Abstract: A method and system for deconvolution of a frequency spectrum obtained in an ICR mass spectrometer based on a detection of ion oscillation overtones of the M-th order (where the integer M>1). A plurality of frequency peaks is collected within the frequency spectrum corresponding respectively to oscillations of different groups of ions, and associates at least one of the frequency peaks having a frequency f and a measured amplitude A with a particular group of the ions. The method and system identify whether the frequency peak is related to one of an overtone frequency, a subharmonic frequency, a higher harmonic frequency, or a side-shifted frequency of the oscillations of the different group of ions.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry (MS) method which includes generating in a vicinity of the quadrupole ion trap hydrogen molecules, directing at least part of the hydrogen molecules into the quadrupole ion trap cell, applying AC and DC voltages to quadrupole ion trap cell electrodes to create a combined AC/DC trapping field, placing sample ions inside the quadrupole ion trap cell, cooling at least part of said ions using said hydrogen molecules as a buffer gas, changing the combined AC/DC trapping field to eject the ions from the quadrupole ion trap cell, and detecting the ejected ions.

Abstract: A portable mass spectrometer having an atmospheric pressure interface for introducing ions generated at ambient pressure gas conditions into a vacuum of the mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer has a vacuum chamber having at least one vacuum section and at least one gas inlet for directing the ambient pressure gas including the ions into the at least one vacuum section. The at least one gas inlet has a gas passage channel of a length L and a limiting cross section S with a ratio of L/S being less than 20,000 cm?1. The mass spectrometer has a radio frequency (RF) ion guide in the at least one vacuum section positioned for collecting the ions from the at least one gas inlet and transmitting the ions further to a mass analyzer for analyzing the ions transmitted from the ion guide.

Abstract: A device and method for transporting ions along a longitudinal direction in an elevated gas pressure region. The device includes a multipole ion guide having a set of rods positioned along the longitudinal direction on an inscribed diameter equal to or less than 3.5 mm, a voltage source which provides alternating voltages to at least a subset of the rods to create a trapping field in a transverse direction, and a conductance limit having an opening d and placed at the exit of the multipole ion guide. At the end of this configuration near the opening of the conductance limit, a converging continuum gas flow through the conductance limit is provided that transfers the ions collimating near a center of the ion guide into a low gas pressure region. The method injects ions into the elevated gas pressure region of the ion guide, and transports the ions in the converging continuum gas flow into the low gas pressure region.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography interface is provided having an integrated column/ESI tip assembly including a liquid chromatography separation column, an ESI tip for generating ions having at least one emitting channel, and a temperature-controlled enclosure surrounding the liquid chromatography separation column. The enclosure has at least one opening and the ESI tip is exposed outside the enclosure through the opening. The enclosure has a heating or cooling device providing a substantially homogeneous distribution of temperature throughout an internal space of the enclosure where the liquid chromatography separation column is disposed. The enclosure includes at least one gas flow mixing element to permit heat exchange by directing a flow of gas toward the ESI tip. The integrated column/ESI tip assembly resides within a thermo-stabilized volume of substantially the same temperature from an entrance of the liquid chromatography separation column to the outlet of the ESI tip.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography interface is provided having an integrated column/ESI tip assembly including a liquid chromatography separation column, an ESI tip for generating ions having at least one emitting channel, and a temperature-controlled enclosure surrounding the liquid chromatography separation column. The enclosure has at least one opening and the ESI tip is exposed outside the enclosure through the opening. The enclosure has a heating or cooling device providing a substantially homogeneous distribution of temperature throughout an internal space of the enclosure where the liquid chromatography separation column is disposed. The enclosure includes at least one gas flow mixing element to permit heat exchange by directing a flow of gas toward the ESI tip. The integrated column/ESI tip assembly resides within a thermo-stabilized volume of substantially the same temperature from an entrance of the liquid chromatography separation column to the outlet of the ESI tip.

