Apparatus include an atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) analyte electrode defining an analyte discharge axis into an APGD volume, and a plurality of APGD counter electrodes having respective electrical discharge ends directed to the APGD volume, wherein the APGD analyte electrode and the APGD counter electrodes are configured to produce an APGD plasma in the APGD volume with a voltage difference between the APGD analyte electrode and one or more of the AGPD counter electrodes. An electrode can be integrated into an ion inlet. Apparatus can be configured to perform auto-ignition and/or provide multi-modal operation through selectively powering electrodes. Electrode holder devices are disclosed. Related methods are disclosed.

A method and system for measuring an inert gas by an ion probe. Embedding a to-be-measured sample into an epoxy resin, to obtain a sample target, where the to-be-measured sample includes an inert gas atom; after putting the obtained sample target into an analysis chamber of the ion probe, vacuumizing the analysis chamber, where the ion probe includes a primary ion source, an electron gun, a mass analyzer, and an ion detector; bombarding the sample target by using a primary ion beam formed by the primary ion source to release the inert gas atom in the sample target; ionizing the released inert gas atom by using an electron beam formed by the electron gun to form an inert gas ion; and analyzing a secondary ion containing the inert gas ion by using the mass analyzer and the ion detector to achieve measurement of the inert gas.

A humidity reduction apparatus and a method for reducing the humidity of a volume of gas. The humidity reduction apparatus comprises a gas delivery conduit, at least one heat-conductive media positioned in-line within at least a portion of the gas delivery conduit, and a cooler in contact with at least a portion of the gas delivery conduit to cool the gas delivery conduit and the at least one heat-conductive media. The gas delivery conduit comprises at least one conducting portion. The first side of the cooler is configured to cool the at least one conducting portion of the gas delivery conduit and the at least one heat-conductive media. The voltage applied across the cooler is selectably reversed such that the first side heats the at least one conducting portion of the gas delivery conduit and the at least one heat-conductive media.

Regarding the problem of low signal intensity during material analysis using existing radio frequency glow discharge mass spectrometry, an apparatus and method for enhancing signal intensity of radio frequency glow discharge mass spectrometry are provided, so as to enhance the signal intensity during inorganic material analysis using a radio frequency glow discharge mass spectrometer. The apparatus comprises a sample introduction cell having a sample introduction rod and having a sample fixed thereon, and an array magnet enhancement portion having a housing shell and magnets arranged in an array. The array magnet enhancement portion is fixed between the sample introduction rod in the sample introduction cell and the sample and is tightly attached to the sample.

Regarding the problem of low signal intensity during material analysis using existing radio frequency glow discharge mass spectrometry, an apparatus and method for enhancing signal intensity of radio frequency glow discharge mass spectrometry are provided, so as to enhance the signal intensity during inorganic material analysis using a radio frequency glow discharge mass spectrometer. The apparatus comprises a sample introduction cell having a sample introduction rod and having a sample fixed thereon, and an array magnet enhancement portion having a housing shell and magnets arranged in an array. The array magnet enhancement portion is fixed between the sample introduction rod in the sample introduction cell and the sample and is tightly attached to the sample.

An apparatus includes multiple levels of ion transport channels, with successive levels coupled by elevator channels. Efficient three dimensional packing provides long path lengths in practical volumes for ion mobility separation with high resolving power. Disclosed elevator configurations provide efficient routing of ion transport channels across levels with low ion loss, enabling ion mobility separation over 100 levels or more. Elevator configurations include (i) opposed traveling waves meeting at an elevator entrance, (ii) external elevator with a wrap-around electrode bank, (iii) external elevator with electrode banks on parallel extension plates, or (iv) elevator operating in surfing mode, in various combinations. Manufacture is aided by printed wiring boards, with interchangeable boards. Assembly with motherboard, spacer block(s), and alignment pins provides efficient distribution of electrode excitations and accurate reproducible positioning.

A particle detection device includes a ceramic housing, a charge generator that adds electric charge generated in accordance with electric discharge to particles in gas introduced into a gas channel so as to turn the particles into charged particles, a collector that collects the charged particles, and a number measuring device that detects the number of particles based on an electric current that changes in accordance with the charged particles collected by the collector. The collector has a collection electrode exposed in the gas channel and a counter electrode facing the collection electrode with the gas channel interposed therebetween. The housing has a guard electrode that absorbs a leakage current flowing from the counter electrode toward the collection electrode via the housing.

A particle detection device includes a ceramic housing, a charge generator that adds electric charge generated in accordance with electric discharge to particles in gas introduced into a gas channel so as to turn the particles into charged particles, a collector that collects the charged particles, and a number measuring device that detects the number of particles based on an electric current that changes in accordance with the charged particles collected by the collector. The collector has a collection electrode exposed in the gas channel and a counter electrode facing the collection electrode with the gas channel interposed therebetween. The housing has a guard electrode that absorbs a leakage current flowing from the counter electrode toward the collection electrode via the housing.

A disclosed flat type lamp for a photoionization detector includes: a first plate member having a plate shape and having a first surface on which a plurality of discharge cavities is formed; a second plate member isolating the plurality of discharge cavities from the outside by being disposed and sealed on the first surface of the first plate member; electrodes disposed on the first and second plate members and arranged to face each other; and a discharge gas filled in the plurality of discharge cavities and producing vacuum ultraviolet using electric force that is applied through the electrodes.

A disclosed flat type lamp for a photoionization detector includes: a first plate member having a plate shape and having a first surface on which a plurality of discharge cavities is formed; a second plate member isolating the plurality of discharge cavities from the outside by being disposed and sealed on the first surface of the first plate member; electrodes disposed on the first and second plate members and arranged to face each other; and a discharge gas filled in the plurality of discharge cavities and producing vacuum ultraviolet using electric force that is applied through the electrodes.