1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to mass spectroscopy and in particular to the alignment of ion optic elements in mass spectrometers. In addition, in one aspect the invention relates to electrical connections in scientific apparatus especially apparatus designed for operation in high vacuum environments.
Mass spectrometry is an analytical methodology used for quantitative elemental analysis of materials and mixtures of materials. In mass spectrometry, a sample of a material to be analyzed called an analyte is broken into particles of its constituent parts. The particles are typically molecular in size. Once produced, the analyte particles are separated by the spectrometer based on their respective masses. The separated particles are then detected and a “mass spectrum” of the material is produced. The mass spectrum is analogous to a fingerprint of the sample material being analyzed. The mass spectrum provides information about the masses and in some cases quantities of the various analyte particles that make up the sample. In particular, mass spectrometry can be used to determine the molecular weights of molecules and molecular fragments within an analyte. Additionally, mass spectrometry can identify components within the analyte based on the fragmentation pattern when the material is broken into particles. Mass spectrometry has proven to be a very powerful analytical tool in material science, chemistry and biology along with a number of other related fields.
A specific type of mass spectrometer is the time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer, which analyzes ions with respect to their ratio of mass and charge. The TOF mass spectrometer (TOFMS) uses the differences in the time of flight or transit time through the spectrometer to separate and identify the analyte constituent parts. In the basic TOF mass spectrometer, particles of the analyte are produced and ionized by an ion source. The analyte ions are then introduced into an ion accelerator that subjects the ions to an electric field. The electric field accelerates the analyte ions and launches them into a drift tube or drift region. After being accelerated, the analyte ions are allowed to drift in the absence of the accelerating electric field until they strike an ion detector at the end of the drift region. The drift velocity of a given analyte ion is a function of both the mass and the charge of the ion. Therefore, if the analyte ions are produced having the same charge, ions of different masses will have different drift velocities upon exiting the accelerator and, in turn, will arrive at the detector at different points in time. The differential transit time or differential ‘time-of-flight’ separates the analyte ions by mass and enables the detection of the individual analyte particle types present in the sample.
In a time of flight mass spectrometer (TOFMS), the ion accelerator accepts a stream of ions from an ion source and accelerates the analyte ions by applying an electric field. The velocity of a given ion when it exits the ion accelerator is proportional to the square root of the accelerating field strength, the square root of the charge of the ion, and inversely proportional to the square root of the mass of the ion. Thus, ions with the same charge but differing masses are accelerated to differing velocities by the ion accelerator.
When an analyte ion strikes the detector, the detector generates a signal. The time at which the signal is generated by the detector is used to determine the mass of the particle. In addition, for many detector types, the strength of the signal produced by the detector is proportional to the quantity of the ions striking it at a given point in time. Therefore, the quantity of particles of a given mass can also often be determined. With this information about particle mass and quantity, a mass spectrum can be computed and the composition of the analyte can be inferred.
In a typical linear TOF-MS, as described, for example, by Wiley and McLaren (Rev. Sci. Instrum. (1955) 26:1150-1157) and in U.S. Pat. No. 2,685,035, ions are accelerated in vacuum by means of electrical potentials. The potentials are applied to a set of parallel, substantially planar electrodes, which have openings that may be covered by fine meshes to assure homogeneous electrical fields, while allowing the transmission of the ions. The direction of the instrument axis is usually defined as the direction normal to the flat surface of these electrodes. Following the acceleration by the electrical fields between the accelerator electrodes, the ions drift through a field free space of a flight tube until they reach the essentially flat surface of an ion detector. At the detector or detector surface, the arrival of the ions is converted in a way to generate electrical signals, which can be recorded by an electronic timing device. An example of such a detector is multi-channel electron multiplier plate. The measured flight time of any given ion through the instrument is related to the ion's mass to charge ratio.
In another typical arrangement such as, for example, that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,072,862, the motion of the ions is turned around after a first field free drift space in a flight tube by means of an ion reflector. This arrangement is generally referred to as reflector or reflectron TOF-MS. In this approach the ions reach the detector after passing through a second field free drift space in a flight tube. The properties of such ion reflectors allow one to increase the total flight time, while maintaining a narrow distribution of arrival times for ions of a given mass to charge ratio. Thus, mass resolution is enhanced over that of a linear instrument.
