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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Spatial Separation of Molecular Conformers and Clusters
Published on: January 9, 2014
Evaluation of a 512-channel Faraday-strip array detector coupled to an inductively coupled plasma Mattauch-Herzog
Gregory D Schilling1, Steven J Ray, Arnon A Rubinshtein
1Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA.
Abstract:
A 512-channel Faraday-strip array detector has been developed and fitted to a Mattauch-Herzog geometry mass spectrograph for the simultaneous acquisition of multiple mass-to-charge values. Several advantages are realized by using simultaneous detection methods, including higher duty cycles, removal of correlated noise, and multianalyte transient analyses independent of spectral skew. The new 512-channel version offers narrower, more closely spaced pixels, providing improved spectral peak sampling and resolution. In addition, the electronics in the amplification stage of the new detector array incorporate a sample-and-hold feature that enables truly simultaneous interrogation of all 512 channels. While sensitivity and linear dynamic range remain impressive for this Faraday-based detector system, limits of detection and isotope ratio data have suffered slightly from leaky p-n junctions produced during the manufacture of the semiconductor-based amplification and readout stages. This paper describes the new 512-channel detector array, the current dominant noise sources, and the figures of merit for the device as pertaining to inductively coupled plasma ionization.
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