Patent ID: 6774360
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: G01N,H01J

Abstract:
An apparatus for separating ions comprising:a high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer, including; an analyzer region comprising two electrodes, for providing an electric field therebetween resulting from an application of an asymmetric waveform to at least one of the two electrodes in order to affect ion mobility, and for allowing at least a gas to pass therebetween; at least a gas inlet for introducing a first gas and a second other gas into the analyzer region, each one of the first gas and the second other gas being other than ions; and, a mixing chamber disposed between the at least a gas inlet and a first gas source and a second gas source, the mixing chamber in fluid communication with the at least a gas inlet, the first gas source and the second gas source for, in use, receiving a flow of the first gas from the first gas source and a flow of the second other gas from the second gas source, the mixing chamber for providing a flow of a carrier gas having a predetermined composition, other than substantially a same composition as air, including the first gas and the second other gas, to the at least a gas inlet for introduction into the analyzer region.