The present disclosure provides a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) detector for use with a liquid chromatography (LC) system (otherwise referred to herein as an LC-VUV detector) for the study of liquids. The LC-VUV detector incorporates an ultra-short pathlength flow cell into the LC-VUV detector to render liquid samples at least semi-transparent to VUV light. The ultra-short pathlength flow cell is specifically designed to: (a) interface with a focused beam of VUV light, (b) provide zero ‘dead’ volume, resulting in perfectly laminar flow through the flow cell, and (c) be modular and removable, allowing flow cells of different pathlength to be used within the LC-VUV detector. Methods for analyzing liquid samples using the LC-VUV detector and flow cell disclosed herein are also provided in the present disclosure.
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
G01N 30/88 - Integrated analysis systems specially adapted therefor, not covered by a single one of groups
2.
SPECTROSCOPY SYSTEMS, FLOW CELLS AND METHODS FOR ANALYZING LIQUIDS AT VACUUM ULTRAVIOLET (VUV) WAVELENGTHS
The present disclosure provides a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) detector for use with a liquid chromatography (LC) system (otherwise referred to herein as an LC-VUV detector) for the study of liquids. The LC-VUV detector incorporates a flow cell into the LC-VUV detector to render liquid samples at least semi-transparent to VUV light. The flow cell is specifically designed to: (a) interface with a focused beam of VUV light, (b) provide zero 'dead' volume, resulting in perfectly laminar flow through the flow cell, and (c) be modular and removable, allowing flow cells of different pathlength to be used within the LC-VUV detector. Methods for analyzing liquid samples using the LC-VUV detector and flow cell disclosed herein are also provided in the present disclosure.
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
The present disclosure provides a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) detector for use with a liquid chromatography (LC) system (otherwise referred to herein as an LC-VUV detector) for the study of liquids. The LC-VUV detector incorporates a flow cell into the LC-VUV detector to render liquid samples at least semi-transparent to VUV light. The flow cell is specifically designed to: (a) interface with a focused beam of VUV light, (b) provide zero 'dead' volume, resulting in perfectly laminar flow through the flow cell, and (c) be modular and removable, allowing flow cells of different pathlength to be used within the LC-VUV detector. Methods for analyzing liquid samples using the LC-VUV detector and flow cell disclosed herein are also provided in the present disclosure.
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
The present disclosure provides a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) detector for use with a liquid chromatography (LC) system (otherwise referred to herein as an LC-VUV detector) for the study of liquids. The LC-VUV detector incorporates an ultra-short pathlength flow cell into the LC-VUV detector to render liquid samples at least semi-transparent to VUV light. The ultra-short pathlength flow cell is specifically designed to: (a) interface with a focused beam of VUV light, (b) provide zero ‘dead’ volume, resulting in perfectly laminar flow through the flow cell, and (c) be modular and removable, allowing flow cells of different pathlength to be used within the LC-VUV detector. Methods for analyzing liquid samples using the LC-VUV detector and flow cell disclosed herein are also provided in the present disclosure.
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
The present disclosure provides a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) detector for use with a liquid chromatography (LC) system (otherwise referred to herein as an LC-VUV detector) for the study of liquids. The LC-VUV detector incorporates an ultra-short pathlength flow cell into the LC-VUV detector to render liquid samples at least semi-transparent to VUV light. The ultra-short pathlength flow cell is specifically designed to: (a) interface with a focused beam of VUV light, (b) provide zero ‘dead’ volume, resulting in perfectly laminar flow through the flow cell, and (c) be modular and removable, allowing flow cells of different pathlength to be used within the LC-VUV detector. Methods for analyzing liquid samples using the LC-VUV detector and flow cell disclosed herein are also provided in the present disclosure.
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
G01N 21/63 - Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light optically excited
The present disclosure provides a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) detector for use with a liquid chromatography (LC) system (otherwise referred to herein as an LC-VUV detector) for the study of liquids. The LC-VUV detector incorporates a flow cell into the LC-VUV detector to render liquid samples at least semi-transparent to VUV light. The flow cell is specifically designed to: (a) interface with a focused beam of VUV light, (b) provide zero ‘dead’ volume, resulting in perfectly laminar flow through the flow cell, and (c) be modular and removable, allowing flow cells of different pathlength to be used within the LC-VUV detector. Methods for analyzing liquid samples using the LC-VUV detector and flow cell disclosed herein are also provided in the present disclosure.
