Patent Grant
11501961
This disclosure relates to mass spectrometry systems.
Mass spectrometers are widely used for the detection of chemical substances. In a typical mass spectrometer, molecules or particles are excited or ionized, and these excited species often break down to form ions of smaller mass or react with other species to form other characteristic ions. The ion formation pattern can be interpreted by a system operator to infer the identity of the compound.
This disclosure describes techniques and systems for detecting positively and negatively charged particles (e.g., ions) for mass spectrometry. In particular, the disclosed mass spectrometry systems can be in compact form and operate at high pressure during the mass spectrometry measurements. The systems can include a detector subsystem which has a plurality of detector elements that receive positively and negatively charged particles. The detector elements (e.g., detector electrodes) can receive the positively and negatively charged particles at the same time. This can be achieved by ejecting positively and negatively charged particles from one or more apertures of an ion trap, and collecting the charged particles in respective detector elements according to the sign of their charges.
Additional information relating to mass spectrometry systems is disclosed, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/732,066, filed on Dec. 31, 2012, now published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2014/0183350, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference.
In general, in a first aspect, the disclosure features mass spectrometry systems that include an ion source, an ion trap, a detector subsystem featuring first and second detector elements, and a controller electrically connected to the ion source, the ion trap, and the detector subsystem and configured so that during operation of the system, the controller: applies an electrical signal to the ion source to generate positively and negatively charged particles from sample particles in the system; applies an electrical signal to the ion trap to eject a plurality of particles from the ion trap through a common aperture of the ion trap, where the ejected plurality of particles includes at least some of the positively charged particles and at least some of the negatively charged particles; applies a first electrical voltage to the first detector element so that the first detector element receives the at least some of the ejected positively charged particles and generates a first electrical signal; applies a second electrical voltage to the second detector element so that the second detector element receives the at least some of the ejected negatively charged particles and generates a second electrical signal; and determines information about the sample particles based on the first and second electrical signals.
Embodiments of the systems can include any one or more of the following features.
The first and second detector elements can be separated by a distance measured in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the ion trap of 1 mm or less. A width of each of the first and second detector elements measured in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the ion trap can be 1 mm or less. The first and second detector elements can be positioned symmetrically with respect to an axis of the ion trap that passes through a center of the common aperture.
The ion trap can include an array of apertures, the detector subsystem can include an array of detector elements, and for each aperture in the array of apertures, at least two detector elements can be positioned symmetrically with respect to an axis that extends through the center of the aperture in a direction parallel to an axis of the ion trap. The detector subsystem can include electrically insulating material positioned between adjacent detector elements in the array of detector elements. The first and second detector elements can be formed from at least one material selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, silver, and gold. The electrically insulating material can include at least one material selected from the group consisting of ceramic materials, polyfluorinated materials, and rubber.
The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller applies an electrical signal to the ion trap to confine the positively and negatively charged particles in three dimensions within the ion trap for a minimum average trapping time of 0.1 millisecond.
Embodiments of the systems can also include any of the other aspects or features disclosed herein, including aspects and features disclosed in connection with different embodiments, in any combination as appropriate.
In another aspect, the disclosure features mass spectrometry systems that include an ion source, an ion trap, a detector subsystem featuring a plurality of detector elements, and a controller electrically connected to the ion source, the ion trap, and the detector subsystem and configured so that during operation of the system, the controller: applies an electrical signal to the ion source to generate positively and negatively charged particles from sample particles in the system; applies an electrical signal to the ion trap to eject a plurality of particles from the ion trap through a common aperture of the ion trap, where the ejected plurality of particles includes at least some of the positively charged particles and at least some of the negatively charged particles; applies a first electrical voltage to a first subset of the plurality of detector elements so that the first subset of the plurality of detector elements receives the at least some of the ejected positively charged particles and generates a first electrical signal; applies a second electrical voltage to a second subset of the plurality of detector elements so that the second subset of the plurality of detector elements receives the at least some of the ejected negatively charged particles and generates a second electrical signal; and determines information about the sample particles based on the first and second electrical signals.
Embodiments of the systems can include any one or more of the following features.
The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller adjusts electrical voltages applied to different members of the plurality of detector elements to change the members included in the first subset, the second subset, or both. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller determines whether a peak in at least one of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal corresponds to detected charged particles by comparing amplitudes of the first and second electrical signals at a common detection time corresponding to the peak. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller determines that the peak corresponds to detected charged particles if the second electrical signal does not comprise a corresponding peak at the common detection time. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller determines, for each peak in the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal, whether the peak corresponds to detected charged particles by comparing amplitudes of the first and second electrical signals at a common detection time corresponding to the peak. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, for each peak that is determined to correspond to detected charged particles: if the peak corresponds to positively charged particles, the controller applies the first electrical voltage to at least one member of the second subset of the plurality of detector elements to increase a number of elements in the first subset of the plurality of detector elements; and if the peak corresponds to negatively charged particles, the controller applies the second electrical voltage to at least one member of the first subset of the plurality of detector elements to increase a number of elements in the second subset of the plurality of detector elements.
The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, when a peak is detected in the first electrical signal and a corresponding peak is not detected in the second electrical signal, the controller applies the first electrical voltage to at least one member of the second subset of the plurality of detector elements to increase a number of elements in the first subset of the plurality of detector elements. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, when a peak is detected in the second electrical signal and a corresponding peak is not detected in the first electrical signal, the controller applies the second electrical voltage to at least one member of the first subset of the plurality of detector elements to increase a number of elements in the second subset of the plurality of detector elements. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller compares amplitudes of each of the first and second electrical signals to threshold values to detect peaks in the first and second electrical signals.
The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller: compares amplitudes of each of the first and second electrical signals to threshold values to detect peaks in the first and second electrical signals; determines a number of peaks in each of the first and second electrical signals; if the number of peaks in the first electrical signal is greater than the number of peaks in the second electrical signal, applies the first electrical voltage to at least one member of the second subset of the plurality of detector elements to increase a number of elements in the first subset of the plurality of detector elements; and if the number of peaks in the second electrical signal is greater than the number of peaks in the first electrical signal, applies the second electrical voltage to at least one member of the first subset of the plurality of detector elements to increase a number of elements in the second subset of the plurality of detector elements.
The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller adjusts the electrical voltages applied to different members of the plurality of detector elements based on an ionization mode of the ion source. The plurality of detector elements can include an array of electrode strips, a plurality of concentric ring electrodes, a rectangular array of detector elements, and/or a hexagonal array of detector elements. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller applies the first and second electrical voltages at the same time to the detector elements.
The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller applies an electrical signal to the ion trap to confine the positively and negatively charged particles in three dimensions within the ion trap for a minimum average trapping time of 0.1 millisecond.
Embodiments of the systems can also include any of the other aspects or features disclosed herein, including aspects and features disclosed in connection with different embodiments, in any combination as appropriate.
In a further aspect, the disclosure features mass spectrometry systems that include an ion trap featuring first and second electrodes positioned on opposite sides of the ion trap along an axis of the ion trap, an ion source configured to introduce charged particles into the ion trap, a detector subsystem featuring at least one first detector element positioned to receive charged particles emerging from the ion trap through a first aperture in the first electrode, and at least one second detector element positioned to receive charged particles emerging from the ion trap through a second aperture in the second electrode, and a controller electrically connected to the ion source, the ion trap, and the detector subsystem and configured so that during operation of the system, the controller: applies an electrical signal to the ion source to generate positively and negatively charged particles from sample particles in the system; applies an electrical signal to the ion trap to eject a plurality of particles from the ion trap through the first and second apertures, where the plurality of particles includes at least some of the positively charged particles and at least some of the negatively charged particles; applies a first electrical voltage to the at least one first detector element so that the at least one first detector element receives positively charged particles ejected through the first aperture and generates a first electrical signal; applies a second electrical voltage to the at least one second detector element so that the at least one second detector element receives negatively charged particles ejected through the second aperture and generates a second electrical signal; and determines information about the sample particles based on the first and second electrical signals.
Embodiments of the systems can include one or more of the following features.
The first and second detector elements can be separated by a distance measured along the axis of the ion trap of 8 mm or less. The at least one first detector element can include an array of first detector elements and the at least one second detector element can include an array of second detector elements. The at least one first detector element can include a first plurality of concentric ring-shaped electrodes, and the at least one second detector element can include a second plurality of concentric ring-shaped electrodes. The detector subsystem can include at least one third detector element positioned to receive charged particles emerging from the ion trap through the first aperture in the first electrode, and at least one fourth detector element positioned to receive charged particles emerging from the ion trap through the second aperture in the second electrode.
The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller applies the second electrical voltage to the at least one third detector element so that the at least one third detector element receives negatively charged particles ejected through the first aperture and generates a third electrical signal, and applies the first electrical voltage to the at least one fourth detector element so that the at least one fourth detector element receives positively charged particles ejected through the second aperture and generates a fourth electrical signal.
The at least one third detector element can include an array of third detector elements and the at least one fourth detector element can include an array of fourth detector elements. The at least one third detector element can include a third plurality of concentric ring-shaped electrodes, and the at least one fourth detector element can include a fourth plurality of concentric ring-shaped electrodes.
