Abstract: A concentric APCI surface ionization probe, supersonic sampling tube, and method for use of the concentric APCI surface ionization probe and supersonic sampling tube are described. In an embodiment, the concentric APCI surface ionization probe includes an outer tube, an inner capillary, and a voltage source coupled to the outer tube and the inner capillary. The inner capillary is housed within and concentric with the outer tube such that ionized gas (e.g., air) travels out of the outer tube, reacts with a sample, and the resulting analyte ions are sucked into the inner capillary. A supersonic sampling tube can include a tube coupled to a mass spectrometer and/or concentric APCI surface ionization probe, where the tube includes at least one de Laval nozzle.

Abstract: An on-demand vapor generator includes a vapor chamber configured to produce a vapor and a vapor absorption assembly configured to receive flows of vapor from the vapor chamber. The vapor absorption assembly includes a first vapor-permeable passage having a passage outlet and at least one second vapor-permeable passage that is closed. When vapor absorption assembly receives a flow of vapor from the vapor chamber, the flow of vapor passes through the first vapor-permeable passage to the passage outlet at least substantially without absorption of vapor from the flow of vapor. However, when a flow of vapor is not received from the vapor chamber, vapor entering the vapor absorption assembly from the vapor chamber passes into the first vapor-permeable passage and the at least one second vapor-permeable passage and is at least substantially absorbed.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed provide for methods of managing polarity switching in an ion mobility spectrometer, and provide for management of the repelling grid voltage, the gating grid voltage, and the fixed grid voltage during polarity switching. Systems and methods also provide for the management of the effect of dielectric relaxation in an insulator proximal to the collector, and provide for a preamplifier coupled to the collector including a switch, and a method of managing the collector output including the switch. Systems and methods consistent with the current disclosure further provide for a method of normalizing ion mobility data by determining fitting coefficients associated with a plurality of measurement data sets, and subtracting the curves determined by the fitting coefficients from the data acquired by the ion mobility spectrometer.

Abstract: An interface configured to transfer ions produced at or near atmospheric pressure conditions into a mass spectrometer for mass analysis is provided. The interface includes a first conduit including an inlet configured to receive a fluid containing the ions and an outlet configured to direct the fluid containing the ions into the mass spectrometer. The first conduit defines a first flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet. The interface includes a pump. The interface includes a second conduit. The second conduit includes an inlet. The second conduit defines a second flow path extending from a location between the inlet and the outlet of the first conduit to an outlet of the second conduit. The pump is configured to divert a portion of the fluid including the ions moving in the first flow path to the second flow path.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometry method comprising determining whether a sample comprises ions having a first characteristic, and in the event that it is determined that the sample comprises ions having the first characteristic, applying thermal energy together with a radio frequency, RF, electric field to parent ions so as to obtain daughter ions having a second characteristic for inferring at least one identity for the parent ions based on the first characteristic and the second characteristic.

Abstract: A sample inlet device and methods for use of the sample inlet device are described that include an ion funnel having a plurality of electrodes with apertures arranged about an axis extending from an inlet of the ion funnel to an outlet of the ion funnel, the ion funnel including a plurality of spacer elements disposed coaxially with the plurality of electrodes, each of the plurality of spacer elements being positioned between one or two adjacent electrodes, each of the plurality of spacer elements having an aperture with a diameter that is greater than a diameter of each adjacent electrode. The ion funnel is configured to pass an ion sample through the apertures of the electrodes and the spacer elements to additional portions of a detection system, such as to a mass analyzer system and detector.

Abstract: Synchronized ion modification systems and techniques are described. An ion modifier can be used to modify a portion of ions that enter a drift chamber via a gate that controls entry of the ions to the drift chamber. A controller that is communicatively coupled to the ion modifier is configured to control the ion modifier to select a portion of the ion to be modified. In embodiments, the controller selects the portion based on a detector's previous response to other ions that are formed from a sample from which the ions were formed. The other ions, for example, correspond to ions that are associated with a peak in previous operation of a spectrometer.

Abstract: IMS apparatus has an inlet with a preconcentrator opening into a reaction region where analyte molecules are ionized and passed via a shutter to a drift region for collection and analysis. A pump and filter arrangement supplies a flushing flow of clean gas to the housing in opposition to ion flow. A pressure pulser connects with the housing and is momentarily switched to cause a short drop in pressure, in the housing to draw in a bolus of analyte sample from the preconcentrator. Just prior to admitting a bolus of sample, the pump is turned off so that the flushing flow drops substantially to zero, thereby prolonging the time the analyte molecules spend in the reaction region.

