Patent Publication Number: US-9842728-B2

Title: Ion transfer tube with intermittent inlet

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present patent application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/856,389, filed Jul. 19, 2013, entitled “Mass Spectrometer Inlet with Reduced Average Flow,” and International Application PCT/US2014/045600, filed on Jul. 7, 2014, entitled “Mass Spectrometer Inlet with Reduced Average Flow”, which are assigned to the assignee of the present patent application, and which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to mass spectrometry and more particularly to remote ionization and ion transfer. 
     Mass spectrometers (MS) operate in a vacuum and separate ions with respect to mass-to-charge ratio. In embodiments that use a mass spectrometer, a sample, which may be solid, liquid, or gas, is ionized. The ions are separated in a mass analyzer according to mass-to-charge ratio and are detected by a device capable of detecting charged particles. The signal from the detector is then processed into the spectra of the relative abundance of ions as a function of the mass-to-charge ratio. The molecules are identified by correlating the identified masses with known masses or through a characteristic fragmentation pattern. 
     SUMMARY 
     An ambient ionization source, an ion transfer tube assembly, a mass spectrometry system, and a method for providing an ion stream to a mass spectrometry system are described that include using an ion transfer tube, a junction at a mass spectrometer inlet, and a high-flow small pump with a valve used to create a large ion stream flow in the ion transfer tube and then directing a portion of the ion stream (an “ion plug”) into the mass spectrometer inlet. In an implementation, an ion transfer tube assembly having an intermittent inlet for delivering an ion stream to an ion detection device that employs example techniques in accordance with the present disclosure includes an ion transfer tube that transports the ion stream, where the ion transfer tube is coupled to a first conduit coupled to an ion source; a second conduit coupled to the ion transfer tube and the ion detection device, where the second conduit transports the ion stream from the ion transfer tube to the ion detection device; and a third conduit coupled to the second conduit, where the third conduit includes a valve and is coupled to a pump, where a first ion stream flow in the ion transfer tube results when the valve is open, where a second ion stream flow in the ion transfer tube results when the valve is closed, where the second ion stream flow is less than the first ion stream flow, and where a portion of the first ion stream flow is directed to an ion detection device while the valve is closed. 
     In an implementation, a mass spectrometry system that employs example techniques in accordance with the present disclosure includes an ambient ionization ion source coupled to a first conduit; an ion transfer tube that transports an ion stream, where the ion transfer tube is coupled to the first conduit; an ion detection device coupled to a second conduit, where the second conduit is coupled to the ion transfer tube, where the second conduit transports the ion stream from the ion transfer tube to the ion detection device; a third conduit coupled to the second conduit, where the third conduit includes a valve and is coupled to a pump, where a first ion stream flow rate is created when the valve is open, and where a portion of the first ion stream flow rate is directed to the mass spectrometer inlet when the valve is closed, and where the second ion stream flow rate is less than the first ion stream flow rate; and a pump fluidly coupled to the third conduit. 
     In an implementation, a method for providing an ion stream to a mass spectrometry system that employs example techniques in accordance with the present disclosure includes providing the ion stream using an ion source having a first conduit; providing the ion stream from the ion source and the first conduit through an ion transfer tube to an ion detection device having a second conduit, where the second conduit is fluidly coupled to a third conduit at a junction, and where the third conduit includes a valve and is fluidly coupled to a pump; opening the valve when the ion detection device is analyzing an ion sample to create a first ion stream flow rate; and closing the valve to direct a portion of the first ion stream to the mass spectrometer inlet during ion injection into the ion detection device, where closing the valve causes a second ion stream flow rate that is less than the first ion stream flow rate. