The COMPASS concept is to provide complete solutions to gas analysis problems. With a wide choice of inlet systems, vacuum systems, ion sources and flexible software, Compass can be easily configured to your application.

MASS SPECTROMETER

The heart of any compass is the mass spectrometer and the DQC2000 sets new standards in quadrupole analysis. The outstanding performance capabilities of the DQC2000 are due to advances in both hardware and software made by Larimax engineers over many years of research. It was necessary to address some fundamental weakness in conventional quadrupole design before achieving the objective - a new generation of high performance quadrupole mass analyzers that could meet applications previously unattainable by such low cost instruments.

ION SOURCE

This Ion source has been designed to minimize outgassing and to eliminate problems caused by background peaks. This has been achieved by the use of a lightweight open structure and reducing power dissipation. The need for high temperature bake-out of the vacuum system to reduce background using ovens is completely eliminated.

The open Ion Source is fitted with twin filaments. Both the filaments are easily replaceable by the user.

NIBTRON ION SOURCE

An important new development available as an option with the DQC2000 series mass spectrometers is the revolutionary 'NIBTRON ion source. This ion source completely eliminates any interfering background peaks and at the same time requires very little sample gas allowing much smaller samples to be analyzed.

This new ion source has made the former gas-tight (enclosed) ion source completely obsolete.

SOFTWARE

The DQC2000 is certainly the most advanced collection of low cost mass spectrometers, but they are also the easiest to use.

Menu options are selected using mouse or keyboard control, and the mass spectrometer parameters are easily changed with a single button operation, and the computer does the rest.

Mass spectrometer control is fully automatic, the operator using the keyboard or mouse to select the required precision first mass, scan width, Faraday or SEM detector, and the operation of the filament system.

The screen displays are all in high resolution color graphics and the comprehensive standard software suit will be augmented by additional upgrade kits which will be issued regulary to meet demand. Current software options include:-

*Full and partial Spectrum display in Bargraph and analogue display modes.

*16 Channel Peak Select.

*Multi-channel trend analysis

*Spectral storage and display.

*Library storage/library search

*Auto data logging.

*Auto calibration routines.

*Printer output.

INLET SYSTEMS

In order to interface the low pressure requirement of the mass spectrometer to the environment of the 'realworld' and hence cater for a wide range of analyses, Compass includes a choice of inlet systems from simple leak valves to computer controlled multi-stream gas samplers. Many inlet systems are specifically designed to meet particular requirements.

The DQC2000 instrument is not expensive but we still accept that most users would prefer to introduce multiple samples into one mass spectrometer rather than buy a mass analyser for each sample stream. The multi stream gas sampling inlet allows the connection of up to 32 gas streams to one capillary inlet. Which is then used to introduce each selected sample into the source of the DQC2000.

All streams not being sampled flow through their own individual inlet and outlet connections. Both the operation of electrical switching to select the channel (which can be one or more calibration gases) and determination of dwell time per channel can be under computer control. This inlet is very versatile but a typical application is for the sampling of dissolved gases (see membrane inlet) and off gases from multi-vessel fermentation and cell culture installations.

VACUUM SYSTEM