Abstract: A device and method for transporting ions along a longitudinal direction in an elevated gas pressure region. The device includes a multipole ion guide having a set of rods positioned along the longitudinal direction on an inscribed diameter equal to or less than 3.5 mm, a voltage source which provides alternating voltages to at least a subset of the rods to create a trapping field in a transverse direction, and a conductance limit having an opening d and placed at the exit of the multipole ion guide. At the end of this configuration near the opening of the conductance limit, a converging continuum gas flow through the conductance limit is provided that transfers the ions collimating near a center of the ion guide into a low gas pressure region. The method injects ions into the elevated gas pressure region of the ion guide, and transports the ions in the converging continuum gas flow into the low gas pressure region.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry (MS) method which includes generating in a vicinity of the quadrupole ion trap hydrogen molecules, directing at least part of the hydrogen molecules into the quadrupole ion trap cell, applying AC and DC voltages to quadrupole ion trap cell electrodes to create a combined AC/DC trapping field, placing sample ions inside the quadrupole ion trap cell, cooling at least part of said ions using said hydrogen molecules as a buffer gas, changing the combined AC/DC trapping field to eject the ions from the quadrupole ion trap cell, and detecting the ejected ions

Abstract: A measuring cell of an ICR mass spectrometer and a method of operating a measuring cell of the ICR mass spectrometer. The method and system trap ions in a first compartment of the ICR measuring cell by generating an electric potential well in the direction of the magnetic field with a minimum of the electric potential well located inside the first compartment. The method and system excite cyclotron motion of the ions trapped in the first compartment. The method and system transfer at least a part of the excited ions from the first compartment to a second compartment of the ICR measuring cell by displacement of a position of the minimum of the electric potential well from the first compartment to the second compartment.

Abstract: A method for fragmentation of analyte ions for mass spectroscopy and a system for mass spectroscopy. The method produces gas-phase analyte ions, produces gas-phase odd-electron containing species separately from the analyte ions, and mixes the gas-phase analyte ions and the odd-electron containing species at substantially atmospheric pressure conditions to produce fragment ions prior to introduction into a mass spectrometer. The system includes a gas-phase analyte ion source, a gas-phase odd-electron containing species source separate from the gas-phase analyte ion source, a mixing region where the gas-phase analyte ions and the odd-electron containing species are mixed at substantially atmospheric pressure to produce fragment ions of the analyte ions, a mass spectrometer having an entrance where at least a portion of the fragment ions are introduced into a vacuum of the mass spectrometer, and a detector in the mass spectrometer which determines a mass to charge ratio analysis of the fragment ions.

Abstract: A measuring cell of an ICR mass spectrometer and a method of operating a measuring cell of the ICR mass spectrometer. The method and system trap ions in a first compartment of the ICR measuring cell by generating an electric potential well in the direction of the magnetic field with a minimum of the electric potential well located inside the first compartment. The method and system excite cyclotron motion of the ions trapped in the first compartment. The method and system transfer at least a part of the excited ions from the first compartment to a second compartment of the ICR measuring cell by displacement of a position of the minimum of the electric potential well from the first compartment to the second compartment.

Abstract: A method and system for deconvolution of a frequency spectrum obtained in an ICR mass spectrometer based on a detection of ion oscillation overtones of the M-th order (where the integer M>1). A plurality of frequency peaks is collected within the frequency spectrum corresponding respectively to oscillations of different groups of ions, and associates at least one of the frequency peaks having a frequency f and a measured amplitude A with a particular group of the ions. The method and system identify whether the frequency peak is related to one of an overtone frequency, a subharmonic frequency, a higher harmonic frequency, or a side-shifted frequency of the oscillations of the different group of ions.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting airborne agents. The system includes a semiconductor ultraviolet optical source configured to emit an ultraviolet light, a controller configured to generate a pseudo-random code for emission of the ultraviolet light modulated at the pseudo-random code, a telescope configured to focus the ultraviolet light to a distance from the source and to receive elastically backscattered signals and fluorescence signals from the distance, and a sensor configured to detect the elastically backscattered and fluorescence signals. The method generates a pseudo-random code and emits at least one wavelength of ultraviolet light modulated at the pseudo-random code, transmits the modulated ultraviolet light pulses to a distance from the source, receives elastically backscattered signals and fluorescence signals from the distance, and detects the elastically backscattered and fluorescence signals.

