Some Observations on Ions of Low Mass Number in Hydrocarbon Flames

Abstract

AN A.E.I. MS2 mass spectrometer has been modified to sample ions from flames burning at atmospheric pressure. The spectrometer is of the 90° sector magnet type. The flame ions after traversing the magnetic field are collected on an electrode plate subsequent to passing through a twelve-stage Allen type electron multiplier. The system enables ion currents at the collector as small as 10−15 amp. to be measured.