UV photo-ionization based asymmetric field differential ion mobility sensor for trace gas detection

Abstract A high-field Asymmetric Waveform Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FA-IMS) with ultra-violet (UV) photo-ionization source is proposed and demonstrated for measurement of trace amounts of volatile organic compound (VOC) gases. Experimental studies performed with the sensor using a high frequency asymmetrical waveform differential field for detection of acetone, hexane and acetone–hexane mixture in trace concentrations are discussed. The detection limit as estimated for a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 is of the order of 100 ppb for acetone and hexane. Experimental studies clearly show that selective sensing of a gas in a mixture of gases is also possible by appropriate value for the compensation voltage. Numerical Simulation is also performed using two-dimensional fluid-flow equations to estimate the motion of ions in an electric field. The study also demonstrated influence of parameters such as flow velocity, duty-ratio, on compensation voltage for detection of trace VOC gases with asymmetrical high-frequency electric field. Results based on theoretical study are in agreement with the experimental studies.