Abstract: RF generators including active devices driving series resonant circuits are described. The series resonant circuits include a self-resonant dual inductor. The RF generators can be used to drive capacitive loads.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly includes a body portion (14), that is thermally and electrically non-conductive, defining an opening (28), a bus bar (18) coupled to the body portion, the bus bar being thermally and electrically conductive, and a clamping bar (20), including a scalloped surface configured to oppose the bus bar, the clamping bar being thermally and electrically conductive. At least one of the bus bar and the clamping bar is biased toward the other of the bus bar and the clamping bar.

Abstract: An accessory for a device includes an actuator that is configured to be activated to operate a switch on the device when the accessory is physically engaged with the device. The switch is operable to cause the device to switch between on and off modes in which the device is configured to function. The off mode is a mode in which the device consumes less energy than when in the on mode. A controller is communicatively coupled with the actuator and is configured to activate the actuator to operate the switch when power is applied to the actuator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing samples in containers are provided, where an emitter emits radiation at a first location on the container, with a portion of the radiation passing through the container and into the sample, some of the radiation is reflected within the container, a detector receives a transmission Raman signal including Raman radiation from multiple portions of the sample, and a comparator compares the transmission Raman signal with the radiation emitted by the emitter.

Abstract: Spectrometers including integrated capacitive detectors are described. An integrated capacitive detector integrates ion current from the collector (220) into a changing voltage. The detector includes a collector configured to receive ions in the spectrometer, a dielectric (228), and a plate (232) arranged in an overlapping configuration with collector on an opposite side of the dielectric. The detector also includes an amplifier (226).

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed provide for methods of managing polarity switching in an ion mobility spectrometer, and provide for management of the repelling grid voltage, the gating grid voltage, and the fixed grid voltage during polarity switching. Systems and methods also provide for the management of the effect of dielectric relaxation in an insulator proximal to the collector, and provide for a preamplifier coupled to the collector including a switch, and a method of managing the collector output including the switch. Systems and methods consistent with the current disclosure further provide for a method of normalizing ion mobility data by determining fitting coefficients associated with a plurality of measurement data sets, and subtracting the curves determined by the fitting coefficients from the data acquired by the ion mobility spectrometer.

Abstract: A detection device including an ionization region, an ion gate comprising two electrodes, an ion modifier comprising two electrodes, a drift chamber and a collector. The ion gate and ion modifier are combined so the ion gate is one of the ion modifier electrodes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing fluid real-time camera control of at least one camera to at least one network user via a network including the internet. A control pad or area can be provided to camera users via an application or applet that can be calibrated to provide fluid camera control. Compressed or uncompressed analog, digital, or streaming video and audio data can also be provided to the users to allow real-time low latency continuous audio/visual feedback. Multiple camera users can obtain control of a camera using a dynamic queuing technique that can allow single user camera control for certain time intervals. An administrator can establish user camera control parameters including camera control intervals for subscriber users versus non-subscriber users, camera usurping by an administrator, elimination of camera control privileges for a user, and denial of camera control requests by a user.

Abstract: Spectrometers including integrated capacitive detectors are described. An integrated capacitive detector integrates ion current from the collector (768) into a changing voltage. The detector includes a collector configured to receive ions in the spectrometer, a dielectric, and a plate arranged in an overlapping configuration with collector on an opposite side of the dielectric. The detector also includes an amplifier (764). A capacitive detector with offset (776) is described.

Abstract: A surface ionization source comprises a tube having a first end, a second end, and an interior bore extending through the tube from the first end to the second end. The first end of the tube is configured to receive a flow of gas and the second end of the tube is configured to direct the flow of gas onto a surface configured to hold an analyte. A radioactive source is at least substantially disposed in the interior bore of the tube. The radioactive source is configured to form ions in the flow of gas as the flow of gas passes through the interior bore. The flow of gas containing the ions is directed onto the analyte to at least partially ionize the analyte.

Abstract: A sampling swab useful in trace analyte detection is provided. The sampling swab possesses absorption/adsorption and desorption properties suitable for use trace analyte sample collection. The sampling swab is also capable of withstanding repeated high heat treatment and mechanical stress. A method for producing a sampling swab that is substantially free of impurities and detection interferants is also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for electrically-augmented damping of an actuator and associated devices. In particular, electrically-augmented damping derived from measurement of voltage across an actuator and current flowing through an actuator is provided.