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The use of the same reference number in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items. 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view illustrating an analysis system including an ion transfer tube and a valve in accordance with an example implementation of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an analysis system including an ion transfer tube and a valve in accordance with an example implementation of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for utilizing the analysis system including the ion transfer tube and valve illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
     Mass spectrometers (MS) operate in a vacuum and separate ions with respect to the mass-to-charge ratio. In some embodiments using a mass spectrometer, a sample, which may be solid, liquid, or gas, is ionized and analyzed. The ions are separated in a mass analyzer according to mass-to-charge ratio and are detected by a detector capable of detecting charged particles. The signal from the detector is then processed into the spectra of the relative abundance of ions as a function of the mass-to-charge ratio. The molecules are identified by correlating the identified masses with known masses or through a characteristic fragmentation pattern. 
     Ambient ionization methods can be used in an MS or ion-mobility spectrometry (IMS) system to ionize substances for real-time and in situ chemical analysis without any sample preparation. Among them are desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), direct analysis in real-time (DART), low-temperature plasma (LTP), direct atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DAPCI) and many others. However, the application of ambient ionization for real-life problems is limited by the shortness of the distance from the sample to inlet of ion detection device. Remote sample ionization involves ion transfer to the detection system inlet using flexible tubing. However, ions from the substance which will be analyzed are frequently generated at higher pressure conditions, for example, at atmospheric pressure. A variety of direct ambient ionization methods include desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) (Takats, Z.; Wiseman, J. M.; Gologan, B.; Cooks, R. G. Science 2004, 306, 471-473), direct analysis in real time (DART) (Cody, R. B.; Laramee, J. A.; Durst, H. D. Anal. Chem. 2005, 77, 2297-2302), atmospheric pressure Dielectric Barrier Discharge Ionization (DBDI) (Na, N.; Zhao, M.; Zhang, S.; Yang, C.; Zhang, X., J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 2007, 18, 1859-1862), low-temperature plasma (LTP) (Harper, J. D.; Charipar, N. A.; Mulligan, C. C.; Zhang, X.; Cooks, R. G.; Ouyang, Z., Anal. Chem. 2008, 80, 9097-9104), etc. 
     In many instances it is not feasible to place analyzed samples in front of a mass spectrometer inlet. In this case generated ions needs to be transferred over the long distance without significant loss of analyte signal. 
     There are significant technical challenges for providing efficient transfer of low abundance analyte ions of interest from an ionization source into ion detection system over a long distance, especially in the case of a miniature mass analyzer. The challenges are mainly related to size and weight limitations of portable systems, which severely limit the choice of vacuum pumps that can be used in such systems. Small vacuum pumps limit the intake flows into a mass spectrometer to about 0.15 L/min. The main mechanism of ion losses in long narrow tubing at ion concentrations less than 10 8  cm −3  is radial diffusion to the walls (Lin, B.; Sunner, J., Ion transport by viscous gas flow through capillaries,  J Am Soc Mass Spectrom,  1994, 5, 873-885). The change in ion concentration n with diffusion limited losses can be described by: 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     n 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                       / 
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     
                       n 
                       0 
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     exp 
                     ⁡ 
                     
