Abstract: The present invention is ion detection method for mass spectrometer. An electron multiplier is coupled with a conversion dynode for the detection of positive and negative ions. The aperture of the present system is ungrounded. As the ions (positive or negative) approach and go through the aperture, they induce an image current into the aperture plate which can be amplified and measured by a processing circuit. The magnitude of the image current is directly proportional to the number density, speed, charge, and polarity of ions flowing through the aperture. The measured image current is used as a means to switch between various detection modes. The measured current is calibrated and used as a reference to automatically switch between analog/counting modes, positive/negative ion detection, or various types of detectors implemented in the ion detection system.

Abstract: An air cooled inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) is disclosed. The interface structure has a configuration that it can rapidly transfer heat away from the front surface of the interface that is exposed to a high temperature plasma, while maintaining heat in the ion beam to avoid recombination and clustering. The air cooled interface of the present system comprises of a set of fins for rapid heat transfer, which may be placed along the sides of the ICP-MS systems in a variety of orientations. Open-cell metal foam is also used to increase heat transfer efficiency. The system may be cooled by natural convention or forced convection using one or more air fans.

Abstract: A conical inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch (100) and a method for processing sample particles is disclosed. In this method raw, unprocessed, irregularly shaped sample particles (21) are injected into the conical torch, and pass through the plasma to form molten particles (22) and a spheroidization of the particles finally generates solid, smooth, spherical and dense processed particles (23) once cooled. The conical torch has a torch tube that has a conical section and an injector tube (2) that has a conical end. The conical section of the torch tube and the injector tube form an annular gap through which outer plasma gas is passed through. This conically exiting outer gas flow results in a rapid rise in gas temperatures and a short plasma region that rapidly melts any particles.

Abstract: An air cooled inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) is disclosed. The interface structure has a configuration that it can rapidly transfer heat away from the front surface of the interface that is exposed to a high temperature plasma, while maintaining heat in the ion beam to avoid recombination and clustering. The air cooled interface of the present system comprises of a set of fins for rapid heat transfer, which may be placed along the sides of the ICP-MS systems in a variety of orientations. Open-cell metal foam is also used to increase heat transfer efficiency. The system may be cooled by natural convention or forced convection using one or more air fans.

Abstract: A torch for use in inductively coupled plasma is described. In the torch, a torch tube has an angular accelerator where a flow of gas experiences an increase in angular velocity. The torch tube also has a conical end where the increased angular velocity of the gas is encouraged to accelerate into a cavity that can support the plasma. In various examples, the conical end of the torch tube comprising a conical gap that accelerates the axial velocity component of the gas flow.

Abstract: A torch for use in inductively coupled plasma is described. In the torch, a torch tube has an angular accelerator where a flow of gas experiences an increase in angular velocity. The torch tube also has a conical end where the increased angular velocity of the gas is encouraged to accelerate into a cavity that can support the plasma. In various examples, the conical end of the torch tube comprising a conical gap that accelerates the axial velocity component of the gas flow.