Patent Description:
A time-of-flight mass spectrometry device comprises, for example, a pulse generator unit (typically an orthogonal acceleration unit) that generates ion pulses from an ion flow, a reflector unit that reverses the flight direction of the ion pulses, and a detector unit that detects the ion pulses from the reflector unit. In the course of the flight, the ion pulses elongate in the trajectory direction in accordance with the mass-to-charge ratios (m/z) of the individual ions constituting the ion pulses, and form a band-like shape. By detecting such ion pulses, mass spectrum information can be obtained.

In order to correctly introduce the ion flow to a reference plane of the pulse generator unit, an incidence regulator unit is provided upstream of the pulse generator unit. The incidence regulator unit comprises, for example, a vertically-arranged pair of blades. A gap between a pair of edges that form parts of the pair of blades functions as a slit through which the ion flow is passed.

<CIT> discloses a time-of-flight mass spectrometry device comprising an incidence regulator unit. However, in <CIT>, respective components constituting the mass spectrometry device are described schematically or abstractly, and no concrete structure can be identified from those descriptions.

In order to generate suitable ion pulses in a time-of-flight mass spectrometry device, it is necessary to position the incidence regulator unit relative to the pulse generator unit with high positioning accuracy. In other words, the spatial relationship between the incidence regulator unit and the pulse generator unit must be highly optimized.

Meanwhile, in the incidence regulator unit, in order to prevent or reduce soiling of the pair of blades with ions, the pair of blades are heated. It is desired to maintain an appropriately heated state of the incidence regulator unit while suppressing escape of heat therefrom.

It would be desirable to position, in a mass spectrometry device, an incidence regulator unit relative to a pulse generator unit with high positioning accuracy. An alternative object of the present disclosure is to maintain an appropriately heated state of an incidence regulator unit in a mass spectrometry device.

<CIT> discloses according to its abstract an orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometer comprising: a main body having an ion passing part; a first member provided with a main body accommodation part that is as a through-hole for accommodating the main body, and having, on one surface thereof, an extension part that is provided to define the position of one surface of the main body accommodated in the main body accommodation part; a second member which is mounted on the first member accommodating the main body, and is provided with a through-hole at a position in which at least a portion of the ion passing part is not blocked, the second member having, on one surface, a first region that contacts the reverse surface of the first member from said one surface of the first member, and a second region that is positioned further inside than the first region and formed lower than the contacted surface of the first region; and a lead-in electrode elastic member that is in the second region and disposed between the first member and the second member.

A mass spectrometry device according to the present disclosure comprises a base, a constructed unit including a pulse generator unit that generates ion pulses from an ion flow which travels along a first direction, a first support member that fixes the constructed unit with respect to the base while the constructed unit being spaced from the base, an incidence regulator unit provided upstream of the pulse generator unit and having a slit through which the ion flow passes the slit being parallel to a second direction orthogonal to the first, and a second support member that fixes the incidence regulator unit with respect to the base while the incidence regulator unit being spaced from the base and the constructed unit, wherein the incidence regulator unit includes: a main body having an opening that defines a length of the slit (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the second direction, and extending in the second direction and a third direction, the third direction being orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction; a pair of blades provided on the main body, being arranged alongside each other in the third direction, and defining a width of the slit arranged alongside each other; a heat source provided on the main body and serving to heat the pair of blades, the heat source comprising a first heater embedded in the main body on one side of the pair of blades in the second direction and a second heater embedded in the main body on the other side of the pair of blades in the second direction. The mass spectrometry device further comprises a pair of mounts provided projecting toward both sides in the second direction from an end portion of the main body, which end portion is located toward the base, the second support member is a pair of support posts provided between the base and the pair of mounts, and each of the support posts extends in the third direction.

Embodiments will be described below based on the drawings.

A mass spectrometry device according to an embodiment includes a base, a constructed unit, a first support member, an incidence regulator unit, and a second support member. The constructed unit comprises a pulse generator unit that generates ion pulses from an ion flow. The first support member is a member that fixes the constructed unit with respect to the base while isolating the constructed unit from the base. The incidence regulator unit is a unit provided upstream of the pulse generator unit, and has a slit through which the ion flow passes. The second support member is a member that fixes the incidence regulator unit with respect to the base while isolating the incidence regulator unit from the base and the constructed unit.

