Laser mass spectrometer

US4686366A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Föderung der Wissenschaften e.V. · US

Inventor

• Michael Stuke · Göttingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 21, 1985
• Grant date: Aug 11, 1987
• Expiry date: Nov 21, 2005

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01J49/40
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A laser mass spectrometer comprises an electrode system and an ion detector system supported on a mounting flange. The electrode system defines an ionization space, an ion acceleration space and a time-of-flight or separation path. At least some of the electrode of the electrode system are removably mounted on support rods extending an axial or ion path direction, to allow accomodation of the distance between the ionization space and the mounting flange to the configuration of an apparatus or vacuum system with which the mass spectrometer is used. Thus, the distance between the mounting flange and the ionization space may be varied by using separation path of different length. The ionization is effected by laser radiation, which may be coupled in through a window in the mounting flange. To derive additional information about a substance under investigation, means may be provided for coupling out radiation emitted by the ionized substance in the ionization space, and the laser may provide radiation pulses having a length in the order of picoseconds, as 10 ps and less, to avoid fragmentation of larger molecules which would prevent detection of the "parent ion".