Abstract: The present disclosure provides electron source devices, electron source assemblies, and/or methods for generating electrons. The generated electrons can be used to facilitate spectroscopy, such as mass spectrometry, including mass selection or ion mobility.

Abstract: Sampling wands are provided that have features added to improve the collection of trace residues from surfaces, and also features to improve the release of the sampled residue into a detection system. The improved features include, but are not limited to a system to deliver solution or other reagents onto the sampling ticket before sampling to improve the collection of residues through enhanced release of particles from the surface, dissolution of the residue, and/or increased adherence of the residue to the ticket, and a system to deliver solution or other reagents after sampling but before analysis to improve release of the residue into the detection system.

Abstract: Analytical instruments are provided that can include a sample inlet component with the sample inlet component including a first sampling port; a plurality of sample capturing assemblies; and a first valve assembly in fluid communication with both the sampling port and the sample capturing assemblies. The instrument can further include a sample analysis component in fluid communication with the first valve assembly of the sample inlet component; and an instrument control component in controlling communication with both the sample inlet component and the analysis component. Instrumental analysis methods are provided that can include continuously providing sample to at least one of a plurality of sample capturing assemblies; and selectively analyzing the contents of at least one of the plurality of sample capturing assemblies.

Abstract: Mass separators are provided that can include at least one electrode component having a surface, in one cross section, defining at least two runs associated via at least one rise, the rise being orthogonally related to the runs. Mass selective detectors are provided that can include at least a first pair of opposing electrodes with each of the opposing electrodes having a complimentary surface, in one cross section, defining at least two runs associated via a rise. Methods for optimizing mass separation within a mass selective detector are also provided, including providing mass separation parameters; providing one set electrodes within the separator having a surface operatively aligned within the separator, the surface, in one cross section, defining at least two runs associated via a rise, the rise being orthogonally related to the runs; and modifying one or both of the rise and/or runs to achieve the mass separation parameters.

Abstract: Mass separators are provided that can include at least one electrode component having a surface, in one cross section, defining at least two runs associated via at least one rise, the rise being orthogonally related to the runs. Mass selective detectors are provided that can include at least a first pair of opposing electrodes with each of the opposing electrodes having a complimentary surface, in one cross section, defining at least two runs associated via a rise. Methods for optimizing mass separation within a mass selective detector are also provided, including providing mass separation parameters; providing one set electrodes within the separator having a surface operatively aligned within the separator, the surface, in one cross section, defining at least two runs associated via a rise, the rise being orthogonally related to the runs; and modifying one or both of the rise and/or runs to achieve the mass separation parameters.

Abstract: A sample analysis apparatus (10) includes processing circuitry (22) coupled to a data set device (20) and a storage device (24) to acquire one data set from an analysis component (14) according to one analysis parameter set and to prepare another analysis parameter set using another previously acquired data set.

Abstract: Analytical instruments configured to perform atmospheric pressure ionization are provided that are less than 50 kgs in total weight and/or less than 1 m3 in total volume. Mass analysis instruments are provided that can include an interface vacuum structure operatively coupled between an ionization source and a vacuum region housing a detector. Mass analysis instruments are also provided that can include an ionization source coupled to an analysis region via an interface vacuum structure, with at least two independent vacuum components.

Abstract: In one implementation, an analysis device operational method includes providing a plurality of levels of programming abstraction corresponding to programming of an analysis device configured to analyze a sample, receiving input data corresponding to one of the levels of programming abstraction, processing the input data to generate analysis control data, and implementing an operation with respect to analysis of the sample using the analysis control data.

Abstract: Analytical instruments are provided that can include a sample inlet component with the sample inlet component including a first sampling port; a plurality of sample capturing assemblies; and a first valve assembly in fluid communication with both the sampling port and the sample capturing assemblies. The instrument can further include a sample analysis component in fluid communication with the first valve assembly of the sample inlet component; and an instrument control component in controlling communication with both the sample inlet component and the analysis component. Instrumental analysis methods are provided that can include continuously providing sample to at least one of a plurality of sample capturing assemblies; and selectively analyzing the contents of at least one of the plurality of sample capturing assemblies.

Abstract: Sample inlet components are provided that can include a skimmer associated with a conduit, with the skimmer defining an opening configured to receive at least some sample exiting the conduit. The conduit can have a first end extending to a second end, with the first end configured as an entrance for the sample and the second end configured as an exit for the sample. The second end of the conduit can include at least two portions, a first portion of the two portions being located physically closer to the skimmer than a second portion of the two portions. Sample introduction methods are provided that can include propelling sample from a conduit aligned with an opening of a skimmer. The majority of the sample can exit the conduit in a direction other than toward the opening of the skimmer.

