Ion multiplexing: Maximizing throughput and signal to noise ratio for ion mobility spectrometry

In Hadamard transform ion mobility spectrometry (HT IMS), the signal-to-noise ratio is always lower for non-modified pseudorandom sequences than for modified sequences. Since the use of non-modified modulating pseudorandom sequences is strategically preferable from a duty cycle standpoint, we investigated the change in the interference signal when transitioning from non-modified modulating sequences to sequences modified by the addition of 1,3,5 and 7 zeros. The interfering signal in HT IMS with modified pseudorandom sequences was shown to be mainly random noise for all the cases except for modifying by incorporation of 1 zero. For standard samples of tetraalkylammonium halides, modulation by non-modified pseudorandom sequences is beneficial in the case of small numbers of averaged spectra (below ∼40 averaged spectra compared to any modified pseudorandom sequences except for 1 zero modified and below ∼200 averaged spectra compared to signal averaging ion mobility spectrometry) and worsens the signal-to-noise ratio in the case of large numbers of averaged spectra. Contrarily, modulation by modified pseudorandom sequences is beneficial for any number of averaged spectra, except for very small ones (below 15 averaged spectra compared to modulation by non-modified sequences). Pseudorandom sequence modified with 1 zero incorporation is beneficial in the case of below ∼400 averaged spectra compared to any modified and non-modified pseudorandom sequences. The signal-to-noise ratio in conventional signal averaging mode ion mobility spectrometry is affected by random noise, whereas the HT IMS with non-modified pseudorandom sequences was demonstrated to be primarily affected by a systematic noise-like artefact signal. Because noise-like artefact signals were found to be reproducible, predicting models for interference signals could be generated to improve signal-to-noise ratio. This is significant because non-modified modulating sequences are limited by their poor signal-to-noise ratio. This improvement would increase the viability of non-modified modulating sequences which are preferred because of their higher sample utilization efficiency.

Download Full-text

Analytical model for the signal-to-noise-ratio of drift tube ion mobility spectrometers

tm - Technisches Messen ◽

10.1515/teme-2021-0013 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Ansgar T. Kirk ◽

Alexander Bohnhorst ◽

Stefan Zimmermann

Keyword(s):

Ion Mobility ◽

Drift Tube ◽

Signal To Noise Ratio ◽

Resolving Power ◽

Operating Point ◽

Optimum Operating ◽

Signal To Noise ◽

Experimental Parameters ◽

Noise Ratio ◽

Optimum Operating Point

Abstract While the resolving power of drift tube ion mobility spectrometers has been studied and modelled in detail over the past decades, no comparable model exists for the signal-to-noise-ratio. In this work, we develop an analytical model for the signal-to-noise-ratio of a drift tube ion mobility spectrometer based on the same experimental parameters used for modelling the resolving power. The resulting holistic model agrees well with experimental results and allows simultaneously optimizing both resolving power and signal-to-noise-ratio. Especially, it reveals several unexpected relationships between experimental parameters. First, even though reduced initial ion packet widths result in fewer injected ions and reduced amplifier widths result in more noise, the resulting shift of the optimum operating point when reducing both simultaneously leads to a constant signal-to-noise-ratio. Second, there is no dependence of the signal-to-noise-ratio at the optimum operating point on the drift length, as again the resulting shift of the optimum operating point causes all effects to compensate each other.

Download Full-text

Determination of the Best Emulsion for the Microscopy of Crystals

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100096886 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 39 ◽

pp. 32-33

Author(s):

David A. Grano ◽

Kenneth H. Downing

Keyword(s):

Spatial Frequency ◽

Information Transfer ◽

Signal To Noise Ratio ◽

Experimental Situation ◽

Photographic Emulsion ◽

Modulation Transfer ◽

Signal To Noise ◽

Frequency Space ◽

Noise Ratio

The retrieval of high-resolution information from images of biological crystals depends, in part, on the use of the correct photographic emulsion. We have been investigating the information transfer properties of twelve emulsions with a view toward 1) characterizing the emulsions by a few, measurable quantities, and 2) identifying the “best” emulsion of those we have studied for use in any given experimental situation. Because our interests lie in the examination of crystalline specimens, we've chosen to evaluate an emulsion's signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as a function of spatial frequency and use this as our critereon for determining the best emulsion.The signal-to-noise ratio in frequency space depends on several factors. First, the signal depends on the speed of the emulsion and its modulation transfer function (MTF). By procedures outlined in, MTF's have been found for all the emulsions tested and can be fit by an analytic expression 1/(1+(S/S0)2). Figure 1 shows the experimental data and fitted curve for an emulsion with a better than average MTF. A single parameter, the spatial frequency at which the transfer falls to 50% (S0), characterizes this curve.

