Advantages of the Vocus PTR-TOF
The Vocus PTR-TOF is a proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer (PTR-MS) for sensitive, real-time detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in industrial, laboratory, and field applications.
- Ultra-Low Limits of Detection. High sensitivity and low backgrounds combine to yield sub-ppt VOC limits of detection in seconds
- Highest Available Mass Resolving Power. Mass resolving power up to 15000 enables identification of isobaric compounds in complex mixtures
- Mobile Measurement. Compact, durable architecture brings laboratory-grade performance to vehicle and aircraft-based measurements
- Adaptable for Your Applications. Work with us to integrate the Vocus PTR-TOF into your existing sampling systems and workflows
- Intuitive, Powerful Software. Easy-to-use data acquisition interface and Tofware graphical post-processing software for the analysis of high-resolution TOF data
- Revolutionary PTR Reaction Cell Design. The proprietary Vocus reaction cell reduces wall losses and focuses ions to give you up to 10x the sensitivity of other commercial PTR-MS. Learn more about the Vocus technology
Improving PTR-MS without Compromise
The unique Vocus ion molecule reactor (IMR) improves almost all aspects of PTR-MS performance, while maintaining critical specifications and reaction processes that have been established for conventional designs.
These fundamental aspects of Vocus PTR-TOF performance are key to its fast, ultra-sensitive measurement of trace VOCs.
Select a Vocus Model to Meet Your Measurement Needs
|
Sensitivity cps/ppb xylene |
Limit of Detection (LOD) 1-min / 1-s, xylene |
Resolving Power at Specified Sensitivitya M/ΔM |
Maximum Resolving Powera M/ΔM |
Size |
Power Max / Typical |
2R |
30001 |
1 ppt / 10 ppt |
10000 |
15000 |
160 kg < 0.45 m3 480 x 615 x 1480 mm |
600 / 590 W |
S |
30001 |
1 ppt / 10 ppt |
5000 |
7000 |
120 kg < 0.35 m3 480 x 615 x 1130 mm |
600 / 590 W |
Scout |
4000 |
5 ppt, 1 min |
3500 |
4000 |
120 kg < 0.35 m3 480 x 615 x 1130 mm |
600 / 590 W |
Elf |
500 |
20 ppt, 1 min |
500 |
750 |
55 kg < 0.125 m3 380 x 500 x 650 mm |
450 /400 W |
a. Each model can be operated with higher resolving power at reduced sensitivity.
Components
Standard
- Standby Valve. Allows servicing of Vocus reaction cell hardware without venting (Models 2R, S, and Scout).
- Tofware Data Post Processing.
- Library of Detectable Compounds.
- Thuner Software. Automatic mass spectrometer tuning software.
- Touch Screen Control.
- Shipping Container. Deployment with no disassembly required.
- Vocus Acquisition and Control Software.
- Automated gas calibration and zeroing with programmable cycling
- Real-time reporting of calibrated concentrations for target compounds
- Single-click transitions between shutdown, ready, and sleep states
Options
Vocus Reaction Cell and Sampling Inlet
- Proprietary reagent ion source and ion-molecule reaction cell with axial DC field and RF-focusing.
- Automated reagent ion switching.
- Temperature controlled reaction cell, ambient temperature up to 120C.
- Heated inlet system, up to 180 C.
Sample Flow Rate |
50-500 sccm typical 100 sccm |
Operating Pressure |
0.5 – 5 mbar typical 1-2 mbar |
Axial Gradient |
Uniform linear field 0-5 V/mm |
Reagent Ions |
H3O+, NO+,O2+, NH4+ |
Vocus Software
Vocus acquisition and control software provides a tailored user interface by offering numerous skins for common applications.
VocusTRACK

- Track concentrations of target compounds as a function of time.
- Choose target compounds from Tofwerk’s ever-expanding library
- Bundle compounds together into distinct classes.
- Automated mass- and sensitivity-calibration.
- Automated, routine switching of reagent ions.
- Automated, periodic background determination.
- Real-time data processing for online concentration display and export
- Broadcast of results to the network
- Single-click transition between instrument states (ready, sleep, shutdown etc).
VocusDETECT

- Qualitatively report presence of target compounds in sample.
- Choose target compounds from TOFWERK’s ever-expanding library.
- User-tunable confidence levels on up/down alarm condition on a per-compound basis.
- Sample mode: pre-define background before running batch of individual samples.
- Real-time mode: Proprietary adaptive threshold algorithm responds to changing background levels to deliver continuous online compound detection.
- Broadcast of results to the network.
- Saving & broadcast of mass spectra and pertinent metadata upon alarm condition for detailed offline forensic application.
VocusQC

- Quality control through comparison of sample spectra against reference (“fingerprinting”).
- User-tunable acceptance criteria.
- Separation of samples into distinct classes for rapid QC of heterogeneous sample batches.
- Export of results to PDF report and/or broadcast to the network.
- Synchronization with process line using simple URL-based API.
VocusLAB
Full instrument control with minimum fuss– From single-click instrument control to fine tuning of each instrument parameter, VocusLAB is designed for R&D labs where comprehensive user control of all acquisition settings may be desired, whilst reducing common operations, such as startup & shutdown or sensitivity calibration, to a single click.
- Individual settings – VocusLAB’s fully customizable workspace concept allows individual users to create their own workspaces containing personalized settings tailored to the specific user’s needs and preferences.
- Online data viewing– Browsing of data through the graphical interface in all measurement data dimensions (time, chromatography, ion-mobility, MS).
- Comprehensive instrument control– Parameters such as voltages, temperatures and pressures can be easily controlled through VocusLAB’s graphical interface.
- Chromatography and autosampler ready– A sequence of samples from a chromatography system or autosampler can be easily recorded using VocusLAB’s sequence editor, with support for synchronization with common software packages.
- Peak parameters- VocusLAB offers an online peak fitting and integration tool for quick inspection of data in real time, for both the MS and other separation dimensions.