Abstract: A system comprising one or more autonomous vehicles equipped with sensors to perform continuous multi-domain gravity gradiometry measurements to better understand density variation of an object, surface and/or subsurface. The autonomous vehicles may be equipped with modular customizable sensor packages having a plurality of gravity gradiometry sensors with differing sensitivities. Each sensor may be tethered to the autonomous vehicle by a tether which can be lengthened or shortened to vary the distance between the sensor and the ground. The autonomous vehicles may include an onboard data processing and visualization system configured for generating a survey model of a scanned area and/or volume based on the data received sensors on one or more autonomous vehicles. The data system may be configured to implement data-driven processes in a feedback loop to optimize positioning of the autonomous vehicle system to record measurements with less noise to refine the survey model.

Abstract: A cryogenic coil assembly including a coil substrate with a flat surface, and a number of radial channels cut into a region of the flat surface. The cryogenic coil assembly also includes a spiral coil covering the radial channels, and a chemical bonding agent for bonding the spiral coil to the coil substrate. The chemical bonding agent is present within the radial channels.

Abstract: A cryogenic coil assembly including a coil substrate with a flat surface, and a number of radial channels cut into a region of the flat surface. The cryogenic coil assembly also includes a spiral coil covering the radial channels, and a chemical bonding agent for bonding the spiral coil to the coil substrate. The chemical bonding agent is present within the radial channels.

Abstract: A cryogenic coil assembly including a coil substrate with a flat surface, and a number of radial channels cut into a region of the flat surface. The cryogenic coil assembly also includes a spiral coil covering the radial channels, and a chemical bonding agent for bonding the spiral coil to the coil substrate. The chemical bonding agent is present within the radial channels.

Abstract: An electronic measuring device is described that can include first and second input inductors connected in series. A shunt inductor is connected in parallel with the second input inductor. Optionally, an additional shunt inductor may also be used in parallel with the first input inductor. The first and second input inductors are inductively coupled to first and second SQUIDs which are in turn inductively coupled to first and second feedback inductors. First and second SQUID controllers are connected, respectively, to the first and second SQUIDs as well as the first and second feedback inductors. The first and second SQUID controllers are also connected to a processor. The processor is operable to process the output of the first and second SQUID controllers to detect unlocking events in the output of the first SQUID controller.

Abstract: An electronic measuring device is described that can include first and second input inductors connected in series. A shunt inductor is connected in parallel with the second input inductor. Optionally, an additional shunt inductor may also be used in parallel with the first input inductor. The first and second input inductors are inductively coupled to first and second SQUIDs which are in turn inductively coupled to first and second feedback inductors. First and second SQUID controllers are connected, respectively, to the first and second SQUIDs as well as the first and second feedback inductors. The first and second SQUID controllers are also connected to a processor. The processor is operable to process the output of the first and second SQUID controllers to detect unlocking events in the output of the first SQUID controller.

Abstract: A cryogenic coil assembly including a coil substrate with a flat surface, and a number of radial channels cut into a region of the flat surface. The cryogenic coil assembly also includes a spiral coil covering the radial channels, and a chemical bonding agent for bonding the spiral coil to the coil substrate. The chemical bonding agent is present within the radial channels.

Abstract: An interface for mass spectrometers. The interface uses non coaxial sampling pathways of the analyte ion beam prior to entering the entrance of a mass spectrometer for decreasing chemical background, and can be done in such a way as to permit multiple sprayers, increasing sample throughput and sensitivity for LC/MS (liquid chromatography/MS). The interface includes an ion source having an exit from which a beam of analyte ions are emitted, a curtain plate and an aperture in the curtain plate member, an orifice plate having an orifice therein. The orifice plate is being spaced from the curtain plate member defining a flow passageway therebetween, and the aperture in the orifice plate is aligned with a sample entrance to a first vacuum stage of a mass spectrometer maintained substantially lower than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An ion guide includes a plurality of rods, arranged about an axis that extends lengthwise from one end to the other of the guide. The rods guide ions in a guide region along and about the axis. A conductive casing surrounds the rods. The casing and the rods are geometrically arranged to produce an axial electric field along the axis. Specifically, the geometry is such that a first constant applied DC voltage (UDC), applied to the rods, and a second constant applied DC voltage (UCASE) applied to the casing, produce a voltage gradient between said casing and said axis that has a different magnitude at different positions along said axis.

Abstract: An ion guide includes multiple stages. An electric field within each stage guides ions along a guide axis. Within each stage, amplitude and frequency, and resolving potential of the electric field may be independently varied. The geometry of the rods maintains a similarly shaped field from stage to stage, allowing efficient guidance of the ions along the axis. In particular, each rod segment of the ith of stage has a cross sectional radius ri, and a central axis located a distance Ri+ri from the guide axis. The ratio ri/Ri and is substantially constant along the guide axis, thereby preserving the shape of the field.

Abstract: An ion guide includes a plurality of rods, arranged about an axis that extends lengthwise from one end to the other of the guide. The rods guide ions in a guide region along and about the axis. A conductive casing surrounds the rods. The casing and the rods are geometrically arranged to produce an axial electric field along the axis. Specifically, the geometry is such that a first constant applied DC voltage (UDC), applied to the rods, and a second constant applied DC voltage (UCASE) applied to the casing, produce a voltage gradient between said casing and said axis that has a different magnitude at different positions along said axis.

