Abstract: Certain configurations of mass spectrometer components are described herein that comprise one or more mass spectrometer programmable elements. In some instances, the mass spectrometer programmable element can be configured as an electrode that can function independently of any underlying substrate or component. Ion guides, lenses, ion switches, mass analyzers and other components of a mass spectrometer are described which comprise one or more mass spectrometer programmable elements.

Abstract: A system for cooling an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) instrument includes: the ICP instrument; a pump in fluid communication with the instrument via a first conduit; and a micro-channel heat exchanger in fluid communication with the instrument via a second conduit, and in fluid communication with the pump via a third conduit. The pump is configured to generate a pump outlet pressure of coolant that exceeds a back pressure of the instrument such that a pressure of the coolant traveling through the second conduit and into the heat exchanger is less than or equal to 5 pounds per square inch (psi) above atmospheric pressure, as measured at an inlet to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An ion guide includes a plurality of curved electrodes arranged along a curved central axis. The plurality of electrodes define a curved ion guide region, with the curved ion guide region beginning at an ion entrance and ending at an ion exit. The ion guide includes an ion deflecting device configured to apply a radial DC electric field across the ion guide region and along the curved central axis. The ion guide region has a radius of curvature that varies along the curved central axis, and the radius of curvature is at a maximum at the ion entrance and decreases along the curved central axis toward the ion exit.

Abstract: An ion guide includes a plurality of curved electrodes arranged along a curved central axis. The plurality of electrodes define a curved ion guide region, with the curved ion guide region beginning at an ion entrance and ending at an ion exit. The ion guide includes an ion deflecting device configured to apply a radial DC electric field across the ion guide region and along the curved central axis. The ion guide region has a radius of curvature that varies along the curved central axis, and the radius of curvature is at a maximum at the ion entrance and decreases along the curved central axis toward the ion exit.

Abstract: A system for cooling an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) instrument includes: the ICP instrument; a pump in fluid communication with the instrument via a first conduit; and a micro-channel heat exchanger in fluid communication with the instrument via a second conduit, and in fluid communication with the pump via a third conduit. The pump is configured to generate a pump outlet pressure of coolant that exceeds a back pressure of the instrument such that a pressure of the coolant traveling through the second conduit and into the heat exchanger is less than or equal to 5 pounds per square inch (psi) above atmospheric pressure, as measured at an inlet to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An ICP torch includes an injector tube defining an injector flow passage to receive a flow of a sample fluid, an intermediate tube disposed about the injector tube, a plasma tube disposed about the intermediate tube, and an induction coil disposed about the plasma tube. An auxiliary gas passage is defined between the injector tube and the intermediate tube to receive a flow of an auxiliary gas. A plasma gas passage is defined between the intermediate tube and the plasma tube to receive a flow of a plasma gas. The induction coil can produce a plasma proximate a torch distal end. The induction coil extends axially from a coil proximal end to a coil distal end proximate the torch distal end. The plasma tube includes an outlet opening proximate the torch distal end. The outlet opening is at least partially coincident with or axially inset from the coil distal end.

Abstract: Thermal management arrangements for analysis systems including a plasma source such as inductively-coupled-plasma are disclosed. An analysis system may include a plasma source configured to a plasma source configured to receive and ionize a sample to create an ionized sample, and an instrument such as a mass spectrometer or optical emission spectrometer configured to receive and analyze the ionized sample. A heat shield may be positioned between the plasma source and the instrument, and the heat shield may be constructed and arranged to direct heated gas and/or plasma from the plasma source away from the instrument. In some instances, the heated gas and/or plasma may be extracted from a chamber containing the plasma source.

Abstract: Thermal management arrangements for analysis systems including a plasma source such as inductively-coupled-plasma are disclosed. An analysis system may include a plasma source configured to a plasma source configured to receive and ionize a sample to create an ionized sample, and an instrument such as a mass spectrometer or optical emission spectrometer configured to receive and analyze the ionized sample. A heat shield may be positioned between the plasma source and the instrument, and the heat shield may be constructed and arranged to direct heated gas and/or plasma from the plasma source away from the instrument. In some instances, the heated gas and/or plasma may be extracted from a chamber containing the plasma source.

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: A method for pumping a fluid includes providing a peristaltic pump including a contact wall, an opposing, movable compression element, and a flexible tube interposed between the contact wall and the compression element in a compressing region. The flexible tube has a tube lengthwise axis and a through passage. The flexible tube is displaceable relative to the compressing region between a first position and a second position different from the first position. The method includes: with the flexible tube in the first position, compressing the flexible tube between the compression element and the contact wall to thereby force the fluid through the through passage; thereafter displacing the flexible tube into the second position from the first position; and thereafter, with the flexible tube in the second position, compressing the flexible tube between the compression element and the contact wall to thereby force the fluid through the through passage.

Abstract: Certain configurations of a stable capacitor are described which comprise electrodes produced from materials comprising a selected coefficient of thermal expansion to enhance stability. The electrodes can be spaced from each other through one of more dielectric layers or portions thereof. In some instances, the electrodes comprise integral materials and do not include any thin films. The capacitors can be used, for example, in feedback circuits, radio frequency generators and other devices used with mass filters and/or mass spectrometry devices.

Abstract: A method for pumping a fluid includes providing a peristaltic pump including a contact wall, an opposing, movable compression element, and a flexible tube interposed between the contact wall and the compression element in a compressing region. The flexible tube has a tube lengthwise axis and a through passage. The flexible tube is displaceable relative to the compressing region between a first position and a second position different from the first position. The method includes: with the flexible tube in the first position, compressing the flexible tube between the compression element and the contact wall to thereby force the fluid through the through passage; thereafter displacing the flexible tube into the second position from the first position; and thereafter, with the flexible tube in the second position, compressing the flexible tube between the compression element and the contact wall to thereby force the fluid through the through passage.

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 embodiments described herein are directed to induction devices that can be used to sustain a plasma. In certain configurations, the induction device may comprise one or more radial fins electrically coupled to a base. The induction device may take numerous forms including, for example, coils and plate electrodes.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to induction devices that can be used to sustain a plasma. In certain configurations, the induction device may comprise one or more radial fins electrically coupled to a base. The induction device may take numerous forms including, for example, coils and plate electrodes.

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 embodiments described herein are directed to generators that can be used to sustain a plasma. In some embodiments, the generator comprises an oscillation circuit configured to electrically couple to an induction device and provide power to the induction device in an oscillation mode to sustain the inductively coupled plasma in a torch body, the circuit configured to provide harmonic emission control during sustaining of the inductively coupled plasma in the torch body in the oscillation mode of the generator.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to induction devices that can be used to sustain a plasma. In certain configurations, the induction device may comprise one or more radial fins electrically coupled to a base. The induction device may take numerous forms including, for example, coils and plate electrodes.

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 embodiments described herein are directed to induction devices that can be used to sustain a plasma. In certain configurations, the induction device may comprise one or more radial fins electrically coupled to a base. The induction device may take numerous forms including, for example, coils and plate electrodes.