Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a substance comprising a direct analysis in real time apparatus; a neutral excluder; a mass spectrometer; and a vessel in. The apparatus may also comprise a separator, a gas, an alcohol, a filter, and a pump. The apparatus may also comprise electrodes in communication with the direct analysis in real time apparatus and the neutral excluder. A method for detecting a substance comprising contacting the substance with a direct analysis in real time apparatus ion stream; forming an ion and a neutral particle; flowing the ion and the neutral particle into a neutral excluder; contacting the ion and the neutral particle with a gas; and flowing the ion into a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a substance comprising a direct analysis in real time apparatus; a neutral excluder; a mass spectrometer; and a vessel in. The apparatus may also comprise a separator, a gas, an alcohol, a filter, and a pump. The apparatus may also comprise electrodes in communication with the direct analysis in real time apparatus and the neutral excluder. A method for detecting a substance comprising contacting the substance with a direct analysis in real time apparatus ion stream; forming an ion and a neutral particle; flowing the ion and the neutral particle into a neutral excluder; contacting the ion and the neutral particle with a gas; and flowing the ion into a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a method for identifying a chemical composition includes, collecting a chemical sample and introducing the chemical sample to a detection system, performing, with a differential mobility spectrometer, differential mobility spectrometry on the chemical sample to separate ions within the chemical sample into a first constituent group based on a first analysis characteristic. The method further includes, performing, with an ion mobility spectrometer, ion mobility spectrometry on the first constituent group to separate ions within the first constituent group into a second constituent group based on a second analysis characteristic, and determining an identity of the chemical sample based on ions present within the second constituent group.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a substance comprising a direct analysis in real time apparatus; a neutral excluder; a mass spectrometer; and a vessel in. The apparatus may also comprise a separator, a gas, an alcohol, a filter, and a pump. The apparatus may also comprise electrodes in communication with the direct analysis in real time apparatus and the neutral excluder. A method for detecting a substance comprising contacting the substance with a direct analysis in real time apparatus ion stream; forming an ion and a neutral particle; flowing the ion and the neutral particle into a neutral excluder; contacting the ion and the neutral particle with a gas; and flowing the ion into a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a substance comprising a direct analysis in real time apparatus; a neutral excluder; a mass spectrometer; and a vessel in. The apparatus may also comprise a separator, a gas, an alcohol, a filter, and a pump. The apparatus may also comprise electrodes in communication with the direct analysis in real time apparatus and the neutral excluder. A method for detecting a substance comprising contacting the substance with a direct analysis in real time apparatus ion stream; forming an ion and a neutral particle; flowing the ion and the neutral particle into a neutral excluder; contacting the ion and the neutral particle with a gas; and flowing the ion into a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a substance comprising a direct analysis in real time apparatus; a neutral excluder; a mass spectrometer; and a vessel in. The apparatus may also comprise a separator, a gas, an alcohol, a filter, and a pump. The apparatus may also comprise electrodes in communication with the direct analysis in real time apparatus and the neutral excluder. A method for detecting a substance comprising contacting the substance with a direct analysis in real time apparatus ion stream; forming an ion and a neutral particle; flowing the ion and the neutral particle into a neutral excluder; contacting the ion and the neutral particle with a gas; and flowing the ion into a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An ion-mobility spectrometer system includes a housing with an upstream end, a downstream end, and a drift region defined along a longitudinal axis through the housing between the upstream and downstream ends. A first ionizer is operatively connected the housing to supply ions at the upstream end. A second ionizer is operatively connected to the housing to supply ions at the upstream end, wherein the first and second ionizers are both situated upstream of the drift zone relative to an ion flow path through the drift zone. An electric field generator is operatively connected to the housing to drive ions through the drift zone in a direction from the upstream end toward the downstream end. The second ionizer is a radioactive ionizer mounted to the housing at the upstream end positioned to direct irradiated ions into the housing.

