Abstract: An apparatus for detecting constituents in a sample includes first and second drift tubes defining first and second drift regions, and a controllable electric field device within a fragmentation region coupled to the first and second drift tubes. The apparatus also includes a first ion shutter positioned between the first drift and fragmentation regions. The apparatus further includes a control system configured to regulate the first ion shutter, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of ions from the first drift region into the fragmentation region. The control system is also configured to regulate the controllable device to modify the selected portion of ions to generate predetermined ion fragments within the fragmentation region, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of the predetermined fragmented ions into the second drift region. A method of detecting constituents in a sample is facilitated through such an apparatus.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for calibration, calibration verification, and sensitivity checks for a detector. The methods and systems include calibrating a detector by releasing at least one calibrant from at least one calibrant chamber in flow communication with the detector. The systems and methods further include verifying the calibration by releasing at least one verification substance from at least one verification chamber in flow communication with the detector. The systems and methods further include checking a sensitivity of the detector by releasing at least one sensitivity substance from at least one sensitivity chamber in flow communication with the detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting constituents in a sample includes first and second drift tubes defining first and second drift regions, and a controllable electric field device within a fragmentation region coupled to the first and second drift tubes. The apparatus also includes a first ion shutter positioned between the first drift and fragmentation regions. The apparatus further includes a control system configured to regulate the first ion shutter, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of ions from the first drift region into the fragmentation region. The control system is also configured to regulate the controllable device to modify the selected portion of ions to generate predetermined ion fragments within the fragmentation region, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of the predetermined fragmented ions into the second drift region. A method of detecting constituents in a sample is facilitated through such an apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting constituents in a sample includes first and second drift tubes defining first and second drift regions and a controllable electric field device within a fragmentation region coupled to the first and second drift tubes. The apparatus also includes a first ion shutter positioned between the first drift and fragmentation regions. The apparatus further includes a control system configured to regulate the first ion shutter, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of ions from the first drift region into the fragmentation region. The control system is also configured to regulate the controllable device to modify the selected portion of ions to generate predetermined ion fragments within the fragmentation region, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of the predetermined fragmented ions into the second drift region. A method of detecting constituents in a sample is facilitated through such an apparatus.

Abstract: A system for multi-stage differential mobility spectrometer (multi-stage DMS) and the method of operating and using the same are described. Ions produced in an ionization source are introduced into the separation region of multi-stage DMS, which includes at least two DMS stages. Each DMS stage is configured to generate separation and compensation fields to characterize, separate, or select ion species. The separation region further includes ion alteration stages which are placed between various adjacent stages of multi-stage DMS. Alteration of ions can be both chemical and physical. Ions which are separated, altered, and selectively passed by all DMS stages of multi-stage DMS are then measured or further characterized by the Faraday plate detectors or a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting constituents in a sample includes first and second drift tubes defining first and second drift regions, and a controllable electric field device within a fragmentation region coupled to the first and second drift tubes. The apparatus also includes a first ion shutter positioned between the first drift and fragmentation regions. The apparatus further includes a control system configured to regulate the first ion shutter, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of ions from the first drift region into the fragmentation region. The control system is also configured to regulate the controllable device to modify the selected portion of ions to generate predetermined ion fragments within the fragmentation region, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of the predetermined fragmented ions into the second drift region. A method of detecting constituents in a sample is facilitated through such an apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting constituents in a sample includes first and second drift tubes defining first and second drift regions, and a controllable electric field device within a fragmentation region coupled to the first and second drift tubes. The apparatus also includes a first ion shutter positioned between the first drift and fragmentation regions. The apparatus further includes a control system configured to regulate the first ion shutter, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of ions from the first drift region into the fragmentation region. The control system is also configured to regulate the controllable device to modify the selected portion of ions to generate predetermined ion fragments within the fragmentation region, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of the predetermined fragmented ions into the second drift region. A method of detecting constituents in a sample is facilitated through such an apparatus.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for calibration, calibration verification, and sensitivity checks for a detector. The methods and systems include calibrating a detector by releasing at least one calibrant from at least one calibrant chamber in flow communication with the detector. The systems and methods further include verifying the calibration by releasing at least one verification substance from at least one verification chamber in flow communication with the detector. The systems and methods further include checking a sensitivity of the detector by releasing at least one sensitivity substance from at least one sensitivity chamber in flow communication with the detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting constituents in a sample includes first and second drift tubes defining first and second drift regions, and a controllable electric field device within a fragmentation region coupled to the first and second drift tubes. The apparatus also includes a first ion shutter positioned between the first drift and fragmentation regions. The apparatus further includes a control system configured to regulate the first ion shutter, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of ions from the first drift region into the fragmentation region. The control system is also configured to regulate the controllable device to modify the selected portion of ions to generate predetermined ion fragments within the fragmentation region, thereby facilitating injection of a selected portion of the predetermined fragmented ions into the second drift region. A method of detecting constituents in a sample is facilitated through such an apparatus.