Patent ID: 6621074
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometer comprising:a) a pulsed ion source that generates a plurality of ions; b) a first time-of-flight mass separator positioned to receive the plurality of ions generated by the pulsed ion source, the first time-of-flight mass separator accelerating the plurality of ions, fragmenting at least a portion of the accelerated plurality of ions, and selecting a first group of ions and fragments thereof; c) a second time-of-flight mass separator positioned to receive the first group of ions and fragments thereof, the second time-of-flight mass separator accelerating the first group of ions and fragments thereof, fragmenting at least a portion of the accelerated first group of ions and fragments thereof, and selecting a second group of ions and fragments thereof; d) a third time-of-flight mass separator positioned to receive the second group of ions and fragments thereof, the third time-of-flight mass separator accelerating the second group of ions and fragments thereof; and e) an ion detector that is positioned to receive the second group of ions and fragments thereof from the third time-of-flight mass separator.