Patent ID: 10978288

Abstract:
A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionisation source 701, a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. A first vacuum pump 707 is arranged and adapted to pump the first vacuum chamber, wherein the first vacuum pump is arranged and adapted to maintain the first vacuum chamber at a pressure <10 mbar. A first RF ion guide 702 is located within the first vacuum chamber and an ion detector 705 is located in the third vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector 705 is ≤400 mm. The mass spectrometer further comprises a tandem quadrupole mass analyser, a 3D ion trap mass analyser, a 2D or linear ion trap mass analyser, a Time of Flight mass analyser, a quadrupole-Time of Flight mass analyser or an electrostatic mass analyser arranged in the third vacuum chamber. A split flow turbomolecular vacuum pump 706 comprising an intermediate or interstage port is connected to the second vacuum chamber and a high vacuum (“HV”) port is connected to the third vacuum chamber. The first vacuum pump 707 is also arranged and adapted to act as a backing vacuum pump to the split flow turbomolecular vacuum pump 706 and the first vacuum pump 707 has a maximum pumping speed 10 m3/hr (2.78 L/s).