Extraction of ions from molecular beams has also been applied to TOF-MS. In one such approach often referred to as orthogonal accelerated TOF-MS, molecular beams can be produced by expansion of gas from a high-pressure region to a vacuum through two or more orifices separating the regions. The molecular beam may contain ions that were formed in the expanding gas or neutrals in the beam can be ionized by interaction with ionizing radiation. A packet of ions can be extracted from a section of the beam by momentary application of an electric field at right angles to the beam. The time of flight over a distance perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axis of the molecular beam can be measured from the instant that the extraction field was turned. One such approach is described by O'Halloran, et al., Technical Documentary Report No. ASD-TDR-62-844, April 1964. This approach utilizes a drift tube oriented at 90 degrees to receive the ion packet. Steering electrodes are generally employed to deflect the ion packet at various angles at or near the perpendicular depending on the nature of and presence of a drift tube.
In the construction of TOF-MS spectrometers, whether linear, orthogonal accelerated or the like, the alignment of the individual components is important to achieve high levels of resolution of the spectra peaks. In all TOF-MS it is important to keep the source and the detector ion elements parallel to each other within fractions of a degree to achieve acceptable resolution. Additionally, for orthogonal accelerated TOF-MS it is also important to maintain perpendicularity between the ion source and the pulsing optics.
Typical solutions to achieve requisite alignment involve attaching the ion optic elements to ends of a tube that is carefully constructed or to the surface of a flat plate. These approaches require painstaking adjustments to achieve sufficient alignment. The known solutions suffer from poor resolution due to lack of alignment accuracy in the ion optics components. Another disadvantage of the known approaches is that they require the difficult and time-consuming process of aligning the ion optics elements.
Another consideration in scientific apparatus designed for operation in high vacuum environments is the need for a means to make electrical connections from one element to another such as, for example, an input connector pin to an electrode, without upsetting the desired electrical fields in the vicinity of charged particle beams. This situation is particularly of importance in mass spectrometry. Typical solutions involve the use of shielded conductors made from braided wire or solid-walled tubular covers over polymer insulators or planar shields and partitions made from sheet metal.
The typical solutions to the above problem suffer from the difficulty of making high vacuum and high temperature compatible shielded conductors using the above methods. When accomplished, the result is usually expensive, delicate and inflexible. Additionally, if a constant electrical impedance is desired, a solid dielectric material and conductor support may be needed, which leads to outgassing of the dielectric material in the high vacuum systems.
2. Brief Description of Related Art
A discussion of designs for mounting optical components is found in “Building Scientific Apparatus, A Practical Guide to Design and Construction,” Second Edition, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc., Redwood City, Calif., 1989, pages 170-177 and 336-337. Various optical rails, carriers, clamps, blocks, adaptors, translators and holders are also known for mounting optical components. However, there is still a need in mass spectrometry for the alignment of individual components of the ion optics system to achieve high levels of resolution of spectral peaks.
One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus comprising a base having a front face, a rear face and at least one side face, and at least two supports. Each of the supports has at least one face. Each of the supports is affixed to the base by alignment of a portion of at least one face of the base and a portion of at least one face of the support thereby resulting in the alignment of the supports relative to one another. At least one of the supports has attached thereto a component of an ion optics system for a mass spectrometer.
