Abstract: Components of scientific analytical equipment, such as electron multipliers and modifications thereto, for extending the operational lifetime or otherwise improving performance by way of improved construction. A detector includes one or more electron emissive surfaces and one or more detector elements configured to define on one side an environment internal the detector and on the other side an environment external the detector. The one or more detector elements are configured to inhibit or prevent flow of a gas from the environment external the detector to the environment internal the detector. Such detectors may be used in a mass spectrometry instrument, for example.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electron multiplier apparatus of the type used in ion detectors. In one form, the invention is an electron multiplier having two or more electron emissive surfaces, each having a different composition so as to together limit or overcome an acute gain effect on the electron multiplier due to the exposure of the two or more electron emissive surfaces to water molecules. Alternatively, the multiplier may have a single electron emissive surface of mixed composition comprising a first composition component and a second composition component so as to together limit or overcome an acute gain effect on the electron multiplier due to the exposure of the electron emissive surface to water molecules.

Abstract: Components of scientific analytical equipment. More particularly, ion detectors of the type which incorporate electron multipliers and modifications thereto for extending the operational lifetime or otherwise improving performance. The ion detector may be embodied in the form of a particle detector having one or more electron emissive surfaces and/or an electron collector surface therein, the particle detector being configured such that in operation the environment about the electron emissive surface(s) and/or the electron collector surface is/are different to the environment immediately external to the detector.

Abstract: Ion detectors of the type used in scientific instrumentation, such as mass spectrometers. More particularly, a self-contained particle detector includes an enclosure formed in part by a transmission mode secondary electron emissive element, the enclosure defining an internal environment and an external environment, wherein the transmission mode secondary electron emissive element has an externally facing surface and an internally facing surface and is configured such that impact of a particle on the externally facing surface causes emission of one or more secondary electrons from the internally facing surface.

Abstract: Components of scientific analytical equipment. More particularly, ion detectors of the type which incorporate electron multipliers and modifications thereto for extending the operational lifetime or otherwise improving performance. The ion detector may be embodied in the form of a particle detector having one or more electron emissive surfaces and/or an electron collector surface therein, the particle detector being configured such that in operation the environment about the electron emissive surface(s) and/or the electron collector surface is/are different to the environment immediately external to the detector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electron multiplier apparatus of the type used in ion detectors. In one form, the invention is an electron multiplier having two or more electron emissive surfaces, each having a different composition so as to together limit or overcome an acute gain effect on the electron multiplier due to the exposure of the two or more electron emissive surfaces to water molecules. Alternatively, the multiplier may have a single electron emissive surface of mixed composition comprising a first composition component and a second composition component so as to together limit or overcome an acute gain effect on the electron multiplier due to the exposure of the electron emissive surface to water molecules.

Abstract: Scientific analytical equipment including apparatus and methods for detecting and quantitating particles, and particularly ions generated in the course of mass spectroscopy. In one version, a particle detection apparatus includes electron emissive surfaces which emit secondary electrons in response to impact with a particle, the apparatus maintaining spatial separation between: (i) secondary electrons emitted as a result of the impact of a first particle in a first region of the electron emissive surface; and (ii) secondary electrons emitted as a result of the impact of a second particle in a second region of the electron emissive surface.

Abstract: Scientific instruments (such as mass spectrometers) include an electron multiplier and a cross-filed ion detector including an ion impact plate. The electron multiplier receives and amplifies secondary electrons emitted by the impact plate to generate an output signal. The output signal is amplified and subsequently digitized. Amplification is limited so as to keep secondary electrons to a maximum thereby decreasing electron flux and improving instrument life.

Abstract: Ion detectors of the type used in scientific instrumentation, such as mass spectrometers. More particularly, a self-contained particle detector includes an enclosure formed in part by a transmission mode secondary electron emissive element, the enclosure defining an internal environment and an external environment, wherein the transmission mode secondary electron emissive element has an externally facing surface and an internally facing surface and is configured such that impact of a particle on the externally facing surface causes emission of one or more secondary electrons from the internally facing surface.

