Abstract: A computer-implemented method for confirming the nucleotide sequence of an oligonucleotide is provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprises: a) inputting the nucleotide sequence of an oligonucleotide; b) executing an algorithm that provides the predicted molecular formulas of fragments of the oligonucleotide; c) comparing the predicted m/z values of the predicted molecular formulas to experimentally-obtained m/z values obtained by analysis of the oligonucleotide by tandem mass spectrometry to determine if the predicted masses correspond with the experimentally-obtained masses. The method may be used, for example, to confirm the identity of an oligonucleotide after it is synthesized.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe comprises a substrate, a probe coil formed on the substrate and comprising a superconducting material, and a plurality of infrared (IR) reflection patches formed on the substrate around the probe coil.

Abstract: Ion guides for use in mass spectrometry (MS) systems are described. The ion guides are configured to provide a reflective electrodynamic field and a direct current (DC or static) electric field to provide ion beams that are more spatially confined with a comparatively large mass range.

Abstract: An inductively coupled plasma MS/MS mass analyzer (ICP-MS/MS) may include a first vacuum chamber which draws plasma containing an ionized sample into vacuum, a second vacuum chamber which includes a device or means which extracts and guides ions as an ion beam from the ions output from the first vacuum chamber, a third vacuum chamber which has a first ion optical separation device or means, a fourth vacuum chamber which has a cell into which reaction gas is introduced, and a fifth vacuum chamber which has a second optical separation device or means and a detector, wherein the second vacuum chamber and third vacuum chamber are individually evacuated.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer includes first to fifth vacuum chambers and a single split-flow turbo molecular pump. The first vacuum chamber draws an ionized sample from atmospheric pressure plasma. The second vacuum chamber includes means for extracting and guiding an ion beam from ions from the first vacuum chamber. The third vacuum chamber includes first ion-optical separator means. The fourth vacuum includes a collision/reaction cell into which collision/reaction gas is introduced. The fifth vacuum chamber includes second ion-optical separator means and a detector. The split-flow turbo molecular pump has multiple inlets for differentially evacuating the second, third, fourth and fifth vacuum chambers. The fourth vacuum chamber is connected to an inlet of the split-flow turbo molecular pump providing a pressure higher than a pressure of an inlet of the split-flow turbo molecular pump to which the third vacuum chamber is connected.

Abstract: A split-band system for processing a broadband input signal is disclosed. A signal divider divides the input signal into at least a higher frequency band and a lower frequency band. The lower frequency band is processed in a lower frequency circuit path. The higher frequency band is processed in a higher frequency circuit path. The higher frequency circuit path has a group delay equal to the lower frequency circuit path. A signal combiner combines the processed lower frequency band and the processed higher frequency band into an output signal.

Abstract: Described herein is an ion slicer that: a) accelerates an ion beam towards a first electrode comprising an ion entrance slit, where the first electrode blocks a portion of ions with high displacement from the axis of the ion beam, thereby slicing the ion beam; and then b) decelerates the ion beam after it is sliced.

Abstract: A novel chromatographic stationary phase for reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is provided. By using mono and dimethyl silanes as endcapping reagents as compared with the use of traditional trimethyl silanes, an improved blocking of unreacted surface silanols is achieved. The improved blocking of surface silanols results in at least better peak shape and more reproducible retention times in reversed-phase HPLC analyses.

Abstract: A system for detecting responses of a MEMS resonator device includes first and second signal sources, a signal divider and a frequency mixer. The first signal source provides a first signal and the second signal source provides a second signal that electrostatically drives the MEMS resonator device, causing mechanical vibration. The signal divider divides the first signal into a probe signal and a local oscillator (LO) signal, the probe signal being applied to the MEMS resonator device and reflected by a capacitance of the MEMS resonator device. A reflection coefficient is modulated onto the reflected probe signal at the mechanical resonance frequency by variations in the capacitance induced by the mechanical vibration of the MEMS resonator device. The frequency mixer mixes the reflected probe signal and the LO signal and outputs an intermediate frequency (IF) signal, which represents modulation of the reflection coefficient, providing an image of the mechanical vibration.

