METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY

摘要

A miniature, low cost mass spectrometer capable of unit resolution over a mass range of 10 to 50 AMU. The mass spectrometer incorporates several features that enhance the performance of the design over comparable instruments. An efficient ion source enables relatively low power consumption without sacrificing measurement resolution. Variable geometry mechanical filters allow for variable resolution. An onboard ion pump removes the need for an external pumping source. A magnet and magnetic yoke produce magnetic field regions with different flux densities to run the ion pump and a magnetic sector mass analyzer. An onboard digital controller and power conversion circuit inside the vacuum chamber allows a large degree of flexibility over the operation of the mass spectrometer while eliminating the need for high-voltage electrical feedthroughs. The miniature mass spectrometer senses fractions of a percentage of inlet gas and returns mass spectra data to a computer.

主权项

1. A mass spectrometer comprising:
a vacuum housing defining a vacuum cavity; an electrode, disposed within the vacuum cavity and configured to be charged to an electrode potential, to control acceleration of a charged particle propagating through the vacuum cavity; a controller, disposed within the vacuum cavity and in electrical communication with the electrode, to modulate the electrode potential at the electrode; and a processor, operably coupled to the controller, to process digital controller signals used to modulate the electrode potential so as to increase a signal-to-noise ratio of the mass spectrometer.