Interfaces for a photoionization mass spectrometer

Abstract

A detector system that contains two inlet port coupled to a photoionization chamber. One inlet port allows for the introduction of a test sample. The test sample may contain contaminants, drugs, explosive, etc. that are to be detected. The other port allows for the simultaneous introduction of a standard sample. The standard sample can be used to calibrate and/or diagnose the detector system. Simultaneous introduction of the standard sample provides for real time calibration/diagnostics of the detector during detection of trace molecules in the test sample. The photoizonizer ionizes the samples which are then directed into a mass detector for detection of trace molecules. The detector system may also include inlet embodiments that allow for vaporization of liquid samples introduced to a low pressure photoionizer.

1 . A detector system, comprising: 
 an ionization chamber;    a first ionizer coupled to said ionization chamber;    a first inlet port coupled to said photoionizer;    an intermediate chamber coupled to said ionization chamber;    a second ionizer coupled to said intermediate chamber;    a pump coupled to said intermediate chamber; and,    a detector coupled to said ionization chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first inlet port includes a syringe port.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said second inlet port includes a capillary tube.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first inlet port includes a capillary tube.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first inlet port includes a nebulizer.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump coupled to said photoionizer.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first inlet port includes a heating element.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said second inlet port includes a heating element.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a syringe that is coupled to said first inlet port, said syringe containing a volume of air upstream from a sample.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said syringe includes a solvent slug located downstream from the sample.  
   
   
       11 . A detector system, comprising: 
 an ionization chamber;    a first ionizer coupled to said ionization chamber;    port means for introducing a test sample to said ionization chamber;    an intermediate chamber coupled to said ionization chamber;    a second ionizer coupled to said intermediate chamber;    a detector coupled to said intermediate chamber; and,    pump means for pumping a portion of the sample from said intermediate chamber.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said first port means includes a syringe port.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said second port means includes a capillary tube.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said first port means includes a capillary tube.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said first port means includes a nebulizer.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising pump means for diverting a portion of the test and standard samples away from said detector.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said sport means includes a heating element.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said second port means includes a heating element.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said sport means includes a syringe that contains a volume of air upstream from a sample.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said syringe includes a solvent slug located downstream from the sample.  
   
   
       21 . A method for detecting a trace molecule in a sample, comprising: 
 introducing a test sample to a photoionization chamber through a inlet port;    photoionizing the sample;    moving the sample to an intermediate chamber;    ionizing the sample in the intermediate chamber;    pumping a portion of the sample from the intermediate chamber;    moving a portion of the sample into a detector chamber; and    detecting the trace molecule.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the sample is nebulized.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the sample is heated.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein a portion of the test and standard samples are diverted away from a detector that detects the trace molecule.  
   
   
       25 - 48 . (canceled)