Photoionization detector having improved gain and reduced humidity sensitivity

A planar photoionization detector sensor comprising

• a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and being comprised of an electrically insulating substrate,
• an opening for UV light to pass through,
• a negative electrical potential pattern including a linear portion and a polarization plate,
• an electron collecting electrode pattern including a wire suspended across the opening, and
• a grounded potential conductive pattern having a first portion on the top surface and a second portion on the bottom surface,
• wherein
• the polarization plate runs adjacent to, and along, a length of the opening,
• the grounded potential conductive pattern is interposed between the negative electrical potential pattern and an electron collecting electrode feed-thru pin,
• the wire connects on its ends to openings located on either end of the opening,
• the grounded potential conductive pattern is interposed between the wire openings and the opening,
• the second portion of the grounded potential conductive pattern surrounds the opening,
• a lower portion of the second portion of the grounded potential conductive pattern is a UV blocking electrode that runs adjacent to, and along, a length of the opening, and
• the polarization plate on the top surface approximately aligns with the UV blocking electrode on the bottom surface.

A planar photoionization detector sensor comprising

• a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and being comprised of an electrically insulating substrate,
• at least one opening for UV light to pass through,
• a negative electrical potential pattern on one of the top or the bottom surface, and
• an electron collecting electrode pattern having a wire suspended across the at least one opening, wherein the wire is suspended across the same plate surface that the negative electrical potential pattern is located on.