Analytical device, analytical method and program

An analytical device, includes: an ionization unit that ionizes carrier gas introduced into the separation column; a mass separation unit that mass-separates ions generated in the ionization unit; a detection unit that detects the ions mass-separated by the mass separation unit in amplification with a predetermined multiplication factor, and outputs a detection signal; an analysis unit that analyzes the detection signal having been output from the detection unit; and an adjustment unit performs an adjustment of the multiplication factor of the detection unit and/or voltage applied to an electrode of an ion transport system of the mass separation unit based on magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas detected by the detection unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/JP2018/017656 filed May 7, 2018.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an analytical device, an analytical method, and a program.

BACKGROUND ART

In analysis using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (hereinafter appropriately referred to as GC-MS), in order to maintain and improve the accuracy and sensitivity of the measurement, adjustment of each unit of the device such as adjusting the voltage applied to the detector is performed.

For example, in adjusting the voltage applied to the detector in the GC-MS, a standard sample such as perfluorotributylamine (hereinafter referred to as PFTBA) is introduced into the ion source of the GC-MS, and adjustment is performed based on the detection intensity obtained by mass spectrometry of this standard sample (see PTL 1).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

However, as to a standard sample such as PFTBA there is a problem for example that the amount of PFTBA to be introduced may be subject to changes depending on the room temperature.

Solution to Problem

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an analytical device comprises: an ionization unit that ionizes carrier gas introduced into a separation column; a mass separation unit that mass-separates ions generated in the ionization unit; a detection unit that detects the ions having been mass-separated by the mass separation unit in amplification with a predetermined multiplication factor, and outputs a detection signal; an analysis unit that analyzes the detection signal having been output from the detection unit; and an adjustment unit that performs an adjustment of the multiplication factor of the detection unit and/or voltage applied to an electrode of an ion transport system of the mass separation unit based on magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas detected by the detection unit.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the analytical device according to the first aspect, it is preferred that the adjustment unit performs the adjustment based on the magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas detected by the detection unit when the carrier gas with a set flow rate is introduced into the separation column.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the analytical device according to the first aspect, it is preferred that the analytical device further comprises a flow rate measurement unit that measures the flow rate of the carrier gas, and wherein: the adjustment unit performs the adjustment based on the flow rate of the carrier gas having been measured and the magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas detected by the detection unit.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the analytical device according to any one of the first through third aspects, it is preferred that the ion transport system is at least one selected from the group consisting of a lens electrode, an ion guide, and a quadrupole mass filter.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, an analytical method, comprises: performing of an ionization of carrier gas introduced into a separation column; performing of a mass-separation of ions generated by ionization; performing of a detection of the ions having been mass-separated by amplification with a predetermined multiplication factor, and of an output of a detection signal by a detection unit; performing of an analysis of the detection signal having been output; and performing of an adjustment of the multiplication factor of the detection unit, and/or of a voltage applied to an electrode of an ion transport system on magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas detected by the detection unit.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the analytical method according to the fifth aspect, it is preferred that the adjustment is performed based on the magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas detected by the detection unit when the carrier gas with a set flow rate is introduced into the separation column.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the analytical method according to the fifth aspect, it is preferred that the analytical method further comprises: performing of a measurement of a flow rate of the carrier gas, wherein: the adjustment is performed based on the flow rate of the carrier gas having been measured and the magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas detected by the detection unit.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the analytical device according to any one of the fifth through seventh aspects, it is preferred that the ion transport system is at least one selected from the group consisting of a lens electrode, an ion guide, and a quadrupole mass filter.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a program for a processing device performing of: an ionization of carrier gas introduced into a separation column; a mass-separation of ions generated by ionization; a detection of the ions having been mass-separated by a detection unit in amplification with a predetermined multiplication factor; an output of a detection signal by the detection unit; and an analysis of the detection signal having been output, wherein: the program causes the processing device to perform an adjustment of the multiplication factor of the detection unit and/or of a voltage applied in the mass-separating to an electrode of an ion transport system based on magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas detected by the detection unit.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to adjust a mass spectrometer without necessarily introducing a standard sample such as PFTBA in an analytical device that perform an analysis using a carrier gas.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the analytical device of the following embodiment, adjustment of each unit constituting a mass spectrometer such as an adjustment of the multiplication factor of the detection unit is made based on the magnitude of the detection signal of the detection unit when a carrier gas with a predetermined flow rate is introduced into the separation column.