Abstract: An interface for mass spectrometers. The interface uses non coaxial sampling pathways of the analyte ion beam prior to entering the entrance of a mass spectrometer for decreasing chemical background, and can be done in such a way as to permit multiple sprayers, increasing sample throughput and sensitivity for LC/MS (liquid chromatography/MS). The interface includes an ion source having an exit from which a beam of analyte ions are emitted, a curtain plate and an aperture in the curtain plate member, an orifice plate having an orifice therein. The orifice plate is being spaced from the curtain plate member defining a flow passageway therebetween, and the aperture in the orifice plate is aligned with a sample entrance to a first vacuum stage of a mass spectrometer maintained substantially lower than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An interface for mass spectrometers. The interface uses non coaxial sampling pathways of the analyte ion beam prior to entering the entrance of a mass spectrometer for decreasing chemical background, and can be done in such a way as to permit multiple sprayers, increasing sample throughput and sensitivity for LC/MS (liquid chromatography/MS). The interface includes an ion source having an exit from which a beam of analyte ions are emitted, a curtain plate and an aperture in the curtain plate member, an orifice plate having an orifice therein. The orifice plate is being spaced from the curtain plate member defining a flow passageway therebetween, and the aperture in the orifice plate is aligned with a sample entrance to a first vacuum stage of a mass spectrometer maintained substantially lower than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An ion guide includes multiple stages. An electric field within each stage guides ions along a guide axis. Within each stage, amplitude and frequency, and resolving potential of the electric field may be independently varied. The geometry of the rods maintains a similarly shaped field from stage to stage, allowing efficient guidance of the ions along the axis. In particular, each rod segment of the ith of stage has a cross sectional radius ri, and a central axis located a distance Ri+ri from the guide axis. The ratio ri/Ri and is substantially constant along the guide axis, thereby preserving the shape of the field.

Abstract: An ion guide includes multiple stages. An electric field within each stage guides ions along a guide axis. Within each stage, amplitude and frequency, and resolving potential of the electric field may be independently varied. The geometry of the rods maintains a similarly shaped field from stage to stage, allowing efficient guidance of the ions along the axis. In particular, each rod segment of the ith of stage has a cross sectional radius ri, and a central axis located a distance Ri+ri from the guide axis. The ratio ri/Ri and is substantially constant along the guide axis, thereby preserving the shape of the field.

Abstract: An ion guide includes a plurality of rods, arranged about an axis that extends lengthwise from one end to the other of the guide. The rods guide ions in a guide region along and about the axis. A conductive casing surrounds the rods. The casing and the rods are geometrically arranged to produce an axial electric field along the axis. Specifically, the geometry is such that a first constant applied DC voltage (UDC), applied to the rods, and a second constant applied DC voltage (UCASE) applied to the casing, produce a voltage gradient between said casing and said axis that has a different magnitude at different positions along said axis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for separation of rare stable or radioactive isotopes from their atomic or molecular isobars in mass spectrometry (MS). In the present invention, the approach taken to removing atomic isobars utilizes a high transmission device for decelerating ions in combination with low energy reactions, such as ion-molecule reactions or near resonant electron transfer, in RF ion guides. The isobar is selectively depleted by electron transfer or other reactions between negative ions and gaseous targets in pressurized RF ion guides at low energies. The energy is controlled in such a way as to prevent reaction of the ion of interest while inducing reactions with the undesired isobar interference. The technique is of particular relevance to accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) for which it allows substantial reductions in the necessary terminal voltage. The effect is to allow reductions in the size and cost of AMS installations.

Abstract: An interface for mass spectrometers. The interface uses non coaxial sampling pathways of the analyte ion beam prior to entering the entrance of a mass spectrometer for decreasing chemical background, and can be done in such a way as to permit multiple sprayers, increasing sample throughput and sensitivity for LC/MS (liquid chromatography/MS). The interface includes an ion source having an exit from which a beam of analyte ions are emitted, a curtain plate and an aperture in the curtain plate member, an orifice plate having an orifice therein. The orifice plate is being spaced from the curtain plate member defining a flow passageway therebetween, and the aperture in the orifice plate is aligned with a sample entrance to a first vacuum stage of a mass spectrometer maintained substantially lower than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An ion guide includes multiple stages. An electric field within each stage guides ions along a guide axis. Within each stage, amplitude and frequency, and resolving potential of the electric field may be independently varied. The geometry of the rods maintains a similarly shaped field from stage to stage, allowing efficient guidance of the ions along the axis. In particular, each rod segment of the ith of stage has a cross sectional radius ri, and a central axis located a distance Ri+ri from the guide axis. The ratio ri/Ri and is substantially constant along the guide axis, thereby preserving the shape of the field.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for separation of rare stable or radioactive isotopes from their atomic or molecular isobars in mass spectrometry (MS). In the present invention, the approach taken to removing atomic isobars utilizes a high transmission device for decelerating ions in combination with low energy reactions, such as ion-molecule reactions or near resonant electron transfer, in RF ion guides. The isobar is selectively depleted by electron transfer or other reactions between negative ions and gaseous targets in pressurized RF ion guides at low energies. The energy is controlled in such a way as to prevent reaction of the ion of interest while inducing reactions with the undesired isobar interference. The technique is of particular relevance to accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) for which it allows substantial reductions in the necessary terminal voltage. The effect is to allow reductions in the size and cost of AMS installations.