Tiny-TOF Mass Spectrometer for Biodetection

The mass spectrometer has long been known as the most powerful analytical tool in the laboratory for analysis of a broad spectrum of chemical and biological materials. The applicability of mass spectrometers to field detection problems has been quite limited given the large size, heavy weight, and prohibitive power requirements of the instrumentation. However, this situation is rapidly changing, as the need for field-portable detection systems becomes more critical. This paper reports on an effort to bring small, yet powerful, time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer technology to bear on the chemical and biological detection problem. In order to achieve this goal, not only must small instrumentation be developed and fielded, but validated mass spectral signatures for all of the agents of interest must also be obtained. We will describe the development of a miniaturized time-of-flight mass spectrometer (tinyTOF) for field portable biodetection. Topics to be covered include: operating principles of the mass analyzer; miniaturization of the mass analyzer and other system components; mass spectral biosignatures; and the sample interface for airborne particulate samples.