Magnetic and Electrostatic Analyzers before 1960

Abstract

Mass spectrometry was created through investigation of the deflection of kanalstahlen in magnetic and electrostatic fields. Early work by Wien, Thomson, Dempster, and Aston led to extensive studies of isotopes and to better instruments. New ionization sources and double-focusing designs increased the range of substances that could analyze and the precision and sensitivity of the analyzers. Significant advances were made before World War II in Austria, Germany, Japan, and the United States. The World War II years brought the advent of commercial manufacture and business purchase of mass spectrometers as well as the development of new instrument designs, particularly by Nier. These opened the way to the growth, starting in the 1950s, of much more widespread commercial and research applications.