In another embodiment of the present invention the apparatus has at least one groove therein. An electrical lead is sequestered in the groove and the apparatus further comprises a shielding plate covering the groove.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a mass spectroscopy apparatus comprising components of an ion optics system for a mass spectrometer affixed to a mounting base. Each of the components is affixed to a support. Each of the supports has at least one support mating face. The mounting base comprises a plurality of base mating faces respectively corresponding to a respective support mating face. The support mating faces and the base mating faces are configured and dimensioned such that, when the support mating faces are brought together in registration with the respective base mating faces, the components are optically aligned within acceptable tolerances.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for constructing an apparatus comprising a plurality of components of an ion optical system for a mass spectrometer. The method comprises bringing together (i) a base having a front face, a rear face and at least one side face, and (ii) a plurality of supports. Each of the supports has at least one face and is attached or is attachable to one of the supports. A portion of a face of each of the supports is aligned with a corresponding portion of at least one face of the base. The portions are secured to one another. The components of the optical system for a mass spectrometer are affixed to the supports prior to or subsequent to securing the portions to one another. The portions of the faces are configured and dimensioned such that, when the portions are secured, the components are optically aligned within acceptable tolerances
Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of constructing a mass spectroscopy apparatus comprising components of an ion optics system. Each of the components of an ion optics system for a mass spectrometer is affixed to a mounting base. Each of the components is affixed to a support either prior to or after the support is affixed to the mounting base. Each of the supports has at least one support mating face. The mounting base comprises a plurality of base mating faces respectively corresponding to a respective support mating face. The support mating faces and the base mating faces are configured and dimensioned such that, when the support mating faces are brought together in registration with the respective base mating faces, the components are optically aligned within acceptable tolerances. The mounting base is secured to a frame of the mass spectroscopy apparatus.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a scientific apparatus for use in high vacuum environments. At least one electrical connection in the apparatus is made by means of a base having a groove in at least one face thereof wherein an electrical lead is sequestered in the groove and wherein a shielding plate covers the groove.
One aspect of the present invention in its broadest application is directed to an optical bench. The term “optical bench” means a mounting base to which components of an ion optics system may be or are attached. Usually, the components are affixed to supports, which are mounted on the mounting base. The supports may be brackets, plates, boxes, and the like. The components may be affixed to the supports either after or prior to the support being affixed to the mounting base. In another embodiment the support for attachment to the optical bench may be integral with the component of the ion optics system. In this latter approach the component of the ion optics system may include tabs and/or raised edges for engagement with the mounting base. In one embodiment of the present invention, the optical bench of the present invention has a flat surface and accurately machined details that interface with the supports to which the components of an ion optics system are, or may be, attached. In this fashion the components of the ion optics system self-align accurately to within acceptable tolerances upon assembly and installation.
The term “optically aligned within acceptable tolerances” means that the components are aligned to maximize resolution of the spectra peaks in the particular mass spectroscopy technique involved. For example, in TOF-MS it is important to keep the ion source and the detector components parallel to each other within fractions of a degree to achieve acceptable resolution (see
The term “ion optics system for a mass spectrometer” means a system of optical components that are involved in the initiation, movement, and/or detection of ions in mass spectroscopy. Such components usually comprise an ion source and a detector. The components may further comprise a pulser, an ion mirror, steering plates, Einzel lens, and the like depending on the nature of the mass spectroscopy such as linear, orthogonal, reflectron, and so forth. For example, the mass spectroscopy apparatus may be a time-of-flight mass spectrometer and may include an ion source and a detector as components of an ion optics system requiring optical alignment. In TOF-MS embodiments employing orthogonal acceleration of the ions, the apparatus may further include a pulser as an ion optical component requiring optical alignment. In “reflection” TOF-MS embodiments the apparatus further may include as ion optical components requiring optical alignment of an ion mirror or reflector and optionally may include an Einzel lens situated in the ion path between the pulser and the reflector.
The term “ion source” means a device for forming ions from a sample to be analyzed. The ions may be formed into a collimated ion beam. In one approach for production of ions, bombardment of a sample with an electron beam is employed. The ionization energy may be continuous or pulsed. Other ion sources as a means for producing ions include, by way of illustration and not limitation, electrospray source, photoionization source, MALDI source and the like.
The term “pulser” means a device for subjecting ions to an electric field that accelerates the particles. The pulser generally comprises one or more electrodes and provides electric field gradients that separate a continuous input stream of ions into groups or packets. These packets are accelerated by application of a pulsed electric field into the drift region toward the detector.
The term “ion mirror” means an energy focusing device sometimes referred to as a reflector. The ion mirror generally comprises a series of retarding lenses or grids. An electrical field is employed in the ion mirror to reflect ion trajectories in a direction opposite to that at which the ions enter the ion mirror. Although the ion mirror will is change the ion trajectories at an angle of about 180 degrees or back along their initial flight axis, the ions are usually reflected at a slight angle to permit location of a detector adjacent to an ion source. The more energetic ions penetrate the retarding field of the ion mirror to a greater depth so that they travel along a longer path and arrive at the detector at the same time as the less energetic ions. The ion mirror may comprise one or more stages where single stage and dual stage ion mirrors are most utilized. In the dual stage device, ions pass through an entrance grid and are retarded by the time that they pass through the second grid, after which the ions are turned around. In the single stage ion mirror there is a single retarding field that is similar to that of the first and second stages of the dual stage ion mirror combined.
