Abstract: The electrospray generator system described herein uses a soft X-ray source instead of a radioactive source to generate bipolar ions for the neutralization of the initially charged particles. In one example, the soft X-ray source is directed at an orifice from which the charged particles emanate, thereby allowing the neutralization of the particles to happen faster than in prior art configurations and, in some instances, even neutralization occurring immediately on a droplet before it passes through the electrospray orifice.

Abstract: A system and a method is described herein for the collection of small particles in a concentrated manner, whereby particles are deposited onto a solid surface or collected into a volume of liquid. The collected samples readily interface to any of a number of different elemental, chemical, or biological or other analysis techniques.

Abstract: A novel device, method and systems disclosed managing the thermal challenges of LIBS laser components and a spectrometer in a handheld structure as well the use of simplified light signal collection which includes a bare fiber optic to collect the emitted light in close proximity to (or in contact with) the test material. In one example embodiment of the handheld LIBS device, a burst pulse frequency is 4 kHz is used resulting in a time between pulses of about 250 ?s which is a factor of 10 above that of other devices in the prior art. In a related embodiment, an active Q-switched laser module is used along with a compact spectrometer module using a transmission grating to improve LIBS measurement while substantially reducing the size of the handheld analyzer.

Abstract: The electrospray generator system described herein uses a soft X-ray source instead of a radioactive source to generate bipolar ions for the neutralization of the initially charged particles. In one example, the soft X-ray source is directed at an orifice from which the charged particles emanate, thereby allowing the neutralization of the particles to happen faster than in prior art configurations and, in some instances, even neutralization occurring immediately on a droplet before it passes through the electrospray orifice.

Abstract: A novel device, method and systems disclosed managing the thermal challenges of LIBS laser components and a spectrometer in a handheld structure as well the use of simplified light signal collection which includes a bare fiber optic to collect the emitted light in close proximity to (or in contact with) the test material. In one example embodiment of the handheld LIBS device, a burst pulse frequency is 4 kHz is used resulting in a time between pulses of about 250 ?s which is a factor of 10 above that of other devices in the prior art. In a related embodiment, an active Q-switched laser module is used along with a compact spectrometer module using a transmission grating to improve LIBS measurement while substantially reducing the size of the handheld analyzer.

Abstract: A system and a method is described herein for the collection of small particles in a concentrated manner, whereby particles are deposited onto a solid surface or collected into a volume of liquid. The collected samples readily interface to any of a number of different elemental, chemical, or biological or other analysis techniques.