The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Apr. 12, 2005

Filed:

Apr. 03, 2001
Applicants:

Martin Green, Altrincham, GB;

Michael Jackson, Warrington, GB;

Inventors:

Martin Green, Altrincham, GB;

Michael Jackson, Warrington, GB;

Assignee:

Micromass UK Limited, Manchester, GB;

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01K001/08 ; H01J003/14 ; H01J003/26 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

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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