Abstract: An ion-mobility spectrometer system includes a housing with an upstream end, a downstream end, and a drift region defined along a longitudinal axis through the housing between the upstream and downstream ends. A first ionizer is operatively connected the housing to supply ions at the upstream end. A second ionizer is operatively connected to the housing to supply ions at the upstream end, wherein the first and second ionizers are both situated upstream of the drift zone relative to an ion flow path through the drift zone. An electric field generator is operatively connected to the housing to drive ions through the drift zone in a direction from the upstream end toward the downstream end. The second ionizer is a radioactive ionizer mounted to the housing at the upstream end positioned to direct irradiated ions into the housing.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer for analyzing a vapor sample including a multi-ring ion source for receiving a vapor sample, wherein the multi-ring ion source includes a series of rings, wherein each ring of the multi-ring ion source includes an ionizing layer on an inner surface thereof, for charging at least a portion of the vapor sample and creating an ionized vapor sample.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer for analyzing a vapor sample including a multi-ring ion source for receiving a vapor sample, wherein the multi-ring ion source includes a series of rings, wherein each ring of the multi-ring ion source includes an ionizing layer on an inner surface thereof, for charging at least a portion of the vapor sample and creating an ionized vapor sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting constituents in a sample includes first and second drift tubes defining first and second drift regions, and a controllable electric field device within a fragmentation region coupled to the first and second drift tubes. The apparatus also includes a first ion shutter positioned between the first drift and fragmentation regions. The apparatus further includes a control system configured to regulate the first ion shutter, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of ions from the first drift region into the fragmentation region. The control system is also configured to regulate the controllable device to modify the selected portion of ions to generate predetermined ion fragments within the fragmentation region, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of the predetermined fragmented ions into the second drift region. A method of detecting constituents in a sample is facilitated through such an apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting constituents in a sample includes first and second drift tubes defining first and second drift regions, and a controllable electric field device within a fragmentation region coupled to the first and second drift tubes. The apparatus also includes a first ion shutter positioned between the first drift and fragmentation regions. The apparatus further includes a control system configured to regulate the first ion shutter, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of ions from the first drift region into the fragmentation region. The control system is also configured to regulate the controllable device to modify the selected portion of ions to generate predetermined ion fragments within the fragmentation region, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of the predetermined fragmented ions into the second drift region. A method of detecting constituents in a sample is facilitated through such an apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating and analyzing ions includes a detector, a planar ion drift tube coupled to the detector and having a width, and a planar ion source. The planar ion source is coupled to the ion drift tube on an end of the ion drift tube opposite the detector and has a span greater than or equal to the width of the ion drift tube to ionize an analyte gas and fragment the analyte gas ions prior to admittance to the ion drift tube. Chemical detectors and methods of chemical detection are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting constituents in a sample includes first and second drift tubes defining first and second drift regions and a controllable electric field device within a fragmentation region coupled to the first and second drift tubes. The apparatus also includes a first ion shutter positioned between the first drift and fragmentation regions. The apparatus further includes a control system configured to regulate the first ion shutter, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of ions from the first drift region into the fragmentation region. The control system is also configured to regulate the controllable device to modify the selected portion of ions to generate predetermined ion fragments within the fragmentation region, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of the predetermined fragmented ions into the second drift region. A method of detecting constituents in a sample is facilitated through such an apparatus.

Abstract: A system for multi-stage differential mobility spectrometer (multi-stage DMS) and the method of operating and using the same are described. Ions produced in an ionization source are introduced into the separation region of multi-stage DMS, which includes at least two DMS stages. Each DMS stage is configured to generate separation and compensation fields to characterize, separate, or select ion species. The separation region further includes ion alteration stages which are placed between various adjacent stages of multi-stage DMS. Alteration of ions can be both chemical and physical. Ions which are separated, altered, and selectively passed by all DMS stages of multi-stage DMS are then measured or further characterized by the Faraday plate detectors or a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting constituents in a sample includes first and second drift tubes defining first and second drift regions, and a controllable electric field device within a fragmentation region coupled to the first and second drift tubes. The apparatus also includes a first ion shutter positioned between the first drift and fragmentation regions. The apparatus further includes a control system configured to regulate the first ion shutter, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of ions from the first drift region into the fragmentation region. The control system is also configured to regulate the controllable device to modify the selected portion of ions to generate predetermined ion fragments within the fragmentation region, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of the predetermined fragmented ions into the second drift region. A method of detecting constituents in a sample is facilitated through such an apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting constituents in a sample includes first and second drift tubes defining first and second drift regions, and a controllable electric field device within a fragmentation region coupled to the first and second drift tubes. The apparatus also includes a first ion shutter positioned between the first drift and fragmentation regions. The apparatus further includes a control system configured to regulate the first ion shutter, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of ions from the first drift region into the fragmentation region. The control system is also configured to regulate the controllable device to modify the selected portion of ions to generate predetermined ion fragments within the fragmentation region, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of the predetermined fragmented ions into the second drift region. A method of detecting constituents in a sample is facilitated through such an apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting constituents in a sample includes first and second drift tubes defining first and second drift regions, and a controllable electric field device within a fragmentation region coupled to the first and second drift tubes. The apparatus also includes a first ion shutter positioned between the first drift and fragmentation regions. The apparatus further includes a control system configured to regulate the first ion shutter, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of ions from the first drift region into the fragmentation region. The control system is also configured to regulate the controllable device to modify the selected portion of ions to generate predetermined ion fragments within the fragmentation region, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of the predetermined fragmented ions into the second drift region. A method of detecting constituents in a sample is facilitated through such an apparatus.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer having an ion source for generating ions; an ion detector for recording ions, and a number of substantially flat diaphragm electrodes arranged substantially perpendicular to a straight system axis that passes through the apertures in said diaphragms, with the diaphragms being arranged in a series of cells with each cell including an entrances and an exit diaphragm and a short region in between. The exit diaphragm of one cell is identical to the entrance diaphragm of the next cell, and the cells of said ion mobility spectrometer are grouped into three parts: an ion-beam forming region, an ion analyzing region, and a decelerating ion gate.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer having an ion source for generating ions; an ion detector for recording ions, and a number of substantially flat diaphragm electrodes arranged substantially perpendicular to a straight system axis that passes through the apertures in said diaphragms, with the diaphragms being arranged in a series of cells with each cell including an entrances and an exit diaphragm and a short region in between. The exit diaphragm of one cell is identical to the entrance diaphragm of the next cell, and the cells of said ion mobility spectrometer are grouped into three parts: an ion-beam forming region, an ion analyzing region, and a decelerating ion gate.