Overall Configuration

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an analytical device according to the present embodiment. The analytical device1is a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS), and is provided with a separation unit10, a connection unit20, a mass spectrometry unit30, and an information processing unit40.

The separation unit10is provided with a gas storage container Gin which a carrier gas is stored, a first carrier gas passage11, a flow rate adjustment unit12, a second carrier gas passage13, a sensor14, a third carrier gas passage15, a sample introduction unit16into which the sample S is introduced, a column temperature adjustment unit17, and a separation column18are provided.

The connection unit20is provided with a connection flow passage21, a heater22, and a heater supporting unit23.

The mass spectrometry unit30is provided with a vacuum container31, an evacuate port32, an ionization unit33, an ion adjustment unit34, a mass separation unit35, and a detection unit36. By the ion adjustment unit34and the mass separating unit35, an ion transport system is constituted.

The information processing unit40is provided with an input unit41, a communication unit42, a storage unit43, a display unit44, and a control unit50. The control unit50is provided with a device control unit51and an analysis unit52. The device control unit51is provided with a flow rate control unit511and an adjustment unit512.

The separation unit10is provided with a separation/analysis device such as a gas chromatograph that separates a sample using a carrier gas, and the separation unit10separates components contained in the sample S based on physical and/or chemical characteristics. Hereinafter, the separation unit10will be described as a gas chromatograph. The sample S to be introduced into the separation column18is gas state, and the sample in gas state is referred to a sample gas.

The gas storage container G of the separation unit10stores the carrier gas and is connected to the first carrier gas passage11. The type of carrier gas is not particularly limited as long as it can be ionized by the ionization unit33of the mass spectrometry unit30and can be detected by the detection unit36, but helium is preferable from the viewpoint of safety and linear velocity. The carrier gas introduced from the gas storage container G into the first carrier gas passage11is introduced into the flow rate adjustment unit12.

The flow rate adjustment unit12of the separation unit10is provided with a regulator such as a pressure regulator or a flow rate control valve, and the first carrier gas passage11and the second carrier gas passage13are connected to the separation unit10. The flow rate adjustment unit12adjusts the flow rate of the carrier gas introduced into the separation column18via the sample introduction unit16and the separation column18. The carrier gas introduced into the second carrier gas passage13from the flow rate adjustment unit12is then introduced to a sensor14.

The sensor14of the separation unit10functions as a flow rate measurement unit that directly or indirectly measures the flow rate. The sensor14is provided with a pressure sensor and/or a flow rate sensor and measures the pressure and/or the flow rate of the passing carrier gas. The second carrier gas passage13and the third carrier gas passage15are connected to the sensor14. The sensor14outputs a signal indicating the measured pressure and/or flow rate of the carrier gas to the control unit50of the information processing unit40(arrow A1). The carrier gas introduced from the sensor14into the third carrier gas passage15is introduced into the sample introduction unit16.

It is to be noted that, the flow rate adjustment unit12and the sensor14may be integrally configured.

The sample introduction unit16of the separation unit10includes a chamber for introducing a sample in a sample vaporization chamber or the like, and temporarily stores the sample S injected by an injector such as a syringe or an autosampler (not shown). In case that the sample S is liquid, the sample introduction unit16vaporizes the sample S to make sample gas and introduces into the separation column18. As described below, the method of introducing the sample S is not particularly limited as long as the flow rate of the carrier gas flowing to the separation column18can be controlled when detecting the carrier gas. A split introduction method, a splitless introduction method, or the like may be used as appropriate.

The separation column18of the separation unit10is provided with a column such as a capillary column. The temperature of the separation column18is controlled to, for example, several hundreds of degrees Celsius or less by a column temperature adjustment unit17provided with a column oven or the like. Each component of the sample gas is separated based on for example the distribution coefficient between the mobile phase containing the carrier gas and the stationary phase of the separation column18. Each separated component of the sample gas respectively flows out at different timing from the separation column18and is introduced into the connection unit20. In the following embodiment, an elapsed time, from the timing according to the start of analysis such as the timing when the sample S is injected into the sample introduction unit16to the timing when a specific component of the sample S is detected, is defined as the retention time of this component.