If the constructed unit, which comprises a pulse generator unit, and the incidence regulator unit are coupled to each other via a number of components, machining errors and assembly errors of the respective intervening components would accumulate, making it difficult to attain an appropriate spatial relationship between the pulse generator unit and the incidence regulator unit. In contrast, according to the above-described configuration, the constructed unit and the incidence regulator unit are both fixed with respect to a common base, so that the spatial relationship between the pulse generator unit and the incidence regulator unit can be easily optimized. Further, according to the above-described configuration, since the constructed unit is fixed with respect to the base via the first support member while the incidence regulator unit is fixed with respect to the base via the second support member, it is easy to heat the constructed unit and the incidence regulator unit independently of each other. That is, direct heat conduction to the base from the constructed unit and from the incidence regulator unit can be prevented, and escape of heat via the base can thereby be suppressed. In addition, since the constructed unit and the incidence regulator unit are not directly coupled, direct heat transfer between these units can be prevented. For this reason, the pulse generator unit (which may also be heated to prevent or reduce soiling with ions) and the incidence regulator unit can be easily maintained at their respective temperatures.

In an embodiment, the incidence regulator unit includes a main body, a pair of blades, and a heat source. The pair of blades are provided on the main body. The heat source is provided on the main body and serves to heat the pair of blades. By heating the pair of blades, soiling of the pair of blades with ions can be reduced. Soiling with ions leads to electrostatic charging, and due to this charging, the trajectory of the ion flow becomes unstable. When soiling with ions can be reduced, the trajectory of the ion flow can be stabilized, and workload for maintenance can be reduced. The potential of the pair of blades may be set to ground potential.

In an embodiment, when assuming that a direction parallel to a direction of travel of the ion flow is defined as a first direction, that a direction orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the slit is defined as a second direction, and that a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction, the main body extends in the second direction and the third direction. A pair of mounts is provided projecting toward both sides in the second direction from an end portion of the main body, which end portion is located toward the base. The second support member is a pair of support posts provided between the base and the pair of mounts. Each of the support posts extends in the third direction.

Since the mounts project from the two lateral faces of the main body, work for attaching the support posts to the mounts is facilitated. Further, heat escape can be suppressed as compared to a case in which the pair of support posts is directly attached to the main body. In an embodiment, the first direction is a first horizontal direction, the second direction is a second horizontal direction, and the third direction is a vertical direction. A portion (i.e., one end portion) of each support post may extend past the corresponding mount to the opposite side (i.e., a side located away from the base), and a portion (i.e., the other end portion) of each support post may extend into the base.

In an embodiment, each support post comprises a bolt. The bolt is placed through a through hole formed in the mount and a through hole formed in the support post, and is coupled to the base. The head of the bolt is exposed at the mount. According to this arrangement, access to the head of each bolt with a tool is facilitated. In other words, assembly work efficiency can be increased.

In an embodiment, the heat source includes a first heater embedded in the main body on one side of the pair of blades, and a second heater embedded in the main body on the other side of the pair of blades. According to this arrangement, since the pair of blades is located between the two heaters, the pair of blades can be uniformly heated in a stable manner. If the pair of support posts were directly attached to a lower part of the main body, heat generated by the two heaters would easily escape. In an embodiment, the pair of support posts are attached to the pair of mounts projecting from the main body instead of being attached to the main body, so that the heat conduction path is longer, and heat escape can be suppressed to some extent. Here, although it is possible to form the second support member with a single support post, in that case, the orientation of the incidence regulator unit tends to be unstable. According to the above-described arrangement, the incidence regulator unit can be fixed stably with respect to the base.

In an embodiment, on one side of the base, there are provided the constructed unit, the first support member, the incidence regulator unit, and the second support member, and further, a reflector unit that reflects ions from the pulse generator unit. On the other side of the base, a detector that detects ions from the reflector unit is provided. A member that holds the detector is fixed with respect to the base.

According to the above-described configuration, since the main structures are fixed with respect to the base, positioning accuracy of the respective components can be enhanced. Further, both of one side and the other side of the base can be used as the ion flight space, so that resolution can be increased.

<FIG> illustrates an example configuration of a time-of-flight mass spectrometry device <NUM> according to an embodiment. The illustrated mass spectrometry device <NUM> is, for example, a device that obtains mass spectrum information by ionizing a compound gas fed from a gas chromatograph (not shown) and analyzing masses of the individual ions produced as a result of the ionization. The time of flight (flight velocity) of each ion depends on mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of that ion. Using this relationship, the mass-to-charge ratios (m/z) of the individual ions are determined. In <FIG>, an x-direction denotes the first horizontal direction, and a z-direction denotes the vertical direction (upright direction). Although a y-direction is not shown in <FIG>, the y-direction denotes the second horizontal direction. The respective directions are orthogonal to each other.