                       ( 
                       
                         
                           - 
                           
                             
                               
                                 D 
                                 * 
                               
                               ⁢ 
                               t 
                             
                             
                               r 
                               0 
                               2 
                             
                           
                         
                         ⁢ 
                         
                           2.405 
                           2 
                         
                       
                       ) 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   Equation 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   1 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     where D*=D/1.6 is an effective ion diffusion coefficient (to account for parabolic velocity profile inside the capillary) and t is residence time (Sunner, J. et al.). The total residence time t f  can be calculated from the value of the intake flow C and the capillary volume V: 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     t 
                     f 
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       60 
                       ⁢ 
                       
                           
                       
                       ⁢ 
                       V 
                     
                     Q 
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   Equation 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   2 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     where factor  60  is coming from conversion of L/min to L/s. Substituting t f  in equation 1 and using the relation V=πr 0   2 L one can obtain: 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     n 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                       / 
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     
                       n 
                       0 
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     exp 
                     ⁡ 
                     
                       ( 
                       
                         - 
                         
                           
                             0.68 
                             ⁢ 
                             
                                 
                             
                             ⁢ 
                             LD 
                           
                           Q 
                         
                       
                       ) 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   Equation 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   3 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     where Q is the intake flow in L/min and L is the capillary length in cm. However, as can be calculated from these equations, for a portable mass spectrometer (e.g., Q˜0.15 L/min) with remote sampling at L=50 cm and a typical value for a diffusion coefficient of D=0.04 cm 2 /s, only 0.01% of ions are transmitted from the ionization source to the mass analyzer. 
     One way to overcome this problem for remote direct ionization was proposed by R. Graham Cooks et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,592,756, which is incorporated herein by reference, where a gas flow, created by an additional pump at the inlet of a mass spectrometer, pulls ions produced by LTP ionization into a transfer tube with a much higher flow rate than intake flow into the MS inlet. This arrangement allows to reduce diffusion ion losses on walls of the ion transfer tube because of decreased ion residence time. However, in the Cooks et al. arrangement, ions are distributed over the whole internal area of large diameter tube (e.g., 6.0 mm is shown on FIG. 17 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,592,756), which is much bigger than a diameter of mass spectrometer inlet (e.g., 0.25 mm according to Gao et al. Anal. Chem., 2008, 80, 4026-4032) (paragraph 40 of column 11, U.S. Pat. No. 8,592,756). As the ion flow is proportional to a cross-section area, the portion of ions going to the mass spectrometer inlet is about 0.02% (˜(0.25/6.0) 2 ) and the rest are swept away by the additional pump, thus significantly reducing the sensitivity of detection. 
     Accordingly, an ion transfer tube assembly, a mass spectrometry system, and a method for providing an ion stream to a mass spectrometry system are described that include using an ion transfer tube and an additional conduit connected to a small high-flow low vacuum pump, where a valve is used to create a large ion stream flow or a small gas flow in the ion transfer tube. In an implementation, an ion transfer tube assembly having an intermittent inlet for delivering an ion stream to an ion detection device that employs example techniques in accordance with the present disclosure includes an ion transfer tube that transports the ion stream, where the ion transfer tube is coupled to a first conduit coupled to an ion source; a second conduit coupled to the ion transfer tube and the ion detection device, where the second conduit transports the ion stream from the ion transfer tube to the ion detection device; and a third conduit coupled to the second conduit, where the third conduit includes a valve and is coupled to a pump, and where a first ion stream flow rate is created when the valve is open, and where a second ion stream flow rate is created when the valve is closed to direct a portion of the first ion stream to the mass spectrometer inlet, where the second ion stream flow rate is less than the first ion stream flow rate. 
