Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 5, 2026

Quantitative Detection of Trace Explosive Vapors by Programmed Temperature Desorption Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector
Published on: July 25, 2014
Development of a Miniature Mass Spectrometer and an Automated Detector for Sampling Explosive Materials
1Central Research Laboratory, Hitachi Ltd.
Abstract:
The development of a robust ionization source using the counter-flow APCI, miniature mass spectrometer, and an automated sampling system for detecting explosives are described. These development efforts using mass spectrometry were made in order to improve the efficiencies of on-site detection in areas such as security, environmental, and industrial applications. A development team, including the author, has struggled for nearly 20 years to enhance the robustness and reduce the size of mass spectrometers to meet the requirements needed for on-site applications. This article focuses on the recent results related to the detection of explosive materials where automated particle sampling using a cyclone concentrator permitted the inspection time to be successfully reduced to 3 s.
Related Concept Videos
Mass Spectrometers
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Mass Analyzers: Overview
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
Mass Analyzers: Common Types
Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...

