Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods and apparatus for firearm safety mechanisms, visual safety indicators, and related techniques. A firearm includes a handle comprising one or more buttons disposed at least partially within a surface of the handle, such that the one or more buttons can be in contact with an operator's hand when the operator grasps the handle; a safety mechanism in mechanical communication with the trigger. The safety mechanism comprises: a first position that blocks actuation of the trigger; and a second position that does not block actuation of the trigger; and at least one processor configured to: upon determining an input code matches a stored code, transmits a signal to the safety mechanism to change the safety mechanism from the first position to the second position so that the firearm can be fired by the operator.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods and apparatus for firearm safety mechanisms, visual safety indicators, and related techniques. A firearm includes a handle comprising one or more buttons disposed at least partially within a surface of the handle, such that the one or more buttons can be in contact with an operator's hand when the operator grasps the handle; a safety mechanism in mechanical communication with the trigger. The safety mechanism comprises: a first position that blocks actuation of the trigger; and a second position that does not block actuation of the trigger; and at least one processor configured to: upon determining an input code matches a stored code, transmits a signal to the safety mechanism to change the safety mechanism from the first position to the second position so that the firearm can be fired by the operator.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods and apparatus for firearm safety mechanisms, visual safety indicators, and related techniques. A firearm includes a handle comprising one or more buttons disposed at least partially within a surface of the handle, such that the one or more buttons can be in contact with an operator's hand when the operator grasps the handle; a safety mechanism in mechanical communication with the trigger. The safety mechanism comprises: a first position that blocks actuation of the trigger; and a second position that does not block actuation of the trigger; and at least one processor configured to: upon determining an input code matches a stored code, transmits a signal to the safety mechanism to change the safety mechanism from the first position to the second position so that the firearm can be fired by the operator.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods and apparatus for firearm safety mechanisms, visual safety indicators, and related techniques. A firearm includes a handle comprising one or more buttons disposed at least partially within a surface of the handle, such that the one or more buttons can be in contact with an operator's hand when the operator grasps the handle; a safety mechanism in mechanical communication with the trigger. The safety mechanism comprises: a first position that blocks actuation of the trigger; and a second position that does not block actuation of the trigger; and at least one processor configured to: upon determining an input code matches a stored code, transmits a signal to the safety mechanism to change the safety mechanism from the first position to the second position so that the firearm can be fired by the operator.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods and apparatus for firearm safety mechanisms, visual safety indicators, and related techniques. A firearm includes a handle comprising one or more buttons disposed at least partially within a surface of the handle, such that the one or more buttons can be in contact with an operator's hand when the operator grasps the handle; a safety mechanism in mechanical communication with the trigger. The safety mechanism comprises: a first position that blocks actuation of the trigger; and a second position that does not block actuation of the trigger; and at least one processor configured to: upon determining an input code matches a stored code, transmits a signal to the safety mechanism to change the safety mechanism from the first position to the second position so that the firearm can be fired by the operator.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods and apparatus for firearm safety mechanisms, visual safety indicators, and related techniques. A firearm includes a handle comprising one or more buttons disposed at least partially within a surface of the handle, such that the one or more buttons can be in contact with an operator's hand when the operator grasps the handle; a safety mechanism in mechanical communication with the trigger. The safety mechanism comprises: a first position that blocks actuation of the trigger; and a second position that does not block actuation of the trigger; and at least one processor configured to: upon determining an input code matches a stored code, transmits a signal to the safety mechanism to change the safety mechanism from the first position to the second position so that the firearm can be fired by the operator.

Abstract: Spectrometers including integrated capacitive detectors are described. An integrated capacitive detector integrates ion current from the collector (220) into a changing voltage. The detector includes a collector configured to receive ions in the spectrometer, a dielectric (228), and a plate (232) arranged in an overlapping configuration with collector on an opposite side of the dielectric. The detector also includes an amplifier (226).

Abstract: Spectrometers including integrated capacitive detectors are described. An integrated capacitive detector integrates ion current from the collector (768) into a changing voltage. The detector includes a collector configured to receive ions in the spectrometer, a dielectric, and a plate arranged in an overlapping configuration with collector on an opposite side of the dielectric. The detector also includes an amplifier (764). A capacitive detector with offset (776) is described.

Abstract: An inlet closure assembly includes a housing that defines an inlet configured to receive a fluid, such as airflow from the surrounding environment. The inlet closure assembly also includes a seal member that defines an inlet path in fluid communication with the inlet defined by the housing. The inlet closure assembly further includes a seat member configured to seat with respect to the seal member. The seat member is configured to obstruct the inlet path in its seated orientation. The inlet closure assembly also includes an actuation member configured to move the seat member into and out of seated engagement with the seal member. The inlet closure assembly further includes a biasing member for biasing the seat member into seated engagement with the seal member when the seat member is positioned to obstruct the inlet. The biasing member can be implemented using a magnet, a spring, and so forth.

