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.

An emission-based detector for use in conjunction with capillary chromatography or other applications involving a gas sample having a small volume is provided. The detector is based on optical emission from a plasma medium. An optical cartridge or other detection and/or processing means may be provided to receive and analyse the emitted radiation and thereby obtain information on the gas to be analysed. The emission-based detector includes a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a capillary channel which is in fluid communication with the gas inlet and gas outlet. The capillary channel acts as the plasma chamber. Preferably, the capillary channel has transversal dimensions of the same order as the cross-section of typical chromatography capillary columns and defines a winding path within the detection area. A multi-cell emission-based detector and a method of analysing a gas sample using multiple detection cells are also provided.

An emission-based detector for use in conjunction with capillary chromatography or other applications involving a gas sample having a small volume is provided. The detector is based on optical emission from a plasma medium. An optical cartridge or other detection and/or processing means may be provided to receive and analyse the emitted radiation and thereby obtain information on the gas to be analysed. The emission-based detector includes a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a capillary channel which is in fluid communication with the gas inlet and gas outlet. The capillary channel acts as the plasma chamber. Preferably, the capillary channel has transversal dimensions of the same order as the cross-section of typical chromatography capillary columns and defines a winding path within the detection area. A multi-cell emission-based detector and a method of analysing a gas sample using multiple detection cells are also provided.

A spark stand for an optical emission spectrometer, comprising: a spark chamber; a gas inlet for flowing gas into the spark chamber; a gas outlet for carrying gas from the spark chamber; wherein one or more internal surfaces of the spark chamber, gas inlet and/or gas outlet comprise an anti-adhesion material. The anti-adhesion material can enable reduced adhesion of ablated material, such as metallic dusts for example, onto the surfaces within the spark stand.

A spark stand for an optical emission spectrometer, comprising: a spark chamber; a gas inlet for flowing gas into the spark chamber; a gas outlet for carrying gas from the spark chamber; wherein one or more internal surfaces of the spark chamber, gas inlet and/or gas outlet comprise an anti-adhesion material. The anti-adhesion material can enable reduced adhesion of ablated material, such as metallic dusts for example, onto the surfaces within the spark stand.

A device and a method of detecting a concentration of a sample are provided. The device includes a power supply unit configured to supply power to generate plasma, a plasma generation unit connected to the power supply unit and including a pair of electrodes facing each other, a plurality of signal detection units arranged on the pair of electrodes and configured to sense light emitted from the sample because of the plasma, and a controller configured to control a driving start point of the signal detection unit so that the signal detection unit is driven after a preset period of time after oscillation is terminated between the pair of electrodes.

Various methods and systems are provided for analyzing sample inclusions. As one example, a correction factor may be generated based on inclusion properties of a first sample determined using both an optical emission spectrometry (OES) system and a charged-particle microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (CPM/EDX) system. The OES system may be calibrated with the correction factor. The inclusion properties of a second, different, sample may be determined using the calibrated OES system.

Various methods and systems are provided for analyzing sample inclusions. As one example, a correction factor may be generated based on inclusion properties of a first sample determined using both an optical emission spectrometry (OES) system and a charged-particle microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (CPM/EDX) system. The OES system may be calibrated with the correction factor. The inclusion properties of a second, different, sample may be determined using the calibrated OES system.

Apparatus and methods provide discreet and inexpensive screening for pathogens including Covid-19. A sample of bodily fluid such as saliva is energized to generate a plasma, and the optical emission spectra from the plasma is collected and analyzed used a smart optical monitoring system (SOMS) to determine the presence or increase of a protein indicative of a pathogen. The plasma may be generated with a spark, and light may be collected with a smartphone for remote analysis. In particular, in patients with Covid-19 serum concentrations of acute phase proteins (APPs), such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin, are increased in the cases that develop more severe disease. In addition, increases in serum of several interleukins (IL), such as IL-6 and IL-10, have been described in Covid-19 patients, and these cytokines are known to be mediators of the APPs response.

Apparatus and methods provide discreet and inexpensive screening for pathogens including Covid-19. A sample of bodily fluid such as saliva is energized to generate a plasma, and the optical emission spectra from the plasma is collected and analyzed used a smart optical monitoring system (SOMS) to determine the presence or increase of a protein indicative of a pathogen. The plasma may be generated with a spark, and light may be collected with a smartphone for remote analysis. In particular, in patients with Covid-19 serum concentrations of acute phase proteins (APPs), such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin, are increased in the cases that develop more severe disease. In addition, increases in serum of several interleukins (IL), such as IL-6 and IL-10, have been described in Covid-19 patients, and these cytokines are known to be mediators of the APPs response.