Programmed-temperature vaporization operation modes

Programmed-temperature vaporizers are flexible sample-introduction devices offering a variety of modes of operation such as spHt/sphtless, cool-sample introduction, and solvent elimination. Usually the sample is introduced onto a cool injection port liner so that no sample discrimination occurs as in hot injections. After injection, the temperature is increased to vaporize the sample. 

A programmed-temperature vaporization (PTV) inlet is a hybrid of the techniques described above. It is a spUt/spUtless inlet that has been modified to allow cold injection and rapid temperature programming. Similar to on-column injection, the injection occurs while the inlet is cold. In contrast, the injection is performed into a chamber, similar to the spUt and spUtless techniques. This chamber is then rapidly heated to desorb the sample into the capillary column. This inlet also allows for the injection of up to hundreds of microUters of sample. There are numerous modes in which a PTV inlet can be operated, making it perhaps the most versatile of all available inlets. 

Poy, F. and Cobelli, L. (1985) Automatic Headspace and Programmed Temperature Vaporizer (PTV) Operated in Cryo-Enrichment Mode in High Resolution Gas Chromatography. / Chrom. ScL, 23(3), 114-119. 

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