Micromass UK Limited

Micromass Limited

Michael Jackson

Martin Raymond Green

Robert Harold Bateman

A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein a z-lens upstream of an orthogonal acceleration Time of Flight mass analyser is repeatedly switched between a first mode wherein ions are transmitted to the mass analyser for subsequent mass analysis with a relatively high transmission and a second mode wherein ions are transmitted with a relatively low transmission. If it is determined that mass spectral data obtained when the mass analyser is in the first mode is suffering from saturation, then suitably scaled mass spectral data obtained when the mass analyser is in the second mode is used instead. If the saturation is severe then the mass spectral data obtained in the first mode may be replaced in its entirety with mass spectral data obtained in the second mode.

Mass spectrometer and method of mass spectrometry

A way of increasing the dynamic range of a mass spectrometer which incorporates a time to digital converter such as commonly used with a time of flight mass analyser is disclosed. A z-lens upstream of the analyser can be switched between a high sensitivity mode wherein a beam of ions passing therethrough is substantially focused on to the entrance slit of the analyser, and a low sensitivity mode wherein the beam of ions is defocused so that the diameter of the beam substantially exceeds that of the entrance slit of the analyser. Obtaining data in the low sensitivity mode in combination with obtaining data in the high sensitivity mode enable an order of magnitude increase in the dynamic range to be obtained.

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Warrington, United Kingdom

Michael Jackson