Concentrating Trace Gases at Low Pressures

Open adsorption tube enables measurement of gases at parts-per-trillion-by-volume concentrations. Traps trace materials in flowing gas. Variety of configurations possible; tube consists of single long coil instead of several short ones, and tube is made of materials other than stainless steel. Partial immersion of coil in cryogen results in 100 percent trapping rather than typical 85 percent for total immersion.