Electronic system for high sensitivity and high stability mass spectrometry: Part I. Electronic set up for an “off-line” mass spectrometer

Abstract

We describe an electronic set up giving very high sensitivity to a mass spectrometer. This sensitivity allows the detection of one ion per minute at the collector. Mass scanning is implemented by a staircase-shaped variation of the accelerating voltage, synchronized with the gating of a multiscaler. The performance shows the very good stability of the assembly.