Abstract: A method of transmitting ions along an analyzer region between closely spaced electrodes is disclosed. The method includes providing an analyzer region for transmitting ions, the analyzer region in fluid communication with an ionization source and with an ion detecting device. The method further includes affecting a pressure within at least one portion of the analyzer region, to differ from the pressure within another part of the analyzer region, and providing an electric field that is synchronized with the pressure differences to focus the ions.

Abstract: A method of separating ions includes providing a FAIMS analyzer region for separating ions, the FAIMS analyzer region in fluid communication with an ionization source and with an ion detecting device. The method further includes affecting a gas composition within a first portion of the FAIMS analyzer region to be different from a gas composition within a second portion of the FAIMS analyzer region. The establishment of a gas composition gradient within the FAIMS analyzer region enhances ion focusing and ion transport efficiency.

Abstract: A method of transmitting ions along an analyzer region between closely spaced electrodes is disclosed. The method includes providing an analyzer region for transmitting ions, the analyzer region in fluid communication with an ionization source and with an ion detecting device. The method further includes affecting a pressure within at least one portion of the analyzer region, to differ from the pressure within another part of the analyzer region, and providing an electric field that is synchronized with the pressure differences to focus the ions.

Abstract: A method of separating ions includes providing a FAIMS analyzer region for separating ions, the FAIMS analyzer region in fluid communication with an ionization source and with an ion detecting device. The method further includes affecting a gas composition within a first portion of the FAIMS analyzer region to be different from a gas composition within a second portion of the FAIMS analyzer region. The establishment of a gas composition gradient within the FAIMS analyzer region enhances ion focusing and ion transport efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating ions includes a FAIMS analyzer region having a first ion inlet for introducing ions into the FAIMS analyzer region. An ion outlet from the FAIMS analyzer region is provided for extracting a subset of the ions that is selectively transmitted along an average ion flow path defined through the FAIMS analyzer region. The apparatus also includes an actuator for controllably varying a length of the average ion flow path through the FAIMS analyzer region.

Abstract: An apparatus for multiple nano-spray delivery of a sample to FAIMS analyzer includes a micro-machined ionization source having a plurality of discrete nozzles. At least some of the discrete nozzles of the plurality are aligned one each with an ion inlet of a plurality of discrete ion inlets of the FAIMS, so that ions produced at different discrete nozzles are introduced into different portions of the FAIMS analyzer region. The ions that are introduced via each ion inlet are at least partly separated prior to adding/mixing with the ions introduced via other ion inlets. This reduces the problems of ion-ion electric repulsions that occur when ion density is high.

Abstract: An ion introduction system for selecting ions from one of two separate ionization sources of ions is provided. The system includes a plate having a hole formed therethrough, the plate for being disposed adjacent an ion introduction region of a gas phase ion analyzer such that the hole is selectively movable between a first location in which the hole is adjacent to a first ionization source of ions for supporting introduction of ions from the first ionization source of ions into the gas phase ion analyzer, and a second location in which the hole is adjacent to a second ionization source of ions for supporting introduction of ions from the second ionization source of ions into the gas phase ion analyzer. The system also includes a drive mechanism for driving the plate between a first position in which the hole is at the first location and a second position in which the hole is at the second location.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating ions includes providing a FAIMS analyzer region defined by a space between a first electrode surface and a second electrode surface and extending between an ion inlet end and an ion outlet end. An asymmetric waveform is applied to the first electrode surface and a compensation voltage difference is applied between the first and second electrode surfaces. An output signal is provided from a temperature sensor, the output signal relating to a temperature within the FAIMS analyzer region. In dependence upon the output signal, the temperature within the FAIMS analyzer region is controllably affected. The apparatus supports operation of FAIMS at temperatures different from the temperature of other components in a tandem multi-stage system, and supports the stable operation of FAIMS at different temperatures which increases the separation capability of FAIMS.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating ions includes a FAIMS analyzer region having a first ion inlet for introducing ions into the FAIMS analyzer region. An ion outlet from the FAIMS analyzer region is provided for extracting a subset of the ions that is selectively transmitted along an average ion flow path defined through the FAIMS analyzer region. The apparatus also includes an actuator for controllably varying a length of the average ion flow path through the FAIMS analyzer region.

Abstract: A method of separating ions, including a first species of ion and a second species of ion that are transmitted through an analyzer region under substantially identical electrical field conditions, is provided. The method includes separating ions within an analyzer region according to the FAIMS principle, such that the first species of ion and the second species of ion are selectively transmitted along a time-averaged first direction through a portion of the analyzer region between the ion origin end and the ion detection end. Subsequently, the first species of ion and the second species of ion within the analyzer region are separated according to a difference in low field ion mobility values, such that relatively more of one of the first species of ion and the second species of ion is transmitted to an ion detection end than is transmitted absent separating the first species of ion and the second species of ion within the analyzer region according to a difference in their low field ion mobility values.

