160 Troubleshooting and Maintenance Manual
7 Analyzers and Collision Cell
Collision Cell
The collision cell requires no periodic maintenance.
The cell houses a hexapole (this is the second of the three quadrupoles)
containing a reaction gas, typically a nitrogen/helium mixture. Precursor ions
from the front analyzer may interact with the reaction gas to form product
ions.
When the front and rear analyzer doors close, alignment pins on the collision
cell engage the post- and pre-filters. They lift the collision cell from its cradle
and align it with the two analyzers.
The ion stream is passed on to the rear analyzer.
Figure 32 Collision cell in place, analyzer doors open
Collision cell cover plate removed
Post-filter on
front analyzer
Pre-filter on
rear analyzer
Collision cell