Abstract: An ion source for chemical ionization of analytes at atmospheric pressure with a non-radioactive electron source in a vacuum chamber, includes, a reaction chamber at atmospheric pressure, and a window with an electron-permeable and essentially gas-impermeable membrane in between. The window may be a structured window membrane, i.e. a window membrane with a structured form comprising a multitude of structural elements, between the reaction chamber and the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A method for the transfer of target substances (drugs, pollutants, explosives and chemical warfare agents) from a surface to be investigated into a detection instrument, the target substances being present in the form of condensations of vapors on the surface itself or on particles adhering to it, or as particles sticking to the surface. The method comprises the steps of (a) moving a sampler, consisting of either a fiber bundle or a fastener strip with fiber loops, over the surface to be investigated, thus transferring substances to the fibers or the fiber loops or embedding particles into the gaps between the fibers or the fiber loops of the sampler, (b) transferring the sampler into a desorption device of the detection device, and (c) heating the sampler to evaporate the target substances. Various sampler designs can be incorporated into devices using the method.

Abstract: An ion source for chemical ionization of analytes at atmospheric pressure with a non-radioactive electron source in a vacuum chamber, includes, a reaction chamber at atmospheric pressure, and a window with an electron-permeable and essentially gas-impermeable membrane in between. The window may be a structured window membrane, i.e. a window membrane with a structured form comprising a multitude of structural elements, between the reaction chamber and the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) has a non-radioactive electron source and an x-ray anode in an evacuated chamber. The impinging of electrons from the source on the anode results in the generation of x-ray radiation. The x-ray radiation passes through a window that provides a vacuum barrier between the electron source chamber and a reaction chamber of the IMS by an x-ray window. A support grid is attached to the reaction-chamber side of the x-ray window, and mechanically stabilizes the window.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) is provided that has a non-radioactive electron source in an evacuated chamber that is separated from the reaction chamber of the IMS by an x-ray window. Electrons from the source impinge upon an x-ray anode, causing the emission of x-ray radiation toward the window. A current controller is provided by which currents in the electron-source chamber are monitored and controlled using a microprocessor circuit. If a maximum permissible residual gas pressure is exceeded, the electron source is automatically shut down and a gettering process is activated.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) is provided that has a non-radioactive electron source in an evacuated chamber that is separated from the reaction chamber of the IMS by an x-ray window. Electrons from the source impinge upon an x-ray anode, causing the emission of x-ray radiation toward the window. A current controller is provided by which currents in the electron-source chamber are monitored and controlled using a microprocessor circuit. If a maximum permissible residual gas pressure is exceeded, the electron source is automatically shut down and a gettering process is activated.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) has a non-radioactive electron source and an x-ray anode in an evacuated chamber. The impinging of electrons from the source on the anode results in the generation of x-ray radiation. The x-ray radiation passes through a window that provides a vacuum barrier between the electron source chamber and a reaction chamber of the IMS by an x-ray window. A support grid is attached to the reaction-chamber side of the x-ray window, and mechanically stabilizes the window.

Abstract: Ionization chamber, especially for an ion mobility spectrometer, with a non-radioactive electron source. The chamber consists of two compartments, of which one is evacuated and contains an electron source, and the other represents the reaction chamber of the IMS. In the evacuated compartment, X-ray quanta are produced in an anode by electron bombardment and these X-ray quanta can penetrate a partition between the two compartments. The partition between the two compartments is impermeable to electrons from the source and to gas molecules. In one or several conversion layers within the reaction compartment, X-ray quanta are converted to quanta of a lower energy and/or photoelectrons that can ionize the air constituents at a high level of efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switchable ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) with ring electrodes divided into half-rings, which surround the drift chamber of the IMS. In a first operating condition, the two half-rings of each ring electrode are at the same potential and the various ring electrodes are at different potential varying monotonously along the drift path. In this way, ions are transported in the conventional manner along the drift path. In a second operating mode, the half-rings of the ring electrodes are at different potentials, by which the ions are each deflected toward one of the half-rings. The currents thus resulting are captured by the corresponding half-rings, amplified and an ion mobility spectrum is produced. A favorable design for the IMS can be used in many different modes of operation.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) with electric drift fields directed at a central detector electrode. The IMS is rotationally symmetrical and has a disk shape.

Abstract: In a method for photo-ionization ion mobility spectrometry, a reagent gas is added, in particular an aromatic compound, which has a large ionization cross section in the range of ionizing VUV radiation, but a low probability for the formation of protonated quasi-molecular ions. In this way, the detection of only weakly proton affine substances is also amplified or even made possible at all, and also the detection of electronegative substances in a negative operating mode is improved. Preferred reagent gases are benzene, toluene and xylene. FIG.

Abstract: Method for the quality-controlled treatment of surfaces with a radiation-cured surface treatment, in which a finishing formulation is applied to the surface and is polymerically crosslinked under the effect of radiation. To enable the quality control to be conducted non-destructively and at reduced cost, it is proposed that the finishing formulation contains a proton-affinitive indicator substance analyzable by ion mobility spectroscopy and that the indicator substance escaping from the printed or coated surface after the radiation curing is analyzed by means of ion mobility spectroscopy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for individually detecting in ambient air a predetermined gaseous warfare agent, namely a poison gas of the class of organic sulfuric or phosphorous substances, and a predetermined interfering compound, e.g. another poison gas. First, light O.sub.2 reaction ions are generated from water and are added in a measuring chamber to a mixture of the agent and the ambient air. As a result, the O.sub.2 reaction ions will deposit on the heavy molecules of the agent in a spatially non-uniform distribution to generate quasi-molecular ions. An electrical field alternating about a zero line and having a predetermined basic frequency and an amplitude is generated within the measuring chamber. The resulting quasi-molecular ion current is measured and resulting current signals are processed. For distinguishing the agent from the interfering compound, an initial experiment is made for a standardized measuring chamber.