The University of British Columbia

David D Y Chen

Bradley B Schneider

Donald J Douglas

An apparatus with means for controlling ion generation is discussed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of ion sources, at least one counter electrode mounted downstream for the ion sources and at least one ion controlling element mounted relative to at least one of the ion sources. Each ion controlling element is alternated between a first condition where the operation of at least one of the ion sources is enabled and a second condition where the operation of at least one of the ion sources is disabled. This concept may also be extended to an ion source apparatus having a single ion source with an ion lens mounted relative thereto. The present invention also provides a method for controlling the operation of the aforementioned apparatus. The invention further provides an apparatus and a method for the generation of ion pulses.

High throughput ion source with multiple ion sprayers and ion lenses

An ion lens is used to focus ions produced by various types of ion sources which are substantially at atmospheric pressure. The ions are focused to the inlet of a downstream mass spectrometer or other devices which require a larger and more stable ion flux improved performance. The ion lens is mounted in close proximity to the sprayer tip. The ion lens increases the total ion count rate summed over all of the generated ions. The ion lens may also be employed to vary the degree of ion fragmentation and the charge state pattern of the generated ions. The ion lens may also result in a more stable ion signal. Furthermore, more than one ion lens may be used. This invention may also be extended to multisprayer ion sources.

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Vancouver, Canada

David D Y Chen