Abstract: A method for operating scientific analytical equipment such as mass spectrometers for the purpose of improving the performance and/or service life. Such method may include: providing an ion stream comprising ions having a range of masses, separating the ions of the ion stream on the basis of mass, and controlling the timing and/or order of impact of the separated ions on an electron emissive surface of the ion detector so as to modify one or more parameters of the ion detector.

Abstract: An electron multiplier apparatus of the type used in ion detectors, and modifications thereto for extending the operational lifetime or otherwise improving performance. The electron multiplier includes a series of discrete electron emissive surfaces configured to provide an electron amplification chain, the electron multiplier being configured so as to inhibit or prevent a contaminant from entering into, or passing partially through, or passing completely through the electron multiplier. The electron multiplier may include one or more baffles configured so as to decrease vacuum conductance of the electron multiplier compared to the same or similar electron multiplier not having one or more baffles.

Abstract: An electron multiplier apparatus of the type used in ion detectors, and modifications thereto for extending the operational lifetime or otherwise improving performance. The electron multiplier includes a series of discrete electron emissive surfaces configured to provide an electron amplification chain, the electron multiplier being configured so as to inhibit or prevent a contaminant from entering into, or passing partially through, or passing completely through the electron multiplier. The electron multiplier may include one or more baffles configured. so as to decrease vacuum conductance of the electron multiplier compared to the same or similar electron multiplier not having one or more baffles.

Abstract: A sample analysis apparatus for scientific analytical equipment such as mass spectrometers. The sample analysis apparatus includes an ion source configured to generate an ion from a sample input into the particle detection apparatus, and an ion detector having an input configured to receive an ion generated from an ion source. The sample analysis apparatus is configured such that a contaminant comingling with an ion generated by the ion source and flowing in the same general direction as the ion, is inhibited or prevented from entering the detector input.

Abstract: Components of scientific analytical equipment, such as electron multipliers and modifications thereto, for extending the operational lifetime or otherwise improving performance by way of improved construction. A detector includes one or more electron emissive surfaces and one or more detector elements configured to define on one side an environment internal the detector and on the other side an environment external the detector. The one or more detector elements are configured to inhibit or prevent flow of a gas from the environment external the detector to the environment internal the detector. Such detectors may be used in a mass spectrometry instrument, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a magnetic field includes a magnet having a surface, and a structure disposed above the magnet surface. The structure includes a material of high magnetic permeability. The apparatus provides an interface between the material of high magnetic permeability and a material of low magnetic permeability. The apparatus may have two poles in magnetic communication with the magnet, the poles extending above the surface of the magnet, and the structure is disposed between the poles. The structure may have alternating regions of high magnetic permeability and low magnetic permeability. The apparatus alters the magnetic field of the magnet to reduce or remove a disorder in the magnetic field, and/or decrease the magnitude of the magnetic field, and/or induce a distortion in the magnetic field, and/or align or re-align the magnetic field, and/or orientate or re-orientate the magnetic field, and/or alter distribution or shape of the magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to generally to components of scientific analytical equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to ion detectors of the type which incorporate electron multipliers and modifications thereto for extending the operational lifetime or otherwise improving performance. The invention may be embodied in the form of a particle detector having one or more electron emissive surfaces and/or an electron collector surface therein, the particle detector being configured such that in operation the environment about the electron emissive surface(s) and/or the electron collector surface is/are different to the environment immediately external to the detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a magnetic field includes a magnet having a surface, and a structure disposed above the magnet surface. The structure includes a material of high magnetic permeability. The apparatus provides an interface between the material of high magnetic permeability and a material of low magnetic permeability. The apparatus may have two poles in magnetic communication with the magnet, the poles extending above the surface of the magnet, and the structure is disposed between the poles. The structure may have alternating regions of high magnetic permeability and low magnetic permeability. The apparatus alters the magnetic field of the magnet to reduce or remove a disorder in the magnetic field, and/or decrease the magnitude of the magnetic field, and/or induce a distortion in the magnetic field, and/or align or re-align the magnetic field, and/or orientate or re-orientate the magnetic field, and/or alter distribution or shape of the magnetic field.