     In an implementation, a mass spectrometry system that employs example techniques in accordance with the present disclosure includes an ion source coupled to a first conduit; an ion transfer tube that transports an ion stream, where the ion transfer tube is coupled to the first conduit; an ion detection device coupled to a second conduit, where the second conduit is coupled to the ion transfer tube, where the second conduit transports the ion stream from the ion transfer tube to the ion detection device; a third conduit coupled to the second conduit, where the third conduit includes a valve and is coupled to a pump, where a first ion stream flow rate is created when the valve is open, and where a second ion stream flow rate is created when the valve is closed to direct a portion of the first ion stream to the mass spectrometer inlet, and where the second ion stream flow rate is less than the first ion stream flow rate; and a pump fluidly coupled to the third conduit. 
     In an implementation, a method for providing an ion stream to a mass spectrometry system that employs example techniques in accordance with the present disclosure includes providing the ion stream using an ion source having a first conduit; providing the ion stream from the ion source and the first conduit through an ion transfer tube to an ion detection device having a second conduit, where the second conduit is fluidly coupled to a third conduit at a junction, and where the third conduit includes a valve and is fluidly coupled to a pump; opening the valve when the ion detection device is analyzing an ion sample to create a first ion stream flow rate; and closing the valve to direct a portion of the first ion stream to the mass spectrometer inlet during ion injection into the ion detection device, where closing the valve causes a second ion stream flow rate that is less than the first ion stream flow rate. 
     In the above implementations, the ions can be prevented from loss on the walls of an ion transfer tube by varying high and low flows through the ion transfer tube by intermittently opening or closing the valve. During a mass analysis portion of the system cycle, the valve can be opened and a small low compression pump creates a large ion stream flow through the ion transfer tube, a portion of the second conduit, and the third conduit. When the flow Q is large, ion loss due to diffusion are minimized according to Equation 3 above. When the valve is closed (e.g., during ion injection into the ion detection device and/or mass spectrometer), the flow Q is small and determined by a mass spectrometer vacuum pump. A small flow will provide an ion plug with a high ion concentration (because ions were brought to this portion of ion transfer tube by high flow), which will be drawn inside the ion detection device (e.g., mass spectrometer) through the second conduit (e.g., a small length of capillary tubing), thus minimizing ion losses. 
     Example Implementations 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an analysis system  100  (e.g., mass spectrometry system) and an ion transfer tube  106  (e.g., ion transfer tube assembly) in accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure. As shown, the analysis system  100  can include an ion source  102 , a first conduit  104 , an ion transfer tube  106 , a second conduit  110 , an ion detection device  114 , and a third conduit  118  with a valve  120 . 
     In implementations, the analysis system  100  can include an ion source  102  that provides an ion stream  132  to the ion detection device  114  for analysis. The ion source  102  can receive a substance (e.g., fluid, solid, etc.) and use the substance to produce ions that are indicative of the composition of the substance to be analyzed. Some examples of an ion source  102  may include an electrospray ion source, a sonic spray ionization source, atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, nano-electrospray ionization, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), direct analysis in real-time (DART), direct atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DAPCI), dielectric barrier discharge ionization, low-temperature plasma desorption ionization, and electrospray-assisted laser desorption ionization, an inductively-coupled plasma, a spark ion source, a corona discharge ion source, a radioactive ion source (e.g.,  63 Ni or  241 Am), etc. In embodiments, the ion source  102  may generate ions from an object of interest at atmospheric pressure or other pressures (e.g., a reduced pressure, high pressure, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the ion source  102  can be coupled to an ion transfer tube  106  so that an ion stream  132  (e.g., ion beam, gas stream with ions, etc.), which can include ions created and/or provided by the ion source  102  and carried by a gas (e.g., air), can travel through a first conduit  104 . In some embodiments, the first conduit  104  may include a capillary tube. In one specific embodiment, the first conduit  104  includes a heated capillary tube. In another specific embodiment, the first conduit  104  included a non-heated capillary tube. In some instances, the first conduit  104  may have a constant diameter (e.g., a planar plate or cylinder) and/or a disparate diameter (e.g., a capillary with an inlet that is larger than the outlet). In the implementation shown in  FIG. 1 , the first conduit  104  can extend from the ion source  102  and into the ion transfer tube  106  such that the ion stream  132  exits a first conduit outlet  130  into the ion transfer tube  106 . In one specific implementation, the first conduit outlet  130  can be disposed in the center of the cross-section of the ion transfer tube  106 . In a specific embodiment, the first conduit  104  can have a diameter between 0.25 mm and 1.50 mm. It is contemplated that the first conduit  104  may have other diameter sizes and/or configurations (e.g., 0.15 mm, 3.5 mm, etc.). Additionally, the ion source  102  may include a remote ion source  102  in some instances with varying distances between the ion source  102  and the ion detection device  114  (e.g., two meters, 50 meters, etc.). 