The connection unit20is a part that connects the separation part10and the mass spectrometry unit30and supplies the gas flowing out from the separation column18of the separation unit10to the ionization unit33of the mass spectrometry unit30. In case the separation column18is a capillary column, the connection unit20preferably connects the separation unit10and the mass spectrometry unit30by a direct coupling method.

The temperature of the connection flow passage21of the connection unit20is adjusted by a heater supported by a heater supporting unit23including a heater block and the like. The gas flowing out from the separation column18is introduced into the ionization unit33after passing through the connection flow passage21.

The mass spectrometry unit30is provided with a mass spectrometer and ionizes the gas and gaseous molecules introduced into the ionization unit33, and detects a specific component of the sample S by performing mass separation. The path of the ions generated in the ionization unit33is schematically shown by an arrow A3.

It is to be noted that hereinafter explanation is made using the single quadrupole mass spectrometer for example which performs mass separation by one quadrupole mass filter as a mass spectrometer. However, if the sample S and the carrier gas introduced from the separation unit10can be ionized while maintaining a desired analysis condition such as the degree of vacuum, the type of mass spectrometer that constitutes the mass spectrometry unit30is not particularly limited. For example, a magnetic field type, ion trap type, time-of-flight type mass spectrometer or tandem mass spectrometer can be used.

A vacuum container31of the mass spectrometry unit30is provided with an evacuate port32. The evacuate port32is connected to a vacuum evacuate system (not shown) including a pump such as a turbo molecular pump capable of realizing high vacuum of 10−2Pa or less and its auxiliary pump. InFIG. 1, the point at which the gas inside the vacuum container31is evacuated is schematically shown by an arrow A4.

The ionization unit33of the mass spectrometry unit30is provided with an ion source and ionizes the sample S and the carrier gas introduced into the ionization unit33. In case that the ionization unit33is of the type that ionization is conducted by electron ionization, the ionization unit33is provided with an ionization chamber, a filament for generating thermoelectron, a trap electrode, and the like, which are not shown. In the ionization unit33, the thermoelectrons generated by the filament for generating thermoelectron are accelerated at a voltage of several tens of eV applied to the trap electrode to irradiate the molecules in the ionization chamber to generate ions. The ions generated by the ionization unit33are introduced into the ion adjustment unit34.

It is to be noted that, the ionization method is not particularly limited, and for example, a chemical ionization method may be used.

The ion adjustment unit34of the mass spectrometry unit30is provided with a lens electrode, an ion guide, and the like, and performs adjustment such that converging the ions, for example, by an electromagnetic action on the ions by a voltage applied to the lens electrode and/or the ion guide. The ions emitted from the ion adjustment unit34are introduced into the mass separation unit35.

The mass separation unit35of the mass spectrometry unit30is provided with a quadrupole mass filter and performs mass separation of the introduced ions. The mass separation unit35selectively allows ions to pass according to the value of m/z by the voltage applied to the quadrupole mass filter. The ions subjected to mass separation by the mass separation unit35enter the detection unit36.

The detection unit36of the mass spectrometry unit30is provided with an ion detector such as an electron multiplier in which a conversion dynode is installed, and detects incident ions. As the electron multiplier, a secondary electron multiplier, a photomultiplier tube or the like is used. The detection unit36A/D-converts the detection signal having been obtained in amplification with a set multiplication factor after the ions to be detected are incident and collides thereto, by an A/D converter (not shown), and outputs the digitized detection signal as the measurement data to the control unit50of the information processing unit40(arrow A5).

The magnitude of the detection signal generated by the ions incident on the electron multiplier such as the secondary electron multiplier or the photomultiplier depends on the multiplication factor determined by the voltage applied to each electron multiplier to accelerate the secondary electrons therein. If this multiplication factor is too large, the detection signal becomes too large and saturated, and accurate measurement data cannot be obtained. On the contrary, if the multiplication factor is too small, at least a part of the components of the sample S cannot be detected, or the detection signal is too small to deteriorate the S/N ratio. As will be described later, the multiplication factor in the detection unit36is adjusted by the adjustment unit512of the information processing unit40and set to an appropriate value (arrow A6).

