Discharge ionization current detector

A discharge ionization current detector comprising:

• a discharge generation means for generating plasma from a predetermined gas by electric discharge, including a pair of electrodes with at least one surface covered with a dielectric material and a voltage application means for applying a low-frequency AC voltage to the electrodes;
• a current detection means for detecting an ion current originating from a gas-phase sample component ionized by an action of the generated plasma;
• an emission timing detection means for detecting a timing of a plasma emission intermittently generated due to the electric discharge by the discharge generation means;
• and
• a signal extraction means for acquiring a signal corresponding to the ion current detected by the current detection means at a timing synchronized with the plasma emission based on the detection result by the emission timing detection means,
• wherein the emission timing detection means is a current detection means for detecting a current supplied from the voltage application means to the electrodes.

A discharge ionization current detector comprising:

• a discharge generation means for generating plasma from a predetermined gas by electric discharge, including a pair of electrodes with at least one surface covered with a dielectric material and a voltage application means for applying a low-frequency AC voltage to the electrodes;
• a current detection means for detecting an ion current originating from a gas-phase sample component ionized by an action of the generated plasma;
• an emission timing detection means for detecting a timing of a plasma emission intermittently generated due to the electric discharge by the discharge generation means;
• and
• a signal extraction means for acquiring a signal corresponding to the ion current detected by the current detection means at a timing synchronized with the plasma emission based on the detection result by the emission timing detection means,
• wherein the signal extraction means acquires a signal corresponding to the ion current detected by the current detection means at a timing synchronized with the plasma emission during a time period in which a positive voltage is applied to a high-voltage electrode between the pair of electrodes included in the discharge generation means based on the detection result by the emission timing detection means.