     The ion transfer tube  106  can be configured to deliver ions from an object of interest in an ion stream  132  from the ion source  102  to an ion detection device  114 , which can include a mass spectrometer inlet, with an intermittent flow rate. In some embodiments, the ion transfer tube  106  may include a generally cylindrical and/or flexible tube configured to contain a gas flow, such as a polymer flow tube. In some embodiments, the ion transfer tube  106  may include other materials suitable for a gas flow, such as glass or metal, and may be conductive or non-conductive. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an ion detection device  114  configured to receive an ion sample from ion stream  132  by way of a second conduit  110 . The second conduit  110  may be disposed in and/or coupled to the ion transfer tube  106  and exposed to the ion stream  132  and/or ion plug  108  (caused by a low gas flow rate). The ions from the ion stream  132  can then continue through the second conduit  110  to the ion detection device  114 . In one specific implementation, the second conduit  110  may include a diameter of about 0.5 mm. It is contemplated that the second conduit inlet  132  may include other diameters and/or configurations (e.g., 0.25 mm, 0.6 mm, cylindrical, differing diameters, a constant diameter, etc.). 
     Additionally, a third conduit  118  can be coupled to the second conduit  110  at a junction  112 . The third conduit  118  may include materials such as a polymer, metal, and/or glass. In implementations, the third conduit  118  can include a valve  120  and can be fluidly coupled to a pump  122 . The valve  120  may be intermittently opened and closed to form a large gas flow rate and a small gas flow rate, respectively, through the ion transfer tube  106 . Some examples of a valve  120  may include a ball valve and/or a needle valve. Additionally, the valve may include an actuator (e.g., electric, pneumatic, etc.). In these implementations, the third conduit  118  can be configured to facilitate a first gas flow (e.g., 2.0 L/min, 1.0 L/min, etc.) that is higher than a second gas flow (e.g., 0.15 L/min), which the second conduit  110  may be configured to facilitate. The valve  120  can be communicably coupled to a controller  124 , which may control the position (e.g., open, shut, partially shut, etc.) of the valve  120 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a pump  122  can be in fluid communication with the ion transfer tube  106 , the second conduit  110 , and/or the third conduit  118 . In implementations, the pump  122  can be configured to pump the gas flow (e.g., air, a carrier gas, etc.) and ion stream  132  through the ion transfer tube  106 , a portion of the second conduit  110 , and/or the third conduit  118 . Some examples of the pump  122  can include a scroll pump, a diaphragm pump, a compressor, or any pump suitable to provide a gas flow through the ion transfer tube  106  and/or the third conduit  118 . The pump  122  may be configured to provide a high gas flow (e.g., 1.0 L/min) through the ion transfer tube  106  and/or the third conduit  118  in instances that the valve  120  is in an open position. In some embodiments, the pump  122  may include a vent and/or other means for venting the gas flow through the third conduit  118 . In one specific implementation, the pump  122  can include a vacuum pump configured to pump the ion stream  132  and gas flow from the third conduit  118  and to vent the gas stream into the atmosphere. The pump  122  can be coupled to a controller  124 , which can control the pump  122 . 
     In implementations, the ion detection device  114  can include a mass spectrometer that separates ionized masses based on charge to mass ratios and outputs the ionized masses to a detector. Some examples of an ion detection device  114  and/or mass spectrometer include a quadrupole mass analyzer, a time of flight (TOF) mass analyzer, a magnetic sector mass analyzer, an electrostatic sector mass analyzer, a quadrupole ion trap mass analyzer, etc. Some examples of a detector that can be used in the ion detection device  114  and/or mass spectrometer can include an electron multiplier, Faraday cups, and/or ion-to-photon detectors. 
