Time-domain anode-decoupling co-design for a floating microchannel plate detector readout

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) requires high-performance detectors.
• Compact TOF-MS instruments face challenges with detector size and signal integrity.
• Existing microchannel plate (MCP) detectors can introduce baseline artifacts and pulse broadening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel MCP detector design for compact TOF-MS.
• To optimize anode geometry and AC-decoupling for electrically floating operation.
• To address undershoot artifacts and pulse broadening in TOF-MS detectors.

Main Methods:

• Co-design of anode geometry and high-voltage AC-decoupling network in the time domain.
• Validation through full-wave electromagnetic simulations.
• Verification using vector network analyzer measurements, circuit-level transient models, and end-to-end mass spectra.

Main Results:

• A planar circular patch anode with proximal decoupling was developed.
• The design confines fields, preserves peak amplitude, and suppresses post-pulse energy.
• Demonstrated waveguide-level pulse fidelity in a TOF-MS test setup with reduced mass and volume.

Conclusions:

• The optimized detector design effectively minimizes undershoot and baseline wander.
• This detector architecture supports high mass resolution and dynamic range in miniaturized TOF-MS.
• The planar, flight-ready design is being integrated into next-generation spaceborne TOF-MS instruments.