The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller adjusts electrical voltages applied to the detector elements to change at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth arrays. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller determines whether a peak in at least one of the first electrical signal and the third electrical signal corresponds to detected charged particles by comparing amplitudes of the first and third electrical signals at a common detection time corresponding to the peak. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller determines whether a peak in at least one of the second electrical signal and the fourth electrical signal corresponds to detected charged particles by comparing amplitudes of the second and fourth electrical signals at a common detection time corresponding to the peak. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller determines that the peak corresponds to detected charged particles if the third electrical signal does not comprise a corresponding peak at the common detection time. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller determines that the peak corresponds to detected charged particles if the fourth electrical signal does not comprise a corresponding peak at the common detection time. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller determines, for each peak in the first electrical signal and the third electrical signal, whether the peak corresponds to detected charged particles by comparing amplitudes of the first and third electrical signals at a common detection time corresponding to the peak. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller determines, for each peak in the second electrical signal and the fourth electrical signal, whether the peak corresponds to detected charged particles by comparing amplitudes of the second and fourth electrical signals at a common detection time corresponding to the peak.
The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, for each peak that is determined to correspond to detected charged particles: if the peak corresponds to positively charged particles, the controller applies the first electrical voltage to at least one member of the array of third detector elements to increase a number of elements in the array of first detector elements; and if the peak corresponds to negatively charged particles, the controller applies the third electrical voltage to at least one member of the array of first detector elements to increase a number of elements in the array of third detector elements. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, for each peak that is determined to correspond to detected charged particles: if the peak corresponds to positively charged particles, the controller applies the fourth electrical voltage to at least one member of the array of second detector elements to increase a number of elements in the array of fourth detector elements; and if the peak corresponds to negatively charged particles, the controller applies the second electrical voltage to at least one member of the array of fourth detector elements to increase a number of elements in the array of second detector elements.
The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, when a peak is detected in the first electrical signal and a corresponding peak is not detected in the third electrical signal, the controller applies the first electrical voltage to at least one member of the array of third detector elements to increase a number of elements in the array of first detector elements. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, when a peak is detected in the third electrical signal and a corresponding peak is not detected in the first electrical signal, the controller applies the third electrical voltage to at least one member of the array of first detector elements to increase a number of elements in the array of third detector elements.
The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, when a peak is detected in the second electrical signal and a corresponding peak is not detected in the fourth electrical signal, the controller applies the second electrical voltage to at least one member of the array of fourth detector elements to increase a number of elements in the array of second detector elements. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, when a peak is detected in the fourth electrical signal and a corresponding peak is not detected in the second electrical signal, the controller applies the fourth electrical voltage to at least one member of the array of second detector elements to increase a number of elements in the array of fourth detector elements.
The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller compares amplitudes of each of the first and third electrical signals to threshold values to detect peaks in the first and third electrical signals. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller compares amplitudes of each of the second and fourth electrical signals to threshold values to detect peaks in the second and fourth electrical signals.
The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller: compares amplitudes of each of the first and third electrical signals to threshold values to detect peaks in the first and third electrical signals; determines a number of peaks in each of the first and third electrical signals; if the number of peaks in the first electrical signal is greater than the number of peaks in the third electrical signal, applies the first electrical voltage to at least one member of the array of third detector elements to increase a number of elements in the array of first detector elements; and if the number of peaks in the third electrical signal is greater than the number of peaks in the first electrical signal, applies the third electrical voltage to at least one member of the array of first detector elements to increase a number of elements in the array of third detector elements. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller: compares amplitudes of each of the second and fourth electrical signals to threshold values to detect peaks in the second and fourth electrical signals; determines a number of peaks in each of the second and fourth electrical signals; if the number of peaks in the second electrical signal is greater than the number of peaks in the fourth electrical signal, applies the second electrical voltage to at least one member of the array of fourth detector elements to increase a number of elements in the array of second detector elements; and if the number of peaks in the fourth electrical signal is greater than the number of peaks in the second electrical signal, applies the fourth electrical voltage to at least one member of the array of second detector elements to increase a number of elements in the array of fourth detector elements.
The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller adjusts the electrical voltages applied to the detector elements to change at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth arrays based on an ionization mode of the ion source. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth arrays of detector elements can include an array of electrode strips, a rectangular array of detector elements, and/or a hexagonal array of detector elements.
The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller applies the first and third electrical voltages at the same time to the detector elements. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller applies the second and fourth electrical voltages at the same time to the detector elements. The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller applies the first, second, third, and fourth electrical voltages at the same time to the detector elements.
The controller can be configured so that during operation of the system, the controller applies an electrical signal to the ion trap to confine the positively and negatively charged particles in three dimensions within the ion trap for a minimum average trapping time of 0.1 millisecond.
Embodiments of the systems can also include any of the other aspects and features disclosed herein, including aspects and features disclosed in combination with different embodiments, in any combination as appropriate.
In another aspect, the disclosure features methods that include applying an electrical signal to an ion source to generate positively and negatively charged particles from sample particles, applying an electrical signal to an ion trap to eject a plurality of particles through a common aperture of the ion trap, where the ejected particles include at least some of the positively and negatively charged particles, applying a first electrical voltage to a first detector element so that the first detector element receives the at least some of the ejected positively charged particles and generates a first electrical signal, applying a second electrical voltage to the second detector element so that the second detector element receives the at least some of the ejected negatively charged particles and generates a second electrical signal, and determining information about the sample particles based on the first and second electrical signals.
Embodiments of the methods can include any of the steps and features disclosed herein, including steps and features disclosed in connection with different embodiments, in any combination as appropriate.
In a further aspect, the disclosure features methods that include applying an electrical signal to an ion source to generate positively and negatively charged particles from sample particles, applying an electrical signal to an ion trap to eject a plurality of particles from the ion trap, where the ejected particles include at least some of the positively and negatively charged particles, and applying electrical voltages to a detector subsystem that includes a plurality of detector elements, where applying the electrical voltages includes: applying a first electrical voltage to a first subset of the plurality of detector elements so that the first subset of the plurality of detector elements receives the at least some of the ejected positively charged particles and generates a first electrical signal; applying a second electrical voltage to a second subset of the plurality of detector elements so that the second subset of the plurality of detector elements receives the at least some of the ejected negatively charged particles and generates a second electrical signal; determining information about the sample particles based on the first and second electrical signals; and adjusting electrical voltages applied to the plurality of detector elements based on the determined information.
Embodiments of the methods can include any one or more of the following features.
The methods can include adjusting electrical voltages applied to different members of the plurality of detector elements to change the members included in the first subset, the second subset, or both.
The methods can include determining whether a peak in at least one of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal corresponds to detected charged particles by comparing amplitudes of the first and second electrical signals at a common detection time corresponding to the peak. The methods can include determining that the peak corresponds to detected charged particles if the second electrical signal does not include a corresponding peak at the common detection time.
The methods can include determining, for each peak in the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal, whether the peak corresponds to detected charged particles by comparing amplitudes of the first and second electrical signals at a common detection time corresponding to the peak. The methods can include, for each peak that is determined to correspond to detected charged particles: if the peak corresponds to positively charged particles, applying the first electrical voltage to at least one member of the second subset of the plurality of detector elements to increase a number of elements in the first subset of the plurality of detector elements; and if the peak corresponds to negatively charged particles, applying the second electrical voltage to at least one member of the first subset of the plurality of detector elements to increase a number of elements in the second subset of the plurality of detector elements.
The methods can include, when a peak is detected in the first electrical signal and a corresponding peak is not detected in the second electrical signal, applying the first electrical voltage to at least one member of the second subset of the plurality of detector elements to increase a number of elements in the first subset of the plurality of detector elements. The methods can include, when a peak is detected in the second electrical signal and a corresponding peak is not detected in the first electrical signal, applying the second electrical voltage to at least one member of the first subset of the plurality of detector elements to increase a number of elements in the second subset of the plurality of detector elements. The methods can include comparing amplitudes of each of the first and second electrical signals to threshold values to detect peaks in the first and second electrical signals.
The methods can include comparing amplitudes of each of the first and second electrical signals to threshold values to detect peaks in the first and second electrical signals, determining a number of peaks in each of the first and second electrical signals, and: if the number of peaks in the first electrical signal is greater than the number of peaks in the second electrical signal, applying the first electrical voltage to at least one member of the second subset of the plurality of detector elements to increase a number of elements in the first subset of the plurality of detector elements; if the number of peaks in the second electrical signal is greater than the number of peaks in the first electrical signal, applying the second electrical voltage to at least one member of the first subset of the plurality of detector elements to increase a number of elements in the second subset of the plurality of detector elements.
The methods can include adjusting the electrical voltages applied to different members of the plurality of detector elements based on an ionization mode of the ion source. The plurality of detector elements can include an array of electrode strips, a plurality of concentric ring electrodes, a rectangular array of detector elements, and/or a hexagonal array of detector elements. The methods can include applying the first and second electrical voltages at the same time to the detector elements.
The methods can include applying an electrical signal to the ion trap to confine the positively and negatively charged particles in three dimensions within the ion trap for a minimum average trapping time of 0.1 millisecond.
Embodiments of the methods can also include any of the other steps or features disclosed herein, including steps and features disclosed in connection with different embodiments, in any combination as appropriate.
The disclosed techniques and systems can provide numerous benefits and advantages (some of which can be achieved only in some of the various aspects and embodiments) including the following. Both positively and negatively charged particles can be detected at the same time. Such detection can be achieved in mass spectrometry systems that have compact sizes and are capable of operating at relatively high pressures. Due to the components and arrangement of the systems, recombination between oppositely charged particles can be reduced, and thereby increase the efficiency of particle collection. The systems can be used to detect charged particles with opposite signs at the same time and reduce the data acquisition time. In some embodiments, electrical signals generated by detector elements receiving oppositely charged particles can be used in coherent detection schemes to reduce noises in data acquisition. Such an approach can increase the sensitivity of the mass spectrometry measurements. Further, some sample particles generate positively and negatively charged particles with distinct mass-to-charge ratio spectra. Measuring such distinct mass-to-charge spectra can provide complementary information and increase the selectivity of the measurements. Further, detecting both positively and negatively charged particles can provide information about which ionization mode of the ion source is suitable for a particular sample.
