Abstract: A microengineered multipole ion guide for use in miniature mass spectrometer systems is described. Exemplary methods of mounting rods in hexapole, octupole, and other multipole geometries are described. The rods forming the ion guide are supported in etched silicon structures defined in at least first and second substrates.

Abstract: A method of mounting rods in quadrupole, hexapole, octupole, and other multipole geometries is described. First and second dies are used to hold the rods in the required configuration with the plurality of rods extending through each of the two dies. A coupling arrangement is used to separate the first and second dies, and also prevents motion in the plane of the dies. The rods are seated and retained against individual supports and arranged circumferentially about an intended ion beam axis. The supports are desirably fabricated from silicon bonded to a glass substrate, a support for a first rod being electrically isolated from a support for a second adjacent rod.

Abstract: A device and method is described for direct analysis of solvents used to chemically bind with CO2 present in flue gases, and for the monitoring of large-scale CO2 solvent-capture reaction to improve process efficiency, thereby reducing the cost of CO2 capture.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of aligning a capillary needle, a set of electrodes, and an input to a mass spectrometer. The electrode system is formed as an assembly of two separate chips and forms an ionization device. Each chip is formed on an insulating plastic substrate. The first chip carries mechanical alignment features for the capillary electrospray needle together with a set of partial electrodes. The second chip carries a set of partial electrodes. The complete electrode system is formed when the chips are assembled in a stacked configuration.

Abstract: Microengineered stacked ring electrode assemblies capable of acting as either RF or DC ion guides in an ion optical system, and method of fabricating same are described. The electrodes are fabricated using planar processing as sets of grooved, proud features formed in a layer of material lying on an insulating substrate. Two such structures are then stacked together to form a set of diaphragm electrodes with closed pupils. Arrangements for fabrication by patterning, etching and bonding are described, together with methods for tapering the electrode pupils or otherwise varying the ion path.

Abstract: A sample collection and detection system is described. The detection system provides a sample chamber fluidly coupled to a secondary ionisation source to allow the introduction of vapour generated from the sample into an ion path generated from the secondary ionisation source. The secondary ionisation source is a secondary electrospray ionisation (SESI) source, and is usefully employed in dust analysis.

Abstract: This invention describes an analytical system where a kinetic impact ionisation source is combined with an RF—only ion guide to form a mass spectrometer system for analysis of the elemental and chemical composition of exoatmospheric particles. The kinetic impact ionisation source may be used to transform a flux of particle debris into a beam of ions for analysis by a mass analyzer.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of aligning sets of cylindrical electrodes in the geometry of a miniature quadrupole electrostatic lens, which can act as a mass filter in a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The electrodes are mounted in pairs on microfabricated supports, which are formed from conducting parts on an insulating substrate. Complete segmentation of the conducting parts provides low capacitative coupling between co-planar cylindrical electrodes, and allows incorporation of a Brubaker prefilter to improve sensitivity at a given mass resolution. A complete quadrupole is constructed from two such supports, which are spaced apart by further conducting spacers. The spacers are continued around the electrodes to provide a conducting screen.

Abstract: A portable analytical system for the rapid on-site analysis of fluids, and a method for using this system at the well-site for the analysis of samples extracted from drilling fluids is described. The portable analytical solution may be deployed at the well-site and used to perform detailed real-time analysis of formation fluids and extracts of rock cuttings. The method described could be used during hydrocarbon exploration and production to determine whether the drill stem has passed through a hydrocarbon-bearing region, or rocks that are capable of functioning as an oil reservoir or that may have been a source rock, or that may have come into contact with oil, or that may contain oil at present.

Abstract: A planar component for interfacing an atmospheric pressure ionizer to a vacuum system is described. The component combines electrostatic optics and skimmers with an internal chamber that can be filled with a gas at a prescribed pressure and is fabricated by lithography, etching and bonding of silicon.

Abstract: This invention describes an electrode structure formed from a plurality of individual electrodes, the individual electrodes being provided on separate submounts, the submounts being coupled to one another using kinematic ball mounts. Such a structure may be configured as a RF ion guide, mass filter or ion trap.