In one embodiment, an improved gas analysis system having a gas flow cell is provided. In another embodiment an improved gas flow cell is provided. As disclosed herein, dead volumes in a gas flow channel of a gas flow cell may be minimized through the use of one or more additional gas inlets. In one embodiment, an additional gas inlet is located between an analyte gas inlet and a light entrance optical coupling of the gas flow cell. In another embodiment, an additional gas inlet is located between an analyte gas outlet and a light exit optical coupling of the gas flow cell. In addition, enclosed regions may be formed adjacent seals of the gas flow channel of the gas flow cell. The enclosed regions may be evacuated and/or purged so as to minimize the passage of contaminants through the seals into the gas flow channel.
G01N 21/15 - Preventing contamination of the components of the optical system or obstruction of the light path
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
An efficient absorption spectroscopy system is provided. The spectroscopy system may be configured to measure solid, liquid or gaseous samples. Vacuum ultra-violet wavelengths may be utilized. Some of the disclosed techniques can be used for detecting the presence of trace concentrations of gaseous species. A preferable gas flow cell is disclosed. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used with a gas chromatography system so as to detect and identify species eluted from the column. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an electrospray interface and a liquid chromatography system so as to detect and identify gas phase ions of macromolecules produced from solution. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used to characterize chemical reactions. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an ultra short-path length sample cell to measure liquids.
G01N 21/15 - Preventing contamination of the components of the optical system or obstruction of the light path
G01N 21/85 - Investigating moving fluids or granular solids
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
An efficient absorption spectroscopy system is provided. The spectroscopy system may be configured to measure solid, liquid or gaseous samples. Vacuum ultra-violet wavelengths may be utilized. Some of the disclosed techniques can be used for detecting the presence of trace concentrations of gaseous species. A preferable gas flow cell is disclosed. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used with a gas chromatography system so as to detect and identify species eluted from the column. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an electrospray interface and a liquid chromatography system so as to detect and identify gas phase ions of macromolecules produced from solution. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used to characterize chemical reactions. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an ultra short-path length sample cell to measure liquids.
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
An efficient absorption spectroscopy system is provided. The spectroscopy system may be configured to measure solid, liquid or gaseous samples. Vacuum ultra-violet wavelengths may be utilized. Some of the disclosed techniques can be used for detecting the presence of trace concentrations of gaseous species. A preferable gas flow cell is disclosed. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used with a gas chromatography system so as to detect and identify species eluted from the column. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an electrospray interface and a liquid chromatography system so as to detect and identify gas phase ions of macromolecules produced from solution. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used to characterize chemical reactions. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an ultra short-path length sample cell to measure liquids.
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
An efficient absorption spectroscopy system is provided. The spectroscopy system may be configured to measure solid, liquid or gaseous samples. Vacuum ultra-violet wavelengths may be utilized. Some of the disclosed techniques can be used for detecting the presence of trace concentrations of gaseous species. A preferable gas flow cell is disclosed. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used with a gas chromatography system so as to detect and identify species eluted from the column. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an electrospray interface and a liquid chromatography system so as to detect and identify gas phase ions of macromolecules produced from solution. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used to characterize chemical reactions. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an ultra short-path length sample cell to measure liquids.
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
An efficient absorption spectroscopy system is provided. The spectroscopy system may be configured to measure solid, liquid or gaseous samples. Vacuum ultra-violet wavelengths may be utilized. Some of the disclosed techniques can be used for detecting the presence of trace concentrations of gaseous species. A preferable gas flow cell is disclosed. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used with a gas chromatography system so as to detect and identify species eluted from the column. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an electrospray interface and a liquid chromatography system so as to detect and identify gas phase ions of macromolecules produced from solution. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used to characterize chemical reactions. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an ultra short-path length sample cell to measure liquids.
