Implementing of Fourier Deconvolution Multiplexing to Fast Polarity Switching Miniaturized Ion Mobility Spectrometer

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is a reliable and sensitive technique for the detection and analysis of compounds at the trace level. Depending on the chemical composition of the sample, compounds may be positively or negatively charged to form different polarity ions and detected in positive or negative polarity of the electric field. In order to detect multiple threats simultaneously with miniaturized devices, using a single detection unit to achieve high resolving power and high sensitivity is important. In this work, a miniaturized drift tube with fast polarity switching capabilities integrated with Fourier deconvolution multiplexing techniques is proposed for the first time as a means to improve the performance of ion mobility spectrometry. The sensitivity and resolving power are improved compared to traditional polarity switching signal averaging data acquisition methods. The displayed device had a high resolving power up to 52 at a drift length of 41 mm and a drift tube voltage of 2 kV. Trinitrotoluene (TNT), methamphetamine (MA), benzene, toluene, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), acetic acid, and methylene chloride were evaluated using the proposed fast polarity switching multiplexing spectrometer and exhibited satisfied performance.