Ion mobility detector having reactor region and drift region formed of insulative tubing having conductive field producing elements on outside of tubing

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Disclosed is an ion mobility sensor operable at atmospheric pressure comprising a tube of suitable dielectric material having an inlet for receiving a sample gas and a carrier gas, a reactor region for generating ions from the sample gas a, grid means for separating the reactor region from a drift region and a plate for collecting ions that traverse the drift region. The reactor region and the drift region are provided with field elements for accelerating the ions, the field elements comprising electrically conductive material disposed on the exterior of the tube. The dielectric material may be glass or ceramic material.