Information Processing Unit40

The information processing unit40includes an information processing device such as an electronic computer, performs to be an interface with a user, and performs various processing such as communication, storage, and calculation of the various data.

It is to be noted that, the information processing unit40may be configured as one device integrated with a measurement unit100. Further, a part of or all of the data to be used by the analytical device1may be stored in a remote server or the like, and a part of or all of the arithmetic processing to be performed by the analytical device1may be performed by the remote server or the like.

The input unit41is configured to include input devices such as a mouse, a keyboard, various buttons and/or a touch panel, for example. The input unit41receives, from the user, information necessary for controlling the operation of the measurement unit100, such as the type of carrier gas, and information necessary for the processing performed by the control unit50.

The communication unit42is configured to include a communication device capable of communicating by wireless or wired connection to an internet or the like. The communication unit42transmits data or the like, obtained by analysis, such as mass spectrum indicating the relationship between the m/z created by the analysis unit52and the magnitude of the detection signal for the ion of the m/z, and receives necessary data in appropriate.

The storage unit43is composed of a non-volatile storage medium, and stores therein parameters for the adjustment unit512to adjust the detection unit36and the like, measurement data based on a detection signal from the detection unit36, a program for the control unit50to execute processing, the data such as the mass spectrum created by the analysis unit52obtained by analysis, and the like.

The display unit44is configured to include a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor, and displays on the display device analysis conditions, measurement data based on a detection signal from the detection unit36, data obtained by analysis such as the mass spectrum created by the analysis unit52, and the like.

The control unit50includes a processor such as a CPU, controls the operation of each unit of the measurement unit100, and processes the detection signal having been output from the detection unit36as measurement data. It is to be noted that the processor also includes an FPGA.

Device Control Unit51

The device control unit51of the control unit50controls the operation of each unit of the measurement unit100.

Flow Rate Control Unit511

The flow rate control unit511of the device control unit51controls the flow rate adjustment unit12based on the pressure and/or the flow rate of the carrier gas having been output from the sensor14to adjust the flow rate of the carrier gas (arrow A7). The flow rate control unit511acquires the value of the flow rate of the carrier gas to set at an adjustment of the voltage of the detection unit36. The value of this flow rate is stored in advance in the storage unit43and is, for example, 1.0 ml/min, but is not particularly limited. The flow rate control unit511compares the flow rate having been output from the sensor14or the flow rate calculated from the pressure having been output from the sensor14(hereinafter, these flow rates are appropriately referred to as the measured flow rate) with the flow rate of the carrier gas that was set, and control the flow rate adjustment unit12so that the flow rate of the carrier gas approaches the set value.

The adjustment unit512of the device control unit51adjusts the multiplication factor of the detection unit36based on the set flow rate of the carrier gas. The adjustment unit512acquires the type of carrier gas obtained by the input or the like of the input unit41. The storage unit43stores therein the target value, for the voltage adjustment, of the magnitude of the detection signal of the ion corresponding to the carrier gas. This target value is in correspondence with the value of the flow rate of the carrier gas to be set for the voltage adjustment of the detection unit36. Here, the target value is not particularly limited and the detection intensity in the selected ion monitoring (Selected Ion Monitoring: SIM), and the peak intensity, the peak area, and the like on mass spectrum of the ion of m/z corresponding to the predetermined carrier gas may also be used as long as this target value is indicative of the magnitude of the detection signal of the ion corresponding to the predetermined carrier gas. The adjustment unit512controls the voltage applied to the detection unit36so that the magnitude of the detection signal of the ion of m/z corresponding to the carrier gas from the detection unit36approaches this target value, and sets the multiplication factor. When the magnitude of the detection signal of the carrier gas becomes to be within a predetermined numerical range such as 90% to 110% of the target value for a predetermined time such as several seconds to several minutes, it is preferred that the adjustment unit512completes setting the multiplication factor.

