Fasmatech participated in ASMS 2013 with 4 scientists, 5 poster presentations and 1 workshop oral contribution. Fasmatech showcased its leading position in vacuum aerodynamics with new data using particle tracking velocimetry and computational methods, including Navier-Stokes based computational fluid dynamics (CFD and direct simulations Monte-Carlo (DSMC). One of the most rewarding applications of vacuum aerodynamics is the development of the Aerolens(TM), a device designed to accept and condition the jet formed at the exit of a capillary or a skimmer in the first vacuum stage of a mass spectrometer (see poster here). The Aerolens prevents the onset of turbulence, while it slows down and (most importantly) laminarizes the gas flow, offering optimal operating conditions to downstream ion optical elements (patent pending).

An impressive application of the Aerolens(TM) is the vacuum differential mobility spectrometry (vDMS) device Fasmatech developed in collaboration with Shimadzu Research Laboratories (Manchester, UK). This novel device differs from conventional DMS because it performs separation in 20-100mbar condition, affording higher E/N, therefore higher resolution. Additionally residence time is very short, making DMS better compatible with modern LC separation methods. Finally, the dipole field is generated by a specially designed dodekapole (12-pole), which allows ion focusing (higher transmission) and can be turned into a transmission multipole when DMS is not required.

Fasmatech also showcased a hybrid multipole generated by repeating a simple,multipole segment, e.g. octapole. In this example an electronic circuit applies an octapole field at the entrance of the device (allowing a optimal acceptance characteristics) and a quadrupole field at the exit, providing best focusing of the ion beam. Different DC voltages can be applied in the segments to drive ions across the multipole, allowing it to operate at a variety of vacuum conditions and to accurately tune the exit ion energy (patent pending). See the poster here.

A short paper was also presented on application of DSMC to the study of an ion funnel (see here).

Finally, Prof. Kasper of Duisburg-Essen University, presented a poster (see  here) on research carried out using a Fasmatech Atmospheric Vacuum Interface. The AVI was specially designed to sample ions from flames, utilising high temperature materials and multiple cooling stages. The interface employed a 3-stage vacuum design; the first stage employed an ion funnel, the second stage a hybrid multipole and the third stage a quadrupole ion guide.

Dr. Dimitris Papanastasiou was invited to give a presentation to the ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) workshop. The presentation was centered on the Aerolens (TM), the vacuum DMS and the importance of vacuum aerodynamics in designing first vacuum stage ion optics.