In <FIG>, the mass spectrometry device <NUM> comprises a base <NUM>, which is a horizontal plate extending in the x-direction and the y-direction. The base <NUM> is installed on a floor via a plurality of legs <NUM>. The height of the base <NUM> is an intermediate height in the mass spectrometry device <NUM>. The base <NUM> is composed of a metal such as aluminum, for example.

On an upper side of the base <NUM>, a housing <NUM> is provided. On one side of the housing <NUM>, a housing <NUM> is provided. On a lower side of the base <NUM>, a housing <NUM> is provided. The housing <NUM>, the housing <NUM>, and the housing <NUM> are composed of a metal such as aluminum, for example, and the interiors of these housings are in a vacuum state. In <FIG>, illustration of vacuum pumps is omitted.

On the inside of the housing <NUM>, an ion source <NUM> is provided. A gas from the gas chromatograph is introduced into the ion source <NUM> as a specimen. As the ion source <NUM>, ion sources operating according to various ionization methods can be employed. According to an embodiment, in the ion source <NUM>, ions are generated continuously, and the ions are ejected in a horizontal direction. As a result, an ion flow <NUM> is produced continuously. In the ion source or in the downstream region thereof, a pulse-like ion flow may be formed. Reference numeral <NUM> indicates an ion flow shaping unit including a lens system. This ion flow shaping unit can be referred to as an ion introducing unit from the perspective of an orthogonal acceleration unit <NUM> described further below. In the illustrated example configuration, the flow direction of the ion flow <NUM> is parallel to the x-direction.

On the housing <NUM>, an annular flange <NUM> is provided. The ion flow <NUM> passes through an opening 26A formed in the flange <NUM>. The housing <NUM> has an opening 16A for attaching the housing <NUM>. In the illustrated example configuration, a part of the flange <NUM> extends into the opening 16A. It is possible to also provide a flange on the housing <NUM> side and to couple this flange with the flange <NUM>. In any case, the two housings <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled to each other in such a manner that the vacuum inside the housings <NUM>, <NUM> is maintained.

A constructed unit <NUM>, which is a structure or an assembly composed of a plurality of components, is arranged inside the housing <NUM>. The constructed unit <NUM> comprises the orthogonal acceleration unit <NUM> that functions as the pulse generator unit. The orthogonal acceleration unit <NUM> serves to periodically extract ion pulses from the ion flow. The ion pulses are emitted in the z-direction (upward in <FIG>). In <FIG>, the trajectory of the ion pulses is indicated by reference numeral <NUM>.

A reflector unit <NUM> is referred to as a reflector or a reflectron, and serves to reverse the direction of travel of the individual ions. The reflector unit <NUM> comprises a plurality of electrodes that form an electric field for reflecting ions. The trajectory of the ion pulses before reversal is indicated by reference numeral 44A, while the trajectory of the ion pulses after reversal is indicated by reference numeral 44B. Because the ions constituting the ion pulses have various mass-to-charge ratios, the ion pulses elongate in the trajectory direction in the course of the flight. The entire flight path of the ion pulses corresponds to a mass analyzing section.

The orthogonal acceleration unit <NUM> comprises a plurality of electrodes. Among those electrodes, <FIG> shows two electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> that define a reference plane A. The electrode <NUM> is a pusher electrode, while the electrode <NUM> is a puller electrode. Each of these electrodes has a shape of a flat plate, and the two electrodes are arranged in parallel with each other. In the gap between the two electrodes, a plane corresponding to an intermediate position in the z-direction is the reference plane A. Although a plurality of additional electrodes are arranged alongside each other above the electrode <NUM>, illustration of those electrodes is omitted.

The constructed unit <NUM> is fixed to the base <NUM> by means of four support posts <NUM> while being spaced from the base <NUM> (and the housing <NUM>). The support posts <NUM> constitute the first support member. The orthogonal acceleration unit <NUM> is heated by a heat source (not shown). For example, the temperature of the electrode <NUM> is maintained at <NUM>. With this arrangement, soiling of the electrode <NUM> with ions can be reduced. Electrodes other than the electrode <NUM> may be heated. The heat source for the heating may be arranged inside or outside the constructed unit <NUM>. The heat source may be embedded in the electrode <NUM>. The heat source may be configured with, for example, one or more heaters.