Abstract: An ion introduction system for selecting ions from one of two separate ionization sources of ions is provided. The system includes a plate having a hole formed therethrough, the plate for being disposed adjacent an ion introduction region of a gas phase ion analyzer such that the hole is selectively movable between a first location in which the hole is adjacent to a first ionization source of ions for supporting introduction of ions from the first ionization source of ions into the gas phase ion analyzer, and a second location in which the hole is adjacent to a second ionization source of ions for supporting introduction of ions from the second ionization source of ions into the gas phase ion analyzer. The system also includes a drive mechanism for driving the plate between a first position in which the hole is at the first location and a second position in which the hole is at the second location.

Abstract: An apparatus for multiple nano-spray delivery of a sample to FAIMS analyzer includes a micro-machined ionization source having a plurality of discrete nozzles. At least some of the discrete nozzles of the plurality are aligned one each with an ion inlet of a plurality of discrete ion inlets of the FAIMS, so that ions produced at different discrete nozzles are introduced into different portions of the FAIMS analyzer region. The ions that are introduced via each ion inlet are at least partly separated prior to adding/mixing with the ions introduced via other ion inlets. This reduces the problems of ion-ion electric repulsions that occur when ion density is high.

Abstract: An ion introduction system for selecting ions from one of two separate ionization sources of ions is provided. The system includes a plate having a hole formed therethrough, the plate for being disposed adjacent an ion introduction region of a gas phase ion analyzer such that the hole is selectively movable between a first location in which the hole is adjacent to a first ionization source of ions for supporting introduction of ions from the first ionization source of ions into the gas phase ion analyzer, and a second location in which the hole is adjacent to a second ionization source of ions for supporting introduction of ions from the second ionization source of ions into the gas phase ion analyzer. The system also includes a drive mechanism for driving the plate between a first position in which the hole is at the first location and a second position in which the hole is at the second location.

Abstract: An ion introduction system for selecting ions from one of two separate ionization sources of ions is provided. The system includes a plate having a hole formed therethrough, the plate for being disposed adjacent an ion introduction region of a gas phase ion analyzer such that the hole is selectively movable between a first location in which the hole is adjacent to a first ionization source of ions for supporting introduction of ions from the first ionization source of ions into the gas phase ion analyzer, and a second location in which the hole is adjacent to a second ionization source of ions for supporting introduction of ions from the second ionization source of ions into the gas phase ion analyzer. The system also includes a drive mechanism for driving the plate between a first position in which the hole is at the first location and a second position in which the hole is at the second location.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating ions includes providing a FAIMS analyzer region defined by a space between a first electrode surface and a second electrode surface and extending between an ion inlet end and an ion outlet end. An asymmetric waveform is applied to the first electrode surface and a compensation voltage difference is applied between the first and second electrode surfaces. An output signal is provided from a temperature sensor, the output signal relating to a temperature within the FAIMS analyzer region. In dependence upon the output signal, the temperature within the FAIMS analyzer region is controllably affected. The apparatus supports operation of FAIMS at temperatures different from the temperature of other components in a tandem multi-stage system, and supports the stable operation of FAIMS at different temperatures which increases the separation capability of FAIMS.

Abstract: A method of separating ions, including a first species of ion and a second species of ion that are transmitted through an analyzer region under substantially identical electrical field conditions, is provided. The method includes separating ions within an analyzer region according to the FAIMS principle, such that the first species of ion and the second species of ion are selectively transmitted along a time-averaged first direction through a portion of the analyzer region between the ion origin end and the ion detection end. Subsequently, the first species of ion and the second species of ion within the analyzer region are separated according to a difference in low field ion mobility values, such that relatively more of one of the first species of ion and the second species of ion is transmitted to an ion detection end than is transmitted absent separating the first species of ion and the second species of ion within the analyzer region according to a difference in their low field ion mobility values.

Abstract: A sampling and gas chromatographic separation detection system and method which is capable of sampling and analyzing particulate and vapors containing drug and explosive residues in real time. The system and method provide high speed and low power consumption from the combination of a cold ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) with a “heat-on-demand” gas chromatographic (GC) system which eliminates the need to continuously heat the device, thus making the detection system battery operable and portable.

Abstract: A laser is used in the detection of explosives residue by creating micro-detonations of explosive particles adhered to objects. An object is scanned with a beam of coherent laser light to induce micro-detonations of micro-particles of explosive residue adhered to the object. Temporal and spectral information representative of light emitted by the micro-particles is used to characterize the explosives.

Abstract: A compact ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) with increased sensitivity and resolution for detecting the composition of an unknown substance is disclosed. The IMS comprises a unitary cylindrical housing, inlet means for introducing sample gas, outlet means for withdrawing sample and drift gas, two high voltage electrodes, and a detector. The first electrode is pulsed to inject sample ions through an opening located in a second electrode which defines a drift region. The second electrode is cup-shaped having an open end and is electrically biased to create a non-uniform electric field gradient across said drift region. The electric field in said drift region is axial and radial resulting in an increase in ion drift velocity at the detector and a corresponding increase in detected peak signal amplitudes thereby increasing resolution. A shorter drift region and the absence of an aperture grid near the detector which cause ion collisional losses, helps to increase IMS sensitivity.