Abstract: A coherent optical receiver includes a local oscillator (LO) laser configured to provide an LO signal. The LO laser includes a hybrid external cavity and an active gain medium within the hybrid external cavity, where the LO laser is defined between a first optical reflector on a chip including the active gain medium and a second optical reflector not on the chip.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for identifying an aberrant feature on a nucleic acid array. In general terms, the method comprises: a) obtaining a log transformed normalized value indicating the amount of hybridization of a test sample to a first feature on the nucleic acid array; b) calculating a z-score for the first feature using: the log transformed normalized value; and the distribution of reference log transformed normalized values that indicate the amount of hybridization of control samples to the same feature on a plurality of reference arrays; and c) identifying the test feature as aberrant if it has a z-score that is above or below a defined threshold.

Abstract: Methods for clustering a data set from a biological assay are provided. Aspects of the methods include applying statistical analyses to bisected subsets of the data at selected cut-of values to identify one or more break points in the data set. In certain aspects, the statistical analyses employed are based on determining the p-values of two-tailed t-tests calculated using the bisected data at each cut-off value. Aspects of the invention further include computer programming and systems which are configured to cluster data sets from biological assays according to the subject methods.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for acquiring spectrometric data from analyte ions implement a combination of drift-type ion mobility (IM) separation and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS). Both separation techniques are carried out in tandem while applying mass filtering with a wide window of ion isolation. One mode of operation entails utilizing a mass filter to limit ion packets to ions in a selected m/z range that remains constant over the entire course of data acquisition. Another mode entails utilizing the mass filter to limit ion packets to an m/z range that varies over the course of data acquisition.

Abstract: An adjustable aperture device for an electromagnetic radiation detecting apparatus includes a position adjustment body configured for adjusting a position of a selected aperture hole of multiple selectable aperture holes, where electromagnetic radiation propagates through the selected aperture hole. The adjustable aperture device further includes a guide unit configured for guiding the position adjustment body along a predefined guide direction, and an aperture body defining the aperture holes and including multiple engagement sections, where the adjustment body is engagable in a selectable one of the engagement sections to thereby select the selected aperture hole. The adjustable aperture device further includes a pre-loading element configured for pre-loading the position adjustment body towards the aperture body, and a drive unit configured for driving the aperture body to move so that the position adjustment body is engaged in a respective one of the plurality of engagement sections.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises: a first signal source; a dopant profile measurement module (DPPM) configured to receive a portion of the signal from the signal source; a probe tip connected to the reflective coupler; a load connected in parallel with the probe tip; and a second signal source connected to a load, wherein the signal source is configured to provide an amplitude-modulated (AM) signal to the probe tip. A method is also described.

Abstract: A device for improving transient response of a power supply includes a diode connected in series with an output of the power supply and configured to provide a predetermined voltage drop to an output voltage of the power supply. The device further includes a source follower transistor connected in parallel with the diode and configured to be selectively activated to remove at least a portion of the predetermined voltage drop of the diode from the output voltage of the power supply during a transient period, in which an output current of the device is increasing.

Abstract: A system for packetizing parallel image data for serial transmission includes a software element configured to receive a bitmap image file comprising R, G and B pixel data, receive information relating to display and timing information associated with a device under test, receive a vertical synchronization signal, and receive at least one horizontal synchronization signal, packetize the vertical synchronization signal, wait a period of time before packetizing the horizontal synchronization signal, and packetize the R, G, and B pixel data associated with the bitmap image file to form a parallel packet stream. The system also includes a hardware element comprising a parallel data sequencer comprising a memory, the memory configured to store the parallel packet stream, a parallel-to-serial converter configured to convert the parallel packet stream into a serial packet stream, and a serial line driver configured to transfer the serial packet stream to a device under test.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a collision cell comprises rods each having a first end and a second end remote from the first end; an inductor connected between adjacent pairs of rods; and means for applying a radio frequency (RF) voltage between adjacent pairs of rods. The RF voltage creates a multipole field in a region between the rods; and means for applying a direct current (DC) voltage drop along a length of each of the rods.

Abstract: A composite transmission line transformer includes at least one core, a first port, a second port, and one or more pairs of transmission lines wound about the core(s). Each transmission line is in signal communication with the first port and the second port. For each pair, the transmission lines are interconnected in series at the first port and at the second port such that the first port and the second port are DC-isolated from each other.