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Updated: May 24, 2026

Molecular Beam Mass Spectrometry With Tunable Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV) Synchrotron Radiation
Published on: October 30, 2012
Cold electron source with an electron multiplier illuminated by ultraviolet photons
Hyun Sik Kim1, Seung Yong Kim, Mo Yang
1Mass Spectrometry Research Division, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang, Chungcheungbuk-do, Korea.
Abstract:
A cold electron source has been developed using a microchannel plate (MCP) electron multiplier. Primary electron emission is initiated by illumination with ultraviolet photons from a diode. Final electron emission currents of up to 10 μA in continuous wave (CW) mode and 10 mA in pulsed mode have been achieved from a MCP with an active diameter of 5.5 mm. Electron emission generated by UV photons with a wavelength of 260 nm has been shown to be about 30 times more efficient than emission generated by photons with a wavelength of 300 nm. Application of this cold electron source in mass spectrometry is discussed.
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