Patent ID: 8357893

Claim:
An ion mobility sensor system comprising: an ion mobility spectrometer comprising: a first chamber having a first end and a second end extending along a first direction; a first electrode system that generates a constant electric field parallel to said first direction; a differential mobility spectrometer coupled to said ion mobility spectrometer comprising: a second chamber having a third end and a fourth end configured such that a fluid may flow in a second direction from said third end to said fourth end; a second electrode system that generates an asymmetric electric field within an interior of said second chamber; wherein said ion mobility spectrometer and said differential mobility spectrometer form an interface region; and wherein as defined by the flow of said fluid, said ion mobility spectrometer is positioned upstream relative to said interface region, and said differential mobility spectrometer is positioned downstream relative to said interface region; wherein said first end and said third end are positioned facing one another so that said constant electric field enters said third end and overlaps said fluid flowing in said second direction.