Abstract: A Method of correcting a multi-path absorbance measuring system is suggested. The multi-path absorbance measuring system has a plurality of n measuring path: The method is executed by correcting the signal of the measuring paths based on a determined linearization function.

Abstract: A device for shifting voltage levels includes an input stage, an output stage and multiple cascode sets connected between the input stage and the output stage. The input stage includes input transistors connected to a first voltage and an input for receiving an input signal. The output stage includes output transistors connected to a second voltage and an output for outputting an output signal having a voltage level different from a corresponding voltage level of the input signal. Each cascode set includes corresponding cascode transistors gated to a third voltage, which is between the first voltage and the second voltage, preventing excessive voltage across terminals of the input transistors and the output transistors.

Abstract: In an atmospheric inductively coupled plasma generating apparatus, impedance matching between a coil for plasma generation and an RF power source is effected at a high speed. A control method and/or condition for the output frequency of an oscillator which supplies a power to the coil for plasma generation or a control method and a control condition for the output power of the oscillator are changed appropriately in accordance with a generation state of a plasma. When a plasma is not generated, the output frequency is controlled according to a first condition and, when a plasma is generated, the output frequency is controlled according to a second condition different from the first condition. When a plasma is not generated, the output power is controlled according to a third condition and, when a plasma is generated, the output power is controlled according to a fourth condition different from the third condition.

Abstract: A multipole ion guide comprises rods disposed about an axis, each of the rods having a first end and a second end remote from the first end. Each of the rods is disposed at a respective greater distance from the axis at the first end than at the second end. The multipole ion guide comprises means for applying a radio frequency (RF) voltage between adjacent pairs of rods, wherein 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. A mass spectroscopy system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved microwave imaging using a reflector. By providing a reflective surface in the range of the imaging system, additional information is available for imaging objects. The relative surface provides silhouette information on the object, and increases the effective thickness of the object to aid analysis.

Abstract: A light source and the method for operating the same are disclosed. The light source includes first and second lasers, and first and second wavelength control assemblies. The lasers emit first and second light beams, respectively, at wavelengths that are determined by first and second wavelength control signals. First and second beam splitters split the first and second light beams, respectively, to create first and second sampling light beams. The first and second wavelength control assemblies receive sampling light beams and generate the first and second wavelength control signals such that the wavelengths of the first and second light beams differ by no more than a predetermined amount. The first and second wavelength control assemblies each include an absorption cell having a gas that has an optical absorption that varies with the wavelength of the first and second sampling light beams at wavelengths around the output wavelength of the light source.

Abstract: A signal demodulator and the method of using the same in a scanning probe microscope or the like to provide a feedback path with reduced latency are disclosed. The demodulator includes an input port, a first mixer and a first integrator. The input port receives an input signal having a frequency component at a signal frequency. The input signal is characterized by a signal amplitude at that frequency. The first mixer mixes the input signal with a first local oscillator signal at the signal frequency to generate a first mixed signal. The first integrator integrates the first mixed signal for an integer number of periods of the signal frequency to provide a first output signal.

Abstract: A device includes: a plurality of sampling phase detectors, each receiving a sampling signal and a VCO output signal and in response thereto outputting a beat signal representing a frequency and phase difference between the VCO output signal and the sampling signal; a frequency/phase detector receiving a reference signal and a combined beat signal produced by combining the beat signals, and in response thereto producing an error signal representing a phase difference between the reference signal and the combined beat signal; a loop integrator receiving the error signal and in response thereto producing the VCO control signal; a power detector detecting a power level of the combined beat signal; and at least one offset voltage generator adjusting a value of a bias voltage in response to the detected power level of the combined beat signal, and applying the adjusted bias voltage to one of the sampling phase detectors.

Abstract: A pump unit comprises a primary piston pump, a secondary piston pump, and a flow path adapted for fluidically connecting in series the primary piston pump and the secondary piston pump. The pump unit's duty cycle comprises a delivery-and-fill phase, in which the primary piston pump supplies a flow of liquid to the secondary piston pump, and during the delivery-and-fill phase, the flow of liquid supplied by the primary piston pump is partly used for filling up the secondary piston pump and partly used for maintaining another flow of liquid dispensed across the secondary piston pump. The flow path comprises a heat exchanger, wherein liquid supplied by the primary piston pump passes through the heat exchanger before being supplied to the secondary piston pump.

Abstract: A method of facilitating analysis of a peptide in a mass spectrometer comprising derivatizing the C-terminus of the peptide with an amino acid residue via a reaction with a carbodiimide reagent, yielding a derivative peptide, ionizing the derivative peptide with a double charge, and fragmenting the ionized derivative peptide in a mass spectrometry system, wherein binary fragments of the ionized derivative each include a charge, facilitating sequence analysis of the peptide.