Abstract: A method and system for identification of microorganisms in a sample. The method includes processing the sample to produce at least one group of biomarker molecules from at least one microorganism in the sample, tandem mass-analyzing biomarker fragment ions from the at least one group of biomarker molecules to obtain a sample biomarker tandem mass spectrum of the biomarker, and identifying the microorganism in the sample based on a comparison of the sample biomarker tandem mass spectrum to an experimentally-derived reference tandem mass spectrum (stored in the reference library) from a known microorganism. The system includes a sample processing unit configured to process the sample and produce at least one group of biomarker molecules from at least one microorganism in the sample. The system includes a mass-analyzer for tandem mass analysis biomarker fragment ions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring target gas concentrations in an atmosphere. The method and apparatus emit in the atmosphere a laser beam tuned to a molecular absorption line of a target gas, receive a reflected signal affected by gas absorption of the target gas in the atmosphere, divide and direct the received signal into a first optical path and a second optical path including in one of the paths a correlation gas cell filled with a predetermined concentration of the target gas, detect transmitted signals through the first optical path and the second optical path, and calculate a target gas concentration by comparing a first signal transmitted through the first optical path to a second signal transmitted through the second optical path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring target gas concentrations in an atmosphere. The method and apparatus emit in the atmosphere a laser beam tuned to a molecular absorption line of a target gas, receive a reflected signal affected by gas absorption of the target gas in the atmosphere, divide and direct the received signal into a first optical path and a second optical path including in one of the paths a correlation gas cell filled with a predetermined concentration of the target gas, detect transmitted signals through the first optical path and the second optical path, and calculate a target gas concentration by comparing a first signal transmitted through the first optical path to a second signal transmitted through the second optical path.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for processing of biological samples prior to spectroscopy analysis. The system includes a support for an organic sample, a solution applicator configured to apply a solution for extraction of at least one biomarker protein from the organic sample. The system includes a digester-medium applicator configured to apply to the organic sample a digesting medium capable of at least partial digestion of the biomarker proteins into peptides. The system includes a heating device configured to heat at least one of the organic sample, the solution, the digesting medium, and the biomarker proteins to a temperature above room temperature.

Abstract: A method for fragmentation of analyte ions for mass spectroscopy and a system for mass spectroscopy. The method produces gas-phase analyte ions, produces gas-phase odd-electron containing species separately from the analyte ions, and mixes the gas-phase analyte ions and the odd-electron containing species at substantially atmospheric pressure conditions to produce fragment ions prior to introduction into a mass spectrometer. The system includes a gas-phase analyte ion source, a gas-phase odd-electron containing species source separate from the gas-phase analyte ion source, a mixing region where the gas-phase analyte ions and the odd-electron containing species are mixed at substantially atmospheric pressure to produce fragment ions of the analyte ions, a mass spectrometer having an entrance where at least a portion of the fragment ions are introduced into a vacuum of the mass spectrometer, and a detector in the mass spectrometer which determines a mass to charge ratio analysis of the fragment ions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring target gas concentrations in an atmosphere. The method and apparatus emit in the atmosphere a laser beam tuned to a molecular absorption line of a target gas, receive a reflected signal affected by gas absorption of the target gas in the atmosphere, divide and direct the received signal into a first optical path and a second optical path including in one of the paths a correlation gas cell filled with a predetermined concentration of the target gas, detect transmitted signals through the first optical path and the second optical path, and calculate a target gas concentration by comparing a first signal transmitted through the first optical path to a second signal transmitted through the second optical path.

Abstract: A system for detecting airborne agents. The system can include a laser source that provides laser pulses of at least two wavelengths, a transmitter that transmits the laser pulses, and a coupling mechanism configured to remotely couple the laser pulses between the laser source and the transmitter. The system can include a receiver receives both elastically backscattered signals from airborne agents and fluorescence signals from the airborne agents. The system can include a telescope both transmits a collimated laser beam of the laser pulse from the transmitter to a far field and receives the elastically backscattered signals and the fluorescence signals from the far field. The system can include a detection system having at least one of a backscatter optical detector that detects the elastically backscattered signals and one or more fluorescence optical detectors that detect the fluorescence signals in selected spectral band(s) from the airborne agents.