Dual polarity spark ion source
AssigneeImplant Sciences Corporation
InventorsSaid Boumsellek, Dmitriy V. Ivashin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and techniques for ion analysis, including ion mobility separation and mass spectrometry, are provided using a dual polarity spark ion source and having the flexibility required to optimize the detection performance for a broad range of illicit substances with different physical and chemical properties. In various embodiments, the volatility and electro-chemical aspects may be addressed by the system described herein by performing real-time detection of compounds detectable in both positive and negative polarities and/or prioritizing spectra acquisition in a given polarity due to the high volatility and therefore short residence of certain target compounds.
Claims29
An ion analysis device, comprising:
- an ion source, the ion source including a spark ion source with a plurality of electrodes, at least a first electrode and a second electrode in the plurality being separated by a gap and configured to permit a spark discharge therebetween;
- and
- a controller that controls a switching frequency of voltage changes to the electrodes of the ion source in order to alternatively push positive ions and negative ions generated by spark discharge from the ion source, wherein the controller includes a computer controlled high voltage fast switching circuit that is able to produce stable voltages during analysis and rapidly switch polarity of the first electrode and the second electrode at any time after completion of a spectrum and wherein the positive ions are pushed in response to the controller providing a first polarity to the first electrode and the second electrode and the negative ions are pushed in response to the controller providing a second polarity to the first electrode and the second electrode that is opposite of the first polarity.
A method of controlling ionization processing, comprising:
- determining a mode of operation for ion analysis;
- determining a switching frequency of voltage changes of electrodes of an ion source, the ion source including a spark ion source with a plurality of electrodes, at least a first electrode and a second electrode in the plurality being separated by a gap and configured to permit a spark discharge therebetween;
- and
- controlling the voltage changes of the electrodes of the ion source during spark ionization according to the determined switching frequency using a controller in order to alternatively push positive ions and negative ions generated by spark discharge from the ion source, wherein the controller includes a computer controlled high voltage fast switching circuit that is able to produce stable voltages during analysis and rapidly switch polarity of the first electrode and the second electrode at any time after completion of a spectrum and wherein the positive ions are pushed in response to the controller providing a first polarity to the first electrode and the second electrode and the negative ions are pushed in response to the controller providing a second polarity to the first electrode and the second electrode that is opposite of the first polarity.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing software for controlling ionization processing, the software comprising:
- executable code that determines a mode of operation for ion analysis;
- executable code that determines a switching frequency of voltage changes of electrodes of an ion source, the ion source including a spark ion source with a plurality of electrodes, at least a first electrode and a second electrode in the plurality being separated by a gap and configured to permit a spark discharge therebetween;
- and
- executable code that controls the voltage changes to the electrodes of the ion source during spark ionization according to the determined switching frequency using a controller in order to alternatively push positive ions and negative ions generated by spark discharge from the ion source, wherein the controller includes a computer controlled high voltage fast switching circuit that is able to produce stable voltages during analysis and rapidly switch polarity of the first electrode and the second electrode at any time after completion of a spectrum and wherein the positive ions are pushed in response to the controller providing a first polarity to the first electrode and the second electrode and the negative ions are pushed in response to the controller providing a second polarity to the first electrode and the second electrode that is opposite of the first polarity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.