US 2012/0235033 A1 · DIFFERENTIAL MOBILITY ANALYZER

Abstract

The object of this invention is a differential mobility analyzer (DMA). Differential mobility analyzers allow classifying charged particles by their electrical mobility. The sample to analyze requires the use of a charging stage, which, in the state of the art, takes place outside of a classification region, so that the sample, once charged, is injected into the classification region of the differential mobility analyzer. Instead, the present invention charges the sample to analyze inside the classification region, to eliminate the time elapsing between the generation of the charged particles and their arrival to the classification region, resulting in a reduction in the time available for the ions to recombine. The invention improves the results obtained as recombination of the charged particles makes the results unreliable.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A differential mobility analyzer comprising:

a main duct (7) for passage of a carrier flow (F), wherein this main duct (7) is provided in its interior with a classification region (C);
a secondary flow inlet (1) to the main duct (7) for injecting an uncharged sample to be analyzed;
means (4, 5) for generating an electric field (E) in the classification region (C) where, in working mode, the electric field (E) is essentially transverse to the direction of the carrier flow (F) that runs in the classification region (C);
means (3) for determining or discriminating the electrical mobility of the charged particles (P) or ionized molecules carried by the electric field (E);
the mobility analyzer is provided with charging means (6) such that in working mode they perform this charging in the classification region (C), which is reached by all or part of the secondary flow (L) after it enters the main duct (7).

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Differential mobility analyzer

Life of this patent

Differential mobility analyzer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12