摘要:
Prior work on differential mobility analysis (DMA) combined with mass spectrometry (MS) has shown how to couple the output of the DMA with the inlet of an atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer (APCI-MS). However, the conventional ion inlet to an APCI-MS is a round orifice, while conventional DMA geometries make use of elongated slits. The coupling of two systems with such different symmetries limits considerably the resolutions attainable by the DMA in a DMA-MS combination below the value of the DMA alone. The purpose of this invention is to overcome this limitation in the case of a parallel plate DMA. One solution involves use of an elongated rather than a circular MS sampling hole, with the long dimension of the MS inlet hole aligned with that of the DMA slit. Another involves use of a more elongated orifice in the DMA exit and a more circular hole on the MS inlet, the two being connected either through a short transfer conduit or through an ion guide. The DMAs described can also be coupled profitably to detectors and analyzers other than mass spectrometers.
摘要:
A fast alternative for detecting dangerous or illegal substances is taught that improves upon the relatively slow conventional batch method of collecting and concentrating particles in filters. The new method concentrates the particles on-line and almost instantaneously, taking advantage of their inertia. Particles are thus concentrated on the fly from a large gas sample flow rate into a small gas flow rate, where they are rapidly volatilized and their vapors sensed in an analytical instrument such as a mass spectrometer or an ion mobility spectrometer.
摘要:
An electrospray apparatus incorporating the invention includes a capillary with an exit for ejecting a fluid, and an electrode positioned downstream from the exit. A gas source is used to establish a region of gas, at least immediately about the exit. A voltage supply creates a potential difference between the capillary exit and the electrode, the potential difference being sufficient to both establish a cone jet mode of operation at the exit of the capillary, to ionize the region of gas about the exit and create a current flow between the exit and the electrode. The current flow exhibits an increased value upon the gas becoming ionized, thus enabling detection of the establishment of a corona. This action creates a corona-assisted cone jet mode of electrospray operation which enables the fluid to disperse into highly uniform sized particles. The preferred gas is carbon dioxide.