In some embodiments, the mass spectrometry systems can include a detector subsystem having a plurality of detector elements. A controller can adjust the electrical voltages applied to individual detector elements so as to control the sign of charged particles collected by respective detector elements. For example, by adjusting the electrical voltage so the detector elements collect the sign of charged particles that are dominant in the ion trap of the systems, the detector subsystems can effectively collect charged particles originating from sample particles and the sensitivity of the measurements can be increased. The disclosed techniques can provide flexibility of controlling sensitivity and selectivity depending on the sample particles being analyzed.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the subject matter herein, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
Introduction
Mass spectrometers that are used for identification of chemical substances are typically large, complex instruments that consume considerable power. Such instruments are frequently too heavy and bulky to be portable, and thus are limited to applications in environments where they can remain essentially stationary. For example, conventional mass spectrometers are typically used in laboratory settings that allow ample space, power of operation and the use of a series of pumps for evacuating the interior volume of the spectrometers to low pressures.
To achieve high sensitivity and resolution, conventional mass spectrometers typically use several components and arrangements that lead to their bulky volume and lack of compactness. For example, conventional mass spectrometers typically have a low pressure vacuum chamber with a large volume and their ion sources and ion detectors are separated by a large distance. Ionized particles travel long distances in low-pressure before being collected by the ion detectors to achieve high sensitivity and resolution, such as in time of flight measurements. When charged particles travel longer distances, recombination between oppositely charged particles can become more likely. Thus, in this case, conventional mass spectrometers may operate to selectively direct either one of positively or negatively charged particles towards their detectors. As a result, such spectrometers measure oppositely charged particles sequentially, rather than detecting both positively and negatively charged particles at the same time.
Other factors can lead to large volumes and traveling distances of charged particles in conventional mass spectrometers. Conventional ion detectors such as electron multipliers are bulky such that if two electron multipliers are placed next to each other, and one electron multiplier is selected to detect positively charged particles and the other electron multiplier is selected to detect negatively charged particles, the charged particles travel a relatively long distance in order to be separated before being collected by their respective electron multipliers. Such an arrangement is typically avoided due to concerns relating to recombination of the charged particles and sensitivity of detection. Some conventional mass spectrometers use quadrupole deflectors to separate oppositely charged particles. However, such deflectors typically require a large volume to separate the charged particles by bending their trajectories in opposite directions.
As another example, conventional ion sources can include thermionic emitters that can generate ions with high kinetic energy, which can further ionize sample particles to also have high kinetic energy. The high kinetic energy can increase the probability of recombination between oppositely charged particles, and thus the conventional mass spectrometers may operate to selectively direct either only positively or negatively charged particles towards the detectors to avoid recombination, rather than detecting both signs of charged particles at the same time.
As a result, mass spectrometers with significantly different configurations and components are needed to effectively measure both positively and negatively charged particles at the same time. The mass spectrometers disclosed herein are capable of such measurements while also being compact and operating at high pressures (e.g., pressures larger than 100 mTorr).
The mass spectrometers disclosed herein provide a compact arrangement so that traveling distances of charged particles can be significantly reduced compared to conventional mass spectrometers. The probability of recombination between opposite charged particles becomes less as the traveling distances are reduced. Hence, the disclosed spectrometers can efficiently detect both positively and negatively charged particles due to reduced recombination effects.
Moreover, because the charged particles need not travel relatively large distances, the spectrometers can typically operate within a pressure range of 100 mTorr to 100 Torr, which is significantly higher than the operating pressure range of conventional mass spectrometers. As a result, the mass spectrometers disclosed herein can feature efficient ion sources such as glow discharge ionization sources and/or capacitive discharge ionization sources. In particular, glow discharge ionization sources can produce relatively low kinetic energy ions compared to ions produced by thermionic emitters, and thus recombination effects can be reduced. Moreover, the low-current pulsed ion sources further reduce power consumption relative to continuous thermal ion sources such as thermionic emitters that are commonly found in conventional mass spectrometers. Reduced power consumption is an important consideration in compact mass spectrometry systems.
The mass spectrometry systems disclosed herein can include a detector subsystem having a plurality of detector elements that are selectively biased to detect charged particles of a particular sign. For example, the detector elements can each include an electrode. Individual electrodes can be fabricated to have a small areas, unlike bulky electron multipliers that are present in conventional mass spectrometers. Furthermore, the detector subsystem can include efficient, low power detectors such as Faraday detectors, rather than the more power hungry electron multipliers. As a result of the compact and low power components, the mass spectrometers disclosed herein can be compact, reduce recombination effects, operate efficiently and consume relatively small amounts of electrical power while being able to detect both positively and negatively charged particles at the same time. Such detection can reduce data acquisition time and provide richer information about samples of interest. Further, the mass spectrometers can be powered by standard battery-based power sources (e.g., Li ion batteries), and are portable with a handheld form factor.
Sample inlet 124 includes a valve 129. Some embodiments do not have the valve 129. Optionally included in spectrometer 100 is a buffer gas source 150. The components of spectrometer 100 are enclosed within a housing 122. Controller 108 includes an electronic processor 110, a user interface 112, a storage unit 114, a display 116, and a communication interface 117. Generally, various components need not be arranged specifically as shown in
Controller 108 is connected to ion source 102, ion trap 104, detector subsystem 119, pressure regulation subsystem 120, voltage source 106, valve 129, and optional buffer gas source 150 via control lines 127a-127g, respectively. Control lines 127a-127g permit controller 108 (e.g., electronic processor 110 in controller 108) to issue operating commands to each of the components. For example, commands can include signals that activate ion source 102, ion trap 104, detector subsystem 119, pressure regulation subsystem 120, valve 129, and buffer gas source 150. Activating signals can include instructions to voltage source 106 to apply electrical voltages to elements of the components. By applying electrical voltages, electrical potentials are applied to elements of the components. For example, such instructions can include signals to apply electrical potentials to: electrodes in ion source 102, electrodes in ion trap 104, detector elements (e.g., electrodes) of detector subsystem 119. Controller 108 can also transmit signals to activate pressure regulation subsystem 120 (e.g., through voltage source 106) to control the gas pressure, and to valve 129 to allow gas particles to enter through sample inlet 124.
Further, controller 108 can receive signals from each of the components of spectrometer 100 through control lines 127a-127g. The signals can include information about the operational characteristics of ion source 102 and/or ion trap 104 and/or detector 118 and/or pressure regulation subsystem 120. The information can include: ion currents measured by detector subsystem 119, which are related to abundances of ions with specific mass-to-charge ratios; and specific voltages applied to electrodes of ion trap 104 as particles are measured by detector subsystem 119. The specific applied voltages are related to specific values of mass-to-charge ratio for the ions. By correlating the voltage information with the measured abundance information, controller 108 can determine abundances of ions as a function of mass-to-charge ratio, and can present this information using display 116 in the form of mass spectra.
Voltage source 106 is connected to ion source 102, ion trap 104, detector subsystem 119, pressure regulation subsystem 120, and controller 108 via control lines 126a-e, respectively, and provided electrical voltages, electrical potentials and electrical power to each of these components. Voltage source 106 establishes a reference potential that corresponds to an electrical ground at a relative voltage of 0 Volts. Potentials applied by voltage source 106 to the various components of spectrometer 100 are referenced to this ground potential. In general, voltage source 106 is configured to apply potentials that are positive and potentials that are negative, relative to the reference ground potential. By applying potentials of different signs to these components (e.g., to the electrodes of the components), electric fields of different signs can be generated within the components, which cause charged particles to move in different directions.
Various components shown in
The trapped ions circulate within ion trap 104. To analyze the circulating ions, voltage source 106, under the control of controller 108, varies the amplitude of a radiofrequency trapping field applied to one or more electrodes of ion trap 104. The variation of the amplitude occurs repetitively, defining a sweep frequency for ion trap 104. As the amplitude of the field is varied, ions with specific mass-to-charge ratios fall out of orbit and some are ejected from ion trap 104. When the ions are ejected from the ion trap 104, they can travel towards the detector subsystem 119 as positively and negatively charged particles. The ejected ions are detected by detector subsystem 119, and information about the detected ions (e.g., measured ion currents from detector 118, and specific voltages that are applied to ion trap 104 when particular ion currents are measured) is transmitted to controller 108.
In some embodiments, sample inlet 124 can be positioned at other locations. For example, sample inlet 124 can be positioned so that gas particles directly enter ion source 102 from the environment outside housing 122. Sample inlet 124 can generally be positioned at any location along gas path 128, provided that the position of sample inlet 124 allows gas particles to enter gas path 128 from the environment outside housing 122. Also, ion source 102 need not be positioned on the opposite side of detector subsystem 119. For example, the positions of ion source 102 and pressure regulation subsystem 120 can be reversed in
Communication interface 117 can be a wired or wireless communication interface (or both) and configured to communicate with a wide variety of devices, including remote computers, mobile phones, and monitoring and security scanners. Communication interface 117 can be configured to transmit and receive information (e.g., operating and configuration settings for spectrometer 100, and information relating to substances of interest, including records of mass spectra of known substances, hazards associated with particular substances, classes of compounds) over a variety of networks, including but not limited to Ethernet networks, wireless WiFi networks, cellular networks, and Bluetooth wireless networks.