Abstract: A method of performing tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for identifying contents of a sample includes performing a mass spectrometry (MS) scan of the sample to obtain an MS/MS mass spectrum; identifying a first precursor ion species in the MS mass spectrum; performing an initial MS/MS scan of the first precursor ion species to obtain an initial MS/MS mass spectrum; and determining whether the initial MS/MS mass spectrum has a quality acceptable for peptide sequencing. When the first MS/MS mass spectrum has an unacceptable quality, the method further includes performing a subsequent MS/MS scan of the first precursor ion species to obtain a corresponding subsequent MS/MS mass spectrum of the first precursor ion species, and determining whether the subsequent MS/MS mass spectrum has a quality acceptable for peptide sequencing.

Abstract: A system for performing tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis of a sample includes a mass spectrometer and a processor. The mass spectrometer is configured to perform a mass spectrometry (MS) scan of an ionized sample to provide a mass of an observed peak corresponding to a precursor ion. The processor is configured to perform operations including determining whether the mass of the observed peak matches a mass of at least one of multiple expected peptides on a dynamic watch list, where the expected peptides correspond to a protein in the sample, and calculating a score of an accuracy of the determination when the mass of the observed peak is determined to match the mass of at least one of the plurality of expected peptides. The precursor ion is excluded from an MS/MS scan when the accuracy score indicates that the determination is accurate.

Abstract: A system for estimating a baseline of a signal exhibits a signal generator and a processor. The signal generator is configured to generate a signal exhibiting a plurality of peaks and a baseline. The processor is configured to perform operations including determining an estimator indicating at least one region of the signal that exhibits a peak, determining a weight indicating at least one region of the signal that does not exhibit a peak based on the estimator, and estimating the baseline of the signal based on at least the determined weight.

Abstract: A circuit design incorporates charge compensation devices within a Track-and-Hold (T/H) circuit to control channel charge generated by a tracking switch. Calibrating a T/H circuit requires selecting charge compensation devices from an array of similar devices to function within the T/H circuit to absorb charge ejected from the tracking switch. The charge compensation devices can also be pseudorandomly selected to operate within the T/H circuit. Charge compensation devices are used to enhance the performance of bottom-plate sampling systems as well as bootstrapped T/H circuits.

Abstract: A shear valve for use in a high performance liquid chromatography system, the shear valve comprising a first shear valve member and a second shear valve member, wherein 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, wherein the first shear valve member is at least partially coated with an adhesion-promoting layer and a diamond like carbon layer on the adhesion-promoting layer.

Abstract: A system for detecting true peaks in a two-dimensional signal includes a two-dimensional separator and a processor. The two-dimensional separator is configured to perform separation of a sample to provide the two-dimensional signal. The processor is configured to identify candidate peaks of the two-dimensional signal based on local maxima of points on a surface defined by the two-dimensional signal, and to identify at least one true peak from the candidate peaks.

Abstract: A power protection apparatus includes a PIN diode circuit and a solid state limiter. The PIN diode circuit is connected to a signal path for transporting RF signals between a first RF device and a second RF device, the PIN diode circuit including first and second PIN diodes having opposite polarities. The solid state limiter is configured to detect an overpower condition of an RF signal input from the second RF device on the signal path, and to trigger the PIN diode circuit in response to the detected overpower condition, limiting the overpower condition.

Abstract: A system and method: provide a user interface to a user, the user interface including one or more objects representing a corresponding one or more instruments that are connected to the system; receive from a user a selection of one of the one or more instruments, made via the user interface; obtaining at the computer a file that describes commands to which the selected instrument responds; and present to the user via the user interface an indication of the commands to which the selected instrument responds.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a pump unit, where the pump unit includes a primary piston pump having a primary piston and a secondary piston pump having a secondary piston. The primary piston pump is fluidically connected with the secondary piston pump. The primary piston pump includes an inlet valve and an outlet valve, and the pump unit operates periodically according to a pump cycle. The method includes determining a fluid pressure of fluid dispensed by the pump unit, and performing a closed loop control of a position of the primary piston in dependence on the fluid pressure of the fluid dispensed by the pump unit during a first time interval of the pump cycle.

Abstract: An integrated flow cell, the flow cell comprising a semiconductor substrate, and a fluidic conduit having an at least partially transparent semiconductor oxide tubing, wherein the semiconductor oxide tubing is formed with the semiconductor substrate.