Abstract: A solution-cathode glow discharge mass spectrometry (SCGD-MS) apparatus comprises a SCGD source and a mass spectrometer. The SCGD source may comprise conductive rods, a power source, and a capillary. A method for ionizing an analyte comprises flowing an electrically conductive liquid onto a conductive rod, applying an electric potential to a second conductive rod such that a plasma discharge forms between the first conductive rod and the electrically conductive liquid to produce ions, and separating the ions in a mass spectrometer. The analyte may be a polypeptide that may be contacted with trypsin. The analyte may be a solid, liquid, gas, chemical complex, or ion in solution. The method may comprise sequencing the polypeptide.

Abstract: A solution-cathode glow discharge mass spectrometry (SCGD-MS) apparatus comprises a SCGD source and a mass spectrometer. The SCGD source may comprise conductive rods, a power source, and a capillary. A method for ionizing an analyte comprises flowing an electrically conductive liquid onto a conductive rod, applying an electric potential to a second conductive rod such that a plasma discharge forms between the first conductive rod and the electrically conductive liquid to produce ions, and separating the ions in a mass spectrometer. The analyte may be a polypeptide that may be contacted with trypsin. The analyte may be a solid, liquid, gas, chemical complex, or ion in solution. The method may comprise sequencing the polypeptide.

Abstract: A solution-cathode glow discharge (SCGD) spectrometry apparatus may comprise an SCGD source and a mass or ion mobility spectrometer. A method for ionizing a molecular analyte may comprise contacting the molecular analyte with a plasma discharge to form ions and separating the ions in a mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer. The contacting step may occur under atmospheric pressure and/or ambient conditions. The molecular analyte may be fragmented by the plasma discharge.

Abstract: A solution-cathode glow discharge (SCGD) spectrometry apparatus may comprise an SCGD source and a mass or ion mobility spectrometer. A method for ionizing a molecular analyte may comprise contacting the molecular analyte with a plasma discharge to form ions and separating the ions in a mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer. The contacting step may occur under atmospheric pressure and/or ambient conditions. The molecular analyte may be fragmented by the plasma discharge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification of a counterfeit electronic component, subjecting a suspected counterfeit electronic to an analytical method of ambient surface analysis to desorb and ionize compounds directly from a suspected counterfeit electronic surface with no pretreatment, detecting the resultant ions, comparing the identified ions to known standards, and returning a confidence that the suspected counterfeit electronic being analyzed is counterfeit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification of a counterfeit electronic component, subjecting a suspected counterfeit electronic to an analytical method of ambient surface analysis to desorb and ionize compounds directly from a suspected counterfeit electronic surface with no pretreatment, detecting the resultant ions, comparing the identified ions to known standards, and returning a confidence that the suspected counterfeit electronic being analyzed is counterfeit.

Abstract: A distance-of-flight mass spectrometer (DOFMS) includes an ion source, a field-free region, an extraction region in which ions are accelerated, and a spatially-selective detector for spatially selectively detecting ions extracted by the extraction region. A method for operating a distance-of-flight mass spectrometer DOFMS comprises controlling a detection time in such a way as to permit ions with progressively greater mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios to enter the extraction region of the DOFMS at positions which will permit the ions with progressively greater m/z ratios to enter the detector of the DOFMS, generating a component mass spectrum at each selected value of detection time, and then assembling a composite mass spectrum by shifting the distance-of-flight axis of each component mass spectrum by a distance corresponding to the change in detection time.

Abstract: A combined distance-of-flight mass spectrometry (DOFMS) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) instrument includes an ion source configured to produce ions having varying mass-to-charge ratios, a first detector configured to determine when each of the ions travels a predetermined distance, a second detector configured to determine how far each of the ions travels in a predetermined time, and a detector extraction region operable to direct portions of the ions either to the first detector or to the second detector.

Abstract: Novel methods and instrumentation for mass spectrometry are described. Zoom-time of flight mass spectrometry (Zoom-TOF) allows increased mass resolution over a pre-determined specific range of masses. Methods for retrofitting traditional time-of-flight (TOF) and distance of flight (DOF) mass spectrometers are described, as well as novel instruments capable of performing Zoom-TOF analyses.

