Bruker Saxonia Analytik Gmbh

Bruker Daltonik Gmbh

Stefan Klepel

Jochen Franzen

Roland Schnurpfeil

Gerhard Weiss

Hans-Rudiger Doring

Jorg Peuker

Markus Kostrzewa

Thomas Maier

The invention relates to identifying substances in a sample by similarity comparisons between series of ion mobility spectra of the sample and series of ion mobility spectra of reference samples. The collection of series of spectra of reference samples, termed reference library, are divided into classes, with the class assignment of a series of spectra being calculated from the measured values themselves, and limiting the similarity comparisons to series of spectra with the same class assignment. First and second moments of the spectra have proven to be particularly favorable characteristics for the class assignment.

Identification of substances by ion mobility spectrometry

The invention generates mass scale comparability between mass spectra which are acquired in time-of-flight mass spectrometers, particularly with ionization by matrix-assisted laser desorption. Always slightly distorted mass scales of different mass spectra from the same type of sample can be aligned. The flight times of identical ions always differ slightly from one mass spectrum to the next due to non-reproducible processes in the ionization method. Thus the apparent mass values of ion signals of identical substances in different mass spectra do not match even if the flight times are converted into mass values with the identical calibration equation. After alignment of the mass scales, mass spectra can be reliably compared with respect to deviations in intensities of bio-makers, or be added together without deterioration in the mass resolution, and improved reference spectrum libraries can be created. Furthermore, the invention allows more reliable library searches to be carried out.

Mass scale alignment of time-of-flight mass spectra

The invention relates to a switchable ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) with ring electrodes divided into half-rings, which surround the drift chamber of the IMS. In a first operating condition, the two half-rings of each ring electrode are at the same potential and the various ring electrodes are at different potential varying monotonously along the drift path. In this way, ions are transported in the conventional manner along the drift path. In a second operating mode, the half-rings of the ring electrodes are at different potentials, by which the ions are each deflected toward one of the half-rings. The currents thus resulting are captured by the corresponding half-rings, amplified and an ion mobility spectrum is produced. A favorable design for the IMS can be used in many different modes of operation.

Ion mobility spectrometer with switchable electrodes

An ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) with electric drift fields directed at a central detector electrode. The IMS is rotationally symmetrical and has a disk shape.

Ion mobility spectrometer in a centripetal arrangement

The invention relates to a radioactive ion source for generation of low-energy .alpha. or .beta. radiation. Both the activity of the source as well as the range of radiation can be adjusted to the respective application. Due to a carrier layer of semiconductive material, release of radioactive substances is prevented.

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Taucha, Germany

Stefan Klepel