Since the constructed unit <NUM> is fixed to the base <NUM> via the plurality of support posts <NUM>, heat conduction from the constructed unit <NUM> to the base <NUM> can be reduced as compared to a case in which the constructed unit <NUM> is directly fixed to the base <NUM>. The individual support posts <NUM> may be composed of a material having relatively low thermal conductivity. For example, the individual support posts <NUM> may be composed of stainless steel. When designing the mass spectrometry device <NUM>, thermal expansion of the respective components is taken into consideration.

Upstream of the orthogonal acceleration unit <NUM>, an incidence regulator unit <NUM>, which can be referred to as a regulator, is provided. The incidence regulator unit <NUM> includes a slit <NUM> through which the ion flow is passed. By means of the incidence regulator unit <NUM>, incidence of the ion flow is regulated in such a manner that the ion flow having a planar shape is located in the reference plane A. As described below, the incidence regulator unit <NUM> comprises components such as a pair of blades that define the slit, and a pair of heaters serving as a heat source for heating the pair of blades.

The incidence regulator unit <NUM> is fixed with respect to the base <NUM> by means of a pair of support posts <NUM> while being spaced from the base <NUM> (and the housing <NUM>). The pair of support posts <NUM> function as the second support member. The support posts may be composed of stainless steel. The pair of blades are heated by the pair of heaters. The temperature of the pair of blades is maintained at <NUM>, for example. Since the incidence regulator unit <NUM> is spaced from components other than the pair of support posts <NUM>, heat escape from the incidence regulator unit <NUM> is suppressed. When mounting the incidence regulator unit <NUM> in place, thermal expansion of the support posts <NUM> is taken into consideration.

If the incidence regulator unit <NUM> were directly fixed to the constructed unit <NUM>, heat transfer from the incidence regulator unit <NUM> to the constructed unit <NUM> would be generated, which would cause the temperature of the constructed unit <NUM> to be unstable or nonuniform, or as a result of which more electric energy would be required for maintaining the temperature of the pair of blades to a predetermined temperature. According to the configuration of the embodiment, generation of these problems can be avoided. Although attaching the incidence regulator unit <NUM> to the flange <NUM> might be considered, in that case, the amount of heat escape would be increased, and further, positioning error of the incidence regulator unit <NUM> would undesirably be increased. According to the configuration of the embodiment, occurrence of these problems can also be avoided.

Inside the housing <NUM>, a detector <NUM> is provided. By means of the detector <NUM>, the temporally-extended ion pulses are detected. Based on detection signals generated as a result of the detection, a mass spectrum is produced. An opening 12A through which the ion pulses pass is formed in the base <NUM>. In an embodiment, the constructed unit <NUM>, the incidence regulator unit <NUM>, and the reflector unit <NUM> are provided on one side (more specifically, on the upper side) of the base <NUM>, while the detector <NUM> is provided on the other side (more specifically, on the lower side) of the base <NUM>. With this arrangement, the flight distance of the ion pulses is increased, and accuracy of mass spectrometry can thereby be enhanced. The detector <NUM> may be installed at a further lower position. By employing spaces on both sides of the base <NUM>, it becomes possible to configure such that the flight distance is <NUM> to <NUM> meters, for example. Since the housing <NUM> that holds the detector <NUM> is fixed to the base <NUM>, positioning accuracy of the detector <NUM> can be increased.

In the above-described configuration, a linear acceleration unit may be provided instead of the orthogonal acceleration unit. Further, the respective components may be arranged so as to invert the trajectory <NUM>. In <FIG>, illustration of a data processor unit and a control unit is omitted.

<FIG> shows details of the incidence regulator unit <NUM> and its surroundings in an enlarged view. Meanwhile, the structure of the orthogonal acceleration unit <NUM> is expressed schematically. In <FIG>, elements shown in <FIG> are labeled with the same reference numerals, and their explanation will not be repeated below.

The housing <NUM> is attached to the housing <NUM>. These housings are composed of, for example, a metal such as aluminum. A round end portion 18A of the housing <NUM> projects in the x-direction, and fits into the round opening 16A formed on the housing <NUM>. The end portion 18A has a round opening 18B, and the annular flange <NUM> is arranged in the opening 18B. At each point of joining between the above-noted plurality of components, a sealing member such as an O-ring is provided.

