Abstract: A photoionization (PID) detector with an ignition failure warning system. The PID detector includes an ultraviolet (UV) lamp, sensing electrodes, ignition electrodes, a driver, an ignition failure warning electrical circuit, and a processor. The ignition failure warning electrical circuit is operable for detecting an absence of ultraviolet radiation emitted by the ultraviolet lamp after an attempted ignition of the ultraviolet lamp by the driver, and generating an uncharacteristically dramatic human perceptible high and low oscillation of reported concentrations of target analyte upon detecting an absence of ultraviolet radiation emitted by the ultraviolet lamp after an attempted ignition of the ultraviolet lamp by the driver.

Abstract: A photoionization detector sensor equipped with a temperature compensating and output adjustable ultraviolet lamp driver for supplying an alternating current signal to the ultraviolet lamp effective to light the ultraviolet lamp with direct current supplied from both a first variable voltage supply circuit and a second temperature sensitive fixed voltage supply circuit, and method of standardizing output of the photoionization detector sensor by adjusting the voltage supplied to the driver by the first variable voltage supply circuit so that future reported values will more closely approximate actual values.

Abstract: A photoionization detector comprised of a sensor having at least a collector electrode and a grounding electrode, a gas discharge lamp that ionizes molecules of interest to create ionized molecules and electrons, and an amplifier connected to the collector electrode. Each of the collector electrode and the grounding electrode include a feed-thru pin, an inner trace surrounding the feed-thru pin, an outer trace surrounding the inner trace, wherein the outer trace on each electrode is comprised of the same material, a channel between the inner trace and the outer trace, wherein the channel is comprised of a different material than the outer trace and the inner trace, and a bridge connecting the outer trace with the inner trace. The ionized molecules are collectable by a bias electrode and electrons are collectable by the collector electrode.

Abstract: A photoionization detector sensor equipped with a temperature compensating and output adjustable ultraviolet lamp driver for supplying an alternating current signal to the ultraviolet lamp effective to light the ultraviolet lamp with direct current supplied from both a first variable voltage supply circuit and a second temperature sensitive fixed voltage supply circuit, and method of standardizing output of the photoionization detector sensor by adjusting the voltage supplied to the driver by the first variable voltage supply circuit so that future reported values will more closely approximate actual values.

Abstract: A photoionization detector sensor equipped with an adjustable gain amplifier, and method of standardizing output of the photoionization detector sensor by adjusting the gain so that an actual test value expected to produce a known anticipated value matches the anticipated value.

Abstract: A photoionization detector comprised of a sensor having at least a collector electrode and a grounding electrode, a gas discharge lamp that ionizes molecules of interest to create ionized molecules and electrons, and an amplifier connected to the collector electrode. Each of the collector electrode and the grounding electrode include a feed-thru pin, an inner trace surrounding the feed-thru pin, an outer trace surrounding the inner trace, wherein the outer trace on each electrode is comprised of the same material, a channel between the inner trace and the outer trace, wherein the channel is comprised of a different material than the outer trace and the inner trace, and a bridge connecting the outer trace with the inner trace. The ionized molecules are collectable by a bias electrode and electrons are collectable by the collector electrode.