     Additionally, pump  116  can be coupled to the ion detection device  114  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In implementations, pump  116  can include a high vacuum pump. A vacuum, at least partially created by a high vacuum pump, such as pump  116 , can reduce and/or eliminate ion-molecule collisions within the ion detection device  114  that may otherwise reduce the effectiveness of the mass spectrometer at separating elements based on their mass-to-charge ratios because molecular collisions may significantly alter the trajectories of the molecules or ions involved and result in less ions of a desired mass/charge reaching the detector of the mass spectrometer. In instances when the valve  120  is in a closed configuration and the ion detection device  114  is in an ion injection cycle/mode, the pump  116  can create a vacuum that can draw in an ion sample (e.g., 0.2 L/min) from an ion plug  108  disposed in the ion transfer tube  106  and/or the second conduit  110 . In embodiments, the pump  116  can be coupled to a vacuum chamber of the ion detection device  114  that requires a high vacuum (e.g., low pressure). For example, the pump  116  may be coupled to a vacuum chamber of the ion detection device  114  (e.g., requiring approximately 10 −3  Torr). In some specific implementations, the pump  116  may include, for example, a turbomolecular vacuum pump. 
     The analysis system  100  and third conduit  118  with the valve  120  can be configured to provide an intermittent gas flow that minimize and/or prevent ion losses to walls of the ion transfer tube  106 , especially over long distances (e.g., of tubing). During the mass analysis portion of the analysis system  100  cycle, controller  124  can open the valve  120  and pump  122  can create a large gas flow (e.g., 1.0 L/min) through the ion transfer tube  106 , the second conduit  110 , junction  112 , and third conduit  118 . When the gas flow is large, ion losses due to diffusion to the walls of the ion transfer tube  106  are minimized. During ion injection into the ion detection device  114 , controller  124  can close (or partially close) valve  120 , which creates a small gas flow (e.g., less than the large gas flow described above, 0.2 L/min) through the ion transfer tube  106  and the second conduit  110 . In this instance, the small gas flow does not travel through the third conduit  118  and/or the valve  120 . When the gas flow is small, the gas flow is determined by the ion detection device  114  and/or the pump  116 . The small gas flow transfers only a small portion of ion stream from ion transfer tube  106 , referred to as an ion plug  108  with a high ion concentration, that is proximate to the portion of the ion transfer tube  106  coupled to the second conduit  110  because of the ions brought by the large flow. Subsequent to ion injection by the ion detection device  114 , controller  124  can open the valve  120  to create a high gas flow which move the ions from ion source  102  without significant losses through ion transfer tube  106  to junction  112 . The intermittent gas flow created by cycling the large gas flow and the small gas flow previously described prevents ion losses to the walls of the ion transfer tube  106 , especially in the case of a remote ion source  102  and/or large distances between the components of the analysis system  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the analysis system  100 , including some or all components, can operate under computer control. For example, a processor  126  can be included with or in the analysis system  100  and/or controller  124  to control the components and functions of the analysis system  100  described herein using software, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry), manual processing, or a combination thereof. The terms “controller,” “functionality,” “service,” and “logic” as used herein generally represent software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of software, firmware, or hardware in conjunction with controlling the analysis system  100 . In the case of a software implementation, the module, functionality, or logic represents program code that performs specified tasks when executed on a processor (e.g., central processing unit (CPU) or CPUs). The program code can be stored in one or more computer-readable memory devices (e.g., internal memory and/or one or more tangible media), and so on. The structures, functions, approaches, and techniques described herein can be implemented on a variety of commercial computing platforms having a variety of processors. 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the analysis system  100  can be coupled with a controller  124  for controlling the analysis system  100 . The controller  124  can include a processor  126 , a memory  128 , and a communications interface  130 . In some embodiments, the controller  124  may be integrated into and/or include an integrated circuit (IC) with a user interface (e.g., controls, a readout, etc.) for the analysis system  100 . In other embodiment, the controller  124 , processor  126 , memory  128 , communications interface  130 , and/or user interface may be integrated into one system-in-package/module and/or one or more could be separate discrete components in an end system (e.g., analysis system  100 ). 
     The processor  126  provides processing functionality for the analysis system  100  and/or controller  124  and can include any number of processors, micro-controllers, or other processing systems, and resident or external memory for storing data and other information accessed or generated by the analysis system  100  and/or controller  124 . The processor  126  can execute one or more software programs that implement techniques described herein. The processor  126  is not limited by the materials from which it is formed or the processing mechanisms employed therein and, as such, can be implemented via semiconductor(s) and/or transistors (e.g., using electronic integrated circuit (IC) components), and so forth. 
