Abstract: The ion detector of a mass spectrometer includes an accelerating electrode 10, 34, 38 disposed between the spectrometer discharge shutter 6 and a secondary electron multiplier 18. The electrode 10 is selectively energized by a high positive or negative voltage opposite the initial polarity of the ions by a source 16. Thus, a positively energized electrode draws in and accelerates negative ions, and strips away their electrons to leave them positively charged for further acceleration into the first dynode of the secondary electron multiplier.

Abstract: Ions from an unknown and two known masses are fed through a quadrupole mass filter to an electron multiplier detector whose digitally converted output is supplied to a data processing device. The latter controls the alternating and DC signals fed to the paired electrode rods of the filter. The data processing device performs transformations on the mass characteristic curves derived from the ions to equalize their widths, heights and shapes, and then determines the distance between the normalized curves using a voltage shifting technique to superimpose the curves one on another. The unknown mass may then be accurately determined from the separation distances.

Abstract: Organic samples 10 coming from a liquid chromatograph 11 are deposited on a conveyor belt 13 which transports them into a vacuum chamber at the entry end of a mass spectrometer. The samples are ionized directly on the belt by ion bombardment or using a gaseous charge carrier. Ionization is enhanced by applying an oxide layer to the belt, by neutralizing the image force, and by vaporizing alkali atoms on the belt to reduce the ionization potential.

Abstract: An improved process and an arrangement for the registration of ion-, electron- or light-spectra are described. The spectrum is guided continuously or in very small steps past an N-channel detector. After or during the time in which the spectrum shifts, all N-channels are read out. The N-channel information is added to the information in N corresponding digital or analog storage elements. Simultaneously to the shift of the spectrum past the N-channel detector or, subsequently, the information in the N storage elements are shifted one position. Thus, during the next cycle of detection, read out and addition, the information detected corresponding to a specific part of the spectrum is being added to information obtained in prior cycles from the same part of the spectrum.

Abstract: An integrating circuit comprises an integrating amplifier having an inverting input for receiving a signal to be integrated, and a feedback capacitor connected between the output of the amplifier and its inverting input. The output of the integrating amplifier is connected one input of a second amplifier having another input connected to zero potential. The output of the second amplifier is connected to a diode switching arrangement which is actuated between a conductive state in which a d.c. connection is established between the output of the second amplifier and the inverting input of the integrating amplifier and the feedback capacitor is forcibly discharged and a non-conductive state in which the d.c. connection is interrupted and the output of the second amplifier is connected to zero potential so as to enable the integrating amplifier to integrate the signal received by its inverting input.

Abstract: A field emission ion source of the type employing a thin anode having an elongated surface utilizes local heating of the anode to prevent material from being adsorbed on the anode's surface. The anode may be a wire or a thin knife-edged metal strip through which an electrical current is passed to heat the anode.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer, more particularly for simultaneously measuring beams of a number of species of ions, has a special homogeneous magnetic sector field, the exit boundary of said field forming a straight line which extends through the point of intersection between the central ray of the incident object-ray pencil of ions and the straight entrance boundary of the sector field, and at least one of the emergent image-ray pencils of ions undergoing second-order directional focusing. In this spectrometer, the lateral magnification V lies in the range O .ltoreq. V .ltoreq. 1, the angle of deflection .phi. in the sector field is between 70.5.degree. and 131.8.degree., the angle .epsilon..sub.1 between the central ray of the incident object-ray pencil and the perpendicular erected at the point of intersection between the central ray and the entrance boundary is between 0.degree. and 90.degree., the distance 1.sub.