The mass spectrometer systems and methods disclosed herein are compact, mobile, and achieve low power operation. These characteristics are realized in part by eliminating the turbomolecular, rough, and other large mechanical pumps that are common to conventional spectrometers. In place of these large pumps, small, low power single mechanical pumps are used to control gas pressure within the mass spectrometer systems. The single mechanical pumps used in the mass spectrometer systems disclosed herein cannot reach pressures as low as conventional turbomolecular pumps. As a result, the systems disclosed herein operate at higher internal gas pressures than conventional mass spectrometers are capable of operating.
By using a single, small mechanical pump, the weight, size, and power consumption of the mass spectrometers disclosed herein is substantially reduced relative to conventional mass spectrometers. Thus, the mass spectrometers disclosed herein generally include pressure regulation subsystem 120, which features a small mechanical pump, and which is configured to maintain an internal gas pressure (e.g., a gas pressure in gas path 128, and in ion source 102, ion trap 104, and detector subsystem 119, all of which are connected to gas path 128) of between 100 mTorr and 100 Torr (e.g., between 100 mTorr and 500 mTorr, between 500 mTorr and 100 Torr, between 500 mTorr and 10 Torr, between 500 mTorr and 5 Torr, between 100 mTorr and 1 Torr). In some embodiments, the pressure regulation subsystem is configured to maintain an internal gas pressure in the mass spectrometers disclosed herein of more than 100 mTorr (e.g., more than 500 mTorr, more than 1 Torr, more than 10 Torr, more than 20 Torr).
In some embodiments, pressure regulation subsystem 120 is configured to maintain the same pressure in each of ion source 102, ion trap 104, and detector subsystem 119. In certain embodiments, the pressure in one or more of these components can differ from the pressures in the other components during operation. However, pressure regulation subsystem 120 is configured so that, even if the pressures in one or more of these components differ, the pressure in each component is still between 100 mTorr and 100 Torr (e.g., between 100 mTorr and 500 mTorr, between 500 mTorr and 100 Torr, between 500 mTorr and 10 Torr, between 500 mTorr and 5 Torr, between 100 mTorr and 1 Torr).
In general, when the pressure in one of ion source 102, ion trap 104, and detector subsystem 119 differs from the pressure in at least one of the others of these components during operation, the pressure difference is relatively small. For example, the pressure difference can be 50 mTorr or less (e.g., 30 mTorr or less, 10 mTorr or less, 5 mTorr or less, 1 mTorr or less, 0.1 mTorr or less). Similar pressure differences can occur between any two of ion source 102, ion trap 104, and detector subsystem 119 when the pressure in each of these components is different during operation.
At the foregoing pressures, the mass spectrometers disclosed herein detect ions at a resolution of 10 amu or better. For example, in some embodiments, the resolution of the mass spectrometers disclosed herein, measured as described above, is 10 amu or better (e.g., 8 amu or better, 6 amu or better, 5 amu or better, 4 amu or better, 3 amu or better, 2 amu or better, 1 amu or better). In general, any of these resolutions can be achieved at any of the foregoing pressures using the mass spectrometers disclosed herein.
As used herein, “resolution” is defined as the full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of a measured mass peak. The resolution of a particular mass spectrometer is determined by measuring the FWHM for all peaks that appear within the range of mass-to-charge ratios from 100 to 125 amu, and selecting the largest FWHM that corresponds to a single peak (e.g., peak widths that correspond to closely spaced sets of two or more peaks are excluded) as the resolution. To determine the resolution, a chemical substance with a well known mass spectrum, such as toluene, can be used.
As shown in
Spectrometer 100 can be compact and portable. In some embodiments, for example, the spectrometer 100 can include a module that integrates several components such as ion source 102, ion trap 104 and detector subsystem 119. In certain embodiments, a maximum dimension of the module (e.g., a maximum linear distance between any two points on the module) is 10 cm or less (e.g., 9 cm or less, 8 cm or less, 7 cm or less, 6 cm or less, 5 cm or less, 4 cm or less, 3 cm or less, 2 cm or less, 1 cm or less).
In the following sections, the various components of mass spectrometer 100 will be discussed in greater detail, and various operating modes of spectrometer 100 will also be discussed. In particular, various arrangements of ion trap 104 and detector subsystem 119 for collecting positively and negatively charged particles are described.
Ion Source
In general, ion source 102 is configured to generate electrons and/or ions. Where ion source 102 generates ions directly from gas particles that are to be analyzed, the ions are then transported from ion source 102 to ion trap 104 by suitable electrical potentials applied to the electrodes of ion source 102 and ion trap 104. Depending upon the magnitude and polarity of the potentials applied to the electrodes of ion source 102 and the chemical structure of the gas particles to be analyzed (also referred as “sample particles”), the ions generated by ion source 102 can be positive or negative ions. In some embodiments, electrons and/or ions generated by ion source 102 can collide with neutral gas particles to be analyzed to generate ions from the gas particles.
By operating at higher internal gas pressures than conventional mass spectrometers, the compact mass spectrometers disclosed herein can use a variety of ion sources. In particular, ion sources that are small and that require relatively modest amounts of electrical power to operate can be used in spectrometer 100. In some embodiments, for example, ion source 102 can be a glow discharge ionization (GDI) source. In certain embodiments, ion source 102 can be a capacitive discharge ion source.
GDI sources are particularly advantageous for use in spectrometer 100 because they are compact and well suited for low power operation. The glow discharge that occurs when these sources are active occurs only when gas pressures are sufficient, however. Typically, for example, GDI sources are practically limited in operation to gas pressures of approximately 200 mTorr and above. At pressures lower than 200 mTorr, sustaining a stable glow discharge can be difficult without very high applied voltages and large electrode gaps. As a result, GDI sources are not used in conventional mass spectrometers, which operate at pressures of 1 mTorr or less. However, because the mass spectrometers disclosed herein typically operate at gas pressures of between 100 mTorr and 100 Torr, GDI sources can be used.
In
In some embodiments, additional gas particles can be introduced into GDI source 200 to assist in the generation of electrons and/or ions in the source. For example, as explained above in connection with
Generally aperture 202 can be positioned at a variety of locations in spectrometer 100. For example, aperture 202 can be positioned in a sidewall of GDI chamber 230, where it is connected to sample inlet 124. Further, as has been described previously, in some embodiments sample inlet 124 can be positioned so that gas particles to be analyzed are drawn directly into another one of the components of spectrometer 100, such as ion trap 104 or detector subsystem 119. When the gas particles are drawn into a component other than ion source 102, the gas particles diffuse through gas path 128 and into ion source 102. Alternatively, or in addition, when the gas particles to be analyzed are drawn directly into a component such as ion trap 104, ion source 102 can generate ions and/or electrons which then collide with the gas particles to be analyzed within ion trap 104, generating ions from the gas particles directly inside the ion trap.
During operation, GDI source 200 generates a self-sustaining glow discharge (or plasma) when a voltage difference is applied between front electrode 210 and back electrode 220 by voltage source 106 under the control of controller 108. In some embodiments, the voltage difference can be 200 V or higher (e.g., 300 V or higher, 400 V or higher, 500 V or higher, 600 V or higher, 700 V or higher, 800 V or higher) to sustain the glow discharge.
By applying electrical potentials of differing polarity relative to the ground potential established by voltage source 106, GDI source 200 can be configured to operate in different ionization modes. For example, during typical operation of GDI source 200, a small fraction of gas particles is initially ionized in GDI chamber 230 due to random processes (e.g., thermal collisions). In some embodiments, electrical potentials are applied to front electrode 210 and back electrode 220 such that front electrode 210 serves as the cathode and back electrode 220 serves as the anode. In this configuration, positive ions generated in GDI chamber 230 are driven towards the front electrode 210 due to the electric field within the chamber. Negative ions and electrons are driven towards the back electrode 220. The electrons and ions can collide with other gas particles, generating a larger population of ions. Negative ions and/or electrons exit GDI chamber 230 through the back electrode 220. In certain embodiments, suitable electrical potentials are applied to front electrode 210 and back electrode 220 so that front electrode 210 serves as the anode and back electrode 220 serves as the cathode. In this configuration, positively charged ions generated in GDI chamber 230 leave the chamber through back electrode 220. The positively charged ions can collide with other gas particles, generating a larger population of ions. After ions are generated and leave GDI chamber 230 through back electrode 220 in either operating mode, the ions enter ion trap 104 through end cap electrode 304.
In general, back electrode 220 can include one or more apertures 240. The number of apertures can be 2 or more (e.g., 4 or more, 8 or more, 16 or more, 24 or more, 48 or more, 64 or more, 100 or more, 200 or more, 300 or more, 500 or more). The number of apertures 240 and their cross-sectional shapes are generally chosen to create a relatively uniform spatial distribution of ions incident on end cap electrode 304. As the ions generated in GDI chamber 230 leave the chamber through the one or more apertures 240 in back electrode 220, the ions spread out spatially from one another due to collisions and space-charge interactions. As a result, the overall spatial distribution of ions leaving GDI source 200 diverges. By selecting a suitable number of apertures 240 having particular cross-sectional shapes, the spatial distribution of ions leaving GDI source 200 can be controlled so that the distribution overlaps or fills all of the apertures 292 formed in end cap electrode 304. In some embodiments, back electrode 220 includes a single aperture 240. The cross-sectional shape of aperture 240 can be circular, square, rectangular, or can correspond more generally to any regularly or irregularly shaped n-sided polygon. In certain embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of aperture 240 can be irregular.
