Dopant Permeation Tubes

Kin-Tek Laboratories, Inc is a key manufacturer of dopant permeation tubes used in detection systems for trace concentrations of narcotics, explosives, chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and industrial airborne molecular contaminants (AMCs). Detection systems for these applications are based on ion mobility spectroscopy (IMS) and are typically used for airport (TSA) and other security applications, law enforcement, Immigration and Border Patrol, the military and atmospheric monitoring in computer chip manufacturing operations.

Dopant tubes continuously dispense a small flow of a reagent vapour used to enhance response to specific substances. The basic dopant tube is a small plastic cylinder with the pure dopant compound sealed inside. Dopant vapour leaks slowly (and continuously) into the detection system sample stream where it reacts to enhance detection of the target compound.

Several configurations and kits are available for specific applications. Typical dopant tube kits for narcotics detection contain three tubes emitting ammonia vapour, supplied as a set and shipped in a metal cylinder. Kits for explosives detection in airports and other public areas contain a single tube emitting dichloromethane supplied in a plastic shipping tube. Other common dopants available include acetone and dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP) in special configurations. Other materials are available for specialty applications.