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.

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.

A device configured to convert or amplify a particle, the conversion or amplification being reliant on the impact of a particle on a surface of the device causing emission of one or more secondary electrons from the same surface. The device includes a carbon-based layer capable of secondary electron emission upon impact of a particle. The surface may be used to convert, for example, an ion into an electron signal, or an electron signal into an amplified electron signal, such as in conversion or amplification dynodes.

A device configured to convert or amplify a particle, the conversion or amplification being reliant on the impact of a particle on a surface of the device causing emission of one or more secondary electrons from the same surface. The device includes a carbon-based layer capable of secondary electron emission upon impact of a particle. The surface may be used to convert, for example, an ion into an electron signal, or an electron signal into an amplified electron signal, such as in conversion or amplification dynodes.

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.

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.

Components of scientific analytical equipment, and particularly to methods for extending the operational lifetime or otherwise improving the performance of dynodes used in electron multipliers. The method includes: (i) increasing the secondary electron yield of a dynode and/or (ii) decreasing the rate of degradation of electron yield of a dynode, by exposing a dynode electron-emissive surface to an electron flux under conditions causing electron-impact induced removal of a contaminant deposited on the dynode electron-emissive surface. The conditions may be selected such that the electron-mediated removal is enhanced relative to a contaminant deposition process so as to provide a net decrease in the rate of contaminant deposition and/or a decrease in the amount of contaminant present on the dynode electron-emissive surface.

Components of scientific analytical equipment, and particularly to methods for extending the operational lifetime or otherwise improving the performance of dynodes used in electron multipliers. The method includes: (i) increasing the secondary electron yield of a dynode and/or (ii) decreasing the rate of degradation of electron yield of a dynode, by exposing a dynode electron-emissive surface to an electron flux under conditions causing electron-impact induced removal of a contaminant deposited on the dynode electron-emissive surface. The conditions may be selected such that the electron-mediated removal is enhanced relative to a contaminant deposition process so as to provide a net decrease in the rate of contaminant deposition and/or a decrease in the amount of contaminant present on the dynode electron-emissive surface.

A channel electron multiplier having a high aspect ratio and differential coatings along its channel length is disclosed. The elongated tube has an input end, an output end, and an interior surface extending along the length of the tube between the input end and the output end. The channel electron multiplier also has first and second conductive layers formed on the interior surface of the tube. The first conductive layer is selected to provide a first electrical resistance, a first electron emission characteristic, or both, and the second conductive layer is selected to provide a second electrical resistance, a second electron emission characteristic, or both. A method of making a channel electron multiplier having two or more different conductive layers is also disclosed.

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.