In some embodiments, back electrode 220 and end cap electrode 304 can be formed as a single element, and ions formed in GDI chamber 230 can directly enter the ion trap 104 by passing through the element. In such embodiments, the combined back and end cap electrode can include a single aperture or multiple apertures, as described above.
Various operating modes can be used to generate charged particles in GDI source 200. For example, in some embodiments, a continuous operating mode is used. In this mode, charged particles are continuously generated within the ion source. In some embodiments, GDI source 200 is configured for pulsed operation.
A variety of materials can be used to form the electrodes in ion source 102, including electrodes 210 and 220 in GDI source 200. For example, the electrodes can be made from materials such as copper, aluminum, silver, nickel, gold, and/or stainless steel. In general, materials that are less prone to adsorption of sticky particles are advantageous, as the electrodes formed from such materials typically require less frequent cleaning or replacement.
The foregoing techniques described for GDI source 200 are equally applicable to other types of ion sources that can be used in spectrometer 100, such as capacitive discharge sources that are well suited for use at the relatively high gas pressures at which spectrometer 100 operates. Additional aspects and features of capacitive discharge sources are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Due to the use of compact, closely spaced electrodes, the overall size of ion source 102 can be small. The maximum dimension of ion source 102 refers to the maximum linear distance between any two points on the ion source. In some embodiments, the maximum dimension of ion source 102 is 8.0 cm or less (e.g., 6.0 cm or less, 5.0 cm or less, 4.0 cm or less, 3.0 cm or less, 2.0 cm or less, 1.0 cm or less).
Ion Trap
Ions generated by ion source 102 are trapped within ion trap 104, where they circulate under the influence of electrical fields created by applying electrical potentials to the electrodes of ion trap 104. The potentials are applied to the electrodes of ion trap 104 by voltage source 106, after receiving control signals from controller 108. To eject the circulating ions from ion trap 104 for detection, controller 108 transmits control signals to voltage source 106 which cause voltage source 106 to modulate the amplitude of a radiofrequency (RF) field within ion trap 104. Modulation of the amplitude of the RF field causes the circulating ions within ion trap 104 to fall out of orbit and exit ion trap 104, entering detector 118 where they are detected.
To ensure that gas particles drawn in to spectrometer 100 are quickly ionized and analyzed, the internal volume of mass spectrometer 100 is considerably smaller than the internal volume of conventional mass spectrometers. By reducing the internal volume of spectrometer 100, pressure regulation subsystem 120 is capable of drawing gas particles quickly into spectrometer 100. Further, by ensuring quick ionization and analysis, a user of spectrometer 100 can rapidly obtain information about a particular substance.
In contrast to typical conventional ion trap technologies, the mass spectrometers disclosed herein use compact, cylindrical ion traps for trapping and analyzing ions.
During operation, ions generated by ion source 102 enter ion trap 104 through aperture 320 in electrode 304. Voltage source 106 applies potentials to electrodes 304 and 306 to create an axial field (e.g., symmetric about axis 318) within ion trap 104. The axial field confines the ions axially between electrodes 304 and 306, ensuring that the ions do not leave ion trap through aperture 320, or through aperture 322 in electrode 306. Voltage source 106 also applies an electrical potential to central electrode 302 to generate a radial confinement field within ion trap 104. The radial field confines the ions radially within the internal aperture of electrode 302.
With both axial and radial fields present within ion trap 104, the ions circulate within the trap. The orbital geometry of each ion is determined by a number of factors, including the geometry of electrodes 302, 304, and 306, the magnitudes and signs of the potentials applied to the electrodes, and the mass-to-charge ratio of the ion. By changing the amplitude of the electrical potential applied to central electrode 302, ions of specific mass-to-charge ratios will fall out of orbit within trap 104 and exit the trap through electrode 306, entering detector 118. Therefore, to selectively analyze ions of different mass-to-charge ratios, voltage source 106 (under the control of controller 108) changes the amplitude of the electrical potential applied to electrode 302 in step-wise fashion. As the amplitude of the applied potential changes, ions of different mass-to-charge ratio are ejected from ion trap 104 and detected by detector 118. In this way, positively and negatively charged particles can both be detected through the apertures 320 and 322 of ion trap 104.
In certain linear quadrupole mass spectrometry systems, ions generated by an ion source pass through a deflection lens that can deflect positive and negative ions in different directions. Such systems are different from the systems disclosed herein in that the ions are not trapped within a 3D ion trap, but merely deflected along a trajectory from the ion source to the detector by a 2D ion trap. In the systems and methods disclosed herein, ions generated by ion source 102 are confined in three dimensions within the ion trap 104, for trapping times from 0.01 ms to hundreds of milliseconds. During this period of confinement, the trapped ions circulate within ion trap 104.
Conventionally, trapping both positive and negative ions together in a single ion trap for at least the minimum trapping time disclosed above can lead to reactions of the positive and negative ions, making the detection of accurate mass spectral information difficult or even impossible. If reaction occurs between the positive and negative ions, the prospects for simultaneously detecting both types of ions are poor.
However, the systems and methods disclosed herein, in addition to maintaining a minimum trapping time of the ions within ion trap 104, also operate at high pressures (e.g., 100 mTorr to 100 Torr, as will be described in more detail subsequently) and at high radio frequencies for ion trap 104 (e.g., frequencies within a range from 5 MHz to 100 MHz). These high pressures, high frequencies, and the small volume of ion trap 104 ensure that positive and negative ions do not substantially react with one another while simultaneously trapped within ion trap 104. As a result, both positive and negative ions can be ejected from the trap and detected simultaneously.
Electrodes 302, 304, and 306 in ion trap 104 are generally formed of a conductive material such as stainless steel, aluminum, or other metals. Spacers 308 and 310 are generally formed of insulating materials such as ceramics, Teflon® (e.g., fluorinated polymer materials), rubber, or a variety of plastic materials.
The central openings in end-cap electrodes 304 and 306, in central electrode 302, and in spacers 308 and 310 can have the same diameter and/or shape, or different diameters and/or shapes. For example, in the embodiment shown in
In general, the diameter c0 of the central opening in electrode 302 can be selected as desired to achieve a particular target resolving power when selectively ejecting ions from ion trap 104, and also to control the total internal volume of spectrometer 100. In some embodiments, c0 is approximately 0.6 mm or more (e.g., 0.8 mm or more, 1.0 mm or more, 1.2 mm or more, 1.4 mm or more, 1.6 mm or more, 1.8 mm or more). The diameter c2 of the central opening in end-cap electrodes 304 and 306 can also be selected as desired to achieve a particular target resolving power when ejecting ions from ion trap 104, and to ensure adequate confinement of ions that are not being ejected. In certain embodiments, c2 is approximately 0.25 mm or more (e.g., 0.35 mm or more, 0.45 mm or more, 0.55 mm or more, 0.65 mm or more, 0.75 mm or more).
The axial length c1 of the combined openings in electrode 302 and spacers 308 and 310 can also be selected as desired to ensure adequate ion confinement and to achieve a particular target resolving power when ejecting ions from ion trap 104. In some embodiments, c1 is approximately 0.6 mm or more (e.g., 0.8 mm or more, 1.0 mm or more, 1.2 mm or more, 1.4 mm or more, 1.6 mm or more, 1.8 mm or more).
It has been determined experimentally that the resolving power of spectrometer 100 is greater when c0 and c1 are selected such that c1/c0 is greater than 0.83. Therefore, in certain embodiments, c0 and c1 are selected so that the value of c1/c0 is 0.8 or more (e.g., 0.9 or more, 1.0 or more, 1.1 or more, 1.2 or more, 1.4 or more, 1.6 or more).
To overcome limitations on the number of ions that can simultaneously be trapped in ion trap 104 and increase the capacity of spectrometer 100, in some embodiments, spectrometer 100 can include an ion trap with multiple chambers.
In some embodiments, the number of ion chambers 330 in ion trap 104 can be matched to the number of apertures formed in end cap electrode 304 of an ion source. When end cap electrode 304 includes a plurality of apertures, ion trap 104 can also include a plurality of ion chambers 330, so that each aperture formed in end cap electrode 304 corresponds to a different ion chamber 330 to that ions generated by ion source 102 can be efficiently collected by ion trap 104, and trapped within ion chambers 330. The use of multiple chambers reduces space-charge interactions among the trapped ions, increasing the trapping capacity of ion trap 104. The positions and cross-sectional shapes of ion chambers 330 can be the same as the arrangements and shapes of apertures 240 and 294 of the ion source.
Additional features of ion trap 104 are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,469,298, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,406, and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,933,498, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Detector Subsystem
Spectrometer 100 includes detector subsystem 119 that is configured to collect charged particles ejected from ion trap 104 as described above. The charged particles can be positive ions, negative ions, electrons, or a combination of these particles. The detector subsystem 119 can include one or more detectors 118. Different detectors 118 can be biased to collect charged particles with different signs. In some embodiments, a detector 118 can include a plurality of detector elements that are biased to collect charged particles with different signs.
A wide variety of different detectors can be used in spectrometer 100. In some embodiments, one detector can be used to collect charged particles with a given sign (positive or negative) at a given time. The systems disclosed herein can include detector subsystems capable of collecting both positively and negatively charged particles at the same time.
In general, the Faraday cup 402 can relatively small. The maximum dimension of Faraday cup 402 corresponds to the largest linear distance between any two points on the cup. In some embodiments, for example, the maximum dimension of Faraday cup 402 is 30 mm or less (e.g., 20 mm or less, 10 mm or less, 5 mm or less, 3 mm or less). The Faraday cup 402 can be formed from one or more metals such as copper, aluminum, and silver.
