Electron multiplier-scintillator detector for pulse counting positive or negative ions

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Instrumentation Science

Background:

• Conventional ion detectors in mass spectrometry, such as electron multipliers and scintillator detectors, have limitations in performance and flexibility.
• There is a need for a versatile and high-performance ion detector capable of fast pulse counting for various mass spectrometry applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel general-purpose ion detector for fast pulse counting in mass spectrometry.
• To combine the advantages of electron multipliers and scintillator detectors into a single hybrid instrument.

Main Methods:

• Development of a hybrid detector integrating a six-stage electron multiplier with a scintillator detector.
• Implementation of post-acceleration of mass-resolved ions to 10 keV before detection.
• Testing of the detector's performance in both positive and negative ion detection modes.

Main Results:

• The hybrid detector demonstrates superior performance compared to conventional electron multiplier or scintillator detectors.
• Achieved background counting noise of less than 1 count/min.
• Efficient detection of ions from 1 amu to several hundred amu with near-unity efficiency for low-energy ions.
• Capability for counting randomly spaced pulses from 0 Hz to 10 MHz.

Conclusions:

• The developed hybrid ion detector offers a significant advancement in mass spectrometry instrumentation.
• Its unique design provides high sensitivity, low noise, and broad applicability for ion detection.
• This detector is suitable for a wide range of mass spectrometry applications requiring fast and accurate ion counting.