An apparatus for amplifying an electron signal caused by the impact of a particle with an electron emissive surface. The apparatus includes: a first electron emissive surface configured to receive an input particle and thereby emit one or more secondary electrons, a series of second and subsequent electron emissive surfaces configured to form an amplified electron signal from the one or more secondary electrons emitted by the first electron emissive surface, and one or more power supplies configured to apply bias voltage(s) to one or more of the emissive surfaces. The bias voltage(s) is sufficient to form the amplified electron signal. The apparatus is configured such that the terminal electron emissive surface(s) of the series of second and subsequent electron emissive surfaces draw a higher electrical current than that of the remainder electron emissive surface(s). The apparatus may be used as part of detector in a mass spectrometer, for example.

An ion detector includes a first stage dynode configured to receive an ion beam and generate electrons, a photon source arranged to provide photons to the first stage dynode, the photons of sufficient energy to cause the first stage dynode to emit photoelectrons, an electron multiplier configured to receive the electrons or the photoelectrons from the first stage dynode and generate an output proportional to the number of electrons or photoelectrons, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the output generated in response to the photoelectrons; calculate a gain curve of the detector based on the output; and set a voltage of the electron multiplier or the first stage dynode to achieve a target gain for the ion beam.

An ion detector includes a first stage dynode configured to receive an ion beam and generate electrons, a photon source arranged to provide photons to the first stage dynode, the photons of sufficient energy to cause the first stage dynode to emit photoelectrons, an electron multiplier configured to receive the electrons or the photoelectrons from the first stage dynode and generate an output proportional to the number of electrons or photoelectrons, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the output generated in response to the photoelectrons; calculate a gain curve of the detector based on the output; and set a voltage of the electron multiplier or the first stage dynode to achieve a target gain for the ion beam.

An ion detector includes a first stage dynode configured to receive an ion beam and generate electrons, a photon source arranged to provide photons to the first stage dynode, the photons of sufficient energy to cause the first stage dynode to emit photoelectrons, an electron multiplier configured to receive the electrons or the photoelectrons from the first stage dynode and generate an output proportional to the number of electrons or photoelectrons, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the output generated in response to the photoelectrons; calculate a gain curve of the detector based on the output; and set a voltage of the electron multiplier or the first stage dynode to achieve a target gain for the ion beam.

An ion detector includes a first stage dynode configured to receive an ion beam and generate electrons, a photon source arranged to provide photons to the first stage dynode, the photons of sufficient energy to cause the first stage dynode to emit photoelectrons, an electron multiplier configured to receive the electrons or the photoelectrons from the first stage dynode and generate an output proportional to the number of electrons or photoelectrons, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the output generated in response to the photoelectrons; calculate a gain curve of the detector based on the output; and set a voltage of the electron multiplier or the first stage dynode to achieve a target gain for the ion beam.

A photomultiplier tube for use in an imaging plate scanner. In one embodiment, the photomultiplier tube includes a housing having a window; a focusing electrode located in the housing; an electron multiplier dynode located in the housing; an anode; a cathode and a memory storing parameters. Another embodiment provides An imaging plate scanner including a photomultiplier tube having a window, an anode, and a cathode; a light source positioned to radiate light on the anode or cathode; and an electronic processor communicatively coupled to the light source and configured to generate a supply voltage value for the photomultiplier tube, activate the light source and determine an output current of the anode or of the cathode, and generate an error message if the output current deviates from an expected current range. A power supply is electrically connected to the electronic processor and configured to generate the supply voltage.

A photomultiplier tube for use in an imaging plate scanner. In one embodiment, the photomultiplier tube includes a housing having a window; a focusing electrode located in the housing; an electron multiplier dynode located in the housing; an anode; a cathode and a memory storing parameters. Another embodiment provides An imaging plate scanner including a photomultiplier tube having a window, an anode, and a cathode; a light source positioned to radiate light on the anode or cathode; and an electronic processor communicatively coupled to the light source and configured to generate a supply voltage value for the photomultiplier tube, activate the light source and determine an output current of the anode or of the cathode, and generate an error message if the output current deviates from an expected current range. A power supply is electrically connected to the electronic processor and configured to generate the supply voltage.

An apparatus for amplifying an electron signal caused by the impact of a particle with an electron emissive surface. The apparatus includes: a first electron emissive surface configured to receive an input particle and thereby emit one or more secondary electrons, a series of second and subsequent electron emissive surfaces configured to form an amplified electron signal from the one or more secondary electrons emitted by the first electron emissive surface, and one or more power supplies configured to apply bias voltage(s) to one or more of the emissive surfaces. The bias voltage(s) is sufficient to form the amplified electron signal. The apparatus is configured such that the terminal electron emissive surface(s) of the series of second and subsequent electron emissive surfaces draw a higher electrical current than that of the remainder electron emissive surface(s). The apparatus may be used as part of detector in a mass spectrometer, for example.

A photomultiplier tube for use in an imaging plate scanner. In one embodiment, the photomultiplier tube includes a housing having a window; a focusing electrode located in the housing; an electron multiplier dynode located in the housing; an anode; a cathode and a memory storing parameters. Another embodiment provides An imaging plate scanner including a photomultiplier tube having a window, an anode, and a cathode; a light source positioned to radiate light on the anode or cathode; and an electronic processor communicatively coupled to the light source and configured to generate a supply voltage value for the photomultiplier tube, activate the light source and determine an output current of the anode or of the cathode, and generate an error message if the output current deviates from an expected current range. A power supply is electrically connected to the electronic processor and configured to generate the supply voltage.

A photomultiplier tube for use in an imaging plate scanner. In one embodiment, the photomultiplier tube includes a housing having a window; a focusing electrode located in the housing; an electron multiplier dynode located in the housing; an anode; a cathode and a memory storing parameters. Another embodiment provides An imaging plate scanner including a photomultiplier tube having a window, an anode, and a cathode; a light source positioned to radiate light on the anode or cathode; and an electronic processor communicatively coupled to the light source and configured to generate a supply voltage value for the photomultiplier tube, activate the light source and determine an output current of the anode or of the cathode, and generate an error message if the output current deviates from an expected current range. A power supply is electrically connected to the electronic processor and configured to generate the supply voltage.