For example, in case the carrier gas is helium, the adjustment unit512controls the applied voltage to the detection unit36so that the detection intensity of ionized helium obtained by the SIM approaches the target value. In the SIM, the change over time in the amount of ions having a particular m/z is detected. Alternatively, the adjustment unit512may adjust the applied voltage to the detection unit36so that the peak area corresponding to ionized helium in the mass spectrum which is obtained by scanning m/z as in a total ion monitoring (Total Ion Monitoring: TIM) or the like, approaches the target value.

The analysis unit52of the control unit50processes and analyzes the detection signal from the detection unit36as measurement data. The analysis unit52calculates the detection intensity of the ion while corresponding the m/z of the ions of the sample S and the carrier gas, which are mass-separated by the mass separation unit35, with the intensity of the detection signal. Further, the analysis unit52constructs data in which the intensity of the detection signal and m/z are associated with each other as data corresponding to the mass spectrum, and stores therein the data in the storage unit43.

The analysis unit52calculates the peak intensity of each peak and/or the area corresponding to each peak of the mass spectrum as necessary, and calculates the magnitude of the detection signal of the component corresponding to each peak.

In addition, in the analysis of the sample S, the analysis unit52identifies the component corresponding to the peak of the mass spectrum by corresponding the obtained measurement data with the past data, and/or quantifies the target component from the detection intensity obtained by SIM. The analysis unit52generates a display image that indicates the data of the constructed mass spectrum and the information obtained by the analysis, and causes the display unit44to display the display image.

Steps of Analytical Method

FIG. 2is a flowchart showing the flow of the analysis method according to the present embodiment. In step S1001, the flow rate adjustment unit12introduces the carrier gas with a set flow rate into the sample introduction unit16and the separation column18. Upon ending step S1001, step S1003starts. In step S1003, the ionization unit33ionizes the carrier gas flowing out from the separation column18and introduced into the ionization unit. Upon ending step S1003, step S1005starts.

In step S1005, the mass separation unit35mass-separates the ionized carrier gas. Upon ending step S1005, step S1007starts. In step S1007, the detection unit36detects the mass-separated carrier gas and outputs a detection signal thereof to the control unit50. Upon ending step S1007, step S1009starts.

In step S1009, the analysis unit52analyzes the detection signal having been output and calculates the magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas. Upon ending S1009, step S1011starts. In step S1011, the adjustment unit512adjusts of the multiplication factor of the detection unit36based on the set carrier gas flow rate and the magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas. Upon ending step S1011, step S1013starts.

In step S1013, the sample S is injected into the sample introduction unit16by a syringe, an auto sampler, or the like. Upon ending step S1013, step S1015starts. In step S1015, the sample introduction unit16introduces the sample gas into the separation column18. Upon ending step S1015, step S1017starts.

In step S1017, the separation column18separates the introduced sample gas. Upon ending step S1017, step S1019starts. In step S1019, the ionization unit33ionizes the sample gas flowing out from the separation column18and introduced into the ionization unit33. Upon ending step S1019, step S1021starts.

In step S1021, the mass separation unit35mass-separates the ionized sample gas. Upon ending step S1021, step S1023starts. In step S1023, the detection unit36detects the mass-separated sample gas and outputs the detection signal. Upon ending step S1023, step S1025starts.

In step S1025, the analysis unit52analyzes the detection signal output from the detection unit36in step S1023, and the display unit44displays the analysis result. Upon ending step S1025, the process ends.

According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.

(1) In each of the analytical device and the analytical method according to the present embodiment, the ionization unit33ionizes carrier gas introduced into the separation column18; the mass separation unit35mass-separates ions generated in the ionization unit33; the detection unit36detects the ions mass-separated by the mass separation unit35in amplification with a predetermined multiplication factor, and outputs a detection signal; the analysis unit52analyzes the detection signal output from the detection unit36; and the adjustment unit512performs the adjustment based on the magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas detected by the detection unit36when the carrier gas with a predetermined flow rate is introduced into the separation column18. Thereby, the mass spectrometer can be adjusted without necessarily introducing the standard sample such as PFTBA. Further, in the conventional adjustment of the detector using the standard sample, because the volatilization amount of the standard sample such as PFTBA varies depending on the temperature, and the introduced amount of the standard sample introduced into the ion source deviates, so it should be necessary to cope with the change in room temperature. On the contrary, in the analytical device1according to the present embodiment does not need to do so.
(2) In each of the analytical device and the analytical method according to the present embodiment, the adjustment unit512performs the adjustment of the multiplication factor of the detection unit36based on magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas detected by the detection unit36when the carrier gas with a set flow rate is introduced into the separation column18. Thereby, the multiplication factor can be appropriately adjusted based on data obtained in the past measurement and the like.