Abstract: The invention provides a planar component for interfacing an atmospheric pressure ionizer to a vacuum system. The component combines electrostatic optics and skimmers with an internal chamber that can be filled with a gas at a prescribed pressure and is fabricated by lithography, etching and bonding of silicon.

Abstract: A portable mass spectrometer system is described. The system includes a mass spectrometer device incorporated within an evacuated chamber. The chamber includes a permeable membrane located between the mass spectrometer device and an entrance port to the chamber. Located between the membrane and the entrance port is a valve. The valve is provided in an normally closed state and has an open state, such that, in use, the adoption of the open state allows the flow of the sample into the chamber through the membrane and into contact with the spectrometer device.

Abstract: A personalized mass spectrometer system is described. By fabricating analyzer components on a module and including with that module an identifier for that module, it is possible to uniquely associate a user or task with one or more modules. The module is removably receivable within a housing and can be replaced with another module if so required.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of aligning a nanospray capillary needle, a set of electrodes, and a capillary input to a mass spectrometer. The electrode system is formed using microengineering technologies, as an assembly of two separate chips. Each chip is formed on an insulating plastic substrate. The first chip carries mechanical alignment features for the capillary electrospray needle and the API mass spectrometer input, together with a set of partial electrodes. The second chip carries a set of partial electrodes. The complete electrode system is formed when the chips are assembled in a stacked configuration, and consists of an einzel lens capable of initiating a Taylor cone and separating ions from neutrals by focusing.

Abstract: An integrated analytical device is described. The device includes a plurality of components which are initially mounted or provided on support submounts. The submounts are then packaged onto a microbench, with the alignment of the submounts relative to the microbench being determined by alignment features provided on the microbench.

Abstract: This invention provides for a simple method of fabricating miniature electron multipliers, in an in-plane configuration suitable for use with miniature analytic instruments such as mass filters. The materials involved are predominantly silicon and compatible oxides, allowing the possibility of integration with a mass filter formed in a similar materials system. The materials are selected simultaneously to withstand high voltages and to enhance secondary electron emission. Fabrication is based on standard planar processing methods. These methods also allow the construction of an integrated set of bias resistors in a multi-electrode device, so that the device may be operated from a single high-voltage source.

Abstract: A method of constructing a micro-engineered mass spectrometer from bonded silicon-on-insulator (BSOI) wafers is described with reference to a quadrupole spectrometer. The quadrupole geometry is achieved using two BSOI wafers (200), which are bonded together to form a monolithic block (410). Deep etched features and springs formed in the outer silicon layers are used to locate cylindrical metallic electrode rods (300). The precision of the assembly is determined by a combination of lithography and deep etching, and by the mechanical definition of the bonded silicon layers. Deep etched features formed in the inner silicon layers are used to define ion entrance and ion collection optics. Other features such as fluidic channels may be incorporated.

Abstract: A method of fabricating miniature quadrupole electrostatic mass filter has been previously described. The electrodes are metallised cylinders, mounted in grooves etched in oxidised silicon substrates, which are held apart at the correct spacing by cylindrical spacer rods. This invention concerns an ion source mounted on extensions of the spacer rods, which project beyond the mass filter. The ion source consists of a cold-cathode electron emitter, which emits electrons with energies sufficient to cause impact ionisation, and electrostatic optics suitable for coupling the ion flux into the mass filter. Methods of constructing a single self-aligned electron source and a similar dual source are described. Arrangements for mounting the electron source and the ion coupling lens so that the electron and ion beams travel at right angles to one another for efficient separation are described.

Abstract: A method of forming vertical knife-edge cold-cathode field emission electron sources with self-aligned gate electrodes and sub-micron electrode separations. The method exploits the enhancement of ion-beam erosion rates obtained in metals at oblique ion incidence, which allows the preferential removal of a metal layer at the convex edge of a mesa 2 to create a well-defined separation between the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the metal. The horizontal surface may be used as the gate and the vertical surface as the cathode in a vacuum triode structure. Electrical isolation is obtained by forming the mesa 2 in an insulating layer or substrate 1. Isolation may be improved by removing the insulating material in the vicinity of the metal edges. Field-induced electron emission from the cathode may be obtained at low voltage based on the enhancement of the electric field at the sharp tip of the cathode.