Inside the housing <NUM>, the constructed body <NUM> including the orthogonal acceleration unit <NUM> is arranged. The constructed body <NUM> is fixed to the base <NUM> by the support posts <NUM>. Inside the housing <NUM>, the incidence regulator unit <NUM> is provided, and is fixed to the base <NUM> by the pair of support posts <NUM>. The height of the incidence regulator unit <NUM>, or more specifically, the height of the slit, is adjusted to correspond, with high accuracy, to the above-described reference plane. Although a component that captures or blocks the ion flow that has passed in a horizontal direction through the orthogonal acceleration unit <NUM> is actually provided, its illustration is omitted.

<FIG> shows a front view of the incidence regulator unit <NUM>. The incidence regulator unit <NUM> comprises a main body <NUM>, the pair of blades <NUM>, <NUM>, and heater units <NUM>, <NUM>. The pair of blades <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged alongside each other in the z-direction, and are detachably fastened to the main body <NUM> with a plurality of screws <NUM>. The pair of blades <NUM>, <NUM> have a pair of edges 58A, 60A, and a width of the slit <NUM> in the z-direction is defined between these edges 58A, 60A. The main body <NUM> has an opening <NUM>, and the opening <NUM> defines a length of the slit <NUM> in the y-direction. This length is typically greater than the width of the ion flow. It is of course alternatively possible to use the opening <NUM> to limit the width, in the y-direction, of the ion flow.

For example, the blades <NUM>, <NUM> are made of molybdenum, which is a non-magnetic metal. When the blades <NUM>, <NUM> become soiled with ions to a degree exceeding a predetermined level, the pair of blades <NUM>, <NUM> are removed from the main body <NUM> and are subjected to cleaning (more specifically, sanding).

At each of two ends of the main body <NUM> in the y-direction, a U-shaped groove is formed. A pair of heaters <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged inside this pair of U-shaped grooves, and then the pair of U-shaped grooves are covered with a pair of covers <NUM>, <NUM>. The pair of covers <NUM>, <NUM> are fastened to the main body <NUM> with a plurality of screws <NUM>. The pair of U-shaped grooves, the pair of heaters <NUM>, <NUM>, and the pair of covers <NUM>, <NUM> constitute the pair of heater units <NUM>, <NUM>. Upon heating, the pair of heaters <NUM>, <NUM> expand, and their outer faces come in close contact with the inner faces of the respective U-shaped grooves, resulting in good heat conduction. For achieving better heat conduction, a heat conduction sheet such as a flexible copper foil may be arranged between the outer face of each heater <NUM>, <NUM> and the inner face of the corresponding U-shaped groove.

The main body <NUM> has a plate-shaped form as a whole, and specifically has a rectangular shape when viewed in the x-direction. In other words, the main body <NUM> has a shape that extends in the y-direction and the z-direction. The width of main body <NUM> in the y-direction is indicated by reference numeral <NUM>.

A pair of mounts <NUM> are provided at lower portions of the main body <NUM>. The pair of mounts <NUM> project outward from the lower end portions, located on both sides in the y-direction, of the main body <NUM>. The extent of projection is indicated by reference numeral <NUM>.

The pair of mounts <NUM> are fixed to the base <NUM> by the pair of support posts <NUM>. The support posts <NUM> are of identical structure. Here, reference is made to the support post depicted in cutaway view on the right in <FIG>. The mount <NUM> has a through hole formed therein along the z-direction. An outer sleeve <NUM> that forms a part of the post is provided underneath the mount <NUM>. The outer sleeve <NUM> has a through hole along the z-direction. A long bolt <NUM> is provided penetrating through the above-noted two through holes, which are aligned in the z-direction. A lower end portion 82B of the bolt <NUM> constitutes a screw portion. Further, a threaded hole <NUM> is formed in the base <NUM>. The lower end portion 82B is inserted into the threaded hole <NUM>, and these two elements are screwed together. A lower end portion of the outer sleeve <NUM> is also inserted into an upper part of the threaded hole <NUM>.

A head 82A of the bolt <NUM> is exposed upward from the mount <NUM>. The head 82A has a hexagonal recess to be engaged by a tip of a tool. By introducing a long tool from above as indicated by reference numeral <NUM>, the tip of the tool can be easily introduced into the recess. By rotating the tool in that state, fastening or removal of the bolt can be carried out. On the left side of the main body <NUM> also, bolt attachment and removal can be performed conveniently by introducing the tool in the same manner as described above. A structure similar to the above may be employed for each of the support posts that support the constructed unit.

