A new detector for mass spectrometry: direct detection of low energy ions using a multi-pixel photon counter.
A new type of ion detector for mass spectrometry and general detection of low energy ions is presented. The detector consists of a scintillator optically coupled to a single-photon avalanche photodiode (SPAD) array. A prototype sensor has been constructed from a LYSO (Lu(1.8)Y(0.2)SiO(5)(Ce)) scintillator crystal coupled to a commercial SPAD array detector. As proof of concept, the detector is used to record the time-of-flight mass spectra of butanone and carbon disulphide, and the dependence of detection sensitivity on the ion kinetic energy is characterised.
Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Edward S
ES
Wilman
Sara H
SH
Gardiner
Andrei
A
Nomerotski
Renato
R
Turchetta
Mark
M
Brouard
Claire
C
Vallance