Abstract: An approach to extending the dynamic range of the detector of a mass spectrometer is described. In one embodiment, in the case of high intensity beams, means are provided to deflect the ion beam, after the collector slit (1), on to an attenuator (4), which may be a grid or an array of small holes, through which only a small fraction of the ion beam reaches the ion detector (6). Use of an array of holes ensures that the recorded signal is insensitive to the distribution of ions within the beam. The beam passes directly to a detector if the signal is of low intensity.

Abstract: An approach to extending the dynamic range of the detector of a mass spectrometer is described. In one embodiment, in the case of high intensity beams, means are provided to deflect the ion beam, after the collector slit (1), on to an attenuator (4), which may be a grid or an array of small holes, through which only a small fraction of the ion beam reaches the ion detector (6). Use of an array of holes ensures that the recorded signal is insensitive to the distribution of ions within the beam. The beam passes directly to a detector if the signal is of low intensity.