     The controller  124  may include a memory  128 . The memory  128  can be an example of tangible, computer-readable storage medium that provides storage functionality to store various data associated with operation of the analysis system  100  and/or controller  124 , such as software programs and/or code segments, or other data to instruct the processor  126 , and possibly other components of the analysis system  100  and/or controller  124 , to perform the functionality described herein. Thus, the memory  128  can store data, such as a program of instructions for operating the analysis system  100  (including its components), and so forth. It should be noted that while a single memory  128  is described, a wide variety of types and combinations of memory (e.g., tangible, non-transitory memory) can be employed. The memory  128  can be integral with the processor  126 , can comprise stand-alone memory, or can be a combination of both. In specific instances, the memory  128  may include a buffer (e.g., a region of a physical memory storage used to temporarily store data while it is being moved from one place to another) and/or datalog for storing sensor data. 
     The memory  128  can include, but is not necessarily limited to removable and non-removable memory components, such as random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory (e.g., a secure digital (SD) memory card, a mini-SD memory card, and/or a micro-SD memory card), magnetic memory, optical memory, universal serial bus (USB) memory devices, hard disk memory, external memory, and so forth. In implementations, the analysis system  100  and/or the memory  128  can include removable integrated circuit card (ICC) memory, such as memory provided by a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) card, a universal integrated circuit card (UICC), and so on. 
     The controller  124  may include a communications interface  130 . The communications interface  130  can be operatively configured to communicate with components of the analysis system  100 . For example, the communications interface  130  can be configured to transmit data for storage in the analysis system  100 , retrieve data from storage in the analysis system  100 , and so forth. The communications interface  130  can also be communicatively coupled with the processor  126  to facilitate data transfer between components of the analysis system  100  and the processor  126  (e.g., for communicating inputs to the processor  126  received from a device communicatively coupled with the analysis system  100  and/or controller  124 ). It should be noted that while the communications interface  130  is described as a component of an analysis system  100  and/or controller  124 , one or more components of the communications interface  130  can be implemented as external components communicatively coupled to the analysis system  100  via a wired and/or wireless connection. The analysis system  100  can also include and/or connect to one or more input/output (I/O) devices (e.g., via the communications interface  130 ), including, but not necessarily limited to a display, a mouse, a touchpad, a keyboard, and so on. 
     The communications interface  130  and/or the processor  126  can be configured to communicate with a variety of different networks, including, but not necessarily limited to a wide-area cellular telephone network, such as a 3G cellular network, a 4G cellular network, or a global system for mobile communications (GSM) network; a wireless computer communications network, such as a WiFi network (e.g., a wireless local area network (WLAN) operated using IEEE 802.11 network standards); an internet; the Internet; a wide area network (WAN); a local area network (LAN); a personal area network (PAN) (e.g., a wireless personal area network (WPAN) operated using IEEE 802.15 network standards); a public telephone network; an extranet; an intranet; and so on. However, this list is provided by way of example only and is not meant to limit the present disclosure. Further, the communications interface  130  can be configured to communicate with a single network or multiple networks across different access points. 
     Generally, any of the functions described herein can be implemented using hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry such as integrated circuits), software, firmware, manual processing, and/or a combination thereof. Thus, the blocks discussed in this disclosure generally represent hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry such as integrated circuits), software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In the instance of a hardware configuration, the various blocks discussed in the above disclosure may be implemented as integrated circuits along with other functionality. Such integrated circuits may include all of the functions of a given block, system, or circuit, or a portion of the functions of the block, system, or circuit. Further, elements of the blocks, systems, or circuits may be implemented across multiple integrated circuits. Such integrated circuits may comprise various integrated circuits, including, but not necessarily limited to a monolithic integrated circuit, a flip chip integrated circuit, a multichip module integrated circuit, and/or a mixed signal integrated circuit. In the instance of a software implementation, the various blocks discussed in the above disclosure represent executable instructions (e.g., program code) that perform specified tasks when executed on a processor. These executable instructions can be stored in one or more tangible computer readable media. In some such instances, the entire system, block, or circuit may be implemented using its software or firmware equivalent. In other instances, one part of a given system, block, or circuit may be implemented in software or firmware, while other parts are implemented in hardware. In a specific embodiment, an analysis function or other parts and functions of the analysis system  100  can be implemented on a remote system (e.g., a server). 
