Long life electron multiplier
OwnerMichael W. Senko, Joshua T. Maze +1inventors
InventorsMichael W. Senko, Joshua T. Maze, Scott T. Quarmby
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electron multiplier includes a series of discrete electron emissive surfaces or a continuous electron emissive resistive surface configured to provide an electron amplification chain; and a housing surrounding the series of electron emissive surfaces or the continuous electron emissive resistive surface and separating the environment inside the housing from the environment outside the housing. The housing includes an electron-transparent, gas-impermeable barrier configured to allow electrons to pass through into the housing to reach a first discrete electron emissive surface of the series of discrete electron emissive surfaces or a first portion of the continuous electron emissive resistive surface.
Claims20
An electron multiplier comprising:
- a series of discrete electron emissive surfaces or a continuous electron emissive resistive surface configured to provide an electron amplification chain;
- and
- a housing surrounding the series of electron emissive surfaces or the continuous electron emissive resistive surface and separating the environment inside the housing from the environment outside the housing, the housing including:
- an electron-transparent, gas-impermeable barrier configured to allow electrons to pass through into the housing to reach a first discrete electron emissive surface of the series of discrete electron emissive surfaces or a first portion of the continuous electron emissive resistive surface.
A method of analyzing a sample, the method comprising:
- ionizing the sample with an ion source to produce ions;
- separating the ions based on mass-to-charge ratio in a mass analyzer;
- directing the ions to a conversion dynode to produce electrons;
- passing the electrons through an electron-transparent, gas-impermeable barrier of a housing of an electron multiplier to strike a first discrete electron emissive surface of a series of discrete electron emissive surfaces or a continuous electron emissive semiconductor surface;
- amplifying the electrons with the series of discrete electron emissive surfaces or the continuous electron emissive semiconductor surface;
- and
- producing a signal at an anode proportional to the amplified electrons reaching the anode, the signal being proportional to an amount of a compound in the sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.