The following variations are also within the scope of the present invention, and can also be combined with the above-described embodiment. In the following variation, the portions having the same structure and function as those of the above-described embodiment are referred to by the same reference signs, and the description thereof will be appropriately omitted.

In the above embodiment, the multiplication factor of the detection unit36is adjusted based on the set flow rate of the carrier gas, but the multiplication factor of the detection unit36may be adjusted based on the measured flow rate of the carrier gas.

The adjustment unit512of the present variation calculates a target value of the magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the measured carrier gas flow rate based on the corresponding data obtained from the correspondence table stored in advance in the storage unit43using the carrier gas flow rate measured by the sensor14.

FIG. 3is a diagram showing a correspondence table T to which the adjustment unit512refers. The correspondence table T shows the flow rate of the carrier gas and the magnification for correcting the target value of the magnitude of the detection signal of the carrier gas, which corresponds to the flow rate of the carrier gas. The adjustment unit512multiplies the target value of the magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas at the reference flow rate (1 ml/min) by the multiplication factor to calculate the desired flow rate at any flow rate shown in the correspondence table T. For flow rates not listed in the correspondence table T, values obtained by approximating the values shown in the correspondence table T with a straight line or the like and interpolating or extrapolating the values can be used as appropriate.

For example, when the measured value of the carrier gas flow rate by the sensor14is 0.5 ml/min, the adjustment unit512refers to the data corresponding to the correspondence table T, and obtain the magnification 0.4 for correction corresponding to 0.5 ml/min. In addition to the correspondence table T, the storage unit43stores therein the target value at the reference flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The adjustment unit512multiplies the target value at the reference flow rate by 0.4 and sets 0.4 ml/min as the target value of the magnitude of the carrier gas detection signal. The adjustment unit512controls the voltage applied to the detection unit36so as to approach the set target value.

FIG. 4is a flowchart showing the flow of the analytical method of the present variation. Since steps S2001to S2009are the same as steps S1001to1009in the above-described embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. Upon ending step S2009, step S2011starts. In step S2011, the sensor14measures of the flow rate of the carrier gas. Upon ending step S2011, step S2013starts. In step S2013, the adjustment unit512refers to the correspondence table T and calculates the target value of the magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas from the measured flow rate of the carrier gas. Upon ending step S2013, step S2015starts. In step S2015, the adjustment unit512adjusts the multiplication factor of the detection unit36based on the measured flow rate of the carrier gas and the magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas. Upon ending step S2015, step S2017starts. Since steps S2017to S2029are the same as steps S1013to S1025, description thereof will be omitted.

The analytical device1according to the present variation includes the sensor14that is a flow rate measurement unit that measures the flow rate of the carrier gas, and the adjustment unit512adjusts the multiplication factor of the detection unit36based on the flow rate of the measured carrier gas and the magnitude of detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas detected by the detection unit36. Thereby, the multiplication factor of the detection unit36can be adjusted with higher accuracy based on the actually measured flow rate of the carrier gas.

In the analytical device1according to the present variation, the adjustment unit512calculates the target value of the magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the measured flow rate of the carrier gas based on the data of the correspondence table T obtained in advance. Thereby, the multiplication factor of the detection unit36can be appropriately set for various values of the measured flow rate of the carrier gas.

In the above-described embodiment, the adjustment unit512sets the voltage applied to the detection unit36to adjust the magnification factor. However, the voltage applied to the ion adjustment unit34and/or the mass separation unit35may be set. For example, the adjustment unit512can adjust the voltage applied to the lens electrode of the ion adjustment unit34so that the detection intensity of the carrier gas becomes the highest. Thereby, the detection sensitivity when analyzing the sample S can be increased. The adjustment unit512adjusts the voltage applied to the electrode in the ion transport system selected from at least one of the group consisting of the lens electrode, the ion guide, and the quadrupole mass filter, based on the magnitude of the carrier gas detection signal to adjust the detection sensitivity when analyzing the sample S.