     Further, the analysis system  100  may include a user interface. In implementations, a user interface can include a device configured to display information to a user. For example, a user interface can include a display screen and/or a touch screen. In one specific embodiment, analysis system  100  includes a user interface that further includes a touch screen that is coupled to controller  124  and is configured to present sensor information to a user. In this specific embodiment, the user interface may also receive input from a user and transmit the input to controller  124 . 
     Example Processes 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example process  300  that employs the disclosed techniques to employ an analysis system with an intermittent flow and/or a mass spectrometer, such as the analysis system  100  and ion detection device  114  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Accordingly, an ion stream is provided using an ion source (Block  302 ). In implementations, producing an ion stream  132  including a sample of ions from an object of interest can include, for example, using an ion source  102  (e.g., electrospray ionization, inductively-coupled plasma, spark ionization, a corona source, low-temperature plasma ionization, a radioactive source (e.g., 63Ni), etc.) to produce ions, which are subsequently introduced into first conduit  104  and/or ion transfer tube  106  with a gas flow (e.g., air, a carrier gas, etc.). In one embodiment, producing a sample of ions includes using an ion source  102  including an electrode and a low-temperature plasma ionization process. In another embodiment, providing an ion stream  132  can include using a corona discharge ion source  102  that utilizes a corona discharge surrounding a conductor to produce the sample of ions from the object of interest. In another embodiment, providing an ion stream can include using electrospray ionization to produce the sample of ions. Electrospray ionization may include applying a high voltage to a sample through an electrospray needle, which emits the sample in the form of an aerosol. The aerosol then traverses the space between the electrospray needle and a cone while solvent evaporation occurs, which results in the formation of ions. It is contemplated that providing an ion stream  132  may include using other types of an ion source  102 . 
     The ion stream is provided to an ion detection device using an ion transfer tube (Block  304 ). In implementations, providing an ion stream  132  can include using a gas flow created by a pump  116  when valve  120  is closed or by a pump  122  when valve  120  is open (or partially open) to deliver the ion stream  132  to the ion detection device  114 . The sample of ions and/or the ion stream  132  can travel and/or move through the first conduit  104 , the ion transfer tube  106 , and the second conduit  110  to the ion detection device  114 . In a specific embodiment, pump  116  can create a gas flow of 0.20 L/min that provides ion stream  132  to the second conduit  110  and ion detection device  114 . 
     A valve is opened to create a first ion stream flow rate during ion sample analysis (Block  306 ). In implementations, a controller  124  can open valve  120 , and pump  122  can create a large gas flow (e.g., 1.0 L/min) and ion stream  132  through the ion transfer tube  106 , a portion of the second conduit  110 , junction  112 , and the third conduit  118 . Because the valve  120  is open, the gas flow and the ion stream  132  flow at a large flow rate through the third conduit  118  to the pump  122 . The pump  122  can vent the ion stream  132  and gas flow to the atmosphere. The valve  120  can be opened when the ion detection device  114  is analyzing a previously injected sample of ions so the ion detection device  114  doesn&#39;t accept ions from outside at this state. A second ion stream flow in the ion transfer tube results when the valve is closed, which is less than the first ion stream flow. 
     The valve is closed to direct a portion of the first ion stream (with high ion concentration) into the ion detection device (Block  304 ). In implementations, controller  124  can close valve  120  when the ion detection device  114  requires an ion sample injection. In this implementation, the gas flow to the third conduit  118  can be stopped by closing the valve  120 , and an ion plug  108  can be formed in the portion of the ion transfer tube  106  proximate to the second conduit  110 . A small gas flow (e.g., 0.2 L/min) with an ion sample from the ion plug  108  can be drawn into the ion detection device  114  using pump  116 . Using an intermittent gas flow (e.g., alternating between a large flow and a small flow) prevents and/or minimizes ion losses to the walls of the ion transfer tube  106  and/or other components of the analysis system  100 . Additionally, the intermittent gas flow provides a high concentration of ions in the ion plug  108 , which provide for more accurate and sensitive detection of the ions from the object of interest. 
     Although the invention has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Although various configurations are discussed the apparatus, systems, subsystems, components and so forth can be constructed in a variety of ways without departing from this disclosure. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claimed invention.