Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for calibrating a laser power are described. A system may include a sample to be tested and a control sample that comprises a control analyte. A user may indicate a known concentration of the control analyte to the system (e.g., by entering a concentration value into a user interface or other process). The system may perform multiple runs at different laser powers and compare the measurements of each run against expected values for the control analyte at the known concentration. From that comparison, a calibrated laser power may be computed and that computed power level can be used by the system for the running of tests on an unknown sample.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to optical detector and optical systems. In some examples, the optical detector can include a plurality of dynodes, in which one or more of the dynodes are coupled to an electrometer. In other configurations, each dynode can be coupled to a respective electrometer. Methods using the optical detectors are also described.

Abstract: An ion source can include a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field in a direction parallel to a direction of the electron beam and coincident with the electron beam. However, this magnetic field can also influence the path of ionized sample constituents as they pass through and exit the ion source. An ion source can include an electric field generator to compensate for this effect. As an example, the electric field generator can be configured to generate an electric field within the ion source chamber, such that an additional force is imparted on the ionized sample constituents, opposite in direction and substantially equal in magnitude to the force imparted on the ionized sample constituents by the magnetic field.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to detectors and systems using them. In some examples, the detector can include a plurality of dynodes, in which one or more of the dynodes are coupled to an electrometer. In some instances, an analog signal from a non-saturated dynode is measured and cross-calibrated with a pulse count signal to extend the dynamic range of the detector.

Abstract: Certain aspects, configurations, embodiments, and examples of a spectrometer with a compact design are described. In some implementations, the spectrometers according to the present disclosure may be used for optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The spectrometer architecture and imager described herein allows a single detector, compact, and high-throughput spectrometer. One or more aspects include an Echelle grating in a spectrometer that reuses optical surfaces to separate wavelengths of light. For example, in one or more aspects, a reflective triplet telescope acts as both a collimator and imager. By reusing optical components, the relative size of the spectrometer may be reduced.

Abstract: A gas chromatographic system includes a gas chromatographic (GC) subsystem and an autosampler. The autosampler includes a carrier including a plurality of seats and a plurality of sample holders disposed in respective ones of the seats. Each of the sample holders includes: a container defining a chamber configured to hold a sample; and visible indicium on the container; wherein the container is positioned in its seat such that the visible indicium is visible. The autosampler further includes an optical sensor, a controller, at least one mirror, and a sampling system. The optical sensor is configured to read the visible indicia and to generate an output signal corresponding thereto. The controller is configured to receive the output signal. The at least one mirror is arranged and configured to simultaneously reflect images of the visible indicia of a set of the sample holders in the seats to the optical sensor.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods that facilitate automated segmentation of 3D images of subjects to distinguish between regions of heterotopic ossification (HO) normal skeleton, and soft tissue. In certain embodiments, the methods identify discrete, differentiable regions of a 3D image of subject (e.g., a CT or microCT image) that may then be either manually or automatically classified as either HO or normal skeleton.

Abstract: Certain configurations are described herein of an optical spectrometer and instruments including an optical spectrometer. In some instances, the optical spectrometer is configured to spatially separate provided wavelengths of light to permit detection or imaging of each provided wavelength of light. Improved sensitivities and detection limits may be achieved using the optical spectrometers described herein.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for calibrating a laser power are described. A system may include a sample to be tested and a control sample that comprises a control analyte. A user may indicate a known concentration of the control analyte to the system (e.g., by entering a concentration value into a user interface or other process). The system may perform multiple runs at different laser powers and compare the measurements of each run against expected values for the control analyte at the known concentration. From that comparison, a calibrated laser power may be computed and that computed power level can be used by the system for the running of tests on an unknown sample.

Abstract: A system for preparing a test sample includes a vial holder, a needle trap connected to the vial holder, and a sample preparation station. The vial holder includes a vial chamber configured to hold a vial, a purge gas needle, and a needle trap heater. The needle trap includes a needle with the needle trap heater surrounding a distal end portion of the needle. A packing bed is disposed in the needle at the distal end portion. The sample preparation station includes a housing and a vial heater assembly including a vial heater and defining a cavity. The vial holder is configured to be received in the cavity in an installed position with the vial heater surrounding at least a portion of the vial.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices and system that can be used to fill a sample cell. In some examples, the system can be configured with a pressure device configured to provide a negative pressure to accelerate filling of the cell with the sample. In some embodiments, the negative pressure can be used to fill a flow cell at a selected fill rate.

Abstract: RF ion guides are configured as an array of elongate electrodes arranged symmetrically about a central axis, to which RF voltages are applied. The RF electrodes include at least a portion of their length that is semi-transparent to electric fields. Auxiliary electrodes are then provided proximal to the RF electrodes distal to the ion guide axis, such that application of DC voltages to the auxiliary electrodes causes an auxiliary electric field to form between the auxiliary electrodes and the ion guide RF electrodes. A portion of this auxiliary electric field penetrates through the semi-transparent portions of the RF electrodes, such that the potentials within the ion guide are modified. The auxiliary electrode structures and voltages can be configured so that a potential gradient develops along the ion guide axis due to this field penetration, which provides an axial motive force for collision damped ions.

Abstract: Certain configurations of a gas chromatography system comprising an internal gas generator are described. In some instances, the gas chromatography system may comprise an internal hydrogen generator to provide hydrogen gas to a chromatography column for separation of analyte species. In certain examples, the gas chromatography system can be operated without any external gas inputs.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to systems and methods that can be used to analyze species in a fluid stream. In some configurations, a sorbent tube effective to directly sample aromatics and/or polyaromatics in a fluid stream is described.

Abstract: Certain configurations are provided herein of a trap that can be used with chromatography systems. In certain instances, the trap may be designed to remove substantially all oil in a sample comprising the oil and an analyte of interest. Methods using the gravity trap are also described.

Abstract: An example system includes an electron ionization ion source and a mass analyzer. The electron ion source is configured, during operation of the system, to create from sample molecules a beam of ions extending along an ion beam axis. The system also includes a collision cooling chamber comprising a gas manifold and an electric field generator. The cooling chamber defines an entrance aperture and an exit aperture on respective opposing ends of the cooling chamber, the entrance aperture of the cooling chamber being in axial alignment with the ion beam axis. The cooling chamber is configured, during operation of the system, to generate a radio frequency (RF) field within the cooling chamber using the electric field generator, and receive collision gas through the gas manifold to pressurize the cooling chamber.

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.

Abstract: Presented herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for single analyte detection or multiplexed analyte detection based on amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous assay (“alpha”) technology, but using hollow polymer fiber optics doped with ‘acceptor bead’ dye (e.g., thioxene, anthracene, rubrene, and/or lanthanide chelates) or ‘donor bead’ dye (e.g., phthalocyanine) that carry a signal generated by the dopant via singlet oxygen channeling.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide systems, methods, devices, and computer-readable media for interference filter correction based on angle of incidence. In some examples, a sample emits an emission spectrum that is filtered by an emission filter to provide a transmission spectrum. The emission spectrum illuminates the emission filter at multiple angles of incidence. The angles of incidence result in a spectral shifting of the transmission spectrum. Based on this spectral shifting, the intensity of the transmission spectrum is corrected. An image corresponding to the corrected intensity of the transmission spectrum may be generated.