The base <NUM> comprises a main part <NUM>, and a peripheral part <NUM> surrounding the main part <NUM>. The thickness of the main part <NUM> is greater than the thickness of the peripheral part <NUM>. The pair of support posts for fixing the incidence regulator unit <NUM> and the plurality of posts for fixing the constructed unit are secured to the main part <NUM>. The housings located on the upper side are fixed to the peripheral part <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross-section indicated by IV in <FIG>. The main body <NUM> comprises, in the y-direction, a thin part and thick parts located on both sides thereof, and the pair of blades <NUM>, <NUM> are attached to the thin part by the plurality of screws <NUM>. The edges 58A, 60A that form parts of the blades <NUM>, <NUM> define the size of the slit <NUM> in the z-direction. The thin part has the opening <NUM>. On a far side of the thin part in the depth direction, a thick part is present, and this part constitutes the heater unit <NUM>. That is, a U-shaped groove is formed in the thick part, and a heater is arranged therein. The U-shaped groove is covered with the cover <NUM>, which is fastened with the plurality of screws <NUM>. A structure similar to that described above is also located on the near side of the thin part. Each of the support posts is composed of electrically conductive members. The base and the respective housings are set to ground potential, and the pair of blades <NUM>, <NUM> are also set to ground potential.

<FIG> illustrates, in a schematic diagram, an instance of positioning of the slit <NUM>. For example, positioning of the slit <NUM> can be performed using a jig <NUM>. As already explained above, the slit <NUM> is defined by the pair of blades <NUM>, <NUM>. The size of the slit <NUM> in the z-direction is indicated by t1. The central height of the slit <NUM> is at z1. In the example shown, the height z0 of an upper face 90A of a pusher electrode <NUM> serves as a reference.

The jig <NUM> comprises a block-shaped main body <NUM>, and a piece <NUM> that extends from the main body <NUM> in the horizontal direction. The size of the piece <NUM> in the z-direction is t2. From a substantial point of view, t2 is equal to t1. In a state in which a lower face 94A of the main body <NUM> is in close contact with the upper face 90A, the intermediate level of the piece <NUM> is at height z2. When the height z2 is equal to the height z1; that is, when the piece <NUM> can be smoothly inserted into the slit <NUM> in that state, it can be determined that the height of the slit <NUM> is appropriate. When the piece <NUM> cannot be inserted into the slit <NUM>, the height of the slit <NUM> is to be adjusted.

Claim 1:
A mass spectrometry device, comprising:
a base (<NUM>);
a constructed unit (<NUM>) including a pulse generator unit (<NUM>) that generates ion pulses from an ion flow which travels along a first direction;
a first support member (<NUM>) that fixes the constructed unit (<NUM>) with respect to the base (<NUM>) while the constructed unit (<NUM>) being spaced from the base (<NUM>);
an incidence regulator unit (<NUM>) provided upstream of the pulse generator unit (<NUM>) and having a slit (<NUM>, <NUM>) through which the ion flow passes, the slit (<NUM>, <NUM>) being parallel to a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and
a second support member (<NUM>) that fixes the incidence regulator unit (<NUM>) with respect to the base (<NUM>) while the incidence regulator unit (<NUM>) being spaced from the base (<NUM>) and the constructed unit (<NUM>),
wherein the incidence regulator unit (<NUM>) includes:
a main body (<NUM>) having an opening (<NUM>) that defines a length of the slit (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the second direction, and extending in the second direction and a third direction, the third direction being orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction;
a pair of blades (<NUM>, <NUM>) provided on the main body (<NUM>), being arranged alongside each other in the third direction, and defining a width of the slit (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the third direction;
a heat source (<NUM>, <NUM>) provided on the main body (<NUM>) and serving to heat the pair of blades (<NUM>, <NUM>), the heat source comprising
a first heater (<NUM>) embedded in the main body (<NUM>) on one side of the pair of blades (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the second direction; and a second heater (<NUM>) embedded in the main body (<NUM>) on the other side of the pair of blades (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the second direction,
the mass spectrometry device further comprising a pair of mounts (<NUM>) provided projecting toward both sides in the second direction from an end portion of the main body (<NUM>), which end portion is located toward the base,
wherein
the second support member (<NUM>) is a pair of support posts (<NUM>) provided between the base (<NUM>) and the pair of mounts (<NUM>), and
each of the support posts (<NUM>) extends in the third direction.