Abstract: Systems and methods to provide rapid and autonomous detection of biological and chemical analyte particles in gas and liquid samples. Systems and methods for capturing and identifying biological and chemical aerosol analyte particles using matrix assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and using time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) are disclosed. High specificity for capture and detection of aerosolized fentanyl was demonstrated using a portable sample capture and analysis system.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods to provide rapid and autonomous detection of analyte particles in gas and liquid samples. Disclosed are methods and devices for identifying biological aerosol analytes using MALDI-MS and chemical aerosol analytes using LDI and MALDI-MS using time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS).

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods to provide rapid and autonomous detection of analyte particles in gas and liquid samples. Disclosed are methods and devices for identifying biological aerosol analytes using MALDI-MS and chemical aerosol analytes using LDI and MALDI-MS using time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS).

Abstract: Disclosed are systems are methods for identifying the composition of single aerosol particles, particularly that of bioaerosol particles. A continuous timing laser tightly coupled with a pulse ionization laser is used to index aerosol particles, measure particle properties, and trigger the ionization laser to fire when each particle enters the beam of the trigger laser. Ionized fragments and optionally photons produced when each particle is struck by the ionization laser are analyzed using one or more detectors including a TOF-MS detector and an optical detector. Individual single particle spectra are aligned and denoised prior to averaging.

Abstract: In one aspect, a time-of-flight mass spectrometer includes a source comprising a backing plate configured to operably couple to a core sample containing component, and an acceleration region. The time-of-flight mass spectrometer also includes a time-of-flight mass analyzer operably associated with the source region. In some embodiments, the core sample core sample containing component is a coring drill bit. In some embodiments, core containing component is configured to couple to the backing plate of the source region from the opposite side of the acceleration region. In some embodiments, core containing component is configured to couple to the backing plate of the source region on the acceleration region side of the backing plate. In some embodiments, the acceleration region is a single-stage acceleration region. In other embodiments, the acceleration region is a two-stage acceleration region.

Abstract: In one aspect, a time-of-flight mass spectrometer includes a source comprising a backing plate configured to operably couple to a core sample containing component, and an acceleration region. The time-of-flight mass spectrometer also includes a time-of-flight mass analyzer operably associated with the source region. In some embodiments, the core sample core sample containing component is a coring drill bit. In some embodiments, core containing component is configured to couple to the backing plate of the source region from the opposite side of the acceleration region. In some embodiments, core containing component is configured to couple to the backing plate of the source region on the acceleration region side of the backing plate. In some embodiments, the acceleration region is a single-stage acceleration region. In other embodiments, the acceleration region is a two-stage acceleration region.

Abstract: A miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) was developed for a NASA/ASTID program beginning 2008. The primary targeted application for this technology is the detection of non-volatile (refractory) and biological materials on landed planetary missions. Both atmospheric and airless bodies are potential candidate destinations for the purpose of characterizing mineralogy, and searching for evidence of existing or extant biological activity.

Abstract: A miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) was developed for a NASA/ASTID program beginning 2008. The primary targeted application for this technology is the detection of non-volatile (refractory) and biological materials on landed planetary missions. Both atmospheric and airless bodies are potential candidate destinations for the purpose of characterizing mineralogy, and searching for evidence of existing or extant biological activity.

Abstract: A miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) was developed for a NASA/ASTID program beginning 2008. The primary targeted application for this technology is the detection of non-volatile (refractory) and biological materials on landed planetary missions. Both atmospheric and airless bodies are potential candidate destinations for the purpose of characterizing mineralogy, and searching for evidence of existing or extant biological activity.

