Ion source and accelerator for improved dynamic range and mass selection in a time of flight mass spectrometer

In a mass spectrometer, an ion source in combination with an accelerator comprising an electron source, a gate electrode constructed so as to block the flow of electrons from the source when a potential is applied, a sample introduction means for transporting carrier gas containing analytes, an ioni...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors WELKIE, DAVID G, BAHATT, DAR
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
French
German
Published 31.03.1999
Edition6
Subjects
BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
ELECTRICITY
INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
MEASURING
PHYSICS
TESTING
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Summary:In a mass spectrometer, an ion source in combination with an accelerator comprising an electron source, a gate electrode constructed so as to block the flow of electrons from the source when a potential is applied, a sample introduction means for transporting carrier gas containing analytes, an ionization chamber positioned to receive the flow of electrons and the carrier gas, wherein the flow of electrons ionizes the carrier gas, a pulsed accelerator, and an ion transfer region situated so that the ionized carrier gas travels from the ionization chamber, through the ion transfer region and into an accelerator. The gate electrode and the pulsed accelerator are controlled in a timed relationship to control the amount of carrier gas being ionized and traveling into the accelerator between accelerator pulses so as to improve the dynamic range of the mass spectrometer and to selectively accelerate a particular mass range.
Bibliography:Application Number: EP19980117778