Thermo Fisher Scientific (bremen) Gmbh

Hans-Juergen Schlueter

Michael Krummen

Johannes Schwieters

Eric Wapelhorst

Oliver Kracht

Antonella Guzzonato

Alexander Alekseevich Makarov

Lothar Rottmann

Norbert Quaas

Christoph Wehe

Heinz Mehlmann

Gerhard Jung

Jens Radke

Hans-Juerg Jost

Nils Stoebener

Peter Huelstede

Benno Strasser

Tim Stoltmann

A method of determining a peak intensity in an optical spectrum is described. The method includes producing a two-dimensional array of spectrum values by imaging the optical spectrum onto a detector array. An offset using an actual location and an expected location of a peak of an interpolated subarray is used to adjust an expected location of another peak that is within another two-dimensional subarray. Interpolated spectrum values are then used to produce a peak intensity value of the second peak.

Peak determination in two-dimensional optical spectra

An elemental mass spectrometer uses a mass filter to select ions from ions received from an ion source and transmit the selected ions. A reaction or collision cell receives the transmitted ions and reacts or collides these with a gas to provide product ions thereby. A mass analyzer receives the product ions, analyzes them and provides at least one output based on detection of the analyzed ions. The elemental mass spectrometer is operated to provide a first output from the mass analyzer measuring ions within a first analysis range of mass-to-charge to provide a second output from the mass analyzer measuring ions within a second analysis range of mass-to-charge ratios and to correct the first output for interference on the basis of the second output.

Mass spectrometer

A flexible, foldable light-weight gas chromatography transfer line suitable for connecting a gas chromatograph (GC) to a spectrometer, such as a mass spectrometer or optical spectrometer, in particular to the ion source of the spectrometer, such as an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) ion source. The transfer line has a heating arrangement that allows maintaining an even temperature profile, which improves quality of spectra. The transfer line has low thermal mass and the heating can be controlled with the control unit of the GC.

Heated transfer line

An elemental mass spectrometer uses a mass filter to select ions from ions received from an ion source and transmit the selected ions. A reaction or collision cell receives the transmitted ions and reacts or collides these with a gas to provide product ions thereby. A mass analyzer receives the product ions, analyzes them and provides at least one output based on detection of the analyzed ions. The elemental mass spectrometer is operated to provide a first output from the mass analyzer measuring ions within a first analysis range of mass-to-charge ratios including a desired mass-to-charge ratio, M, to provide a second output from the mass analyzer measuring ions within a second analysis range of mass-to-charge ratios including a mass-to-charge ratio at least 0.95 atomic mass units lower than the desired mass-to-charge ratio, (M&#x2212;i), i&#x2265;0.95 and to correct the first output on the basis of the second output.

Elemental mass spectrometer

A method of calibrating a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The mass spectrometer includes a first quadrupole, a second mass analyzer and a detection means. The method includes calibrating the second mass analyzer at a first time, calibrating the first quadrupole at a second time later than the first including a) determining for each of several selected masses a corresponding value of the amplitude of the RF voltage and DC voltage applied to the electrodes of the first quadrupole, b) fitting a function of the selected mass to the values of the amplitude of the RF voltage and DC voltage corresponding to the several selected masses, c) detecting the selected mass in a filter window width over a mass range, d) evaluating a shift of the peak position and/or a deviation of the filter window width, and e) repeating the calibration steps under certain conditions.

Method of calibrating a mass spectrometer

The invention relates to a gas inlet system for providing gas into an analytical apparatus, comprising at least a first and a second flow restriction that are arranged on a gas inlet line, a gas flow control line connected to the gas inlet line, a gas flow controller on the gas control line, and valves for controlling gas flow in the gas inlet line and the gas control line. Also provided is a method of controlling gas flow into an analytical apparatus.

Control of gas flow

A gas inlet system for an isotope ratio spectrometer and a method for coupling analyte gas to an isotope ratio spectrometer are disclosed. A variable volume reservoir is located between a supply of analyte gas and a spectrometer. The reservoir's internal volume is controllably adjusted at a pre-determined rate to generate a defined flow of analyte gas or mixture to or from the reservoir. Analyte gas and carrier gas are taken up by the reservoir on increasing the reservoir's internal volume and then expelled from the reservoir to the spectrometer on decreasing the reservoir's internal volume. An open split can be used together with the reservoir to facilitate splitting away and hence dilution of analyte within the reservoir. A method for cleaning the gas inlet system is provided, which involves flushing the system with carrier gas.

