Abstract: A method and device for analyzing samples containing mixtures of organic compounds using vacuum chromatography is disclosed. The method and device are particularly useful for obtaining mass spectra for identification purposes. The method involves passing a sample dissolved in a solvent through a column with a carrier gas and depositing a thin layer of the sample in the interior of a short column. The short column is then attached to an MS interface. The device comprises a combination of a variable molecular separator and a column alignment component. The alignment component may also be used as a direct probe injector. This device and method allow the separation and MS analysis of mixtures of intermediate molecular weight compounds.

Abstract: A method and device for separating trace amounts of relatively large molecules in the gas or vapor state from a low molecular weight gas or vapor is disclosed. The method and device are particularly useful for interfacing a gas or liquid chromatograph to a mass spectrometer. The device comprises an enclosed chamber to which a vacuum system is attached. Two sample transfer columns are inserted through opposite sides in the chamber. The first column has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter or bore of the second column and the end of the first column may be moved into the bore of the second column. A second vacuum source is applied to the second transfer column. When a sample mixture in the gas or vapor state passes from the first column into the second column, the fractional split in the bulk or carrier stream between the two vacuum systems is accurately controlled solely by the diameters of the two columns and the extent to which the first column in inserted into the second.

Abstract: A device for sensitive analysis of unknown organic samples is disclosed. The device is particularly useful as an interface between a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer which has a high pumping capacity. The device comprises an interface internal to the mass spectrometer which may either be attached directly to an inlet probe inserted into a mass spectrometer or directly to the source body of a mass spectrometer. In both cases, the sample goes directly into the source cavity and an auxiliary vacuum system is not required for sample enrichment. For mass spectrometers with marginal pumping capacity, or when very low source pressures are required, the vacuum system may be augmented by designs which either partially or completely isolate the source and interface exhaust pumping systems from each other.