The term “detector” means a device for recording ions that are subjected to acceleration and reflection forces in mass spectroscopy. Ideally, the detector must have high sensitivity and high dynamic range as well as providing good temporal resolution. A number of different detector types are used in TOF mass spectrometers. Among these are the channeltron, Daly detector, electron multiplier tube, Faraday cup and microchannel plate. Recently, hybrid electron multiplier detectors have been developed. Hybrid electron multiplier detectors have generally been based on the combination of a micro channel plate MCP multiplier and a discrete dynode multiplier, the classic multi-dynode electron multiplier (EM).
In one general aspect, the invention is directed to a mass spectroscopy apparatus including a plurality of components of an ion optics system affixed to a mounting base. Each of the components is affixed to the mounting base through the intermediacy of a support. The combination of the support and the component are sometimes referred to herein as an “ion optical assembly.” The support of each ion optical assembly has a support mating face, and the mounting base has a plurality of mounting base mating faces respectively corresponding to the support mating faces. The support mating faces and mounting base mating faces are configured and dimensioned such that when the support mating faces are brought together in registration with their respective mounting base mating faces, the components of the ion optics system are optically aligned within acceptable tolerances.
In one approach a mating face of a support or of the mounting base may include a planar surface adjacent an outside edge and the corresponding mating face may include a planar surface adjacent an inside edge. The corresponding mating faces are brought together in registration by apposing the respective planar surfaces and edges.
In another approach a mating face may include a guide having a geometrical shape and the corresponding mating face includes a geometrical shape that is complementary to the first. One of the geometrical shapes may be a protrusion from the mating face and the corresponding geometrical shape may be a recess in the corresponding mating face. The corresponding mating faces are brought together in registration by apposing the complementary surfaces. The geometrical shapes include, by way of illustration and not limitation, a rectangular solid, e.g., cube and the like, a pyramid, e.g., square pyramid and the like, or a combination thereof.
In one particular embodiment the mounting base is a generally flat member having first and second surfaces and a finite thickness. The ion optical assembly support mating face includes a planar surface adjacent an inside edge, and the corresponding mounting base mating face includes a planar surface that forms an outside edge where it intersects the first surface of the mounting block, and the mating faces are brought together in registration by apposing the respective planar surfaces and edges. In one aspect of this embodiment, the outside edge formed by intersection of the mounting base first surface and the mounting base mating face planar surface defines a straight line. The mounting base mating face planar surface can be orthogonal to the mounting base first surface and, in some embodiments, the entire mounting base first surface can be planar.
According to the invention the respective mating faces for installation on the mounting base of the components of the ion optics system that are alignment critical are formed to close tolerances before assembly. In this way, mutual alignment of the components of the ion optics system is established to a predetermined specification upon installation. The respective mating faces are configured so that optical alignment of each part is established when the mating faces are brought together in a unique way permitted by the configuration. The invention provides for straightforward assembly of mass spectrometry apparatus including TOF-MS, and for replacement of one or more components of the ion optics system in mass spectroscopy apparatus according to the invention without need for additional alignment.
Particular embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like parts are referenced by like numerals. The drawings are not necessarily made to scale and, in particular, certain of the dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity of presentation. The present invention has application to all types of mass spectrometry apparatus particularly those that employ a mounting base for components of an ion optics system such as, for example, TOF-MS and the like.
Referring to
In operation, an ion beam is generated by introducing gaseous sample into ion source 12. The sample may be ionized by an electron bombardment to form an ion beam and is accelerated by electric fields within the ion source 12. This beam is subjected to acceleration to impart a velocity component to the beam in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the ion beam. The latter ion beam passes through the Einzel lens 38 to ion mirror 40 and reflected to detector 48 located opposite of ion mirror 40.