Abstract: A combined distance-of-flight mass spectrometry (DOFMS) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) instrument includes an ion source configured to produce ions having varying mass-to-charge ratios, a first detector configured to determine when each of the ions travels a predetermined distance, a second detector configured to determine how far each of the ions travels in a predetermined time, and a detector extraction region operable to direct portions of the ions either to the first detector or to the second detector.

Abstract: Novel methods and instrumentation for mass spectrometry are described. Zoom-time of flight mass spectrometry (Zoom-TOF) allows increased mass resolution over a pre-determined specific range of masses. Methods for retrofitting traditional time-of-flight (TOF) and distance of flight (DOF) mass spectrometers are described, as well as novel instruments capable of performing Zoom-TOF analyses.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for performing mass spectrometry and a method of analyzing a sample through mass spectrometry. In particular, the disclosure relates to an apparatus capable of ambient mass spectrometry and mass spectral imaging and a method for the same. The apparatus couples laser ablation, flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow ionization, and a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An ambient atmosphere glow discharge spectrometer is disclosed having a capillary, two electrodes and a means for recording the atomic emissions.

Abstract: A method for ionizing and desorbing a sample for analysis includes energizing a first and second electrode to produce a glow discharge at atmospheric pressure. The method further includes supplying a carrier gas to at least a portion of the glow discharge to create effluents thereof. The method further includes conducting the effluents of the glow discharge to the sample to ionize and desorb the sample for analysis. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting and correcting inaccurate results in inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). ICP-AES analysis is performed across a plurality of selected locations in the plasma on an unknown sample, collecting the light intensity at one or more selected wavelengths of one or more sought-for analytes, creating a first dataset. The first dataset is then calibrated with a calibration dataset creating a calibrated first dataset curve. If the calibrated first dataset curve has a variability along the location within the plasma for a selected wavelength, errors are present. Plasma-related errors are then corrected by diluting the unknown sample and performing the same ICP-AES analysis on the diluted unknown sample creating a calibrated second dataset curve (accounting for the dilution) for the one or more sought-for analytes. The cross-over point of the calibrated dataset curves yields the corrected value (free from plasma related errors) for each sought-for analyte.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for performing mass spectrometry and a method of analyzing a sample through mass spectrometry. In particular, the disclosure relates to an apparatus capable of ambient mass spectrometry and mass spectral imaging and a method for the same. The apparatus couples laser ablation, flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow ionization, and a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A method for ionizing and desorbing a sample for analysis includes energizing a first and second electrode to produce a glow discharge at atmospheric pressure. The method further includes supplying a carrier gas to at least a portion of the glow discharge to create effluents thereof. The method further includes conducting the effluents of the glow discharge to the sample to ionize and desorb the sample for analysis. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a mass spectrometer include providing at least two different ion sources, and coupling ion streams simultaneously from the at least two different ion sources to the spectrometer. Another method of operating a spectrometer includes a first coupling an ion stream from a first one of the ion sources into the spectrometer, next coupling an ion stream from a second one of the ion sources into the spectrometer, next coupling an ion stream from the second one of the ion sources into the spectrometer, and next coupling an ion stream from the first one of the ion sources into the spectrometer.

Abstract: A novel, time-of-flight mass spectrometer for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of elemental, molecular, and isotopic chemical samples is provided which offers increased sensitivity, speed of analysis, resolving power, and signal-to-noise ratios than prior mass spectrometers by properly sampling and collimating an ion beam from a continuous ion source, decelerating said ion, forming ion packets from the continuous ion beam, storing said ion packets, extracting and accelerating the ion packets along a stable flight path, transversely compressing said packets, focusing ions of similar mass, and detecting the focused ion masses. The mass spectrometer includes an ion optics assembly and an analyzer disposed along a common axis coincident with a continuous beam of sampled ions.

Abstract: Described is a preferred rotary spray chamber device for conditioning an aerosol. The device has chamber walls defining an internal chamber and an inlet opening into the internal chamber. The inlet opening is located such that an aerosol directed into the chamber through the inlet opening tangentially contacts chamber wall areas adapted to impart a rotary motion to the aerosol within the chamber. An impact member extends inwardly into the chamber from a chamber wall location such that the member is impacted by the aerosol in its rotary motion so as to remove large droplets and thus form a conditioned aerosol. An exit opening is defined by the chamber walls through which the conditioned aerosol can exit the chamber, and a drain opening is also defined by the chamber walls through which liquid removed from the aerosol and collected in the chamber can exit the chamber.