Abstract: In a tandem mass spectrometry system, a first mass analyzer filters parent ions using a wide mass passband with a narrow rejection notch defined according to a modulation format. A wide mass range of parent ions is transmitted to an ion fragmentation device. Daughter ions produced thereby are transmitted to a second mass analyzer to produce a daughter ion mass spectrum. The modulation of the measured daughter ion mass spectrum, when correlated with the passband modulation of the first mass analyzer (i.e., parent ion spectrum), allows definitive identification of each daughter mass peak with the appropriate parent ion. Due to the wide mass passband, the ion detector signal is in proportion to the increased ion flux passed by the first mass analyzer.

Abstract: A system for performing optical spectroscopy measurements includes a light source for generating an input optical beam and an interferometer. The interferometer includes a beam splitter that splits the input optical beam into first and second light beams; a first light path that directs the first light beam through a sample containing an analyte to a first output port; and a second light path that directs the second light beam to the first output port. At least one of the first and second light paths adjusts a relative phase of a corresponding one of the first and second light beams, so that the first and second light beams are out of phase at the first output port, substantially canceling background light and outputting sample light corresponding to a portion of the first light signal absorbed by the sample in the sample cell. A detection system detects the output sample light.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electromagnetic which supports propagation of an electromagnetic wave in a first direction between a first end thereof and a second end thereof, and an electromagnetic-field shaping structure within the electromagnetic waveguide. The electromagnetic-field shaping structure defines a channel extending from a first aperture in a first wall of the apparatus to a second aperture in a second, opposite, wall. The channel has an axis extending in a second direction which is nonparallel with the first direction. The distance between the first aperture and the second aperture in the second direction is less than the width of the interior region of the waveguide at the first and second ends thereof. In some embodiments, a plasma torch is disposed within the channel. The length of the torch closely matches its interaction region.

Abstract: A scroll pump has a tip seal between an axial end of the scroll blade of one of stationary and orbiting plate scrolls of the pump and the plate of the other of the stationary plate and orbiting plate scrolls. The scroll pump may have a ballast gas supply system and use the operation of the ballast gas supply system to assess the condition of the tip seal. Alternatively, the scroll pump may have two pressure sensors that sense pressure at two locations spaced along a compression mechanism of the pump to assess the condition of the tip seal.

Abstract: A sample separation apparatus includes a fluidic valve including a first inlet fluidically coupled to one of a first fluid drive and a second fluid drive, and a second inlet fluidically coupled to the other of the first fluid drive and the second fluid drive. The fluidic valve includes at least two different sets of storage paths, wherein each set of storage paths comprises a first storage path. The first storage path of a first set of said at least two sets of storage paths has a first volume, and the first storage path of a second set of said at least two sets of storage paths has a second volume different from the first volume. The fluidic valve is configured for selectively switching one set of the least two sets of storage paths to the first inlet and the second inlet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the attenuation and dispersion introduced by a sample into an optical signal are disclosed. The apparatus includes a chirped light source, a beam splitter and an optical detector. The beam splitter splits the optical signal generated by the light source into a reference optical signal and a sample optical signal. The sample and reference optical signals are mixed on the detector after the sample optical signal has traversed an experimental sample thus generating a signal having an AC component related to an attenuation and a dispersion introduced by the experimental sample. The optical paths traversed by the reference and sample optical signals between the beam splitter and the detector are chosen such that the reference optical signal and the sample optical signal overlap in time but do not arrive at the optical detector at the same time.

Abstract: Parts of a pump head of a scroll pump facilitate an assembly process in which the stationary and orbiting scroll blades of the pump are angularly aligned or synchronized with one another. A metallic bellows of the pump head provides a primary means of synchronizing the stationary and orbiting scroll blades. The assembly process may be carried out using a fixture configured to be mountable to an assemblage including the bellows and the orbiting plate scroll. The fixture has a reference feature, and the orbiting plate scroll or the frame has another reference feature that can be aligned with the reference feature of the fixture, in the circumferential direction of the bellows, during the course of the assembly process.

Abstract: A plasma generation device, a system including a plasma generation device, and a method of generating plasma and vacuum UV (VUV) photons are described. In a representative embodiment, plasma generation device, includes: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a resonant ring-shaped structure disposed over the first surface of the substrate, the resonant ring-shaped structure having dimensions selected to support at least one standing wave having more than one electric field maximum along a length of the resonant ring-shaped structure; a ground plane disposed on the second surface of the substrate; and an apparatus configured to provide a gas at locations of the electric field maxima.

Abstract: A shear valve, for use in a high performance liquid chromatography system, comprises a first shear valve member and a second shear valve member. At least one of the first and second shear valve members is adapted to be moved with respect to the other. One of the first and second shear valve members comprises a plurality of ports, and the other comprises at least one fluid path for fluidly coupling respective ones of the ports in dependency on a relative movement position of the first and second shear valve members with respect to each other. The first shear valve member is at least partially coated with or comprised of silicon carbide.