Abstract: A miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) was developed for a NASA/ASTID program beginning 2008. The primary targeted application for this technology is the detection of non-volatile (refractory) and biological materials on landed planetary missions. Both atmospheric and airless bodies are potential candidate destinations for the purpose of characterizing mineralogy, and searching for evidence of existing or extant biological activity.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is provided herein and is configured to have two ionization sources, in which a first ionization source, such as MALDI, ESI and the like, which is capable of providing in addition to ions a set of normally intractable desorbed neutrals that are ionized by a second EI source coupled with the first source.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bipolar ion detector capable of detecting both positive and negative ions in a single configuration. The invention uses either a single microchannel plates or a stack of microchannel plates to convert the ion signal into an amplified electron signal. Circuitry allows the anode to be biased (floated) to a positive high voltage and efficiently couple the signal from the anode out to recording electronics at ground.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is provided herein and is configured to have two ionization sources, in which a first ionization source, such as MALDI, ESI and the like, which is capable of providing in addition to ions a set of normally intractable desorbed neutrals that are ionized by a second EI source coupled with the first source.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing signal ringing in a microchannel plate detector assembly having a cylindrical mount with a center tube extending through at least a portion of the assembly, in a mass spectrometer including the steps of providing the microchannel plate detector assembly with a pin anode extending from the cylindrical mount and located in proximity to the center tube; holding a front portion of the assembly at ground potential; setting a middle portion of the assembly between the front portion and a rear portion to a first voltage potential for accelerating ions; holding the rear portion of the assembly to a second voltage potential; holding the pin anode at a third voltage potential; and accelerating electrons emitted from the middle portion of the assembly toward the pin anode. The third voltage potential is established by an amplifier of an oscilloscope connected to the detector assembly.

Abstract: Techniques for simultaneously detecting direct and reflected ions in a time-of-flight tube (120) and a source (110) for generating an ion beam of ions of a sample and introducing the ion beam into a first portion of the flight tube. A reflector (126) reflects ions from the ion beam in a second portion of the flight tube. A plate (140) substantially perpendicular to an axis of the ion beam is located between the first portion of the flight tube and the second portion of the flight tube. The plate has a hole through which some ions in the ion beam may pass from the first portion to the second portion of the flight tube. Each of two opposite faces of the plate includes a set of one or more ion detectors (140). The technique allows rapid, reliable detection of complex agents in a small number of samples.

Abstract: A field portable mass spectrometer system comprising a sample collector and a sample transporter. The sample transporter interfaces with the sample collector to receive sample deposits thereon. The system further comprises a time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The time of flight mass spectrometer has a sealable opening that receives the sample transported via the sample transporter in an extraction region of the mass spectrometer. The system further comprises a control unit that processes a time series output by the mass spectrometer for a received sample and identifies one or more agents contained in the sample.

Abstract: A field portable mass spectrometer system comprising a sample collector and a sample transporter. The sample transporter interfaces with the sample collector to receive sample deposits thereon. The system further comprises a time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The time of flight mass spectrometer has a sealable opening that receives the sample transported via the sample transporter in an extraction region of the mass spectrometer. The system further comprises a control unit that processes a time series output by the mass spectrometer for a received sample and identifies one or more agents contained in the sample.

Abstract: Techniques for simultaneously detecting direct and reflected ions in a time-of-flight tube (120) and a source (110) for generating an ion beam of ions of a sample and introducing the ion beam into a first portion of the flight tube. A reflector (126) reflects ions from the ion beam in a second portion of the flight tube. A plate (140) substantially perpendicular to an axis of the ion beam is located between the first portion of the flight tube and the second portion of the flight tube. The plate has a hole through which some ions in the ion beam may pass from the first portion to the second portion of the flight tube. Each of two opposite faces of the plate includes a set of one or more ion detectors (140). The technique allows rapid, reliable detection of complex agents in a small number of samples.

Abstract: A field portable mass spectrometer system comprising a sample collector and a sample transporter. The sample transporter interfaces with the sample collector to receive sample deposits thereon. The system further comprises a time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The time of flight mass spectrometer has a sealable opening that receives the sample transported via the sample transporter in an extraction region of the mass spectrometer. The system further comprises a control unit that processes a time series output by the mass spectrometer for a received sample and identifies one or more agents contained in the sample.

Abstract: A time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) array instrument is provided. Each TOF-MS of the array instrument includes (1) a gridless, focusing ionization extraction device allowing for the use of very high extraction energies in a maintenance-free design, (2) a fiberglass-clad flexible circuit-board reflector using rolled flexible circuit-board material, and (3) a low-noise, center-hole microchannel plate detector assembly that significantly reduces the noise (or “ringing”) inherent in the coaxial design. The miniature TOF-MS array allows for the bundling of a plurality of mass analyzers, e.g., a plurality of TOF-MSs, into a single array working in parallel fashion to greatly enhance the throughput of each TOF-MS in the array by multiplexing the data collection process. A preferred embodiment of the TOF-MS array instrument incorporates 16 TOF-MS units that are arranged in mirror-image clusters of eight units.