Other

Transgenomic, Inc.

Sd Acquisition Inc.

Yokogawa Analytical Systems, Inc.

Robert C Fry

Michael R Dyas

Steven K Hughes

Robert M Brown, Jr

Madeline J Arnold

Jason A Rivers

Junichi Takahashi

Jianzhong Zhu

Arthur P D'Silva

Juan C Ivaldi

William H Sprague, Jr

Wayne A Branagh

Craig L Fuller

Akihiro Morioka

Toshikazu Amano

William J Stein

The present invention facilitates improvements in laser ablation of solid samples to be analyzed by an external inductively coupled plasma (ICP) emission spectrometer, ICP/mass-spectrometer (ICP-MS), or flowing afterglow (FAG) mass spectrometer (FAG-MS) for elemental analysis (ICP and ICP-MS) or molecular analysis (FAG-MS). A novel invention mirror-with-hole beam combiner eliminates chromatic aberration in the invention sample view and allows rad-hardening the laser ablation invention for use in a radiation hot cell for analysis of high activity nuclear waste. Many other novel invention rad-hardening attributes facilitate a comprehensive rad-hardened laser ablation system (the world's first). In other embodiments, invention novelties include unusually large homogeneous focused laser spot diameters, unusually long laser objective lens focal length, wide range operationally variable laser path length with built-in re-alignment, operationally variable demagnification ratio and diameter of the focused laser spot, the use of significantly higher powered SMR lasers in a large spot diameter to facilitate high sensitivity bulk analysis of solid samples, a demountable and gravitationally self-sealing stack assembly laser ablation cell, and the world's first auto-samplers (mechanized sample changers) for analytical laser ablation.

Analytical laser ablation of solid samples for ICP, ICP-MS and FAG-MS analysis

This invention is improved laser ablation of solid samples analyzed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), ICP mass spectrometry, or flowing afterglow mass spectrometry. A mirror-with-hole eliminates chromatic aberration in sample viewing and allows rad-hardening for radiation hot cell analysis of nuclear waste. Other attributes facilitate comprehensively rad-hardened laser ablation. Additional improvements include large, homogeneous laser spots, long-focus objective lenses, variable laser path length with built-in re-alignment, variable demagnification ratio, higher powered SMR lasers with larger spots enabling sensitive bulk solids analysis, demountable gravitationally self sealing stack assembly sample ablation cells, and laser ablation sample changers.

Analytical laser ablation of solid samples for ICP, ICP-MS, and FAG-MS analysis

The present invention is for valved musical wind instruments in the musical keys of BB-flat, CC, E-flat, and F with progressive cylindrical mid-section bore or gradual conical mid-section bore expansion or a combination, not to exceed 0.85 inch bore within the first 65% of instrument length and bell throat diameters not to exceed 3 inches measured 10 inches from the bell flare, in which bass trombone tone qualities prevail. Progressive mid-section bore is novel, enhances responsiveness, and enables 'early' valve placement options. A 4-valve B-flat bass valve trombone, B-flat cimbasso, or B-flat Tu-Bone is claimed, and may have a single constant cylindrical mid-section bore, or progressive cylindrical mid-section bore or gradual conical mid-section bore expansion or a combination. A valved B-flat bass inverted full double trombone, cimbasso, or Tu-Bone is claimed, as well as a 'compensated' version and a full double euphonium. Invention valves may be any piston or rotary valves.

Gradually progressive bore BB-flat, CC, E-flat, F, or B-flat valved musical wind instrument and valved B-flat/F inverted double musical wind instrument

Disclosed is a multiple longitudinal flow cell channel electromagnetic radiation absorption or fluorescence monitoring system wherein a source of electromagnetic radiation is positioned to input electromagnetic radiation to each of the longitudinal flow cell channels, and wherein a single low cost, low drift, preferably linear and sensitized to UV, array detector system is positioned to directly simultaneously monitor electromagnetic radiation from at least two of the longitudinal flow cell channels, at different locations thereupon.

Single source, single detector chip, multiple-longitudinal channel electromagnetic radiation absorbance and fluorescence monitoring system

Disclosed is a spectrometer system with unique wavelength resolution improving relative positioning of diffraction grating and detector. Also disclosed is a modified evolving windowed factor analysis based method of detecting semiconductor etch end points which is particularly well suited for use in real time monitoring and process control. Use of wavelength group selecting mask filters is also disclosed.

Method and system for identifying etch end points in semiconductor circuit fabrication

The present invention is a multiple channel electrophoresis system which includes a multiple laser diode illumination source. The multiple laser diode illumination source has a plurality of individual laser diodes, each of which is situated so as to provide independent fluorescence inducing illumination to one of the electrophoresis channels in the multiple channel electrophoresis system. The channels in the multiple channel electrophoresis system can be of many embodiments. And use of the present invention system in a multiple angle light scattering mode is also described.

Multiple laser diode electromagnetic radiation source in multiple electrophoresis channel systems

The present invention is a system for nebulizing sample analyte containing solutions which allows liquid solution and gas entry, and is tyically utilized in combination or integration with an interface for directing sample analyte containing solution which is nebulized. The present invention provides improvement in the form of system design that prevents sample delivery tube component damage, sample solution electrical charging, sample solution 're-nebulization' effects, and sample analyte carry-over memory effects during a present invention method of use for introducing nebulized sample analyte containing solution into, for instance, a mass-spectrometer sample analysis system.

System and method for producing nebulized sample analyte containing

A long-path absorbance-cell optical imaging system, appropriate for use in cold vapor mercury analysis, which long-path absorbance-cell optical imaging system achieves decreased internal reflection mediated system-element-parameter-change-based sensitivity in use, by appropriate placement of apertures, is disclosed.

Long-path absorbance-cell imaging system with decreased system element

Fractional-volatilization separation systems and methods are disclosed which enable a stable, continuous, non-bubbling liquid flow, essentially constant surface area/volume ratio, temperature controlled, fractional volatilization of volatile/semi-volatile components in a liquid analyte or component containing sample. The fractional volatilization separator system can be utilized in small scale analytical and large scale chemical purification, concentration and desalinization applications. Continuous rapid removal of residual liquid sample can provide concentrated non-volatile component/analyte solution, and allows quick and easy washout between sequential use with different liquid samples. Examples of relevant analytical chemistry applications of the present invention system are found in conjunction with long-path absorbance-cell 'cold-vapor' mercury analyzers, cold vapor mercury fluorescense photometers, infrared spectrophotometers, organic mass spectrometers, plasma emission spectrometers, and plasma mass spectrometers.

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Omaha, NE, United States of America

Robert C Fry