Abstract: An apparatus that facilitates the manual sorting of objects is disclosed. The apparatus includes a display surface having a surface that can be selectively illuminated and that is adapted for receiving the objects. An identification reader reads identification information stored on the objects. A controller causes an area on the display surface corresponding to one of the objects to be illuminated based on the identification information and indicates a location to which the illuminated object is to be moved. In one aspect of the invention, the display surface includes an area adapted for positioning a receiver for the objects. The display surface provides an indication of a position in the receiver at which the one of the objects is to be placed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a mid-infrared region image of a specimen are disclosed. The apparatus includes a mid-infrared region laser that generates a first light beam, and a stage adapted to carry a specimen to be scanned. An optical assembly focuses the first light beam to a point on the specimen. A first light detector measures a first intensity of light leaving the point on the specimen. A stage actuator assembly causes the specimen to move relative to the point in two dimensions. A controller forms a mid-infrared region image from the first intensity. The image can be based on reflected or transmitted light. The maximum size of the imaged area is determined by a scanning assembly that moves in a first direction relative to the stage, the stage moving in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleic acid probe for detecting a polynucleotide. The probe contains a region that base-pairs with a polynucleotide to form a duplex and a Tm enhancement domain that increases the stability of the duplex. The Tm enhancement domain may contain a nucleotide clamp and/or a hairpin structure, for example. Also provided is an array of subject nucleic acid probes bound to a surface of the solid support. Methods of using a subject probe to assess polynucleotides, e.g., small RNAs in a sample are provided, as are kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: A kit for optically detecting proteins, in particular lipoproteins, in a sample, the kit comprising: a chip for performing a separation of the proteins, in particular of the lipoproteins, wherein the chip comprises at least one well for receiving the sample, and a separation channel coupled to the at least one well and being adapted for separating different compounds and a marker dye which contains a polymethine of the general formula (I) wherein Z is a substituted derivative of benzooxazole, benzodiazole, 2,3,3-trimethylindolinine, 2,3,3-trimethyl-4,5-benzo-3H-indolinine, 3- and 4-picoline, lipidine, chinadine and 9-methylacridine derivatives with the general formula IIa or IIb or IIc and wherein X is selected from the group consisting of O, S, Si, N-alkyl and C(alkyl)2, n is 0, 1 , 2 or 3, R1 to R14 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, linear or branched alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, hydroxy, carboxy, amine, alkyl-substituted am

Abstract: A valve for use in high-performance liquid chromatography has a spherical seat and a ball that, when it abuts against the seat, constrains a fluid from flowing through the valve and is capable of moving axially in order to allow the fluid to flow through the valve. The spherical seat has beveled outer faces in order that a force acting on the valve along the axial direction will generate a force acting on the ball. The inclination of the beveled outer face is such that a force acting on the ball counteracts a force exerted on the spherical seat by the ball and essentially compensates it.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, kits and compositions for the detection of an analyte. In the methods of the invention, a binding molecule coupled to a first polymerase is incubated with a modified polynucleotide template to form a copy of the modified polynucleotide template without any modified nucleotides. The unmodified copy is detected in a second amplification/primer extension reaction using a second polymerase that is unable to amplify the modified polynucleotide template. Detection of the unmodified copy is indicative of the presence and/or amount of the analyte in the sample. In place of the binding molecule coupled to a first polymerase, a pair of analyte-specific probes can also be used. The first analyte specific probe comprises a first binding moiety and a first portion of a first polymerase and the second analyte specific probe comprises a second binding moiety and a second portion of the first polymerase.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using the same to obtain a chemical array layout are provided. Also provided are computer program products for executing the subject methods.

Abstract: Superficially porous hybrid particles include hybrid solid cores that each contain an inorganic material and an organic material; and porous hybrid outer shells each include the inorganic and organic materials and having ordered pores, wherein the ordered pores have a median pore size ranges from about 15 to about 1000 ? with a pore size distribution (one standard deviation) of no more than 50% of the median pore size and produce at least one X-ray diffraction peak between 0.01° and 10° of a 2? scan range; wherein the particles have a median size range from about 0.5 ?m to about 100 ?m with a particle size distribution (one standard deviation) of no more than 15% of the median particle size, wherein the inorganic material comprises a metal oxide selected from silica, alumina, titania or zirconia.

Abstract: An optical emission spectrometer system includes a light source and a dichroic beam combiner. The light source emits first light in a first direction and second light in a second direction different from the first direction. The dichroic beam combiner receives the first light via a first light path and the second light via a second light path, reflects a portion the first light into an entrance aperture of a light detection and measurement apparatus, and transmits a portion of the second light into the entrance aperture, enabling analysis and measurement of both first and second light characteristics simultaneously. The portion of the first light reflected into the entrance aperture predominately has wavelengths in a first range of wavelengths and the portion of the second light transmitted into the entrance aperture predominately has wavelengths in a second range of wavelengths, different from the first range of wavelengths.

Abstract: An ion processing device includes electrically conductive vacuum manifold segments serially positioned and enclosing a volume along an axis. The segments are electrically isolated from each other and independently addressable by a voltage source. An ion optics device is positioned in the volume. A voltage differential between each manifold segment and the ion optics device is maintained below a maximum value by applying different voltages to respective manifold segments. The voltage differential may be controlled to avoid voltage breakdown in a low-pressure, high-voltage gas environment. The ion optics device may in some cases be an ion mobility drift cell.

Abstract: A time of flight (TOF) spectrometer and a method for operating the same is disclosed. The spectrometer includes an event extractor, a streaming processor, and a FIFO buffer. The event extractor generates a ion event record corresponding to each detected ion, the ion event record including an intensity of a plurality of aliases for that detected ion. The streaming processor includes a memory array that stores a TOF spectrum and a probability processor that provides a probability for each alias in each received ion event record and updates the TOF spectrum based on the probabilities. A FIFO buffer receives each of the ion event records after the TOF spectrum has been updated and outputs the oldest ion event record to the streaming processor when a new ion event record is processed by the streaming processor.