Input ion optics of the quadrupole mass-spectrometers with inductively coupled plasma. Part 4. Asymmetrical systems with the angular ion deflection

The literature and other information concerning input ion optics of inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometers are systematized. This part of the review is devoted to the asyimmetrical systems intended for the angular deflection of plasma ion beams prior to analysis, and peculiarities of associated devices and parts accumulated to the present time. First foreign instrument manufacturers, which payed attention to this type of optics were Hitachi Ltd, Shimadzu Corp, Iowa State University (USA), Seiko Instruments Inc., Hewlett-Packard, Varian, Bruker, Analytik Jena, PerkinElmer, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Expec Technology (Focused Fotonics Inc). A minor part of them limited themselves to project ideas, patenting and, sometimes, experimental investigations of the corresponding idesas. The others developed their projects to serial production of spectrometers with different, which deserved recognition among the users. Novelty (priority), variety of used deflectors design, principle of action, advantages and disadvantages are considered. An ion mirror (Varian, Bruker, Analytik Jena) and a cross-section quadrupole (Seiko Instr. Inc, PerkinElmer) attracted the greatest attention of serial spectrometers manufacturers. Subsequently developed deflector from Thermo Fisher and Expec Technol gained a shorter history. A novel inductor, systems for the reduction of interferences, use of Mathieu function, and measurement of size distribution spectra of individual nanoparticles are also considered.