During operation of spectrometer 100, charged particles are ejected from aperture 322 of ion trap 104 as described above. These ejected charged particles can include both positively and negatively charged particles, which can drift or be accelerated by electric field towards the detection subsystem 119 positioned after the aperture 320. For example, the relative electric potential between end cap electrode 306 and detector elements of the detection subsystem 119 can provide an electric field distribution which guides the charged particles. Referring to
The positively charged particles captured by electrode 410 generate an electrical signal (e.g., electric current), which can be measured by circuitry within detector subsystem 119 or sent to controller 108. Separately, negatively charged particle captures by electrode 420 generate an electrical signal (e.g., electric current), which is also measured by circuitry with the detector subsystem or sent to controller 108. If the charged particles are positive and negative ions, the measured currents are ion currents (also referred as “positive ion currents” and “negative ion currents” herein), and their amplitude is proportional to the abundance of the measured positive and negative ions, respectively. The generated electrical signals can be used to determine information about sample particles introduced into ion trap 104.
To obtain mass spectral information for an analyte, the amplitude of the electrical potential applied to central electrode 302 of ion trap 104 is varied (e.g., a variable amplitude signal, high voltage RF signal 482, is applied) to selectively eject ions of particular mass-to-charge ratios from ion trap 104. For each change in amplitude corresponding to a different mass-to-charge ratio, an ion current corresponding to ejected ions of the selected mass-to-charge ratio is measured using detector elements of the detector subsystem 119. The measured ion current as a function of the potential applied to electrode 302—which corresponds to the mass spectrum—is reported to controller 108. In some embodiments, controller 108 converts applied voltages to specific mass-to-charge ratios based on algorithms and/or calibration information for ion trap 104.
Two mass spectra can be obtained by measuring both positive and negative ion currents—one spectrum from the positive ion current and one spectrum from the negative ion current. The measurement of two spectra can provide various advantages in improving the analysis of sample particles. For example, for some sample particles, the two mass spectra can be different. Thus, the information in both spectra can serve as a signature for such sample particles, thereby improving the analysis of sample particles. Moreover, by collecting both positively and negatively charged particles at the same time, the data acquisition time can be reduced, for example, by approximately one half, leading to higher throughput during sample analysis. Methods of operation will be described in more detail later in this disclosure.
Aperture 322 can be referred to as a “common aperture” where both positively and negatively charged particles emerge from ion trap 104. At the exit surface where center point 542 lies, the ejected particles can be traveling directions that differ from each other within an angle of 7° or less (e.g., 5° or less, 3° or less, 1° or less.) The ejected charged particles are guided by electric fields generated by the electrical potential differences between electrodes 306 and detector elements of detector subsystem 119.
Referring again to
In some embodiments, the edge-to-edge distance 548 between electrodes 510 and 520 can be 1 mm or less (e.g., 0.9 mm or less, 0.8 mm or less, 0.7 mm or less, 0.6 mm or less, 0.5 mm or less, 0.4 mm or less). The width 549 of electrode 510 can be 1 mm or less (e.g., 0.9 mm or less, 0.8 mm or less, 0.7 mm or less, 0.6 mm or less, 0.5 mm or less, 0.4 mm or less). The width of electrode 520 can have a value as described for the width of electrode 510. While in some embodiments the widths of electrodes 510 and 520 are the same, more generally the widths of electrodes 510 and 520 can be different. The small size of ion trap 104 and detector subsystem 119 provides a compact volume where charged particles travel a small distance from the ion trap 104 to the detector subsystem 119.
In some embodiments, electrodes 510 and/or 520 can be oriented at an angle with respect to the central axis 318 of ion trap 104.
In general, electrodes 510 and/or 520 can be oriented at a wide range of angles with respect to axis 318. For example, A and/or B can be 5 degrees or more (e.g., 10 degrees or more, 20 degrees or more, 30 degrees or more, 40 degrees or more, 60 degrees or more, 75 degrees or more).
As described in relation to
In this example, each axis 318 passes through the center of respective aperture 422 and passes through the center point between two electrodes. For example, axis 318 of ion chamber 330 on the top most part of
During operation, ion trap 104 can eject charged particles through apertures 322. Electrodes 610, 614, and 618 are biased at a lower electric potential than end cap electrode 306. Electrodes 612, 616, and 620 are biased at a higher electric potential than end cap electrode. Thus, positively charged particles are attracted to and received by electrodes 610, 614, and 618, while negatively charged particles are attracted to and received by electrodes 612, 616, and 620. Using multiple chambers 330 can reduce space-charge interactions among the trapped ions and increase the trapping capacity of ion trap 104. Further, the electrodes 610-620 are aligned symmetric with respect to axes 318 so that positively and negatively charged particles have a similar trajectories with respect axes 318. This allows the charged particles ejected from different apertures 322 to travel similar minimum distances. Accordingly, the electrodes 610-612 can efficiently collect the charged particles without significant loss of particles that travel longer distances than other particles.
In the example shown in
In general, detector elements such as electrodes of a detector subsystem 119 can have various shapes and arrangements.
In general, a variety of different ring shapes can be used. For example, when aperture 322 has a circular cross-sectional shape, circular rings can be used, as shown in
In some embodiments, ion trap 104 includes a two-dimensional array of ion chambers 330 and a two-dimensional array of apertures 322 such as in
In some embodiments, the plurality of electrodes of detector subsystem 119 can be grouped together to form subsets of electrode that collectively receive particles with charges of the same sign.
Moreover, in some measurements, gas particles can include several types of sample particles which are not evenly distributed in the ion chambers 330 of ion trap 104. That is, positively charged particles may be preferentially concentrated in certain ion chambers, while negatively charged particles may be preferentially concentrated in other ion chambers. For such samples, grouping detector elements such one or more groups of elements are configured to detect positively charged particles, and/or one or more groups of elements are configured to detect negatively charged particles, and/or one or more groups of elements are configured to detect both positively and negatively charged particles, can improve detection efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio. Controller 108, by receiving information from a user of the system and/or by retrieving stored information about the sample from a data storage unit, can configure patterns of bias potentials suitable for defining groups of detection elements in this manner.
A variety of methods can be used to manufacture detector subsystem 119.
In
Generally, substrate 770 can be made from electrically insulating material such as ceramics, Teflon®, rubber, plastics, various semiconductor oxide materials, and various semiconductor nitride materials. Electrodes can be formed by milling metal (e.g., copper, silver, aluminum, gold) plates and gluing the metal to substrate 770. The metal can be in contact with substrate 770. In some embodiments, the electrodes can be formed using a variety of deposition techniques including chemical vapor deposition and physical vapor deposition onto substrate 770. In certain embodiments, techniques employed in printed circuit board fabrication, including photolithographic processes (e.g., deposition, exposure, and development of photoresist materials) and laser ablation, can be used to apply the electrodes to substrate 770.
Referring to
In some embodiments, each of the detectors 118a and 118b can include a single Faraday cup or electrode configured to collect charged particles of one sign. For example, a Faraday cup in detector 118a can be biased to have an electric potential higher than that of electrode 304 to attract negatively charged particles. A Faraday cup in detector 118b can be biased to have an electric potential lower than that of electrode 306 to attract positively charged particles. In this approach, negatively charged particles are collected by detector 118a at the left-side of system 100, while positively charged particles are collect by detector 118b at the right-side of system 100, as shown in
Alternatively, in some embodiments, each of the detectors 118a and 118b can include detector elements described in relation to
Distance 912 between detector 118a and electrode 304 of ion trap 104 can be 1 mm or less (e.g., 0.9 mm or less, 0.8 mm or less.) Distance 914 between electrode of detector 118b and electrode 306 of ion trap 104 can be 1 mm or less (e.g., 0.9 mm or less, 0.8 mm or less.) Distances 912 and 914 can be the same, or can be different, depending upon the configuration of detector subsystem 119 and the sample. In some embodiments, the distance 916 between electrodes of detectors 118a and 118b can be 10 mm or less (e.g., 8 mm or less, 6 mm or less, 4 mm or less, 2 mm or less, 1 mm or less).
Generally, a detector subsystem 119 can be directly secured to housing 122. In certain embodiments, housing 122 can be configured such that a detector of the detector subsystem 119 can be easily mounted or removed, for example by securing and holding by holding elements (e.g., screws or other fasteners). This allows certain detectors, which are damaged or contaminated to be easily replaced.
Detector subsystem 119 can include circuitry that measures electrical signals generated by electrodes collecting the charged particles. In certain embodiments, the generated electrical signals are sent to controller 108 for analysis.
In some embodiments, a biased repelling grid or magnetic field can be placed in front of a detector to prevent secondary charged particle emission, which may distort the measurement of ejected ions from ion trap 104. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the secondary emission can be used for detection of the ejected ions.
Generally, geometric values described in relation to one embodiment can be applied to other embodiments described herein. For example, electrodes in a detector subsystem can have the same widths described in relation to electrodes 510 and 520 in
Referring to
Pressure Regulation Subsystem
Pressure regulation subsystem 120 is generally configured to regulate the gas pressure in gas path 128, which includes the interior volumes of ion source 102, ion trap 104, and detector subsystem 119. During operation of spectrometer 100, pressure regulation subsystem 120 maintains a gas pressure within spectrometer 100 that is 100 mTorr or more (e.g., 200 mTorr or more, 500 mTorr or more, 700 mTorr or more, 1 Torr or more, 2 Torr or more, 5 Torr or more, 10 Torr or more), and/or 100 Torr or less (e.g., 80 Torr or less, 60 Torr or less, 50 Torr or less, 40 Torr or less, 30 Torr or less, 20 Torr or less).
