Washington State University

Sandia Corporation

Sandia National Laboratories

William F Siems

Herbert Henderson Hill, Jr

Edward E Tarver, Iii

Brian Herbert Clowers

Charles Stephen Harden

Eric J Davis

Wenjie Liu

Randy L Eatherton

Brian Hauck

Vincent McHugh

Fritz J Knorr

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) systems, devices, and associated methods of operation are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an IMS system includes an ionization region configured to receive and ionize a sample into ionized molecules and a detector configured to detect ionized molecules. The IMS system also includes a drift region in between and directly coupled to both the ionization region and the detector. The drift tube includes a first ion gate proximate the ionization region and a second ion gate proximate the detector. The first and second ion gates are configured to alternately introduce a batch of ionized molecules toward the detector while the other is maintained open, thereby allowing accurate measurement of a drift time of the ionized molecules corresponding to a drift length that is a distance between the first and second ion gates.

High accuracy ion mobility spectrometry

The methods herein provide for analysis of ion populations. Certain aspects include: obtaining a first data set that includes: a first binary On-OFF frequency sweep across a range of frequencies resulting in a first raw data in the time domain and obtaining a second data set that includes: a second binary On-OFF frequency sweep 180&#xb0; out of phase from the first binary On-OFF frequency sweep so as to result in a second raw data in the time domain from received ion current resulting from the second binary On-OFF frequency sweep. Thereafter the two data sets are combined to provide for raw mobility signals of the ion populations in the time domain for each m/z over a range of selected m/z values. Additional aspects include a hybrid system for performing the methods disclosed herein.

Two-phase approach to fourier transform ion mobility time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The methods herein provide for analysis of ion populations. Certain aspects include: directing a continuous gas phase ion beam into an entrance of a drift tube configured within an ion mobility spectrometer; perturbing the flow of the continuous gas phase ion beam within a perturbation time range so as to cause one or more configured perturbations; configuring the drift tube to allow the one or more perturbations to separate due to the differences in mobilities; receiving the plurality of ions and the one or more perturbations at the entrance of a mass spectrometer; recording raw data indicative of the plurality of ions; and reconstructing the raw data to obtain one or more mass to charge and one or more ion mobility spectrum of the plurality of ions.

Perturbation ion mobility mass spectrometry and the method of measuring ion mobility of selected ions

Various embodiments of ion detection systems, devices, and associated methods of operation are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for ion detection includes separating a target species from other species in an ionized sample of a first polarity, generating ions of a second polarity opposite the first polarity, and contacting ions of the second polarity with the ionized sample to generate emissions after separating the target species from other species in the ionized sample. The method also includes detecting the generated emissions when combining the ionized sampled of the first polarity with the ions of the second polarity.

Sample analysis and ion detection

Methods and apparatus are described for time dispersive spectroscopy. In particular, a modulated flow of ionized molecules of a sample are introduced into a drift region of an ion spectrometer. The ions are subsequently detected by an ion detector to produce an ion detection signal. The ion detection signal can be modulated to obtain a signal useful in assaying the chemical constituents of the sample.

Time dispersive spectrometer using digital switching means

Method and apparatus for time dispersive spectroscopy

Methods and apparatus for time dispersive ion spectroscopy such as ion mobility spectroscopy. The methods include ionizing molecules of a sample and controllably admitting pulses of the resulting ions into a drift region. The drift region has an electric field therein which forces the admitted ions through the drift region. Ions emitted from the drift region during a gate open period simultaneous with the ion admission period are exclusively detected resulting in an ion detection signal. Data is recorded for the frequency rate at which the ion pulses are admitted to the drift region and the associated ion detector signal. The frequency of admitted ion pulses is scanned over a relevant range during which the ion admission period also varies. Data recorded for frequency and ion detection can be recorded and/or transformed such as by a Fourier transform to produce time dispersive spectra in the form of ion intensity or quantity as a function of the time period necessary for the ions to transit the drift region. Such spectra are useful in identifying constituents such as organic compounds contained in the sample. The methods and apparatus allow rapid analysis of samples and can be used to simultaneously analyze discharges from sample separation apparatus such as a capillary gas chromatograph.

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Pullman, WA, United States of America

William F Siems