Low power mass analyzer and system integrating same for chemical analysis
AssigneeLeidos, Inc.
InventorNoah Christian
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A low power mass spectrometer (LPMS) includes an ionization source for generating an ionized sample beam; ion focusing optics for focusing the sample beam; and a static magnetic field region contained within an electric field-free drift region created between magnets acting as equipotential electrodes combined with a third equipotential surrounding electrode for receiving the focused sample beam and deflecting ions therein to different points on a detector array in accordance with an individual mass thereof. The LPMS operates at less than 1.2 Watts and has a physical footprint equal to or less than 12 inches at its largest length.
Claims17
A handheld low power mass spectrometer for facilitating analysis of a sample's chemical contents comprising:
- an ion focusing component for focusing a sample ion beam containing sample ions to a focal point;
- a magnet assembly located at an output of the ion focusing component for creating a permanent magnetic field region beginning at the focal point of the ion focusing component for deflecting the focused sample ions using zero power, wherein the sample ions contain ions having a range of masses from 100 to 400 Da;
- and
- a linear detector array for simultaneously detecting the deflected sample ions, wherein the linear detector array has a length equal to or less than 5.1 cm and a width equal to or less than 1.5 mm and lies in the same plane as the focal point of the ion focusing component and further wherein individual sample ions are deflected 180 degrees from the focal point to different points along the linear detector array in accordance with an individual mass thereof;
- wherein the low power mass spectrometer has a physical footprint equal to or less than 30.48 cm at its largest length.
A handheld zero-power mass analyzer for facilitating analysis of a sample's chemical contents comprising:
- a magnet assembly located at an output of an ion focusing component for creating a permanent magnetic field region beginning at a focal point of the ion focusing component for deflecting focused sample ions using zero power to a linear detector has a length equal to or less than 5.1 cm and a width equal to or less than 1.5 mm, wherein individual sample ions are deflected 180 degrees from the focal point to different points along the linear detector in accordance with an individual mass thereof in a range of 100 to 400 Da and simultaneously detected thereby;
- wherein the zero-power mass analyzer has a physical footprint equal to or less than 30.48 cm at its largest length.
A handheld low power mass spectrometer for facilitating analysis of a sample's chemical contents comprising:
- an ionization source for ionizing the sample to form an ion beam containing sample ions;
- an ion focusing component for focusing the sample ion beam to a focal point;
- a permanent magnetic field region located at an output of the ion focusing component and beginning at the focal point of the ion focusing component for deflecting the focused sample ions, wherein the sample ions contain ions having a range of masses from 100 to 400 Da;
- at least one micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) vacuum pump for maintaining a predetermined vacuum pressure in the permanent magnetic field region;
- and
- a linear detector array for simultaneously detecting the deflected sample ions, wherein the linear detector array has a length equal to or less than 5.1 cm and a width equal to or less than 1.5 mm and lies in the same plane as the focal point of the ion focusing component and further wherein individual sample ions are deflected 180 degrees from the focal point to different points along the linear detector array in accordance with an individual mass thereof;
- wherein the low power mass spectrometer has a physical footprint equal to or less than 30.48 cm at its largest length.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.