Ion source 12, pulser 18, ion mirror 40 and detector 48 are mounted on base plate 50. Each of the above components of the ion optics system is mounted on base 50 by means of a support. Ion source 12 is affixed to support 52, which in turn is affixed to base plate 50. Pulser 18 is affixed to support 54, which in turn is affixed to base plate 50. Ion mirror 40 is affixed to support 56, which in turn is affixed to base plate 50. Detector 48 is affixed to support 58, which in turn is affixed to base plate 50. Also mounted on base plate 50, by means of support 60, is the assembly comprising beam steering plates 34 and 36 and Einzel lens 38. Base plate 50 is attached to support member 62, which in turn is attached to main chamber wall 66 of mass spectroscopy apparatus 10. Attachment is generally accomplished by means of fasteners such as screws.
One embodiment of the present invention is shown in
Referring to
Referring to
The supports for various components of the ion optics system and their attachment to plate 51 may be seen with reference to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The aforementioned supports may be manufactured from the same material as that for plate 50. It is to be understood that each of the supports may be manufactured from a material different from the other and different from that of plate 50.
Another aspect of the present invention may be described with reference to
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of constructing a mass spectroscopy apparatus comprising components of an ion optics system. Assembly may be explained with reference to the above figures. Each of the components of the ion optics system is affixed to a respective support. The support may be attached to base plate 51 either prior to or after a component is affixed to the support. For example, support 100 has a mating face of portion 104 that is brought together or engaged with a corresponding mating face of shelf 88 of base plate 51. Support 100 is secured to base plate 51. The support mating face and the base plate mating face are configured and dimensioned so that portion 102 of support 100 is perpendicular to base plate 51. As mentioned above, the support mating faces and the base mating faces are configured and dimensioned such that, when the support mating faces are brought together in registration with respective base mating faces, the components are optically aligned within acceptable tolerances. Base plate 51 is secured to a structural member, for example, structural member 66, of mass spectroscopy apparatus 10. As a result of the present invention a high degree of parallelism is achieved between components of the ions optics system. In particular, referring to
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to means for making electrical connections from one element to another element in scientific apparatus without upsetting the desired electrical fields in the vicinity of charged particle beams. This aspect of the invention has particular application to scientific apparatus for use in vacuum environments. By the term “vacuum environments” is meant an ambient pressure that may be less than about 760 Torr, and may be less than about 10 Torr. At least one electrical connection in the apparatus is made by means of a metal base having a groove in at least one face thereof wherein an electrical lead is sequestered in the groove and wherein a shielding plate covers the groove. The present invention accomplishes interconnection and shielding using the aforementioned base as the metallic high vacuum and temperature compatible shielding material in an economical method. This aspect of the present invention is particularly applicable to time-of-flight mass spectrometry systems, which are especially vulnerable in their performance to stray electric and magnetic fields.
The metal base plate is formed or machined to provide grooves or channels in at least one face thereof, for example in
An example of such an apparatus, by way of illustration and not limitation, is an optical bench shown in
A conductive material 162 forms an electrical lead and runs in groove 150 from element AA to element BB. The conductive material may be a wire, rod, and the like 10 and may be copper, aluminum, nickel, and so forth or a combination thereof. Element AA and BB, respectively, may be an electrical connector for electrical connection between components of a scientific apparatus such as components of a mass spectroscopy apparatus. Such component may include, for example, electrodes, shields, filaments and so forth, which may be part of one or more components of an ion optics system, and the like. Connection at element AA may be made using connector 164, which may be a typical connector such as a mechanical coupler, BNC connector, a coaxial connector, a rod secured to a receptacle by means of fasteners such as set screws, etc., and the like. Connection at element BB may be by any convenient connective means such as a slip on pin and receptacle, spot weld, hole with fastener and the like.
Shield plate 166 covers groove 152 to capture conductive material 162 within groove 152, usually in the center of groove 152. Shield plate 166 is usually manufactured from a metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, and so forth or combinations thereof. Shield plate 166 is affixed to plate 51 by means of fasteners 168. As a result of this arrangement, conductive material 162 is surrounded by metal and is completely shielded from high voltage or sensitive components from surrounding parts of the scientific apparatus. An electrical connection or transmission line of substantially constant impedance is obtained. Impedance is determined by classical coaxial transmission line considerations, which depend on the dimensions and shape of groove 152. For example, referring to
All publications and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 09499962 | Feb 2000 | US |
Child | 11064719 | Feb 2005 | US |