Gas inlet system for isotope ratio spectrometer

A gas transport system includes at least one chemical reactor having at least one inlet and at least one gas outlet and at least one sample introduction unit for delivering the sample into the chemical reactor. The gas transport system at least one carrier gas line fluidly coupled to the chemical reactor inlet for introducing into the chemical reactor carrier gas from a carrier gas source, at least one gas outlet line from the chemical reactor gas outlet, and at least one gas recycling line connected to the gas outlet and/or the gas outlet line by a first gas line junction that is arranged between the chemical reactor and a downstream detection unit on the gas outlet line. The gas transport system is adapted to allow recycling of at least a portion of gas emerging from the chemical reactor outlet back to the chemical reactor via the gas recycling line.

Method and apparatus for reducing gas consumption in continuous flow analytical instruments

A gas inlet systemfor an isotope ratio spectrometerand a method for coupling analyte gas to an isotope ratio spectrometerare disclosed. A variable volume reservoiris located between a supply of analyte gasand a spectrometer. The reservoir's internal volume is controllably adjusted at a pre-determined rate to generate a defined flow of analyte gas or mixture to or from the reservoir. Analyte gas and carrier gas are taken up by the reservoiron increasing the reservoir's internal volume and then expelled from the reservoir to the spectrometeron decreasing the reservoir's internal volume. An open splitcan be used together with the reservoirto facilitate splitting away and hence dilution of analyte within the reservoir. A method for cleaning the gas inlet systemis provided, which involves flushing the system with carrier gas.

A system for concentrating an analyte gas in a gas stream of an analytical system is provided. The system comprises at least one separation device, at least one gas inlet line, at least one detector, at least one gas outlet line, a first split line in connected to the gas inlet line, and a first split valve for controlling gas flow in the first split line. Also provided is a method for concentrating an analyte gas.

Method and apparatus for preconcentrating a gaseous sample

In mass spectrometry, ion optics process a received ion beam into an output ion beam travelling in an output direction and having a spatial distribution in a plane perpendicular to the output direction elongated in one dimension of the plane relative to the other dimension of the plane and defines an axis of elongation thereby. A quadrupole ion optical device comprises first and second pairs of opposing elongated electrodes, receiving the output ion beam travelling along the output direction and defining an acceptance axis in a plane perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the first and second pairs of opposing elongated electrodes. The acceptance axis is an axis on which maximum acceptance of ions to the quadrupole ion optical device is attained. The first and second pairs of opposing elongated electrodes are oriented substantially to match the acceptance axis to the axis of elongation defined by the spatial distribution.

Quadrupole mass spectrometer

An isotope ratio of a continuous sample is measured in an isotope ratio spectrometer. At least one sample isotope ratio is measured over a measurement time period t, (n&#x2267;1) and a sample concentration cis measured over at least a part of the measurement time period t. A reference gas concentration cfor the spectrometer is selected for reference to the sample measured during the measurement time period t, on the basis of the measured sample concentration c. An isotope ratio of the reference gas is measured at the selected reference gas concentration cin the spectrometer. The at least one isotope ratio of the sample measured during the measurement time period tis calibrated using the measured isotope ratio of the reference gas at the corresponding reference gas concentration cand a plurality of calibrated isotope ratios and a plurality of sample gas concentration measurements are determined, each being for a different time.

Method of measuring isotope ratio

A system for controlling flow of gas in a continuous flow isotope ratio analyser is provided. The system comprises gas inlet and gas outlet lines for providing gas into and from a measuring cell, and at least one switchable flow restriction on the gas inlet line, for selectively controlling gas flow into the isotope ratio analyser. Also provided is a method for determining an isotope ratio using the system according to the invention.

Flow reduction system for isotope ratio measurements

A gas inlet system for introducing gas into an isotope ratio analyser, the gas inlet system including a reference system comprising: a first supply of a reference gas having a first known isotope ratio; a supply of a carrier gas, wherein the supplies of reference gas and carrier gas are each connected by respective reference and carrier gas lines to a first mixing junction where the reference gas and carrier gas combine; a mixing zone connected downstream of the first mixing junction wherein the combined reference gas and carrier gas mix together; an exit line for transporting the mixed gas from the mixing zone to the isotope ratio analyser; and an opening on the exit line, wherein the opening is downstream of the mixing zone. Also provided is a method of determining an isotope ratio.

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Bremen, Germany

Hans-Juergen Schlueter