Multi-anode detector with increased dynamic range for time-of-flight mass spectrometers with counting data acquisition
OwnerMarc Gonininventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A new detection scheme for time-of-flight mass spectrometers is disclosed. This detection scheme allows extending the dynamic range of spectrometers operating with a counting, technique (TDC). The extended dynamic range is achieved by constructing a multiple anode detector wherein the individual anodes detect different fractions of the incoming particles. Different anode fractions are achieved by varying the size, physical location, and electrical/magnetic fields of the various anodes. An anode with a small anode fraction avoids saturation and allows an ion detector to render an accurate count of ions even for abundant species.
Claims29
A time-to-digital ion detector for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer comprising at least two anodes wherein an electrical potential on at least one anode modifies electron flight paths such that said anodes detect different fractions of the incoming particles.
A time-to-digital ion detector for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer comprising at least two anodes wherein a magnetic field in the detector modifies electron flight paths such that said anodes detect different fractions of the incoming particles.
A time-to-digital ion detector for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer comprising at least two anodes wherein ion beam geometry causes said anodes to detect different fractions of the incoming particles.
A method for creating an ion spectrum in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer comprising:
- (a) recording time-to-digital histograms from at least two anodes wherein an electrical potential on at least one anode modifies electron flight paths such that said anodes detect different fractions of incoming particles;
- (b) classifying each of said anodes into a first anode set or a second anode set wherein each anode in said first anode set detects a larger fraction of incoming particles than each anode in said second anode set;
- (c) classifying each region of said histograms corresponding to anodes in said first anode set as a saturated region or an unsaturated region;
- (d) creating spectra for said saturated regions by applying a weighting factor to said histograms recorded by anodes in said second anode set;
- (e) creating spectra for unsaturated regions using histograms recorded by anodes in said first anode set and said second anode set;
- and
- (f) merging said spectra to form said ion spectrum.
A method for creating an ion spectrum in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer comprising:
- (a) recording time-to-digital histograms from at least two anodes wherein a magnetic field in the detector modifies electron flight paths such that said anodes detect different fractions of incoming particles;
- (b) classifying each of said anodes into a first anode set or a second anode set wherein each anode in said first anode set detects a larger fraction of incoming particles than each anode in said second anode set;
- (c) classifying each region of said histograms corresponding to anodes in said first anode set as a saturated region or an unsaturated region;
- (d) creating spectra for said saturated regions by applying a weighting factor to said histograms recorded by anodes in said second anode set;
- (e) creating spectra for unsaturated regions using histograms recorded by anodes in said first anode set and said second anode set;
- and
- (f) merging said spectra to form said ion spectrum.
A method for creating an ion spectrum in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer comprising:
- (a) recording time-to-digital histograms from at least two anodes wherein the incoming ion beam geometry causes said anodes to detect different fractions of incoming particles;
- (b) classifying each of said anodes into a first anode set or a second anode set wherein each anode in said first anode set detects a larger fraction of incoming particles than each anode in said second anode set;
- (c) classifying each region of said histograms corresponding to anodes in said first anode set as a saturated region or an unsaturated region;
- (d) creating spectra for said saturated regions by applying a weighting factor to said histograms recorded by anodes in said second anode set;
- (e) creating spectra for unsaturated regions using histograms recorded by anodes in said first anode set and said second anode set;
- and
- (f) merging said spectra to form said ion spectrum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.