Abstract: A closed electron impact ion source with overall opening area of less than 30 mm2 is employed for direct and pulsed extraction into a time-flight mass spectrometer in order to enhance sensitivity and immunity to chemical noise of oil and fumes of the vacuum system. For compatibility with dual stage GCxGC separation, the source may contain an inert liner surrounded by an isothermal cage of thermally conductive material. The source inner surface may be reduced to under 100 mm2. A portion of carrier gas may be pumped down before admitting the sample and carrier gas into the source. A cooled surface may be used to condense fumes at the analysis time.

Abstract: A data acquisition system and method are described that may be used with various spectrometers. The data acquisition system may include an ion detector, an initial processing module, and a spectra processing module. The initial processing module is provided for processing the ion detection signals and for supplying processed signals to the spectra processing module. The spectra processing module generates spectra from the processed signals and supplies the generated spectra to an external processor for post-processing. The spectra processing module may include an ion statistics filter and/or a peak histogram filtering circuit.

Abstract: Electrostatic trap mass spectrometers are disclosed that may comprise at least two parallel sets of electrodes separated by a field-free space, wherein said at least two parallel electrode sets extend along a curved Z-direction locally orthogonal to said X-Y plane such that each of said two electrode sets define a volume with a two-dimensional electrostatic field in an X-Y plane and define either planar or torroidal field regions; means for adjusting the torroidal field regions to provide both (i) stable trapping of ions passing between said fields within said X-Y plane and (ii) isochronous repetitive ion oscillations within said X-Y plane such that the stable ion motion does not require any orbital or side motion; and an ion bounding means in the curved Z-direction configured to compensate time-of-flight distortions at Z-edges of the trap.

Abstract: An ion source (12, 102) for a mass spectrometer comprising an ionizer (18, 106) receiving an ionizer gas from an ionizer gas supply (16), a conditioner (20) in communication with the ionizer (18, 106), a reactor (22, 110) in communication with the conditioner (20) and adapted for communication with the mass spectrometer, the reactor (22, 110) adapted to receive a sample from a sample supply in communication with the reactor (22, 110), wherein the conditioner (20) is sized to remove fast diffusing electrons from a flow of the ionizer gas from the glow discharge ionizer (18, 106) to the reactor (22, 110).

Abstract: An accumulating ion source for a mass spectrometer that includes a sample injector (328) introducing sample vapors into an ionization space (115) and an electron emitter (102) emitting a continuous electron beam (104) into the ionization space (115) to generate analyte ions. The accumulating ion source further includes first and second electrodes (108a, 108b) arranged spaced apart in the ionization space (115) for accumulating analyte ions substantially therebetween. The first and second electrodes (108a, 108b) receive periodic extraction energy potentials to accelerate packets of analyte ions from the ionization space (115) along a first axis. An orthogonal accelerator (140) receives the packets of analyte ions along the first axis and periodically accelerates the packets of analyte ions along a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis.

Abstract: A closed electron impact ion source with overall opening area of less than 30 mm2 is employed for direct and pulsed extraction into a time-flight mass spectrometer in order to enhance sensitivity and immunity to chemical noise of oil and fumes of the vacuum system. For compatibility with dual stage GC×GC separation, the source may contain an inert liner surrounded by an isothermal cage of thermally conductive material. The source inner surface may be reduced to under 100 mm2. A portion of carrier gas may be pumped down before admitting the sample and carrier gas into the source. A cooled surface may be used to condense fumes at the analysis time.

Abstract: A crucible handling shuttle includes a pair of opposed dual crucible-gripping arms mounted on a rotatable head and moves between an induction furnace pedestal and a crucible loading station, such that one pair of arms pick up a crucible loaded with a preweighed sample, the shuttle moves to the induction furnace, where the other pair of arms grip and remove a spent crucible. The shutter head then rotates to deposit the new sample-holding crucible onto the pedestal and subsequently moves out of the furnace area to a sample disposal chute positioned between the crucible loading station and the furnace, whereupon the spent crucible is dropped for disposal. The shuttle head is then rotated and moved to the loading station to pick up a new crucible.

Abstract: An electrode for a resistance analytical furnace has a crucible-engaging surface and an end spaced from the crucible-engaging surface having a plurality of grooves formed therein. A manifold mounted on the end of the electrode defines a dust recovery plenum and includes an outlet communicating with the plenum for coupling to a vacuum source to remove debris from the electrode. The improved electrode and electrode cleaning manifold positioned on the electrode provides a turbulent airflow for removal of dust and debris from an analytical furnace.

Abstract: A system and method for processing data in chromatographic systems is described. In an implementation, the system and method includes processing data generated by a chromatographic system to generate processed data, analyzing the processed data, and preparing and providing results based on the processed data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving ion mobility spectrometry by using a fast and spatially wide ion gate based on local RF field barrier opposed to a switching DC field. The improvement accelerates the ion mobility analysis and improves charge throughput and dynamic range of the IMS. The invention is particularly suited for rapid dual gas chromatography. In one important embodiment, the accelerated IMS is coupled to a multi-reflecting time-of-flight mass spectrometer with a fast encoded orthogonal acceleration. There are described methods of comprehensive and orthogonal separation in multiple analytical dimensions.

