Characterization of AP-MALDI and ESI for a differential mobility spectrometer

Abstract

The following thesis entails the construction, testing, modification, and analysis of two systems that couple sample ion introduction methods with a Differential Mobility Spectrometer (DMS). The sample ionization methods used with a custom designed interface for the DMS were Electrospray Ionization (ESI) and Atmospheric Pressure Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (AP-MALDI). In addition to system development, Fourier transform and decision tree analyses were explored as alternatives to lead-cluster mapping and genetic algorithms for analyzing and classifying data produced by the systems for large biomolecules. Findings from testing and experiments using the prototype system have led to a second generation design of the interface. Results from data analysis have also provided new insights into different methods for classifying data whose form changes drastically for different sample introduction methods.