In some embodiments, pressure regulation subsystem 120 maintains gas pressures within the above ranges in certain components of spectrometer 100. For example, pressure regulation subsystem 120 can maintain gas pressures of between 100 mTorr and 100 Torr (e.g., between 100 mTorr and 10 Torr, between 200 mTorr and 10 Torr, between 500 mTorr and 10 Torr, between 500 mTorr and 50 Torr, between 500 mTorr and 100 Torr) in ion source 102 and/or ion trap 104 and/or detector 118. In certain embodiments, the gas pressures in at least two of ion source 102, ion trap 104, and detector subsystem 119 are the same. In some embodiments, the gas pressure in all three components are the same.
In certain embodiments, gas pressures in at least two of ion source 102, ion trap 104, and detector subsystem 119 differ by relatively small amounts. For example, pressure regulation subsystem 120 can maintain gas pressures in at least two of ion source 102, ion trap 104, and detector subsystem 119 that differ by 100 mTorr or less (e.g., 50 mTorr or less, 40 mTorr or less, 30 mTorr or less, 20 mTorr or less, 10 mTorr or less, 5 mTorr or less, 1 mTorr or less). In some embodiments, the gas pressures in all three of ion source 102, ion trap 104, and detector 118 differ by 100 mTorr or less (e.g., 50 mTorr or less, 40 mTorr or less, 30 mTorr or less, 20 mTorr or less, 10 mTorr or less, 5 mTorr or less, 1 mTorr or less).
Pressure regulation subsystem 120 can include a scroll pump, which has a pump container with one or more interleaving scroll flanges. Relative orbital motion between scroll flanges traps gases and liquids, leading to pumping activity to maintain gas pressures described in the preceding paragraphs. In certain embodiments, one scroll flange can be fixed while the other scroll flange orbits eccentrically with or without rotation. In some embodiments, both scroll flanges move with offset centers of rotation. The orbital motion of scroll flanges allows the scroll pump to generate only very small amplitude vibrations and low noise during operation. As such, the scroll pump can be directly coupled to ion trap 104 without introducing substantial detrimental effects during mass spectrum measurements. Because scroll pumps have few moving parts and generate only very small amplitude vibrations, the reliability of such pumps is generally very high.
In contrast to typical conventional mass spectrometers, a single mechanical pump such as a scroll pump can be used in the spectrometers disclosed herein to control gas pressures in each of the components of the system. By operating the mechanical pump at a relatively low rotational frequency, the mechanical coupling of vibrations into other components of the spectrometer can be substantially reduced or eliminated. Further, by operating at low rotational frequencies, the amount of power consumed by the pump is small enough that its modest requirements can be met by voltage source 106.
It has been determined experimentally that in some embodiments, by operating the single mechanical pump at a frequency of less than 6000 cycles per minute (e.g., less than 5000 cycles per minute, less than 4000 cycles per minute, less than 3000 cycles per minute, less than 2000 cycles per minute), the pump is capable of maintaining desired gas pressures within spectrometer 100, and at the same time, its power consumption requirements can be met by voltage source 106.
Housing
Mass spectrometer 100 includes a housing 122 that encloses the components of the spectrometer.
In some embodiments, display 116 is a passive or active liquid crystal or light emitting diode (LED) display. In certain embodiments, display 116 is a touchscreen display. Controller 108 is connected to display 116, and can display a variety of information to a user of mass spectrometer 100 using display 116. The information that is displayed can include, for example, information about an identity of one or more substances that are scanned by spectrometer 100. The information can also include a mass spectrum (e.g., measurements of abundances of ions detected by detector 118 as a function of mass-to-charge ratio). In addition, information that is displayed can include operating parameters and information for mass spectrometer 100 (e.g., measured ion currents, voltages applied to various components of mass spectrometer 100, names and/or identifiers associated with a current module installed in spectrometer 100, warnings associated with substances that are identified by spectrometer 100, and defined user preferences for operation of spectrometer 100). Information such as defined user preferences and operating settings can be stored in storage unit 114 and retrieved by controller 108 for display
In some embodiments, user interface 112 includes a series of controls integrated into housing 122. The controls, which can be activated by a user of spectrometer 100, can include buttons, sliders, rockers, switches, and other similar controls. By activating the controls of user interface 112, a user of spectrometer 100 can initiate a variety of functions. For example, in some embodiments, activation of one of the controls initiates a scan by spectrometer 100, during which spectrometer draws in a sample (e.g., gas particles) through sample inlet 124, generates ions from the gas particles, and then traps and analyzes the ions using ion trap 104 and detector subsystem 119. In certain embodiments, activation of one of the controls resets spectrometer 100 prior to performing a new scan. In some embodiments, spectrometer 100 includes a control that, when activated by a user, re-starts spectrometer 100 (e.g., after changing one of the components of spectrometer 100 such as a module and/or a filter connected to sample inlet 124).
When display 116 is a touchscreen display, a portion, or even all, of user interface 112 can be implemented as a series of touchscreen controls on display 116. That is, some or all of the controls of user interface 112 can be represented as touch-sensitive areas of display 116 that a user can activate by contacting display 116 with a finger.
In some embodiments, mass spectrometer 100 can include a limit sensor 1008 coupled to controller 108. Limit sensor 1008 detects gas particles in the environment surrounding mass spectrometer, and reports gas concentrations to controller 108. In certain embodiments, mass spectrometer 100 can include an explosion hazard sensor 1010. Explosion hazard sensor 1010, which is connected to controller 108, detects the presence of explosive substances in the vicinity of spectrometer 100.
Housing 122 is generally shaped so that it can be comfortably operated by a user using either one hand or two hands. In general, housing 122 can have a wide variety of different shapes. However, due to the selection and integration of components of spectrometer 100 disclosed herein, housing 122 is generally compact. As shown in
Further, due to the selection of components within spectrometer 100, the overall weight of spectrometer 100 is significantly reduced relative to conventional mass spectrometers. In certain embodiments, for example, the total weight of spectrometer 100 is 4.5 kg or less (e.g., 4.0 kg or less, 3.0 kg or less, 2.0 kg or less, 1.5 kg or less, 1.0 kg or less, 0.5 kg or less).
Operating Modes
In general, mass spectrometer 100 operates according to a variety of different operating modes.
In some embodiments, electrons and/or ions generated by ion source 102 can collide with neutral sample particles to generate ion particles to be analyzed. The ionization of sample particles can occur in the ion source 102 or in the ion trap 104. Sample particles can generate positively charged particles, negatively charged particles, or both from colliding with positive ions. Sample particles can generate either positively charged particles, negatively charged particles, or both from colliding with negative ions. Both positively and negatively charged particles are trapped within ion trap 104 as described in preceding sections.
In step 1220, controller 108 applies an electrical signal to ion trap 104 to eject a plurality of particles, where the particles include at least some of the positively and/or negatively charged particles. In some embodiments, the particles are ejected through a common aperture of an electrode of the ion trap 104. In certain embodiments, the electrode of the ion trap 104 has an array of electrodes through which the particles are ejected, as described above. The ion trap 104 can have electrodes on two sides, and particles can be ejected through apertures on both sides of ion trap 104.
In step 1230, the controller 108 applies electrical voltages to detector elements of detector subsystem 119. Further, controller 108 can apply a reference electrical voltage to the electrodes of ion trap 104. By selectively applying electrical voltages to the detector elements that are either larger or smaller than the reference electrical voltage, controller 108 controls which detector elements receive positively charged particles and which detector elements receive negatively charged particles. For example, controller 108 can apply a first electrical voltage to a first subset of the plurality of detector elements so that the first subset of the plurality of detector elements receives at least some of the positively charged particles from ion trap 104 and generates a first electrical signal. The controller 108 can also apply a second electrical voltage to a second subset of the plurality of detector elements so that the second subset of elements receives at least some of the negatively charged particles and from ion trap 104 and generates a second electrical signal.
The first and second electrical signals can be used by controller 108 to determine information about the sample particles in step 1240. In certain embodiments, the information can include peak magnitudes and/or number of peaks of the first and second electrical signals. For example, the first and second electrical signals can be measured as a function of the amplitude of the RF voltage that is applied to central electrode 302 of the ion trap. Thus, the electrical signals can indicate the abundance of charged particles according to the mass-to-charge ratio as described in preceding sections and provide mass spectra of detected charged particles.
Additional system features and methods of operation, including methods for varying ionization modes for certain samples of interest, methods for modifying various system parameters during data acquisition, and methods for determining information about samples, are disclosed for example in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/268,544, filed on May 2, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,816,272, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Some sample particles fragment similarly when positively or negatively ionized. Examples include molecules containing conjugated aromatic ring systems, such as benzene, naphthalene, and anthracene. The systems and methods disclosed herein can increase the efficiency with which such samples are detected, because detection of mass spectral information corresponding to either positive or negative ions of the sample particles can be used for identification.
Some sample particles generate positive and negative ions with rather distinct associated mass spectral information. As an example, nitro-aromatic explosive compounds typically generate positive and negative ions with different—and differentiable—mass spectra. Thus, the mass spectral information corresponding to positive and negative ions of the sample particles can act as different “fingerprints” of the sample particles, and the two mass spectra can complement each other in identifying the sample particles, increasing the selectivity with which measurements are performed.