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
Analysis of chemically samples using gas chromatography (GC) separation with vacuum ultra-violet spectroscopy detection is described. One technique focuses on assigning a specific analysis methodology to each constituent in a sample. Constituents can elute from the GC by themselves or with other constituents, in which case a deconvolution is done using VUV spectroscopic data. In an exemplary embodiment, each constituent may be specifically included in an analysis method during a setup procedure, after which the same series of analyses are done on subsequent sample runs. The second approach essentially integrates an entire chromatogram by first reducing it into a series of analysis windows, or time slices, that are analyzed automatically. The analysis at each time slice determines the molecular constituents that are present as well as their contributions to the total response. Either approach can be used to quantify specific analytes or to do bulk classification.
G01N 31/00 - Investigating or analysing non-biological materials by the use of the chemical methods specified in the subgroupsApparatus specially adapted for such methods
Analysis of chemically samples using gas chromatography (GC) separation with vacuum ultra-violet spectroscopy detection is described. One technique focuses on assigning a specific analysis methodology to each constituent in a sample. Constituents can elute from the GC by themselves or with other constituents, in which case a deconvolution is done using VUV spectroscopic data. In an exemplary embodiment, each constituent may be specifically included in an analysis method during a setup procedure, after which the same series of analyses are done on subsequent sample runs. The second approach essentially integrates an entire chromatogram by first reducing it into a series of analysis windows, or time slices, that are analyzed automatically. The analysis at each time slice determines the molecular constituents that are present as well as their contributions to the total response. Either approach can be used to quantify specific analytes or to do bulk classification.
An efficient absorption spectroscopy system is provided. The spectroscopy system may be configured to measure solid, liquid or gaseous samples. Vacuum ultra-violet wavelengths may be utilized. Some of the disclosed techniques can be used for detecting the presence of trace concentrations of gaseous species. A preferable gas flow cell is disclosed. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used with a gas chromatography system so as to detect and identify species eluted from the column. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an electrospray interface and a liquid chromatography system so as to detect and identify gas phase ions of macromolecules produced from solution. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used to characterize chemical reactions. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an ultra short-path length sample cell to measure liquids.
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
A highly efficient polarization device for use in the VUV or shorter wavelength is provided. The polarization device may include a dispersive element capable of splitting an incident un-polarized beam of light into two beams of orthogonal linear polarization through introduction of an angular deviation. The polarization device may also include a focusing element capable of focusing at least a portion of one of the linearly polarized beams to a small region. Said polarization device may also incorporate a spatial aperture through which most of one of the beam passes, but through which most of the other does not.
A highly efficient vacuum ultraviolet circular dichroism spectrometer is provided; the spectrometer suitable for laboratory use or for integration into a beam line at a synchrotron radiation facility. In one embodiment, a spectroscopic circular dichroism instrument is provided; the instrument configured so as to enable circular dichroism data to be simultaneously obtained for multiple wavelengths of light. The instrument may be further configured to operate in at least a portion of the vacuum ultraviolet wavelength region.
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
18.
Vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy system and method
An efficient absorption spectroscopy system is provided. The spectroscopy system may be configured to measure solid, liquid or gaseous samples. Vacuum ultra-violet wavelengths may be utilized. Some of the disclosed techniques can be used for detecting the presence of trace concentrations of gaseous species. A preferable gas flow cell is disclosed. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used with a gas chromatography system so as to detect and identify species eluted from the column. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an electrospray interface and a liquid chromatography system so as to detect and identify gas phase ions of macromolecules produced from solution. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used to characterize chemical reactions. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an ultra short-path length sample cell to measure liquids.
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
An efficient absorption spectroscopy system is provided. The spectroscopy system may be configured to measure solid, liquid or gaseous samples. Vacuum ultra-violet wavelengths may be utilized. Some of the disclosed techniques can be used for detecting the presence of trace concentrations of gaseous species. A preferable gas flow cell is disclosed. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used with a gas chromatography system so as to detect and identify species eluted from the column. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an electrospray interface and a liquid chromatography system so as to detect and identify gas phase ions of macromolecules produced from solution. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used to characterize chemical reactions. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an ultra short-path length sample cell to measure liquids.
