Abstract: Systems and methods for use in introducing samples to an analytical instrument. The systems and methods are adaptable to process either a liquid sample or a gaseous sample, including samples containing particle contaminants, for subsequent analysis using an analytical instrument.

Abstract: Auto sampler rack mounts and fluid vials that can be used with them are described. In some configurations, the rack mount can be configured to spin each fluid vial rotationally to assist in mixing or stirring of fluid in the vial and/or to maintain fluid homogeneity. If desired, the fluid vial may include one or more internal features to assist in the mixing or stirring.

Abstract: Aspects relate to reconstructing phase images from brightfield images at multiple focal planes using machine learning techniques. A machine learning model may be trained using a training data set comprised of matched sets of images, each matched set of images comprising a plurality of brightfield images at different focal planes and, optionally, a corresponding ground truth phase image. An initial training data set may include images selected based on image views of a specimen that are substantially free of undesired visual artifacts such as dust. The brightfield images of the training data set can then be modified based on simulating at least one visual artifact, generating an enhanced training data set for use in training the model. Output of the machine learning model may be compared to the ground truth phase images to train the model. The trained model may be used to generate phase images from input data sets.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry apparatus includes an ion detector and a control circuit coupled to the ion detector. The ion detector includes a pulse counting stage and an analog stage configured to generate a pulse counting signal and an analog signal, respectively, responsive to incident ions. The a control circuit is configured to output the pulse counting signal in a pulse counting output mode and to output the analog signal in an analog output mode. The control circuit is configured to switch from the pulse counting output mode to the analog output mode responsive to the pulse counting signal exceeding a first threshold within a range of about 10 million counts per second to about 200 million counts per second. Related devices and operating methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A device for providing analyte to an analyzer is described. In some examples, the device comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of wells formed therein at predetermined locations. Each of the wells can be capable of containing an analyte without mixing with analytes in other of the wells. Each of the wells can also have a well exit to allow analyte to exit therefrom. A channel can be in flow communication with at least one of the well exits, and can guide analyte ions exiting therefrom to the mass analyzer. The wells may be filled prior to use in association with the mass analyzer. The substrate may be used as part of a fraction collector if desired.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods including a spray chamber are described. In certain examples, the spray chamber may be configured with an outer chamber configured to provide tangential gas flows. In other instances, an inner tube can be positioned within the outer chamber and may comprise a plurality of microchannels. In some examples, the outer chamber may comprise dual gas inlet ports. In some instances, the spray chamber may be configured to provide tangential gas flow and laminar gas flows to prevent droplet formation on surfaces of the spray chamber. Optical emission devices, optical absorption devices and mass spectrometers using the spray chamber are also described.

Abstract: Certain configurations of devices are described herein that include DC multipoles that are effective to direct ions. In some instances, the devices include a first multipole configured to provide a DC electric field effective to direct first ions of an entering particle beam along a first exit trajectory that is substantially orthogonal to an entry trajectory of the particle beam. The devices may also include a second multipole configured to provide a DC electric field effective to direct the received first ions from the first multipole along a second exit trajectory that is substantially orthogonal to the first exit trajectory.

Abstract: Methods and systems that can use a gas comprising a nitrogen center that is introduced upstream of a plasma sustained in a torch are described. In some configurations, the gas comprising the nitrogen center can be introduced as a gas upstream of the plasma and through a sample introduction device. Mass spectrometers and optical emission systems that can use the gas comprising the nitrogen center are also described.

Abstract: An echelle spectrometer includes a slit opening for incoming light, a collimator which collimates a diverging beam of light generated through the slit, a reflective echelle grating which disperses the collimated light along a first dimension; a cross-disperser which disperses at least a portion of the collimated light in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension to create a two-dimensional spectral field-of-view; and an imaging system which images the two-dimensional spectral field-of-view onto a detector; wherein the imaging system comprises primary, secondary, and tertiary tilted mirrors, where each of the tilted mirrors comprises a freeform, rotationally non-symmetric surface shape.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to methods and systems of detecting two or more analytes present in a single system such as a nanoparticle or nanostructure. In some examples, the methods and systems can estimate data gaps and fit intensity curves to obtained detection values so the amount of the two or more analytes present in the single system can be quantified.

