Abstract
An IBM personal computer was interfaced to a magnetic sector mass spectrometer, via a Keithley DAS Series 500 data acquisition system, to provide versatile automation and data processing. The DAS contained a modular arrangement of high resolution (14, 16 bit) A/D and D/A converters and a large number of digital input and output channels, all of which could be software controlled or monitored by BASIC programs in the IBM PC. The system was arranged to enable software selection of four different modes of operation: magnetic field stepping with either ion current or pulse counting detection, and high voltage stepping with either of the above two detection modes. In any of these modes the system could be readily calibrated to precisely centre each isotope of interest on the detector, sequentially. The convenient selection of operation modes allowed comparison of them during isotopic analyses. For example, pulse counting detection, compared with ion current detection, provided enhanced sensitivity and precision for minor isotopes. High voltage stepping yielded comparable precision to magnetic field stepping and was significantly faster. The overall system was easy to install and quite practical for retrofitting an older mass spectrometer.
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