Patent ID: 7361888

Claim:
An apparatus for analyzing chemical species, comprising: (a) at least two ion sources for producing ions from said chemical species; (b) at least two two-dimensional ion traps, each said ion trap comprising an entrance end where ions enter said ion trap and an exit end where ions exit said ion trap; (c) means for transporting said ions from said ion sources to said entrance ends, such that ions from each said source are transported to said entrance end of a separate one of said ion traps, respectively; (d) at least two ion trap exit lenses, wherein each said exit lens is located proximal to each of said ion trap exit ends, respectively; (e) a fast voltage switching device for switching voltage levels applied to each said exit lens between a first voltage level whereby ions are prevented from exiting said ion trap, and a second voltage level whereby ions exit said ion trap; (f) a mass analyzer and detector for mass analyzing said ions exiting said ion traps and producing an output signal responsive to said ions following mass analysis; (g) a data acquisition system for recording said output signal; (h) an accurate timing device for controlling the timing and durations of said exit lenses voltage levels.