Download Full-text

Experiments in Bright-Field Imaging with Hollow-Cone Illumination

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100097703 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 39 ◽

pp. 226-227

Author(s):

W. Kunath ◽

K. Weiss ◽

E. Zeitler

Keyword(s):

Signal To Noise Ratio ◽

Carbon Support ◽

Electronic System ◽

Optic Axis ◽

Hollow Cone ◽

Signal To Noise ◽

Bright Field ◽

Noise Ratio ◽

Single Field ◽

Field Imaging

Bright-field images taken with axial illumination show spurious high contrast patterns which obscure details smaller than 15 ° Hollow-cone illumination (HCI), however, reduces this disturbing granulation by statistical superposition and thus improves the signal-to-noise ratio. In this presentation we report on experiments aimed at selecting the proper amount of tilt and defocus for improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio by means of direct observation of the electron images on a TV monitor.Hollow-cone illumination is implemented in our microscope (single field condenser objective, Cs = .5 mm) by an electronic system which rotates the tilted beam about the optic axis. At low rates of revolution (one turn per second or so) a circular motion of the usual granulation in the image of a carbon support film can be observed on the TV monitor. The size of the granular structures and the radius of their orbits depend on both the conical tilt and defocus.

Download Full-text

Information capacity and bandwidth limitations in the SEM

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100152392 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 47 ◽

pp. 84-85

Author(s):

D. C. Joy ◽

R. D. Bunn

Keyword(s):

Signal To Noise Ratio ◽

Critical Dimension ◽

Information Capacity ◽

Acquisition Time ◽

Signal To Noise ◽

Sem Image ◽

Probe Size ◽

Minimum Number ◽

Noise Ratio ◽

Signal Channel

The information available from an SEM image is limited both by the inherent signal to noise ratio that characterizes the image and as a result of the transformations that it may undergo as it is passed through the amplifying circuits of the instrument. In applications such as Critical Dimension Metrology it is necessary to be able to quantify these limitations in order to be able to assess the likely precision of any measurement made with the microscope.The information capacity of an SEM signal, defined as the minimum number of bits needed to encode the output signal, depends on the signal to noise ratio of the image - which in turn depends on the probe size and source brightness and acquisition time per pixel - and on the efficiency of the specimen in producing the signal that is being observed. A detailed analysis of the secondary electron case shows that the information capacity C (bits/pixel) of the SEM signal channel could be written as :

Download Full-text

Speech Reception in the Presence of Classroom Noise

Language Speech and Hearing Services in Schools ◽

10.1044/0161-1461.1004.221 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 221-230 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Veronica Smyth

Keyword(s):

Signal To Noise Ratio ◽

Learning Processes ◽

Speech Discrimination ◽

Signal To Noise ◽

Speech Reception ◽

Monosyllabic Words ◽

Noise Ratio

Three hundred children from five to 12 years of age were required to discriminate simple, familiar, monosyllabic words under two conditions: 1) quiet, and 2) in the presence of background classroom noise. Of the sample, 45.3% made errors in speech discrimination in the presence of background classroom noise. The effect was most marked in children younger than seven years six months. The results are discussed considering the signal-to-noise ratio and the possible effects of unwanted classroom noise on learning processes.

Download Full-text

Quantifying the Effects of Background Speech Babble on Preschool Children's Novel Word Learning in a Multisession Paradigm: A Preliminary Study

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/2019_jslhr-h-19-0083 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

pp. 345-356

Author(s):

Meital Avivi-Reich ◽

Megan Y. Roberts ◽

Tina M. Grieco-Calub

Keyword(s):

Word Learning ◽

Signal To Noise Ratio ◽

Preschool Age ◽

Exposure Condition ◽

Signal To Noise ◽

Verbal Recall ◽

Referent Selection ◽

Main Effect ◽

Noise Ratio ◽

Novel Word Learning

Purpose This study tested the effects of background speech babble on novel word learning in preschool children with a multisession paradigm. Method Eight 3-year-old children were exposed to a total of 8 novel word–object pairs across 2 story books presented digitally. Each story contained 4 novel consonant–vowel–consonant nonwords. Children were exposed to both stories, one in quiet and one in the presence of 4-talker babble presented at 0-dB signal-to-noise ratio. After each story, children's learning was tested with a referent selection task and a verbal recall (naming) task. Children were exposed to and tested on the novel word–object pairs on 5 separate days within a 2-week span. Results A significant main effect of session was found for both referent selection and verbal recall. There was also a significant main effect of exposure condition on referent selection performance, with more referents correctly selected for word–object pairs that were presented in quiet compared to pairs presented in speech babble. Finally, children's verbal recall of novel words was statistically better than baseline performance (i.e., 0%) on Sessions 3–5 for words exposed in quiet, but only on Session 5 for words exposed in speech babble. Conclusions These findings suggest that background speech babble at 0-dB signal-to-noise ratio disrupts novel word learning in preschool-age children. As a result, children may need more time and more exposures of a novel word before they can recognize or verbally recall it.

Download Full-text