In step 1250, controller 108 can adjust electrical voltages applied to detector elements of the detector subsystem 119. The adjustment can be based on the information determined in step 1240. In some embodiments, for example, controller 108 receives and analyzes the first and second electrical signals to generate a feedback signal. The feedback signal is transmitted to voltage source 106 which sends adjusted electrical voltages to the detector elements based on the feedback signal.
In
For a first interval of time 1330, the first electrical voltage and the second electrical voltage are applied at the same time. Thus, the first subset of elements can receive positively charged particles and the second subset of elements can receive negatively charged particles during this common time. Then, for a second time interval 1332, no electrical voltages are applied to the first and second subsets of detector elements. The second interval 1332 can correspond, for example, to a time period during which there is no need to collect charged particles, e.g., when the controller 108 is implementing other processes such as analyzing acquired data and/or changing the operating configuration of the system. Because no voltages are applied to the first and second subsets of elements, the power consumption of the system during interval 1332 is typically reduced.
Next, during interval 1334, the first and second electrical voltages are applied sequentially and repeatedly to the first and second subsets of detector elements, respectively. In some embodiments, this process can be used when controller 108 sequentially detects and analyzes the charged particles of only one sign (e.g., whichever type of charged particles are more abundant). In certain embodiments, the types of sample particles change over time. Accordingly, the first and second electrical voltages can be alternately applied in sequence over time until a preferred ionization mode (or modes) is determined by controller 108 for the sample. Methods for varying ionization modes and determining preferred ionization modes are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,816,272. In the example shown in
Next, during interval 1336, only the second electrical voltage is applied to the second subset of detector elements during a first portion of the interval, and then only the first electrical voltage is applied to the first subset of detector elements during a second portion of the interval. The first and second portions of interval 1336 overlap so that during this period of overlap, both the first and second electrical voltages are applied. Accordingly, at various times during interval 1336, the detector elements receive only positively charged particles, only negatively charged particles, or both positively and negative charged particles.
Plot 1300 is an example showing that controller 108 can apply electrical voltages to detector elements in a flexible manner over time. The adjustment of the applied electrical voltages can be based on a variety of different types of information determined by controller 108, including information about the abundances of different charged particles.
Generally, peaks in the first and second measured electrical signals 1410 and 1423 are related to the abundance of charged particles that are received at specific times. However, noise can give arise to false peaks. In this example, controller 108 identifies peaks 1420-1428 and peaks 1430-1438 above voltage threshold 1406. Peaks 1420, 1424 and 1432 are close to the voltage threshold 1406. Determining whether such peaks genuinely correspond to charged particles from the sample, or are due instead to measurement noise, can improve the accuracy of the measurements.
In some embodiments, peaks in one measured signal (e.g., plot 1400) that are sufficiently close in amplitude to voltage threshold 1406 (e.g., within 10% or less, 5% or less, 3% or less of voltage threshold 1406) such as peaks 1420 and 1424 can be compared to portions of the other measured signal (e.g., plot 1450) at corresponding times to determine whether the peaks represent true positive detection of charged particles. For example, referring to
Generally, controller 108 can be used to adjust electrical voltages applied to individual detector elements so as to reconfigure subsets of the plurality of detector elements. Referring to
Controller 108 is also configured to adjust the electrical voltages applied to the detector elements based on information determined from the electrical signals measured by the elements. For example, if the measured electrical signals indicate that positively charged particles are more abundant, controller 108 can adjust electrical voltages applied to detector elements so that a larger number of detector elements collect positively charged particles. On the other hand, if the electrical signals indicate that negatively charged particles to be more abundant, controller 108 can adjust electrical voltages applied to detector elements so that a larger number of detector elements collect negatively charged particles.
In some embodiments, the charged particles that are relatively less abundant may provide more useful information, e.g., information that can be used to identify the composition of sample particles. Accordingly, the controller 108 can adjust the electrical voltages so that a larger number of detector elements collect the charged particles that are determined to be less abundant, which can increase the sensitivity with which the less abundant charged particles are detected.
In certain embodiments, controller 108 can generate a feedback signal based on information that includes peak magnitudes and/or a number of peaks in the measured electrical signals. For example, referring to
The amplitude of signal 1410 at the temporal position of peak 1422 is significantly higher than the amplitude of signal 1412 at the same time, suggesting that at that time, the abundance of positively charged ions is significantly higher than the abundance of negatively charged ions. Controller 108, measuring this difference in signal amplitude, can send a feedback signal to voltage source 106 to change the electrical voltages applied to the detector elements so that more elements are configured to detect positively charged particles, since such particles are relatively more abundant. Conversely, at other times (e.g., at the temporal position of peak 1438), when negatively charged particles are relatively more abundant based on the difference in amplitudes between signals 1410 and 1420, controller 108 can send a feedback signal to voltage source 106 to change the electrical voltages applied to the detector elements so that more elements are configured to detect negatively charged particles. Changing the voltages applied to the detector elements effectively changes the grouping of such elements into different subsets. This dynamic reconfiguration of the detector subsystem by controller 108 can be advantageous in that, for example, the detection mode of detection subsystem 119 can be matched to the ionization mode of ion source 102.
Plots 1400 and 1450 show the same number of peaks in first and second electrical signals 1410 and 1412. However, more generally, the number of peaks in these two signals can be the same or different. A larger number of peaks in one signal can indicate that the corresponding charged particles are more abundant and/or can provide richer information for identifying the composition of the charged particles. Accordingly, controller 108 can be configured to increase the number of detector elements that collect charged particles corresponding to the electric signal with a larger number of peaks.
In some embodiments, the magnitude of the electrical voltages applied to the detector elements can be adjusted to account for varying kinetic energies of the charged particles. For example, when positively charged particles and/or negatively charged particles of low kinetic energy are being collected, electrical voltages of smaller magnitude can be applied to detector elements because charged particles of lower kinetic energy are deflected to a greater extent than charged particles of greater kinetic energy by the same electrical potential over the same distance between the ion trap and the detector subsystem. Reducing the magnitude of the applied voltages reduces power consumption by the system, which is an important consideration for compact, handheld mass spectrometry systems. Controller 108 can use information about the kinetic energies of detected particles to dynamically adjust the magnitudes of the applied potentials.
In some embodiments, one or more additional ion optical elements can also be used to direct positive and negative ions to corresponding detectors for analysis. For example, referring to
In general, the systems disclosed herein can include one or more lenses 581. The lenses can be formed from a variety of conductive materials, including aluminum, copper, and stainless steel, and the apertures formed in such lenses (e.g., through which the ions pass) can have a variety of different cross-sectional shapes, including circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, and other regular or irregular geometric shapes.
Hardware, Software, and Electronic Processing
Any of the method steps, features, and/or attributes disclosed herein can be executed by controller 108 (e.g., electronic processor 110 of controller 108) and/or one or more additional electronic processors (such as computers or preprogrammed integrated circuits) executing programs based on standard programming techniques. Such programs are designed to execute on programmable computing apparatus or specifically designed integrated circuits, each optionally including a processor, a data storage system (including memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one output device, such as a display. The program code is applied to input data to perform functions and generate output information which is applied to one or more output devices. Each such computer program can be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or an assembly or machine language. Furthermore, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language. Each such computer program can be stored on a computer readable storage medium (e.g., optical storage medium, magnetic storage medium, persistent solid state storage medium) that, when read, can cause the processor to perform the analysis and control functions described herein.
The methods and systems disclosed herein can be used for mobile scanning of substances by personnel without special training. For example, applications include on-the-spot security scanning in transportation hubs such as airports and train stations. Such applications benefit from mass spectrometers that are compact, require relatively low power to operate, and provide information that can readily be interpreted by personnel without advanced training. The systems disclosed herein can also be used in laboratories to provide rapid characterization of unknown chemical compounds. Due to their low cost and tiny footprint, laboratories can provide workers with personal spectrometers, reducing or eliminating the need to schedule analysis time at a centralized mass spectrometry facility. Additional applications include medical diagnostics testing, both in clinical settings and in residences of individual patients. Technicians performing such testing can readily interpret the information provided by such spectrometers to provide real-time feedback to patients, and also to provide rapidly updated information to medical facilities, physicians, and other health care providers.
Generally, the disclosed systems can operate in a variety of detection modes to collect positively charged particles, negatively charged particles, or both, depending on the nature of the samples. The flexibility of operating in various detection modes can reduce data acquisition time while increasing sensitivity and/or selectivity by determining information about the samples being analyzed and adjusting the detection modes. The spectrometers can be used to provide a variety of information to users including identification of chemical substances scanned by the spectrometers and/or associated contextual information, including information about a class to which substances belong (e.g., acids, bases, strong oxidizers, explosives, nitrated compounds), information about hazards associated with the substances, and safety instructions and/or information.
The spectrometers operate at internal gas pressures that are higher than conventional mass spectrometers. By operating at high pressures, the size and power consumption of the spectrometers is significantly reduced relative to conventional mass spectrometers. Moreover, even though the spectrometers operate at higher pressures, the resolution of the spectrometers is sufficient to permit accurate identification and quantification of a wide variety of chemical substances.
While this disclosure contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate embodiments can also generally be implemented in combination in other embodiments. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can generally be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
In addition to the embodiments disclosed herein, other embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure.
This application is a divisional application of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/872,402, filed on Oct. 1, 2015, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/059,126, filed on Oct. 2, 2014. The entire contents of the prior applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
This invention was made with Government support under contract 13-C-3039 awarded by the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office. The Government has certain rights in the invention.
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