Abstract: Sample analysis apparatuses are disclosed that can include processing circuitry configured to acquire one data set from an analysis component configured according to one analysis parameter set, and prepare another analysis parameter set using another previously acquired data set. Sample analysis methods are also disclosed that can include acquiring first and second data sets from an analysis component and using the process and control component to process the first data set to prepare a second analysis component parameter set. Sample analysis instruments are disclosed that can include processing circuitry coupled to a storage device with the storage device including analysis component parameter sets associated with data parameter values with individual ones of the analysis component parameter sets being associated with individual ones of the data parameter values.

Abstract: In one implementation, processes for designing mass separators from a series of mass separator electric field data and processes for designing an ion trap from a range of data pairs and a mass analyzer scale are provided. Methods for producing mass separators including ion traps having Z0/r0 ratios from about 0.84 to about 1.2 are also provided. Mass spectrometers are also provided that can include mass separators in tandem with one being an ion trap having a Z0/r0 ratio between 0.84 and 1.2. The present invention also provides methods for analyzing samples using mass separators having first and second sets of components defining a volume with a ratio of a distance from the center of the volume to a surface of the first component to a distance from the center of the volume to a surface of the second component being between 0.84 and 1.2.

Abstract: In one implementation, processes for designing mass separators from a series of mass separator electric field data and processes for designing an ion trap from a range of data pairs and a mass analyzer scale are provided. Methods for producing mass separators including ion traps having Z0/r0 ratios from about 0.84 to about 1.2 are also provided. Mass spectrometers are also provided that can include mass separators in tandem with one being an ion trap having a Z0/r0 ratio between 0.84 and 1.2. The present invention also provides methods for analyzing samples using mass separators having first and second sets of components defining a volume with a ratio of a distance from the center of the volume to a surface of the first component to a distance from the center of the volume to a surface of the second component being between 0.84 and 1.2.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the reaction between ions of opposite polarity is disclosed. The method includes exposing a population of ions to a resonance excitation frequency during a mass-to-charge altering reaction between a first subpopulation of ions and a second subpopulation of ions, the resonance excitation frequency being tuned to inhibit the mass-to-charge altering reaction between an ion of the first subpopulation of ions having a predetermined mass-to-charge ratio and an ion of the second subpopulation of ions so that when an ion of the first subpopulation of ions attains the predetermined mass-to-charge ratio, the ion having the predetermined mass-to-charge ratio is selectively inhibited from reacting with ions of the second subpopulation of ions.

Abstract: In one implementation, processes for designing mass separators from a series of mass separator electric field data and processes for designing an ion trap from a range of data pairs and a mass analyzer scale are provided. Methods for producing mass separators including ion traps having Z0/r0 ratios from about 0.84 to about 1.2 are also provided. Mass spectrometers are al provided that can include mass separators in tandem with one being an ion trap having a Zo/ro ratio between 0.84 and 1.2. The present invention also provides methods for analyzing samples using mass separators having first and second sets of components defining a volume with a ratio of a distance from the center of the volume to a surface of the first component to a distance from the center of the volume to a surface of the second component being between 0.84 and 1.2.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the reaction between ions of opposite polarity is disclosed. The method includes exposing a population of ions to a resonance excitation frequency during a mass-to-charge altering reaction between a first subpopulation of ions and a second subpopulation of ions, the resonance excitation frequency being tuned to inhibit the mass-to-charge altering reaction between an ion of the first subpopulation of ions having a predetermined mass-to-charge ratio and an ion of the second subpopulation of ions so that when an ion of the first subpopulation of ions attains the predetermined mass-to-charge ratio, the ion having the predetermined mass-to-charge ratio is selectively inhibited from reacting with ions of the second subpopulation of ions.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the reaction between ions of opposite polarity is disclosed. The method includes exposing a population of ions to a resonance excitation frequency during a mass-to-charge altering reaction between a first subpopulation of ions and a second subpopulation of ions, the resonance excitation frequency being tuned to inhibit the mass-to-charge altering reaction between an ion of the first subpopulation of ions having a predetermined mass-to-charge ratio and an ion of the second subpopulation of ions so that when an ion of the first subpopulation of ions attains the predetermined mass-to-charge ratio, the ion having the predetermined mass-to-charge ratio is selectively inhibited from reacting with ions of the second subpopulation of ions.