Abstract: A combustion tube mounting system releasably mounts a combustion tube to an aperture in the floor of a furnace housing. The combustion tube has a base assembly with a cam and can be manually or automatically unlocked by cam pins in the floor for selectively engaging the cam for lowering the combustion tube from the floor of the furnace. When a new combustion tube is placed on the lower seal assembly and raised, it automatically aligns and engages the upper furnace seal and engages cams on the floor of the furnace housing which lock the combustion tube in place as it is introduced into the furnace.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and algorithms are disclosed for operating an open electrostatic trap (E-trap) or a multi-pass TOF mass spectrometer with an extended flight path. A string of start pulses with non equal time intervals is employed for triggering ion packet injection into the analyzer, a long spectrum is acquired to accept ions from the entire string and a true spectrum is reconstructed by eliminating or accounting overlapping signals at the data analysis stage while using logical analysis of peak groups. The method is particularly useful for tandem mass spectrometry wherein spectra are sparse. The method improves the duty cycle, the dynamic range and the space charge throughput of the analyzer and of the detector, so as the response time of the E-trap analyzer. It allows flight extension without degrading E-trap sensitivity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving ion mobility spectrometry by using a fast and spatially wide ion gate based on local RF field barrier opposed to a switching DC field. The improvement accelerates the ion mobility analysis and improves charge throughput and dynamic range of the IMS. The invention is particularly suited for rapid dual gas chromatography. In one important embodiment, the accelerated IMS is coupled to a multi-reflecting time-of-flight mass spectrometer with a fast encoded orthogonal acceleration. There are described methods of comprehensive and orthogonal separation in multiple analytical dimensions.

Abstract: An indentation hardness test system is provided that includes: a frame including an attached indenter; a movable stage for receiving a part attached to the frame; a camera; a display; a processor; and a memory subsystem. The processor performs the steps of: (a) capturing images of different portions of the part; (b) for each image, computing an average intensity; (c) computing an average intensity across all images; (d) for each pixel, computing PixelAverageDeltan(x,y) as a function of the raw pixel data and the average pixel intensity of the image frame; (e) for each pixel, computing a correction factor using the average intensity across all images and PixelAverageDeltan(x,y); (f) performing shading correction by adjusting the raw pixel values by corresponding correction factors; and (g) generating a composite image of the part. Steps (b)-(e) may be performed on moving images while not including stationary images in the computations of those steps.

Abstract: A final scrubber in the inert carrier gas flow path of an elemental analyzer includes a manifold with valves for selectively bypassing a quick disconnect final scrubber housing that includes a filter tube and sealed gas fittings. The housing includes alignment members and a latch for positioning and locking the housing onto and in sealed engagement with the instrument's manifold. A switch detects the presence of the housing, and a control circuit controls valves to direct the inert gas flow though the filter tube or bypass the filter tube when the housing is removed. With this system, the final scrubber can be removed and replaced quickly without the use of tools while the carrier gas continues to flow though the furnace without interruption. Also, the valves can be closed to allow for segmented leak detection of the instruments gas flow path.

Abstract: A resonant power supply (900) for use with high inductive loads includes an input rectifier (903) and a switching inverter formed using a plurality of parallel connected half bridge networks for switching the voltage provided from the input rectifier (903). A transformer (927) is used whose primary is connected to the switching inverter and whose secondary is connected to load such as a crucible (931). A capacitor (929) is used in series with the primary of the transformer (927) for resonating the inductance in the secondary circuit at the frequency of the switching inverter to provide maximum power transfer to the crucible (931).

Abstract: A system and method for processing data in chromatographic systems is described. In an implementation, the system and method includes processing data generated by a chromatographic system to generate processed data, analyzing the processed data, and preparing and providing results based on the processed data.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention include a method for controlling plasma conditions of a glow discharge system using the integrated electron (or ion) pulse area extracted from the total lamp current. The method of using an integrated electron/ion pulse area for controlling plasma conditions allows for controlled analysis of conductive, non-conductive and layered materials without the need for estimation of plasma voltages. The method allows for control of sputter rates and plasma emissions that cannot be achieved using other methods such as capacitive divider calculations where actual thicknesses and dielectric constants are not known or predefined.

Abstract: A crucible handling shuttle includes a pair of opposed dual crucible-gripping arms mounted on a rotatable head. The shuttle is removably plugged into a sliding block of a carriage to move between a furnace and a crucible loading station. The carriage includes mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic plugs or sockets which couple to mating sockets or plugs of the shuttle. A linear actuator extends between the carriage and the furnace base to raise and lower the carriage and shuttle coupled thereto.