Abstract: A system and method of using the system for analyzing liquid samples obtain from viscous sources. The system includes a sample delivery system, a particle counter configured to receive a liquid sample from the liquid sample delivery system, a composition analyzer configured to receive the liquid sample from the particle counter, a feed system configured to draw the liquid sample through the particle counter and subsequently inject the liquid sample into the composition analyzer; and a processor to process and analyze data from the particle counter and composition analyzer.

Abstract: An ionizer includes a probe having multiple coaxially aligned conduits. The conduits may carry liquids, and nebulizing and heating gases at various flow rates and temperatures, for generation of ions from a liquid source. An outermost conduit defines an entrainment region that transports and entrains ions in a gas for a defined distance along the length of the conduits. In embodiments, various voltages may be applied to the multiple conduits to aid in ionization and to guide ions. Depending on the voltages applied to the multiple conduits and electrodes, the ionizer can act as an electrospray, APCI, or APPI source. Further, the ionizer may include a source of photons or a source of corona ionization. Formed ions may be provided to a downstream mass analyser.

Abstract: Certain configurations of systems and methods that can detect inorganic ions and organic ions in a sample are described. In some configurations, the system may comprise one, two, three or more mass spectrometer cores. In some instances, the mass spectrometer cores can utilize common components such as gas controllers, processors, power supplies and vacuum pumps. In certain configurations, the systems can be designed to detect both inorganic and organic analytes comprising a mass from about three atomic mass units, four atomic mass units or five atomic mass units up to a mass of about two thousand atomic mass units.

Abstract: Certain configurations described herein are directed to mass spectrometer systems that can use a gas mixture to select and/or detect ions. In some instances, the gas mixture can be used in both a collision mode and in a reaction mode to provide improved detection limits using the same gas mixture.

Abstract: Certain configurations of plasma discharge chambers and plasma ionization sources comprising a plasma discharge chamber are described. In some examples, the discharge chamber comprises a conductive area and is configured to sustain a plasma discharge within the discharge chamber. In other examples, the discharge chamber comprises at least one inlet configured to receive a plasma gas and at least one outlet configured to provide ionized analyte from the discharge chamber. Systems and methods using the discharge chambers are also described.

Abstract: Certain configurations of devices are described herein that include a DC multipole that is effective to doubly bend the ions in an entering particle beam. In some instances, the devices include a first multipole configured to provide a DC electric field effective to direct first ions of an entering particle beam along a first internal trajectory at an angle different from the entry trajectory of the particle beam. The first multipole may also be configured to direct the ions in the first multipole along a second internal trajectory that is different than the angle of the first internal trajectory of the particle beam.

Abstract: Methods and systems of identifying two or more elements in a single individual particle are described. In some examples, an optical emission from each of an ionized first element and an ionized second element can simultaneously be detected to identify at least a first element in a particle from a plurality of particles using the optical emission from the ionized first element, and to identify at least a second element in the particle from the plurality of particles using the optical emission from the second ionized element. The identified first element and the identified second element can be used to identify a source of the particle from a plurality of particles.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods including a spray chamber are described. In certain examples, the spray chamber may be configured with an outer chamber configured to provide tangential gas flows. In other instances, an inner tube can be positioned within the outer chamber and may comprise a plurality of microchannels. In some examples, the outer chamber may comprise dual gas inlet ports. In some instances, the spray chamber may be configured to provide tangential gas flow and laminar gas flows to prevent droplet formation on surfaces of the spray chamber. Optical emission devices, optical absorption devices and mass spectrometers using the spray chamber are also described.

Abstract: Certain configurations of devices are described herein that include DC multipoles that are effective to direct ions. In some instances, the devices include a first multipole configured to provide a DC electric field effective to direct first ions of an entering particle beam along a first exit trajectory that is substantially orthogonal to an entry trajectory of the particle beam. The devices may also include a second multipole configured to provide a DC electric field effective to direct the received first ions from the first multipole along a second exit trajectory that is substantially orthogonal to the first exit trajectory.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to manifolds that comprise a moveable, internal sealing member that can be used to engage one or more ports of the manifold and prevent or reduce fluid flow from the engaged port into the manifold. In certain examples, the manifold can be used in a mass spectrometer to control fluid flow from an interface and a turbomolecular pump.