Galvanic current protection for photoionization detector

A photoionization detector sensor, the photoionization detector sensor comprising:

• at least two electrodes including a collector electrode and a grounding electrode, wherein each electrode includes
• a feed-thru pin,
• an inner trace surrounding the feed-thru pin,
• an outer trace ring surrounding the inner trace, wherein the outer trace ring on each electrode is comprised of the same material,
• a channel between the inner trace and the outer trace ring, wherein the channel is comprised of a different material than the outer trace ring and the inner trace, and
• a bridge connecting the outer trace ring with the inner trace,
• wherein the inner trace, the outer trace, and the bridge are comprised of the same material,
• wherein the feed-thru pin is centered within the outer trace, and
• wherein the bridge on the collector electrode is on an opposite side compared to the bridge on the grounding electrode.

A method of using a photoionization detector, the method comprising:

• activating a gas discharge lamp, wherein
• the gas discharge lamp ionizes molecules of interest to create ionized molecules and electrons,
• the ionized molecules are collectable by a bias electrode on a sensor,
• the electrons are collectable by a collector electrode on the sensor, wherein the collector electrode is connected to an amplifier;
• and
• reading an output of the amplifier,
• wherein a grounding electrode on the sensor and the collector electrode each include
• a feed-thru pin,
• an inner trace surrounding the feed-thru pin,
• an outer trace surrounding the inner trace, wherein the outer trace on the electrodes is comprised of the same material,
• a channel between the inner trace and the outer trace, wherein the channel is comprised of a different material than the outer trace and the inner trace, and
• a bridge connecting the outer trace with the inner trace, and
• wherein the channel is configured to minimize galvanic currents.