In the analytical device1and the analytical method according to the present variation, the adjustment unit512controls voltage, which is applied to the ion transport system such as the lens electrode, the ion guide, the quadrupole mass filter, and the like, based on the magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas detected by the detection unit36when the carrier gas with a predetermined flow rate is introduced into the separation column18. Thereby, without the standard sample, it is possible that various parameters of the ion transport system of the mass spectrometer can be appropriately adjusted to adjust the detection sensitivity and the like.

It is available that a program for realizing the information processing function of the analyzer1, that is, a program to control of measurement processing including adjustment by the adjustment unit512, analysis processing, and display processing described above and processing related thereto is recorded in a computer-readable recording medium and then the program is read and executed by a computer system. It is noted that the term “computer system” in this context may refer to an OS (operating system) or a peripheral device in hardware. In addition, the “computer-readable recording medium” may be a portable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk or a memory card, or it may be a storage device such as a hard disk built into the computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” may be a medium that dynamically holds the program over a short period of time, e.g., a communication line through which the program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or via a communication network such as a telephone network, or a medium that holds the program over a certain length of time, e.g., a volatile memory within a computer system functioning as a server or a client in the above case. Moreover, the program may allow only some of the functions described above to be fulfilled or the functions described above may be fulfilled by using the program in conjunction with a program pre-installed in the computer system.

In addition, the present invention may be adopted in conjunction with a personal computer (hereafter referred to as a PC) or the like, and in such a case, the program pertaining to the control described above can be provided in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a data signal transmitted through the Internet or the like.FIG. 5illustrates how such a program may be provided. A PC950receives the program via a CD-ROM953. The PC950is also capable of connecting with a communication network951. A computer952is a server computer that provides the program stored in a recording medium such as a hard disk. The communication network951may be a communication network such as the Internet or a personal computer communication network, or it may be a dedicated communication network. The computer952reads out the program from the hard disk and transmits it to the PC950via the communication network951. In other words, the program may be delivered as a data signal carried on a carrier wave transmitted via the communication network951. Namely, the program can be distributed as a computer-readable computer program product assuming any of various modes including a recording medium and a carrier wave.

As the program for realizing the above-described information processing function, it is included a program causes a processing device of an analytical device1to perform: an ionization of carrier gas and the sample S having been separated by the separation column18; a mass-separation of ions generated by ionization; a detection of the ions having been mass-separated in amplification with a predetermined multiplication factor, and an output of a detection signal by a detection unit36; and an analysis of the detection signal having been output, wherein: the program causes the processing device to perform an adjustment of the multiplication factor of the detection unit and/or voltage applied to an electrode of an ion transport system based on magnitude of the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas detected by the detection unit36when the carrier gas with a predetermined flow rate is introduced into the separation column18. Thereby, the mass spectrometer can be adjusted without necessarily introducing the standard sample such as PFTBA.

The process executed as the program according to the present invention mainly includes step S1009and step S1011inFIG. 2, and the process is performed by executing the program by the control unit50ofFIG. 1, for example. The program is stored in the control unit50or stored in the storage unit43in advance. Namely, the program according to the present invention is a program used by the processing device of the analytical device1performing of: an ionization of carrier gas and the sample S having been separated by the separation column18; a mass-separation of ions generated by ionization; a detection of the ions having been mass-separated in amplification with a predetermined multiplication factor, and outputting of a detection signal, by a detection unit36; and an analysis of the detection signal having been output. This program includes a calculation procedure and an adjustment procedure. In the calculation procedure, the detection signal corresponding to the carrier gas detected by the detection device is analyzed and the magnitude thereof is calculated. In the adjustment procedure, based on the magnitude of the detection signal calculated in the calculation procedure, the multiplication factor of the detection device and/or the voltage applied in the mass-separation to the electrode in the ion transport system is appropriately calculated and the detector and/or the applied voltage is adjusted based on the calculated multiplication factor and/or the voltage as appropriate.

The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiment. Other aspects that are conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention are also included within the scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST