GB2521753A - High temperature differential ion mobility spectroscopy - Google Patents
High temperature differential ion mobility spectroscopy Download PDFInfo
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- 238000001871 ion mobility spectroscopy Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 33
- 238000004611 spectroscopical analysis Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 129
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 107
- 239000013043 chemical agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 71
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 238000013507 mapping Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 26
- 241001122767 Theaceae Species 0.000 claims 3
- 150000002148 esters Chemical class 0.000 claims 3
- 101150012195 PREB gene Proteins 0.000 claims 2
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 abstract description 17
- 210000005036 nerve Anatomy 0.000 abstract description 10
- 150000003014 phosphoric acid esters Chemical class 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 65
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 35
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 24
- 206010012289 Dementia Diseases 0.000 description 18
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 18
- -1 ester ion Chemical class 0.000 description 17
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 13
- 239000002274 desiccant Substances 0.000 description 12
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 8
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 description 8
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 8
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000002575 chemical warfare agent Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 5
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- NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphoric acid Chemical class OP(O)(O)=O NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 206010041235 Snoring Diseases 0.000 description 3
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 3
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- UEZVMMHDMIWARA-UHFFFAOYSA-M phosphonate Chemical compound [O-]P(=O)=O UEZVMMHDMIWARA-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 2
- FUWGSUOSJRCEIV-UHFFFAOYSA-N phosphonothioic O,O-acid Chemical class OP(O)=S FUWGSUOSJRCEIV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
- G01N27/62—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating the ionisation of gases, e.g. aerosols; by investigating electric discharges, e.g. emission of cathode
- G01N27/622—Ion mobility spectrometry
- G01N27/624—Differential mobility spectrometry [DMS]; Field asymmetric-waveform ion mobility spectrometry [FAIMS]
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
- G01N33/0004—Gaseous mixtures, e.g. polluted air
- G01N33/0009—General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment
- G01N33/0027—General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment concerning the detector
- G01N33/0036—General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment concerning the detector specially adapted to detect a particular component
- G01N33/0057—Warfare agents or explosives
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J49/00—Particle spectrometers or separator tubes
- H01J49/0095—Particular arrangements for generating, introducing or analyzing both positive and negative analyte ions
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Abstract
A spectroscopy device with differential ion mobility spectroscopy (DMS) detector, to detect ionised chemical agents in air. An ioniser receives inlet air, heated above 150oC. A DMS analyser with reception element detects ionised chemical agents. In one embodiment, the device has a pre-heater to heat inlet air. In another embodiment, the analyser selects ions by varying radio frequency voltage and compensation field voltage, and has a controller to flag the presence of a chemical agent. This may be achieved by mapping from a known signature library of voltage values. The chemical agents may be negatively charged agent ions from phosphate esters of nerve agents. The receiver element may be a Faraday collector. The analyser may comprise a rapid thermal ion mobility spectroscopy micro-channel analyser. The controller may sweep the analyser through a range of voltages in cycles. The pre-heater may receive inlet air direct from a detection environment.
Description
HIGH TEMPERATURE DIFFERENTIAL ION MOBILITY SPECTROSCOPY
BACKGROUND fOOOJ { The present invention relates generally to chemical detector systems, and snore specifically to systems using differential ion mobility spectroscopy.
10002) Systems for the detection of airborne chemicals are commonly used to sense the presence of chemical warfare agents such as mustards and nerve agents. .Such systems must be capable of accurately and reliably detecting and identifying dangerous chemicals in very low concentrations, and in a variety of environments. Mau-poitabie versions of such systems are used by soldiers and engineers to identify possible bayards in the field.
(0003) Many fielded chemical warfare agent detectors use one variety or another of son mob? lay spectroscopy (IMS). IMS-based detectors ion ze incoming gases at an ioniser that feeds the ionized gases into an analyzer. Conventional devices include both time-of- flight based IMS analyzers, and differential ion mobility spectroscopy fDMS i analyzers. Field asymmetric ion mobility spectroscopy if<'>AIMS) devices are DMS syste .;? that utilize analyzers with asymmetric radio frequency fields to selectively pass ions of particular volume and charge to a reception dement such as a biased Faraday collector. Recently developed rapid thermal IMS (KTIMS s systems utilize DMS techniques with micro-scale analyzer structures, allowing RUMS instruments to achieve stronger fields.
(0004) IMS systems have low tolerances for humidity. To remove water from sample air, many fielded DMS systems use d ehumi d i lie at ion loops whereby inlet air is mixed with dry air and recirculated through or past one or more consumable ceramic sorbent or chemical desiccant elements. Recirculation systems are power intensive, and desiccant element\ may need to be replaced often in high-humidity environments.
SUMMARY
[0005] in a first, embodiment, the present, invention relates to a spectroscopy device comprising a preheater, an ionizer, and a diilenmtial ion -nobility spectroscopy (D.MS) analyzer. The preheater is disposed to heat inlet air to 1S0°C or more. The ionizer is disposed to receive and ionize heated inlet, air from the preheater. The differential ion mobility speed oseopy (DMS) analyzer has a receiver dement configured to detect, ionized chemical agents in the inlet air. j 0006) in a second embodiment, the present invention relates to a spectroscopy devsee comprising a DMS detector and a controller. The DMS detector comprises an mrezer disposed
HIGH TEMPERATURE DIFFERENTIAL ION MOBILITY SPECTROSCOPY
BACKGROUND fOOOJ { The present invention relates generally to chemical detector systems, and snore specifically to systems using differential ion mobility spectroscopy.
10002) Systems for the detection of airborne chemicals are commonly used to sense the presence of chemical warfare agents such as mustards and nerve agents. .Such systems must be capable of accurately and reliably detecting and identifying dangerous chemicals in very low concentrations, and in a variety of environments. Mau-poitabie versions of such systems are used by soldiers and engineers to identify possible bayards in the field.
(0003) Many fielded chemical warfare agent detectors use one variety or another of son mob? lay spectroscopy (IMS). IMS-based detectors ion ze incoming gases at an ioniser that feeds the ionized gases into an analyzer. Conventional devices include both time-of- flight based IMS analyzers, and differential ion mobility spectroscopy fDMS i analyzers. Field asymmetric ion mobility spectroscopy if<'>AIMS) devices are DMS syste .;? that utilize analyzers with asymmetric radio frequency fields to selectively pass ions of particular volume and charge to a reception dement such as a biased Faraday collector. Recently developed rapid thermal IMS (KTIMS s systems utilize DMS techniques with micro-scale analyzer structures, allowing RUMS instruments to achieve stronger fields.
(0004) IMS systems have low tolerances for humidity. To remove water from sample air, many fielded DMS systems use d ehumi d i lie at ion loops whereby inlet air is mixed with dry air and recirculated through or past one or more consumable ceramic sorbent or chemical desiccant elements. Recirculation systems are power intensive, and desiccant element\ may need to be replaced often in high-humidity environments.
SUMMARY
[0005] in a first, embodiment, the present, invention relates to a spectroscopy device comprising a preheater, an ionizer, and a diilenmtial ion -nobility spectroscopy (D.MS) analyzer. The preheater is disposed to heat inlet air to 1S0°C or more. The ionizer is disposed to receive and ionize heated inlet, air from the preheater. The differential ion mobility speed oseopy (DMS) analyzer has a receiver dement configured to detect, ionized chemical agents in the inlet air. v
BACKGROUND fOOOJ { The present invention relates generally to chemical detector systems, and snore specifically to systems using differential ion mobility spectroscopy.
10002) Systems for the detection of airborne chemicals are commonly used to sense the presence of chemical warfare agents such as mustards and nerve agents. .Such systems must be capable of accurately and reliably detecting and identifying dangerous chemicals in very low concentrations, and in a variety of environments. Mau-poitabie versions of such systems are used by soldiers and engineers to identify possible bayards in the field.
(0003) Many fielded chemical warfare agent detectors use one variety or another of son mob? lay spectroscopy (IMS). IMS-based detectors ion ze incoming gases at an ioniser that feeds the ionized gases into an analyzer. Conventional devices include both time-of- flight based IMS analyzers, and differential ion mobility spectroscopy fDMS i analyzers. Field asymmetric ion mobility spectroscopy if<'>AIMS) devices are DMS syste .;? that utilize analyzers with asymmetric radio frequency fields to selectively pass ions of particular volume and charge to a reception dement such as a biased Faraday collector. Recently developed rapid thermal IMS (KTIMS s systems utilize DMS techniques with micro-scale analyzer structures, allowing RUMS instruments to achieve stronger fields.
(0004) IMS systems have low tolerances for humidity. To remove water from sample air, many fielded DMS systems use d ehumi d i lie at ion loops whereby inlet air is mixed with dry air and recirculated through or past one or more consumable ceramic sorbent or chemical desiccant elements. Recirculation systems are power intensive, and desiccant element\ may need to be replaced often in high-humidity environments.
SUMMARY
[0005] in a first, embodiment, the present, invention relates to a spectroscopy device comprising a preheater, an ionizer, and a diilenmtial ion -nobility spectroscopy (D.MS) analyzer. The preheater is disposed to heat inlet air to 1S0°C or more. The ionizer is disposed to receive and ionize heated inlet, air from the preheater. The differential ion mobility speed oseopy (DMS) analyzer has a receiver dement configured to detect, ionized chemical agents in the inlet air. j 0006) in a second embodiment, the present invention relates to a spectroscopy de vsee comprising a DMS detector and a controller. The DMS detector comprises an mrezer disposed to receive and ionize inlet air at 150°C or more, an an analyzer disposed to selectively receive ions from the ionizer under varying radio frequency voltage and compensation field voltage. The controller is configured to Hag at least one chemical agent as present in the inlet, air upon reception of positively or negati vely char ged ions by the analyzer under corresponding values of the radio frequency voltage and the compensation field voltage.
BRUIT DESCRIPTION OF THE: DRAWINGS [0007{ FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a differential ion mobility spectroscopy device comprising a direct air preheater, a DMS detector, and a controller. fhOOSj FIG. 2 is schematic view of the DMS detector of FIG. 1 ,
[0009] FIG. 3 is a graph of an example drive waveform for the DMS detector of FIG, 2
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG, 1 is a schematic view of spectroscopy device 10, comprising preheater 12, ionizer 14, analyzer 16, and controller 18. Air passage 20 carries sample air from sample input 22 through preheater 12, ionizer 14, and analyzer 16 to sample exhaust 24. Preheater 12 includes primary heating element 26. In some embodiments, ionizer 14 and analyzer 16 may include .secondary Keating elements 28s and 28b, respectively. Analyzer 16 includes field chamber 30, which is bounded by ground plate 32 and radio-frequency (RF) plate 34, and terminates at reception element 36. Ampl ifier 38 receives and amplifies the voltage output of reception dement 36. and provides resulting ion detection signal ids to controller 18. Controller 1 modulates electric fields within Held chamber 30 via control signal cs.
[001 1] Sample gases enter spectroscopy device 10 via sample input 22 in prehealer 12.
P; cheater 12 heats these sample gases to at least i 50 C via primary heating element 26. Although primary heating element 26 is illustrated In. FIG. I as a resistive heater, other types of heating may equivalently be used, including chemical or radiant (he., infrared or microwave) heating systems. In some embodiments, air passage 20 may follow a tortuous or divided path through preheater 12 to maximize sample gas exposure to primary' healing element 26. Preheater 12 is a dire t inlet heater that does not recirculate sample air, hut rather receives gas directly from sample input 22 and provides gas directly to ionizer 14,
(0012 j ionizer 14 and analyzer 16 together comprise a dfi.Ieren.fif.<;>! ion mobility (.DMS) detector that detects and identifies particular chemicals within sample gases from sample input to receive and ionize inlet air at 150°C or more, an an analyzer disposed to selectively receive ions from the ionizer under varying radio frequency voltage and compensation field voltage. The controller is configured to Hag at least one chemical agent as present in the inlet, air upon reception of positively or negati vely char ged ions by the analyzer under corresponding values of the radio frequency voltage and the compensation field voltage.
BRUIT DESCRIPTION OF THE: DRAWINGS [0007{ FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a differential ion mobility spectroscopy device comprising a direct air preheater, a DMS detector, and a controller. fhOOSj FIG. 2 is schematic view of the DMS detector of FIG. 1 ,
[0009] FIG. 3 is a graph of an example drive waveform for the DMS detector of FIG, 2
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG, 1 is a schematic view of spectroscopy device 10, comprising preheater 12, ionizer 14, analyzer 16, and controller 18. Air passage 20 carries sample air from sample input 22 through preheater 12, ionizer 14, and analyzer 16 to sample exhaust 24. Preheater 12 includes primary heating element 26. In some embodiments, ionizer 14 and analyzer 16 may include .secondary Keating elements 28s and 28b, respectively. Analyzer 16 includes field chamber 30, which is bounded by ground plate 32 and radio-frequency (RF) plate 34, and terminates at reception element 36. Ampl ifier 38 receives and amplifies the voltage output of reception dement 36. and provides resulting ion detection signal ids to controller 18. Controller 1 modulates electric fields within Held chamber 30 via control signal cs.
[001 1] Sample gases enter spectroscopy device 10 via sample input 22 in prehealer 12.
P; cheater 12 heats these sample gases to at least i 50 C via primary heating element 26. Although primary heating element 26 is illustrated In. FIG. I as a resistive heater, other types of heating may equivalently be used, including chemical or radiant (he., infrared or microwave) heating systems. In some embodiments, air passage 20 may follow a tortuous or divided path through preheater 12 to maximize sample gas exposure to primary' healing element 26. Preheater 12 is a dire t inlet heater that does not recirculate sample air, hut rather receives gas directly from sample input 22 and provides gas directly to ionizer 14,
BRUIT DESCRIPTION OF THE: DRAWINGS [0007{ FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a differential ion mobility spectroscopy device comprising a direct air preheater, a DMS detector, and a controller. fhOOSj FIG. 2 is schematic view of the DMS detector of FIG. 1 ,
[0009] FIG. 3 is a graph of an example drive waveform for the DMS detector of FIG, 2
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG, 1 is a schematic view of spectroscopy device 10, comprising preheater 12, ionizer 14, analyzer 16, and controller 18. Air passage 20 carries sample air from sample input 22 through preheater 12, ionizer 14, and analyzer 16 to sample exhaust 24. Preheater 12 includes primary heating element 26. In some embodiments, ionizer 14 and analyzer 16 may include .secondary Keating elements 28s and 28b, respectively. Analyzer 16 includes field chamber 30, which is bounded by ground plate 32 and radio-frequency (RF) plate 34, and terminates at reception element 36. Ampl ifier 38 receives and amplifies the voltage output of reception dement 36. and provides resulting ion detection signal ids to controller 18. Controller 1 modulates electric fields within Held chamber 30 via control signal cs.
[001 1] Sample gases enter spectroscopy device 10 via sample input 22 in prehealer 12.
P; cheater 12 heats these sample gases to at least i 50 C via primary heating element 26. Although primary heating element 26 is illustrated In. FIG. I as a resistive heater, other types of heating may equivalently be used, including chemical or radiant (he., infrared or microwave) heating systems. In some embodiments, air passage 20 may follow a tortuous or divided path through preheater 12 to maximize sample gas exposure to primary' healing element 26. Preheater 12 is a dire t inlet heater that does not recirculate sample air, hut rather receives gas directly from sample input 22 and provides gas directly to ionizer 14,
(0012 j ionizer 14 and analyzer 16 together comprise a dfi.Ieren.fif.<;>! ion mobility (.DMS) detector that detects and identifies particular chemicals within sample gases from sample input 22. Ionizer 14 is a device disposed to deposit charge on molecules of sample gases. Ionizer 14 may, ibr instance, include a corona discharge device or a radioactive source such as a plate or element of Am-24l or Ni-64. Secondary heating elements 38a and 28b may be included to maintain the temperature (T .1 SO ) set by primary heating dement. 26 of preheater 12,
10013] ionizer 14 provides thermal elections with an energy distribution in past determined by gas temperature. Analyzer 16 receives sample gas from ionizer 14, including at least a subset of ionized gas molecules. As described rn reater detail below with respect, to FIGs. 2 and 3, analyzer 1.6 is an air capacitor that asymmetrically deflects ionized gases under, the- RP field determined by an asymmetric drive vvaveiunciion (ADW) set by controller 1 and applied to R.P plate 34. This ADW comprises an RF component vol e {RFVj and a compensation field voltage (CFV). A majority of ions entering analyzer 16 are deflected by the ADW into ground plate 32 or RF plate 34, and accordingly lose their charge, forts with a volume and charge alling within a narrow·' pass band determined by the R.FV and the CFV are able to pass through chamber 30 without losing their charge, and are received by receiver element 36, Receiver element 36 produces a voltage signal when struck by charged particles, arid may, ibr example, he a posidv y-hase Faraday collector. In other embodiments, receiver element 36 may comprise both positively- and negatively-biased charge collectors, or may be alternatively biased positively and negatively to detect both positive arid negative Ions passing through analyzer 16.<'>The voltage signal Horn receiver element 36 is amplified by amplifier 38, and transmitted as ion detection signal ids to controller 18. jOOJ.4] Controller 18 is a logic-capable device with machine readable memory.
Controller 18 may, for instance, be a printed wiring board structure with a mi coprocessor and solid state data storage. Alternatively, controller id may comprise a plurality of separate devices which cooperate to perform the functions described herein. Controller 18 includes a signature library mapping particular values or ranges of RFV and CFV io chemical ion species that might impac receiver element 36, 71ns signature library may. for example, comprise a two- or da cedimensional lookup tabic by the RFV, the CFV, and (in some embodiments) the charge o the received ion,
(0015) Controller 1 is disposed to control analyzer l b via control signal o.v<,>and to analyze detection events from, analyzer 16 based on ion detection signal ids. Control signal cs sets the R.FV and CFV applied to .RF plate 34. The RFV and CFV together define a twodimensional parameter space occupied by a wide range of possible detection events. In some
22. Ionizer 14 is a device disposed to deposit charge on molecules of sample gases. Ionizer 14 may, ibr instance, include a corona discharge device or a radioactive source such as a plate or element of Am-24l or Ni-64. Secondary heating elements 38a and 28b may be included to maintain the temperature (T .1 SO ) set by primary heating dement. 26 of preheater 12,
10013] ionizer 14 provides thermal elections with an energy distribution in past determined by gas temperature. Analyzer 16 receives sample gas from ionizer 14, including at least a subset of ionized gas molecules. As described rn reater detail below with respect, to FIGs. 2 and 3, analyzer 1.6 is an air capacitor that asymmetrically deflects ionized gases under, the- RP field determined by an asymmetric drive vvaveiunciion (ADW) set by controller 1 and applied to R.P plate 34. This ADW comprises an RF component vol e {RFVj and a compensation field voltage (CFV). A majority of ions entering analyzer 16 are deflected by the ADW into ground plate 32 or RF plate 34, and accordingly lose their charge, forts with a volume and charge alling within a narrow·' pass band determined by the R.FV and the CFV are able to pass through chamber 30 without losing their charge, and are received by receiver element 36, Receiver element 36 produces a voltage signal when struck by charged particles, arid may, ibr example, he a posidv y-hase Faraday collector. In other embodiments, receiver element 36 may comprise both positively- and negatively-biased charge collectors, or may be alternatively biased positively and negatively to detect both positive arid negative Ions passing through analyzer 16.<'>The voltage signal Horn receiver element 36 is amplified by amplifier 38, and transmitted as ion detection signal ids to controller 18. jOOJ.4] Controller 18 is a logic-capable device with machine readable memory.
Controller 18 may, for instance, be a printed wiring board structure with a mi coprocessor and solid state data storage. Alternatively, controller id may comprise a plurality of separate devices which cooperate to perform the functions described herein. Controller 18 includes a signature library mapping particular values or ranges of RFV and CFV io chemical ion species that might impac receiver element 36, 71ns signature library may. for example, comprise a two- or da cedimensional lookup tabic by the RFV, the CFV, and (in some embodiments) the charge o the received ion,
(0015) Controller 1 is disposed to control analyzer l b via control signal o.v<,>and to analyze detection events from, analyzer 16 based on ion detection signal ids. Control signal cs V V h r define a embodiments, controller 18 /n y cycle through a range of values of the R.FV and CFV to fully traverse an area of this parameter space corresponding to every signature mapped in the signature library. Controller· 18 lugs the FV and CFV currently specified by control signal os whenever ion detection signal ids indicates that an ton has been received by receiver element 38, T his log is cheeked against the signature library to identify the triggering ton species received at receiver element 36. In some embodiments, controller I S may flag an alarm state if the ion species corresponds to a dangerous chemical agent. Some embodiments of controller 18 may store a history of particle identifications, either for later archiving or to flag art alarm state if a threshold number of dangerous chemical agent identifications are made within a set time period. 00 Hi] FIGs. 2 and 3 describe the behavior of spectroscopy device 10 during operation.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of ionizer .14 and analyzer 16, FIG. 2 illustrates the passage of sample gas molecules X3⁄4, v>, and through ionizer 14, into chamber 30, to ground plate 32. RF plate 34, or reception element 36. As discussed above with respect to FIG. 1. reception element 36 outputs to amplifier 38, which provides ion detection signal ids to controller 18. Ground plate 32 Is held at a constant ground potential, while plate 34 receives a varying ADW voltage specified by control signal a?. FIG. 3 is a graph of one possible embodiment of this ADW voltage as a function of lime, illustrating low potential period Δΐ·ω.γ, high potential period low voltage high voltage Vh;gh, low voltage area and high voltage area A^. Low voltage Vif,w and high voltage Vh,gu represent the lower and upper voltage bounds of the ADW, respectively, while low potential period Δί1⁄4..γand high potential period .At3⁄4iehrepresentcontinuous duration spent at low voltage V:03⁄4. and high voltage VM?», respectively. Low voltage area Α;.,3⁄4. and high voltage area A},»* are areas under the ADW curve, and represent timeweighted potential during low potential period At:owat id high potential period Athigu» respectively. [06Π| Although FIG. 2 depicts all three sample gas molecules X.·,, X», and X as electrically charged (shaded) upon passing through ionizer 14, a person skilled in the art will understand that the majority of gas molecules passing through spectroscopy device 10 will remain uncharged, and will accordingly not be registered by reception element 36, Only the minority of gas molecules charged by Ionizer 14 are of Interest in the operation of reception dement 36 and controller 18. In general, the more thermal electrons provided by ionizer 14, the greater the proportion of sample gas that will enter analyzer 16 as ions, and the greater the sensitivity of spectroscopy device 10. embodiments, controller 18 /n y cycle through a range of values of the R.FV and CFV to fully traverse an area of this parameter space corresponding to every signature mapped in the signature library. Controller· 18 lugs the FV and CFV currently specified by control signal os whenever ion detection signal ids indicates that an ton has been received by receiver element 38, T his log is cheeked against the signature library to identify the triggering ton species received at receiver element 36. In some embodiments, controller I S may flag an alarm state if the ion species corresponds to a dangerous chemical agent. Some embodiments of controller 18 may store a history of particle identifications, either for later archiving or to flag art alarm state if a threshold number of dangerous chemical agent identifications are made within a set time period. 00 Hi] FIGs. 2 and 3 describe the behavior of spectroscopy device 10 during operation.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of ionizer .14 and analyzer 16, FIG. 2 illustrates the passage of sample gas molecules X3⁄4, v>, and through ionizer 14, into chamber 30, to ground plate 32. RF plate 34, or reception element 36. As discussed above with respect to FIG. 1. reception element 36 outputs to amplifier 38, which provides ion detection signal ids to controller 18. Ground plate 32 Is held at a constant ground potential, while plate 34 receives a varying ADW voltage specified by control signal a?. FIG. 3 is a graph of one possible embodiment of this ADW voltage as a function of lime, illustrating low potential period Δΐ·ω.γ, high potential period low voltage high voltage Vh;gh, low voltage area and high voltage area A^. Low voltage Vif,w and high voltage Vh,gu represent the lower and upper voltage bounds of the ADW, respectively, while low potential period Δί1⁄4..γand high potential period .At3⁄4iehrepresentcontinuous duration spent at low voltage V:03⁄4. and high voltage VM?», respectively. Low voltage area Α;.,3⁄4. and high voltage area A},»* are areas under the ADW curve, and represent timeweighted potential during low potential period At:owat id high potential period Athigu» respectively. [06Π| Although FIG. 2 depicts all three sample gas molecules X.·,, X», and X as electrically charged (shaded) upon passing through ionizer 14, a person skilled in the art will understand that the majority of gas molecules passing through spectroscopy device 10 will remain uncharged, and will accordingly not be registered by reception element 36, Only the minority of gas molecules charged by Ionizer 14 are of Interest in the operation of reception dement 36 and controller 18. In general, the more thermal electrons provided by ionizer 14, the greater the proportion of sample gas that will enter analyzer 16 as ions, and the greater the I00 8J As shown in FIB. 2, gas molecules Xa, Xi_;. and X0follow zig-zagging trajectories under the iofiueru.e of the varying electric fields applied within chamber 30 by the ADW. As Illustrated in RG. 3, the ADW applied to RF plate 3d is a step function alternating between relatively short duration m xi a at high voltage V^, over high potential period A3⁄4,;g, an relatively long deration mini a at low voltage Vlew, < Vh!Sh, over low potential period Δ··;,ν.· > The total voltage difference between low and hig vohag.es VScv, and Vhigh. respectively, constitutes the radio frequency component voltage (RFV) referred to above with respect to FIG.
1 , while the displacement of low voltage V>0with respect to the ground defined by ground plate 32 constitutes the compensation field voltage tCFV). As shown schematically in FIG. 2, a negatively charged ion under· the influence of the electric field applied by the ADW Is attracted steeply towards RF plate 34 during high, potential period At^,. and repelled more gradually away from RF plate 34 during low potential period At/t;g3⁄4, Low voltage area AiOV» and high voltage area A:.,,.roughly correspond to the net displacement of negati ely charged ions towards ground plats 33 arid RF plate 34, respectively during the two portions of each: cycle. Ions of different cross-sections exhibit different characteristic differential mobility under variable fields, causing different chemical agents to experience different drift, towaids ground plate 32 or RF plate 34, over multiple cycles of the ADW. As illustrated in FIG. 2, gas molecule X;. has greater mobility during high potential periods Δ3⁄4,ρ;> and accordingly drifts towards RF plate 34. By contrast, gas molecule X1}has greater mobility during low potential periods At:ov,, and accordingly drills towards ground place 32, For each ion species, some configuration of the RFV and die CFV will allow that chemical to pass unimpeded through chamber .30, The arrival of an Ion at reception element 36 thus indleatea die presence of particular molecule that controller I S identifies by comparing these RFV and CFV values with entries in the signature library. By cycling through a range of ADW shapes, controller is able to test for the presence of a wide range of chemical agents in sample gases.
The present invention Is applicable to several different types of DfvIS methods. Applied to traditional DMS methods, analyzer 16 and controller 18 operate by controlling the differential mobility of chemical agent ions as they bond and de-bond to water molecules under the influence of varying fields. Applied to RUMS, analyzer 16 and controller 1 8 operate by control the differential mobility of chemical agents as a result of swell ing under varying irelds. RTIMS systems are generally more compact, and allow<7>for stronger fields<,>in general<,>higher electric fields ν&83⁄4of approximately 10,000 V/cm or more ensures that the rebonding time of
I00 8J As shown in FIB. 2, gas molecules Xa, Xi_;. and X0follow zig-zagging trajectories under the iofiueru.e of the varying electric fields applied within chamber 30 by the ADW. As Illustrated in RG. 3, the ADW applied to RF plate 3d is a step function alternating between relatively short duration m xi a at high voltage V^, over high potential period A3⁄4,;g, an relatively long deration mini a at low voltage Vlew, < Vh!Sh, over low potential period Δ··;,ν.· > The total voltage difference between low and hig vohag.es VScv, and Vhigh. respectively, constitutes the radio frequency component voltage (RFV) referred to above with respect to FIG.
1 , while the displacement of low voltage V>0with respect to the ground defined by ground plate 32 constitutes the compensation field voltage tCFV). As shown schematically in FIG. 2, a negatively charged ion under· the influence of the electric field applied by the ADW Is attracted steeply towards RF plate 34 during high, potential period At^,. and repelled more gradually away from RF plate 34 during low potential period At/t;g3⁄4, Low voltage area AiOV» and high voltage area A:.,,.roughly correspond to the net displacement of negati ely charged ions towards ground plats 33 arid RF plate 34, respectively during the two portions of each: cycle. Ions of different cross-sections exhibit different characteristic differential mobility under variable fields, causing different chemical agents to experience different drift, towaids ground plate 32 or RF plate 34, over multiple cycles of the ADW. As illustrated in FIG. 2, gas molecule X;. has greater mobility during high potential periods Δ3⁄4,ρ;> and accordingly drifts towards RF plate 34. By contrast, gas molecule X1}has greater mobility during low potential periods At:ov,, and accordingly drills towards ground place 32, For each ion species, some configuration of the RFV and die CFV will allow that chemical to pass unimpeded through chamber .30, The arrival of an Ion at reception element 36 thus indleatea die presence of particular molecule that controller I S identifies by comparing these RFV and CFV values with entries in the signature library. By cycling through a range of ADW shapes, controller is able to test for the presence of a wide range of chemical agents in sample gases.
The present invention Is applicable to several different types of DfvIS methods. Applied to traditional DMS methods, analyzer 16 and controller 18 operate by controlling the differential mobility of chemical agent ions as they bond and de-bond to water molecules under the influence of varying fields. Applied to RUMS, analyzer 16 and controller 1 8 operate by control the differential mobility of chemical agents as a result of swell ing under varying irelds.<7>f ron er fields<,>in eneral hi her water molecules to gas ions will be greater than low potential period At:ow, thereby preventing such bonding from throwing off the results of an RT!MS system, in one embodiment, analyzer 16 is an RT!MS analyzer with a width w of 30~50μτη and a length / of lOOum or more, in general, a longer lengths I allow for higher resolution at the cost of reduced device throughput. 0026| Although I MS systems are used to detect a variety of chemical warfaie agents, nerve agents such as V-agents iVX, VR, etc.) and G -agents (e.g. GB) are particularly dangerous evert in small concentrations, and are therefore of particular importance to detect. These phosphonate and phosphonothioate esters can undergo two possible ionization reactions:
Reaction 1 produces a positively charged eater ion detected in many conventional IMS devices, and lias sufficiently low activation energy to be easily obtained at conventional operating temperatures. Reaction 2, in contrast, produces a negatively charged ester ion, hot has considerably higher activation energy v-3.4 J/mol), and is accordingly only produced m detectable quantities at temperatures of 150°C or more. Convention DIMS systems, by contrast, operate well below the critical temperature of Reaction 2, The present invention heats inlet sample gas to 1 50°C or more via primary heating element 26, and maintains this temperature via secondary heating dements 28a and 28b, thereby producing negatively charged ester ion species that are received at reception element 36. Large environmental ions that are a challenge to distinguish from phosphonate ester ions are typically positively charged. Accordingly, the negatively charged ion species created in reaction 2 allow controller 18 to more accurately and precisely identify probable nerve agents among sample gases. Controller 1 is programmed to operate the detector to sense one or both of the positively charged species produced by Reaction water molecules to gas ions will be greater than low potential period At:ow, thereby preventing such bonding from throwing off the results of an RT!MS system, in one embodiment, analyzer 16 is an RT!MS analyzer with a width w of 30~50μτη and a length / of lOOum or more, in general, a longer lengths I allow for higher resolution at the cost of reduced device throughput. 0026| Although I MS systems are used to detect a variety of chemical warfaie agents, nerve agents such as V-agents iVX, VR, etc.) and G -agents (e.g. GB) are particularly dangerous evert in small concentrations, and are therefore of particular importance to detect. These phosphonate and phosphonothioate esters can undergo two possible ionization reactions:
Reaction 1 produces a positively charged eater ion detected in many conventional IMS devices, and lias sufficiently low activation energy to be easily obtained at conventional operating temperatures. Reaction 2, in contrast, produces a negatively charged ester ion, hot has considerably higher activation energy v-3.4 J/mol), and is accordingly only produced m detectable quantities at temperatures of 150°C or more. Convention DIMS systems, by contrast, operate well below the critical temperature of Reaction 2, The present invention heats inlet sample gas to 1 50°C or more via primary heating element 26, and maintains this temperature via secondary heating dements 28a and 28b, thereby producing negatively charged ester ion species that are received at reception element 36. Large environmental ions that are a challenge to distinguish from phosphonate ester ions are typically positively charged. Accordingly, the negatively charged ion species created in reaction 2 allow controller 18 to more accurately and
Reaction 1 produces a positively charged eater ion detected in many conventional IMS devices, and lias sufficiently low activation energy to be easily obtained at conventional operating temperatures. Reaction 2, in contrast, produces a negatively charged ester ion, hot has considerably higher activation energy v-3.4 J/mol), and is accordingly only produced m detectable quantities at temperatures of 150°C or more. Convention DIMS systems, by contrast, operate well below the critical temperature of Reaction 2, The present invention heats inlet sample gas to 1 50°C or more via primary heating element 26, and maintains this temperature via secondary heating dements 28a and 28b, thereby producing negatively charged ester ion species that are received at reception element 36. Large environmental ions that are a challenge to distinguish from phosphonate ester ions are typically positively charged. Accordingly, the negatively charged ion species created in reaction 2 allow controller 18 to more accurately and precisely identify probable nerve agents among sample gases. Controller 1 is programmed to operate the detector to sense one or both of the positively charged species produced by Reaction 1, and negatively charged species produced by Reaction 2. The signature database of controller 18 includes entries for negative species of phosphonate ester ions produced by Reaction 2, such that controller 18 is able to delect, identify, and flag the presence of phosphonate ester compounds in sample air based on reception of negatively charged ion species by receiver dement 3b of analyzer .16, under corresponding values of the RFV and CFV.
{ In addition to providing the critical activation energy tor Reaction 2, above, the high inlet gas temperature (>! 50<y>C) provided by preheater 12 and maintained by secondary heating elements 28a and 28b allows spectroscopy device 10 to handle relatively high humidity without need lor the air recirculation loops or consumable desiccants common among fielded IMS devices, RTI S systems depend on the suppression of cluster formation with water molecules, and as a result are highly sensitive to moisture. At room, tempera lures, conventional RT ilVlS systems can tolerate only -O.2% water vapor by volume in sample air. At temperatures of I50-200''CSby contrast, analyzer l b can tolerate --3% water vapor by volume. Heating sample gases to at least 150<o>C thus obviates the need for additional dehunudificatiors devices during ordinary operating conditions, with two significant results. First, spectroscopy device 10 is oof dependent on consumable desiccant or sorbent packs to function in humid environments. Second, spectroscopy device 10 does not need a drying ree.ircukd.ion system. Recirculation loops and fans account for approximately half of the power draw much of the weigh!, and bulk of many fielded IMS devices. By operating at sufficiently high temperatures 1 S0"C), spectroscopy device 10 is ai.de to dispense with these components, reducing the overall -weight and increasing the power efficiency and battery life oi the system. Recirculation loops also dramatically dilute sample air, sometimes by a factor of ten or more. Preheater 1 2 draws sample air directly from the environment and provides heated air directly to ionizer I A thus avoiding this dilution and increasing the overall sensitivity of spectroscopy device 10.
(00221 The present invention includes both heating elements to bold sample gases at or above the critical temperature of 150X<(>set preheater 12, primary heating element 26, and secondary heating elements 28a and 28b, described above with respect to FIG. i i, and a processor capable of identifying nerve agents based on reception of the resulting negatively charged phosphonate ester ions produced in Reaction 2<(>see controller 18<,>FiG, i ?. This invention improves system sensitivity by enabling the detection of negatively charged ester ions and avoiding sample gas dilution for dehitmidifieation, reduces the weight, bulk, and power draw
1, and negatively charged species produced by Reaction 2. The signature database of controller 18 includes entries for negative species of phosphonate ester ions produced by Reaction 2, such that controller 18 is able to delect, identify, and flag the presence of phosphonate ester compounds in sample air based on reception of negatively charged ion species by receiver dement 3b of analyzer .16, under corresponding values of the RFV and CFV.
{ In addition to providing the critical activation energy tor Reaction 2, above, the high inlet gas temperature (>! 50<y>C) provided by preheater 12 and maintained by secondary heating elements 28a and 28b allows spectroscopy device 10 to handle relatively high humidity without need lor the air recirculation loops or consumable desiccants common among fielded IMS devices, RTI S systems depend on the suppression of cluster formation with water molecules, and as a result are highly sensitive to moisture. At room, tempera lures, conventional RT ilVlS systems can tolerate only -O.2% water vapor by volume in sample air. At temperatures of I50-200''CSby contrast, analyzer l b can tolerate --3% water vapor by volume. Heating sample gases to at least 150<o>C thus obviates the need for additional dehunudificatiors devices during ordinary operating conditions, with two significant results. First, spectroscopy device 10 is oof dependent on consumable desiccant or sorbent packs to function in humid environments. Second, spectroscopy device 10 does not need a drying ree.ircukd.ion system. Recirculation loops and fans account for approximately half of the power draw much of the weigh!, and bulk of many fielded IMS devices. By operating at sufficiently high temperatures 1 S0"C), spectroscopy device 10 is ai.de to dispense with these components, reducing the overall -weight and increasing the power efficiency and battery life oi the system. Recirculation loops also dramatically dilute sample air, sometimes by a factor of ten or more. Preheater 1 2 draws sample air directly from the environment and provides heated air directly to ionizer I A thus avoiding this dilution and increasing the overall sensitivity of spectroscopy device 10.
(00221 The present invention includes both heating elements to bold sample gases at or above the critical temperature of 150X<(>set preheater 12, primary heating element 26, and secondary heating elements 28a and 28b, described above with respect to FIG. i i, and a processor capable of identifying nerve agents based on reception of the resulting negatively charged phosphonate ester ions produced in Reaction 2<(>see controller 18<,>FiG, i ?. This invention improves system sensitivity by enabling the detection of negatively charged ester ions of spectroscopy system 10 by eschewing recirculation systems, and avoids dependency on consumable desiccants. ΐϊΐί23 j Discussion of Possible Embodiments
[0024] The following are non-exclusive descriptions of possible embodiments of the present nvent ion.
| A spectroscopy device comprises: a preheater disposed to heat inlet air to 150°C or more; an ionizer disposed to receive and ionize heated inlet air from the preheater; and a differential ton mobility spectroscopy (DMS) analyzer with a reception element configured to detect ionized chemical agents in the inlet ah.
|0026{ Tire spectroscopy device of the preceding paragraph can optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or additional components:
|0627 j A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the ionized chemical agents detected by the reception element are negatively charged chemical agent ions. (0028j A further embod ent of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the detector element is a positively biased Faraday collector.
101129] A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherem the negatively charged chemical agent ions detected by the DMS analyzer are negatively charged phosphorate esters.
[0030] A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the DMS analyzer is characterized by a radio frequency voltages and compensation field voltages, and further comprising a controller configured to detect and identify particular chemical agents in the irdet air by correlating reception of negatively charged ions with the radio frequency voltages and the compensation field voltages,
]0031 j A further embodiment of die foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the controller is further configured to sweep through the analyzer through a range of radio frequency voltages and the compensation field voltages, in cycles,
[0032] A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the ionizer and the DMS analyzer each comprise secondary heaters configured to maintain the inlet air at or above 150° C, of spectroscopy system 10 by eschewing recirculation systems, and avoids dependency on consumable desiccants. ΐϊΐί23 j Discussion of Possible Embodiments
[0024] The following are non-exclusive descriptions of possible embodiments of the present nvent ion.
| A spectroscopy device comprises: a preheater disposed to heat inlet air to 150°C or more; an ionizer disposed to receive and ionize heated inlet air from the preheater; and a differential ton mobility spectroscopy (DMS) analyzer with a reception element configured to detect ionized chemical agents in the inlet ah.
|0026{ Tire spectroscopy device of the preceding paragraph can optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or additional components:
|0627 j A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the ionized chemical agents detected by the reception element are negatively charged chemical agent ions. (0028j A further embod ent of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the detector element is a positively biased Faraday collector.
101129] A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherem the negatively charged chemical agent ions detected by the DMS analyzer are negatively charged phosphorate esters.
[0030] A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the DMS analyzer is characterized by a radio frequency voltages and compensation field voltages, and further comprising a controller configured to detect and identify particular chemical agents in the irdet air by correlating reception of negatively charged ions with the radio frequency voltages and the compensation field voltages,
]0031 j A further embodiment of die foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the controller is further configured to sweep through the analyzer through a range of radio frequency voltages and the compensation field voltages, in cycles,
[0032] A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the ionizer and the DMS analyzer each comprise secondary heaters configured to maintain the inlet air at or above 150° C, ΐϊΐί23 j Discussion of Possible Embodiments
[0024] The following are non-exclusive descriptions of possible embodiments of the present nvent ion.
| A spectroscopy device comprises: a preheater disposed to heat inlet air to 150°C or more; an ionizer disposed to receive and ionize heated inlet air from the preheater; and a differential ton mobility spectroscopy (DMS) analyzer with a reception element configured to detect ionized chemical agents in the inlet ah.
|0026{ Tire spectroscopy device of the preceding paragraph can optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or additional components:
|0627 j A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the ionized chemical agents detected by the reception element are negatively charged chemical agent ions. (0028j A further embod ent of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the detector element is a positively biased Faraday collector.
101129] A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherem the negatively charged chemical agent ions detected by the DMS analyzer are negatively charged phosphorate esters.
[0030] A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the DMS analyzer is characterized by a radio frequency voltages and compensation field voltages, and further comprising a controller configured to detect and identify particular chemical agents in the irdet air by correlating reception of negatively charged ions with the radio frequency voltages and the compensation field voltages,
]0031 j A further embodiment of die foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the controller is further configured to sweep through the analyzer through a range of radio frequency voltages and the compensation field voltages, in cycles,
[0032] A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the ionizer and the DMS analyzer each comprise secondary heaters configured to maintain the inlet air at or above 150° C, A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the direct air preheater receives inlet air directly from a detection environment, and supplies the heated inlet air irectly to the ionizer.
(0034) A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the analyzer comprises a rapid thermal Ion mobility spectroscopy micro-channel analyzer.
[0035] A spectroscopy device comprising: a differential ion mobility spectroscopy
(DMS) detector comprising: an ionizer disposed to receive and ionize inlet air at 1 0°C or mors; and an analyzer disposed to selectively receive ions front the ionizer under varying radio frequency voltage and compensation field voltage: and a controller configured to flag at least one chemical agent as present in the inlet air upon reception of negatively charged ions by the analyzer under corresponding values of the radio frequency voltage and the compensation held voiiage.
The spectroscopy device of the preceding paragraph can optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or additional components:
[0037} A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, further comprising a signature library mapping values of radio frequency voltage and compensation field voltage to particular chemical agents, and wherein the controller is configured to flag a particular chemical agent as preset# in the inlet air when negatively charged ions are received by the analyzer under values of the radio frequency voltage and the compensation field voltage mapped by the signature library to that chemical agent.
10038) A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the controller is further confi ured to vary the radio frequency voltage and the compensation field voltage so as to cycle through a coordinate space corresponding covering the full range of values stored in the signature library.
A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the analyzer hannel device with a channel thickness of 30-50μτ<η>.
A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the analyzer ermal ion mobility spectroscopy analyzer.
[0041] A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, further comprising a preheater disposed to receive and heat die in let air to 15G°C or more, and feed the heated inlet air to the ionizer.
A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the direct air preheater receives inlet air directly from a detection environment, and supplies the heated inlet air irectly to the ionizer.
(0034) A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the analyzer comprises a rapid thermal Ion mobility spectroscopy micro-channel analyzer.
[0035] A spectroscopy device comprising: a differential ion mobility spectroscopy
(DMS) detector comprising: an ionizer disposed to receive and ionize inlet air at 1 0°C or mors; and an analyzer disposed to selectively receive ions front the ionizer under varying radio frequency voltage and compensation field voltage: and a controller configured to flag at least one chemical agent as present in the inlet air upon reception of negatively charged ions by the analyzer under corresponding values of the radio frequency voltage and the compensation held voiiage.
The spectroscopy device of the preceding paragraph can optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or additional components:
[0037} A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, further comprising a signature library mapping values of radio frequency voltage and compensation field voltage to particular chemical agents, and wherein the controller is configured to flag a particular chemical agent as preset# in the inlet air when negatively charged ions are received by the analyzer under values of the radio frequency voltage and the compensation field voltage mapped by the signature library to that chemical agent.
10038) A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the controller is further confi ured to vary the radio frequency voltage and the compensation field voltage so as to cycle through a coordinate space corresponding covering the full range of values stored in the signature library.
A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the analyzer hannel device with a channel thickness of 30-50μτ<η>.
A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the analyzer ermal ion mobility spectroscopy analyzer.
[0041] A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, further comprising a ° l voiiage.
The spectroscopy device of the preceding paragraph can optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or additional components:
[0037} A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, further comprising a signature library mapping values of radio frequency voltage and compensation field voltage to particular chemical agents, and wherein the controller is configured to flag a particular chemical agent as preset# in the inlet air when negatively charged ions are received by the analyzer under values of the radio frequency voltage and the compensation field voltage mapped by the signature library to that chemical agent.
10038) A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the controller is further confi ured to vary the radio frequency voltage and the compensation field voltage so as to cycle through a coordinate space corresponding covering the full range of values stored in the signature library.
A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the analyzer hannel device with a channel thickness of 30-50μτ<η>.
A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device, wherein the analyzer ermal ion mobility spectroscopy analyzer.
[0041] A further embodiment of the preheater disposed to receive and heat die in to the ionizer. foregoing spectroscopy device, further comprising a let air to 15G °C or more, and feed the heated in let air ! A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device , w erein the preheater receives the inlet air directly from a detection environment, and feeds 1.he heated inlet air directly to the ionizer.
|0043] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary emfcodimenfis), it will he understood by those skilled in the art that various cl ranges may be made and equivalents may be substituted for element? thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition., many modifications may be made to adapt a parties. liar situation or material to the teachings of tire invention without departing from the essential scope thereof, Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular ernhodimentis) disclosed, but that the invention will include ail embodiments failing within ih :e scope of the appended claims.
! A further embodiment of the foregoing spectroscopy device , w erein the preheater receives the inlet air directly from a detection environment, and feeds 1.he heated inlet air directly to the ionizer.
|0043] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary emfcodimenfis), it will he understood by those skilled in the art that various cl ranges may be made and equivalents may be substituted for element? thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition., many modifications may be made to adapt a parties. liar situation or material to the teachings of tire invention without departing from the essential scope thereof, Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular ernhodimentis) disclosed, but that the invention will include ail embodiments failing within ih :e scope of the appended claims.
Claims (1)
- CLAIMS: a preheater (12) disposed to heat inlet air to 150°C or more; an ionizer (14) disposed to receive and ionize heated inlet air horn the preheater (12); and a differential ion mobility spectroscopy (DMS) analyzer (16) with a reception element (.56) configured to detect ionized chemical agents in the inlet air. 2, The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 1 , wherein the ionized chemical agents defected by the reeepf ion element (30) are negatively ehatged chemical agent tons. 3. The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 2, wherein the receiver element (36) is a positively biased Faraday collector. 4 The spectroscopy dev e { 10) of claim 2, wherein the negatively charged chemical iigSilt 3⁄4Oil deice tea ov ί tic D-VIS an l zer H6) are negatively charged phosphons-e esters. 5. The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 1 , wherein the DMS analyzer ( 16) is characterized by a radio frequency voltages and compensation field voltages, and further comprising a controller (1 8 ? configured to detect and identify particular chemical agents in the inlet air by correlating reception of negatively charged ions with the radio frequency voltages and the compensation field vol ages. 6. The spectroscopy device { 10 ; of claim 5.. wherein die controller ( 1 8) is further configured to sweep the analyzer f 16 } through a range of radio frequency voltages and the compensation field voltages, in cycles. 7. The spectroscopy device ( 10) of claim 1 , wherein the preheater ( 12) receives inlet air directly from a detection environment, and supplies the heated inlet air directly to the ionizer CLAIMS: a preheater (12) disposed to heat inlet air to 150°C or more; an ionizer (14) disposed to receive and ionize heated inlet air horn the preheater (12); and a differential ion mobility spectroscopy (DMS) analyzer (16) with a reception element (.56) configured to detect ionized chemical agents in the inlet air. 2, The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 1 , wherein the ionized chemical agents defected by the reeepf ion element (30) are negatively ehatged chemical agent tons. 3. The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 2, wherein the receiver element (36) is a positively biased Faraday collector. 4 The spectroscopy dev e { 10) of claim 2, wherein the negatively charged chemical iigSilt 3⁄4Oil deice tea ov ί tic D-VIS an l zer H6) are negatively charged phosphons-e esters. 5. The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 1 , wherein the DMS analyzer ( 16) is characterized by a radio frequency voltages and compensation field voltages, and further comprising a controller (1 8 ? configured to detect and identify particular chemical agents in the inlet air by correlating reception of negatively charged ions with the radio frequency voltages and the compensation field vol ages. 6. The spectroscopy device { 10 ; of claim 5.. wherein die controller ( 1 8) is further configured to sweep the analyzer f 16 } through a range of radio frequency voltages and the compensation field voltages, in cycles. 7. The spectroscopy device ( 10) of claim 1 , wherein the preheater ( 12) receives inlet air directly from a detection environment, and supplies the heated inlet air directly to the ionizer a preheater (12) disposed to heat inlet air to 150°C or more; an ionizer (14) disposed to receive and ionize heated inlet air horn the preheater (12); and a differential ion mobility spectroscopy (DMS) analyzer (16) with a reception element (.56) configured to detect ionized chemical agents in the inlet air. 2, The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 1 , wherein the ionized chemical agents defected by the reeepf ion element (30) are negatively ehatged chemical agent tons. 3. The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 2, wherein the receiver element (36) is a positively biased Faraday collector. 4 iigSilt 3⁄4Oil The spectroscopy dev deice tea ov ί tic D-VIS an l e { 10) of claim 2, wherein the negatively charged chemical zer H6) are negatively charged phosphons-e esters. 5. The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 1 , wherein the DMS analyzer ( 16) is characterized by a radio frequency voltages and compensation field voltages, and further comprising a controller (1 8 ? configured to detect and identify particular chemical agents in the inlet air by correlating reception of negatively charged ions with the radio frequency voltages and the compensation field vol ages. claim 1, wherein the DMS analyzer (16) is 6. The spectroscopy device {10; of claim 5.. wherein die controller (18) is further configured to sweep the analyzer f 16} through a range of radio frequency voltages and the compensation field voltages, in cycles. 7. The spectroscopy device ( 10) of claim 1 , wherein the preheater ( 12) receives inlet air directly from a detection environment, and supplies the heated inlet air directly to the ionizer 8. The spectroscopy device- (10) of claim L wherein the analyzer (16) comprises a rapid thermal ion mobility spectroscopy micro-channel analyzer. 9. A spectroscopy device ( 10) comprising; a differential ion mobility spectroscopy (DMS) detector comprising; an ionizer (14) disposed to receive and ionize inlet air at 150°C or more; an analyzer (16) disposed to selectively receive ions from flic ionizer under varying radio frequency voltage and compensation field voltage; and a controller ( 18) configured to flag at least one chemical agent as present in the inlet air upon reception of negatively charged ions by the analyzer ( 16) under corresponding values of the radio frequency voltage and the compensation t<'>-eid voltage. 10. The spectroscopy device ( 10) of claim 10, further comprising a signature library mapping values of radio frequency voltage and compensation field voltage to particular chemical agents, and wherein the controller i 18? is configured to flag a particular chemical agent as present in the inlet air when negatively charged ions are received by the analyzer (16) under values of the radio frequency voltage and the compensation field voltage mapped by the signature library to that chemical agent. 11. The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 10, wherein the controller ( 18) is further configured to vary the adio frequency voltage arid the compensation field voltage so as to cycle through a coordinate space corresponding covering the fell range of values stored in the signature library. 12. The spectroscopy device of claim 10, wherein the analyzer is a rotes device with a channel thickness of 30-50μη3⁄4. 13. The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 13, wherein the analyzer (16) is a rapid thermal ion mobility spectroscopy analyzer. 8. The spectroscopy device- (10) of claim L wherein the analyzer (16) comprises a rapid thermal ion mobility spectroscopy micro-channel analyzer. 9. A spectroscopy device ( 10) comprising; a differential ion mobility spectroscopy (DMS) detector comprising; an ionizer (14) disposed to receive and ionize inlet air at 150°C or more; an analyzer (16) disposed to selectively receive ions from flic ionizer under varying radio frequency voltage and compensation field voltage; and a controller ( 18) configured to flag at least one chemical agent as present in the inlet air upon reception of negatively charged ions by the analyzer ( 16) under corresponding values of the radio frequency voltage and the compensation t<'>-eid voltage. 10. The spectroscopy device ( 10) of claim 10, further comprising a signature library mapping values of radio frequency voltage and compensation field voltage to particular chemical agents, and wherein the controller i 18? is configured to flag a particular chemical agent as present in the inlet air when negatively charged ions are received by the analyzer (16) under values of the radio frequency voltage and the compensation field voltage mapped by the signature library to that chemical agent. 11. The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 10, wherein the controller ( 18) is further configured to vary the adio frequency voltage arid the compensation field voltage so as to cycle through a coordinate space corresponding covering the fell range of values stored in the signature library. 12. The spectroscopy device of claim 10, wherein the analyzer is a rotes device with a channel thickness of 30-50μη3⁄4. t anal zer 16 is a ra id an analyzer (16) disposed to selectively receive ions from flic ionizer under varying radio frequency voltage and compensation field voltage; and a controller ( 18) configured to flag at least one chemical agent as present in the inlet air upon reception of negatively charged ions by the analyzer ( 16) under corresponding values of the radio frequency voltage and the compensation t<'>-eid voltage. 10. The spectroscopy device ( 10) of claim 10, further comprising a signature library mapping values of radio frequency voltage and compensation field voltage to particular chemical agents, and wherein the controller i 18? is configured to flag a particular chemical agent as present in the inlet air when negatively charged ions are received by the analyzer (16) under values of the radio frequency voltage and the compensation field voltage mapped by the signature library to that chemical agent. 11. The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 10, wherein the controller ( 18) is further configured to vary the adio frequency voltage arid the compensation field voltage so as to cycle through a coordinate space corresponding covering the fell range of values stored in the signature library. 12. The spectroscopy device of claim 10, wherein the analyzer is a rotes device with a channel thickness of 30-50μη3⁄4. 13. The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 13, wherein the analyzer ( 16) is a rapid thermal ion mobility spectroscopy analyzer. 14, The spectroscopy device f iO) of claim. 10, further comprising a preb sater (12) disposed to receive arid heat the inlet air to 150°C or more, and Iced the healed inlet air to the ionizer (14). 15, The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 15, wherein the preheater (12) receives the inlet air directly from a detection environment, and feeds the heated inlet air directly to the ionizer (14), 16. A spectroscopy device as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 14, The spectroscopy device f iO) of claim. 10, further comprising a preb sater (12) disposed to receive arid heat the inlet air to 150°C or more, and Iced the healed inlet air to the ionizer (14). 15, The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 15, wherein the preheater (12) receives the inlet air directly from a detection environment, and feeds the heated inlet air directly to the ionizer (14), 16. A spectroscopy device as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 15, The spectroscopy device (10) of claim 15, wherein the preheater (12) receives the inlet air directly from a detection environment, and feeds the heated inlet air directly to the ionizer (14), 16. A spectroscopy device as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US201361907213P | 2013-11-21 | 2013-11-21 | |
| US14/184,267 US9057699B2 (en) | 2013-11-21 | 2014-02-19 | High temperature differential ion mobility spectroscopy |
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| Publication Number | Publication Date |
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| GB201420448D0 GB201420448D0 (en) | 2014-12-31 |
| GB2521753A true GB2521753A (en) | 2015-07-01 |
| GB2521753B GB2521753B (en) | 2020-12-30 |
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| GB1420448.1A Active GB2521753B (en) | 2013-11-21 | 2014-11-18 | High temperature differential ion mobility spectroscopy |
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| GB2566326A (en) * | 2017-09-11 | 2019-03-13 | Owlstone Inc | Ion mobility filter |
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| GB2256054A (en) * | 1991-05-20 | 1992-11-25 | Forintek Canada Corp | Testing wood samples for decay |
| US20030146377A1 (en) * | 1999-07-21 | 2003-08-07 | Sionex Corporation | Method and apparatus for electrospray-augmented high field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry |
| WO2004081527A2 (en) * | 2003-03-10 | 2004-09-23 | Sionex Corporation | Systems for differential ion mobility analysis |
| WO2005052546A2 (en) * | 2003-11-25 | 2005-06-09 | Sionex Corporation | Mobility bases apparatus and methods using dispersion characteristics to improve analysis of a sample |
| WO2009092012A1 (en) * | 2008-01-16 | 2009-07-23 | General Dynamics Armament And Technical Products, Inc. | Chemical detection system and method using a prediction methodology |
| CN103364480A (en) * | 2013-07-11 | 2013-10-23 | 中国船舶重工集团公司第七一八研究所 | Detection system for IMS (Ion Mobility Spectrometry) explosives |
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2014
- 2014-11-18 GB GB1420448.1A patent/GB2521753B/en active Active
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2256054A (en) * | 1991-05-20 | 1992-11-25 | Forintek Canada Corp | Testing wood samples for decay |
| US20030146377A1 (en) * | 1999-07-21 | 2003-08-07 | Sionex Corporation | Method and apparatus for electrospray-augmented high field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry |
| WO2004081527A2 (en) * | 2003-03-10 | 2004-09-23 | Sionex Corporation | Systems for differential ion mobility analysis |
| WO2005052546A2 (en) * | 2003-11-25 | 2005-06-09 | Sionex Corporation | Mobility bases apparatus and methods using dispersion characteristics to improve analysis of a sample |
| WO2009092012A1 (en) * | 2008-01-16 | 2009-07-23 | General Dynamics Armament And Technical Products, Inc. | Chemical detection system and method using a prediction methodology |
| CN103364480A (en) * | 2013-07-11 | 2013-10-23 | 中国船舶重工集团公司第七一八研究所 | Detection system for IMS (Ion Mobility Spectrometry) explosives |
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| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201420448D0 (en) | 2014-12-31 |
| GB2521753B (en) | 2020-12-30 |
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