Abstract: A mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed comprising: an ion block for receiving ions; a heater for heating the ion block; a vacuum housing; and an interface block arranged between the ion block and the vacuum housing; wherein the interface block is formed from a polymer. The polymer interface block inhibits the heat transfer from the ion block to the vacuum housing and also electrically isolates the ion block and vacuum housing. The interface block further comprises at least one conduit through the body of the interface block. This enables gas to be transmitted through the interface block to the ion block, and also enables the interface block to be cooled.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure interface comprising an ion block or sub-assembly having an internal passage. The atmospheric pressure interface further comprises either an inner sampling cone, a capillary interface or other gas limiting interface. The mass spectrometer comprises a clamp formed from a thermally insulating material and a removable outer gas cone which is slidably inserted into or onto the clamp so that the outer gas cone is retained by the clamp in use. The clamp is arranged and adapted to be pushed by a user into engagement with the ion block or sub-assembly so as to position the outer gas cone adjacent the inner sampling cone, capillary interface or other gas limiting interface so as to secure the outer gas cone to the ion block or sub-assembly and to form a gas tight seal with the ion block or sub-assembly without use of mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed comprising: an ion block (2) for receiving ions; a heater (8) for heating the ion block (2); a vacuum housing (6); and an interface block (4) arranged between the ion block (2) and the vacuum housing (6); wherein the interface block (4) is formed from a polymer. The polymer interface block (4) inhibits the heat transfer from the ion block (2) to the vacuum housing (6) and also electrically isolates the ion block (2) and vacuum housing (6). The interface block (4) further comprises at least one conduit (12) through the body of the interface block (4). This enables gas to be transmitted through the interface block (4) to the ion block (2), and also enables the interface block (4) to be cooled.

Abstract: A probe assembly is disclosed comprising an inlet for receiving an eluent from a chromatography device; an outlet (120) for delivering the eluent to an ion source of a mass spectrometer; and an attachment device (122) for attaching the outlet to the mass spectrometer. The outlet comprises an electrically conductive capillary (124) and an electrically conductive member (129) surrounding at least part of the electrically conductive capillary (124). The electrically conductive member (129) is arranged to receive a voltage upon connection of the attachment device (122) to the mass spectrometer and the electrically conductive member (129) is arranged to provide an electrical connection from the electrically conductive member (129) to the electrically conductive capillary (124).

Abstract: A method of controlling a motor operating a pumping apparatus of a fluid-pumping application. The pumping apparatus includes a pump having an inlet to receive a fluid and an outlet to exhaust the fluid, and the motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump. The method includes the acts of controlling the motor to operate the pump and monitoring the operation of the pump. The monitoring act includes monitoring a power of the motor, and determining whether the monitored power indicates an undesired flow of fluid through the pump. The method further includes the act of controlling the motor to cease operation of the pump when the determination indicates an undesired flow of fluid through the pump and zero or more other conditions exist.

Abstract: Conventional master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) devices have experienced poor beam quality due to edge effects. The lateral current tailoring described herein was one attempt at improving the laser beam quality. Experimental results have indicated that this approach can make improvement in beam quality, using nonlinear leading edges in the gain stripe of MOPA amplifiers.