Abstract: Spectrometers including integrated capacitive detectors are described. An integrated capacitive detector integrates ion current from the collector (768) into a changing voltage. The detector includes a collector configured to receive ions in the spectrometer, a dielectric, and a plate arranged in an overlapping configuration with collector on an opposite side of the dielectric. The detector also includes an amplifier (764). A capacitive detector with offset (776) is described.

Abstract: Spectrometers including integrated capacitive detectors are described. An integrated capacitive detector integrates ion current from the collector (220) into a changing voltage. The detector includes a collector configured to receive ions in the spectrometer, a dielectric (228), and a plate (232) arranged in an overlapping configuration with collector on an opposite side of the dielectric. The detector also includes an amplifier (226).

Abstract: An IMS or other analytical instrument has a corona discharge needle (20) to ionize sample gases or vapours. A gate (3) is opened or closed to admit or prevent entry of the ions produced by the corona discharge to a drift chamber (4). The operation of the corona discharge needle (20) and the gate (3) are controlled such that the gate is open during at least two discharges, to admit faster ions produced by the most recent discharge together with slower ions produced by an earlier discharge.

Abstract: A vapor generator system (1, 101) for an IMS (4, 104) or other apparatus has a chamber (9, 109) in which vapor is produced. A fan or other flow generator (6, 106) is connected to an inlet (8, 108) of the vapor chamber (9, 109) and its outlet (13, 113) is connected to an adsorbent passage (14, 114), such as formed by a bore through a block (15) of carbon. When the fan (6, 106) is on gas flows through the vapor chamber (9, 109) and the adsorbent passage (14, 114) to the IMS (4, 104) or other outlet, with little vapor being adsorbed in the passage. When the fan (6, 106) is off, any vapor molecules that escape to the adsorbent passage (14, 114) do so at a low rate such that substantially all is adsorbed and no vapor escapes.

Abstract: A vapour generator system (1, 101) for an IMS (4, 104) or other apparatus has a chamber (9, 109) in which vapour is produced. A fan or other flow generator (6, 106) is connected to an inlet (8, 108) of the vapour chamber (9, 109) and its outlet (13, 113) is connected to an adsorbent passage (14, 114), such as formed by a bore through a block (15) of carbon. When the fan (6, 106) is on gas flows through the vapour chamber (9, 109) and the adsorbent passage (14, 114) to the IMS (4, 104) or other outlet, with little vapour being adsorbed in the passage. When the fan (6, 106) is off, any vapour molecules that escape to the adsorbent passage (14, 114) do so at a low rate such that substantially all is adsorbed and no vapour escapes.

Abstract: A vapor generator system (1, 101) for an IMS (4, 104) or other apparatus has a chamber (9, 109) in which vapor is produced. A fan or other flow generator (6, 106) is connected to an inlet (8, 108) of the vapor chamber (9, 109) and its outlet (13, 113) is connected to an adsorbent passage (14, 114), such as formed by a bore through a block (15) of carbon. When the fan (6, 106) is on gas flows through the vapor chamber (9, 109) and the adsorbent passage (14, 114) to the IMS (4, 104) or other outlet, with little vapor being adsorbed in the passage. When the fan (6, 106) is off, any vapor molecules that escape to the adsorbent passage (14, 114) do so at a low rate such that substantially all is adsorbed and no vapor escapes.

Abstract: A vapour generator system (1, 101) for an IMS (4, 104) or other apparatus has a chamber (9, 109) in which vapour is produced. A fan or other flow generator (6, 106) is connected to an inlet (8, 108) of the vapour chamber (9, 109) and its outlet (13, 113) is connected to an adsorbent passage (14, 114), such as formed by a bore through a block (15) of carbon. When the fan (6, 106) is on gas flows through the vapour chamber (9, 109) and the adsorbent passage (14, 114) to the IMS (4, 104) or other outlet, with little vapour being adsorbed in the passage. When the fan (6, 106) is off, any vapour molecules that escape to the adsorbent passage (14, 114) do so at a low rate such that substantially all is adsorbed and no vapour escapes.

Abstract: An IMS or other analytical instrument has a corona discharge needle (20) to ionize sample gases or vapours. A gate (3) is opened or closed to admit or prevent entry of the ions produced by the corona discharge to a drift chamber (4). The operation of the corona discharge needle (20) and the gate (3) are controlled such that the gate is open during at least two discharges, to admit faster ions produced by the most recent discharge together with slower ions produced by an earlier discharge.