro Suyama

Richard Barrington Moulds

Jeff Brown

Richard Denny

Thomas Oliver Merren

Peter Gerard Spreadbury

Jonathan C Cottrell

John Skilling

Richard Chapman

Jeffrey Mark Brown

David Darrell Williams

Paul Doorbar

Alan McKinnon

Phillip Edward Young

Richard Newton

Keith Richardson

A data acquisition system for a TOF mass spectrometer comprises a processing module and a data collection module. The processing module generates a stream of data comprising, for each respective transient of a first scan, a set of time-intensity related parameter pairs. For each new set of data, the data collection module reads out a previous set of data from a previous memory bank, merges that previous set of data with the new set of data, and writes that latest merged set of data into a memory bank other than the previous memory bank. The data acquisition system provides a convenient way to merge sequential sets of time-intensity related parameter pairs for respective transients as a stream of data for a first scan is generated.

Mass spectrometer data acquisition

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising digitizing a plurality of individual signals or transients and summing the plurality of digitized signals or transients or data relating to the plurality of digitized signals or transients to generate a composite mass spectral data set. The method further comprises determining in relation to the composite mass spectral data set an indication of the proportion of instances that intensity values relating to the individual digitized signals or transients either: (i) exceeded or approached a threshold value; (ii) suffered from saturation or approached saturation; or (iii) resulted from the dynamic range of an ion detector system being exceeded or approached.

Method of recording ADC saturation

An ion detector for a Time of Flight mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a single Microchannel Plate which is arranged to receive ions and output electrons. The electrons are directed onto an array of photodiodes which directly detects the electrons. The output from each photodiode is connected to a separate Time to Digital Converter provided on an ASIC.

Multiple channel detection for time of flight mass spectrometer

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a Time of Flight mass analyzer comprising an ion detector comprising an Analog to Digital Converter. Signals from the Analog to Digital Converter are digitized and the arrival time and intensity of ions are determined. The arrival time Tand intensity Sof each ion arrival event is converted into two separate intensities S,Swhich are stored in neighboring time bins T, T.

Conversion of ion arrival times or ion intensities into multiple intensities or arrival times in a mass spectrometer

A method of generating spectral data comprising the steps of deriving a temporally separated sample from a temporal separation device and subjecting the temporally separated sample to an analysis involving scanning at least one spectrally significant parameter, wherein the analysis is performed so that at least two scans in succession are in opposite directions.

Method and apparatus for generating spectral data

A mass spectrometer and methods for controlling a mass spectrometer are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the mass spectrometer includes a plurality of discrete functional modules, each operable to perform a predetermined function of the mass spectrometer, wherein the modules are individually addressable and connected in a network. The mass spectrometer can also include a scheduler operable to introduce discrete packets of instructions to the network at predetermined times to instruct at least one module to perform a predetermined operation.

Mass spectrometer, control system and methods of operating and assembling a mass spectrometer

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a RF confinement device, a beam expander and a Time of Flight mass analyzer. The beam expander is arranged to expand an ion beam emerging from the RF confinement device so that the ion beam is expanded to a diameter of at least 3 mm in the orthogonal acceleration extraction region of the Time of Flight mass analyzer.

Mass spectrometer with beam expander

An ion detector for a Time of Flight mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a single Microchannel Platewhich is arranged to receive ionsand output electrons. The electronsare directed onto an array of photodiodeswhich directly detects the electrons. The output from each photodiodeis connected to a separate Time to Digital Converter provided on an ASIC

A Time of Flight mass analyser is disclosed comprising an ion detector comprising an Analogue to Digital Converter. Output signals from the ion detector are digitised and the arrival times and intensity values relating to ion arrival events are determined. If the determined arrival times from two signals fall within the same time window then the arrival times are added together in a weighted manner and the intensity values are combined.

Time of flight mass spectrometer with analog to digital converter and method of using

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed wherein a signal output from an ion detector is digitized by an Analogue to Digital Converter and is then deconvoluted to determine one or more ion arrival times and one more ion arrival intensities. The process of deconvoluting the ion signal involves determining a point spread function characteristic of an ion arriving at and being detected by the ion detector. A distribution of ion arrival times which produces a best fit to the digitised signal is then determined given that each ion arrival is assumed to produce a response given by the point spread function. A plurality of ion arrival times are then combined to produce a composite ion arrival time-intensity spectrum.

Method of mass spectrometry and mass spectrometer using peak deconvolution

A Time of Flight Acquisition system is disclosed wherein a digitiser () is used to digitise an acceleration pulse () which is applied to an acceleration electrode of a Time of Flight mass analyzer. The digitiser () is then switched to digitise an ion arrival signal which is output from an ion detector ().

Time of flight acquisition system

A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein a signal output from an ion detector is digitised using an Analogue to Digital Converter. A background or baseline level is dynamically subtracted from the digitised signal whilst the time of flight data is still being acquired. A threshold is also applied dynamically to the digitised signal in order to reduce electronic noise.

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High Peak, United Kingdom

Anthony James Gilbert