A highly efficient vacuum ultraviolet circular dichroism spectrometer is provided; the spectrometer suitable for laboratory use or for integration into a beam line at a synchrotron radiation facility. In one embodiment, a spectroscopic circular dichroism instrument is provided; the instrument configured so as to enable circular dichroism data to be simultaneously obtained for multiple wavelengths of light. The instrument may be further configured to operate in at least a portion of the vacuum ultraviolet wavelength region.
A highly efficient vacuum ultraviolet circular dichroism spectrometer is provided; the spectrometer suitable for laboratory use or for integration into a beam line at a synchrotron radiation facility. In one embodiment, a spectroscopic circular dichroism instrument is provided; the instrument configured so as to enable circular dichroism data to be simultaneously obtained for multiple wavelengths of light. The instrument may be further configured to operate in at least a portion of the vacuum ultraviolet wavelength region.
A technique is provided for monitoring and controlling surface contaminants on optical elements contained within the optical path (or sub-path) of an optical metrology instrument. The technique may be utilized in one embodiment in such a manner as to not require that additional components and/or instrumentation be coupled to, or integrated into, existing metrology equipment. Surface contaminants on optical elements within an optical metrology instrument are monitored so that cleaning procedures can be performed as deemed necessary. The cleaning procedures may include the use of exposing the optical elements to optical radiation. The optical metrology instrument may be an instrument which operates at wavelengths that include vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) wavelengths.
An optical spectroscopy tool is provided. In one embodiment a highly efficient means by which moderate resolution spectroscopy may be performed in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) is described. In one embodiment the techniques can be used as a high throughput spectrometer to spatially disperse wavelengths in and around the VUV in such a manner as to generate a substantially flat field focal plane, suitable for use in combination with an array detector. Some embodiments utilize prism based spectrometers. Some embodiments utilize detector elements that may be movable and/or located within the spectrometer. In some embodiments, collimated light may be provided as an input to the spectrometer.
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
An optical spectroscopy tool is provided. In one embodiment a highly efficient means by which moderate resolution spectroscopy may be performed in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) is described. In one embodiment the techniques can be used as a high throughput spectrometer to spatially disperse wavelengths in and around the VUV in such a manner as to generate a substantially flat field focal plane, suitable for use in combination with an array detector. Some embodiments utilize prism based spectrometers. Some embodiments utilize detector elements that may be movable and/or located within the spectrometer. In some embodiments, collimated light may be provided as an input to the spectrometer.
An optical spectroscopy tool is provided. In one embodiment a highly efficient means by which moderate resolution spectroscopy may be performed in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) is described. In one embodiment the techniques can be used as a high throughput spectrometer to spatially disperse wavelengths in and around the VUV in such a manner as to generate a substantially flat field focal plane, suitable for use in combination with an array detector. Some embodiments utilize prism based spectrometers. Some embodiments utilize detector elements that may be movable and/or located within the spectrometer. In some embodiments, collimated light may be provided as an input to the spectrometer.
A technique is provided for generating and subsequently monitoring the controlled environment(s) within an optical metrology instrument in such a manner as to minimize absorbing species within the light path of the metrology instrument and to minimize the build-up of contaminants on the surfaces of optical elements that may result in performance degradation. Both evacuation and backfill techniques may be utilized together along with a monitoring technique to determine if the environmental is suitable for measurements or if the environment should be regenerated. The optical metrology instrument may be an instrument which operates at wavelengths that include vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) wavelengths.
A technique is provided monitoring and removing contaminants from the surface of a sample that is being measured with an optical metrology tool. The monitoring and removing contaminants from the surface of a sample may occur prior to recording an optical response from said sample in order to ensure that accurate results are obtained. Contaminant layers may be quantified so that other measurements may be accurately obtained without requiring the removal of the contaminant layer. The contaminant layers may be removed through the exposure to optical radiation. Alternatively, properties of non-contaminant layers may be characterized by analyzing changes that occur in such layers by exposure to optical radiation. The optical metrology instrument may be an instrument which operates at wavelengths that include vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) wavelengths.
patents
