Mass spectrometer and related ionizer and methods

Abstract

In one embodiment, a miniaturized structure and associated method function as a mass spectrometer or analyzer and may, with modification, function as an ion generator. The miniaturized structure has a pair of generally planar parallel spaced electrodes which have projecting walls cooperating to define an ion generating chamber and an exit aperture. By controlling the electric field which is oriented perpendicular to an applied magnetic field, the ion beam may be separated into a plurality beams based upon mass to charge ratio with a predetermined mass to charge ratio emerging from the exit of the apparatus and when the apparatus is functioning as a mass spectrometer or analyzer impinges on an ion collector which responsively transmits information to a cooperating processor. Where it is desired to have it function as an ionizer the ion collector disposed adjacent the ion exit is eliminated.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to so-called cross-field mass spectrometers and ionizers, which separate ionized gas particles by movement in electric and magnetic fields perpendicular to each other according to their mass-to-charge ratio. Background technique [0002] The use of mass spectrometry to determine the identity and quantity of constituent materials in gaseous, liquid or solid samples has long been known. Combining such systems is known to analyze samples in a vacuum by converting molecules or atoms into ions, separating the ions by their mass-to-charge ratio, and allowing the ions to bombard a detector. See generally US Patent Nos. 2,882,410; 3,070,951; 3,590,243; and 4,298,795. See also US Patent Nos. 4,882,485 and 4,952,802. [0003] Generally, a mass spectrometer comprises an ionizer inlet assembly, in which a sample to be analyzed is received, a high vacuum chamber, which cooperates with the ionizer inlet, and an analyzer assembly, whic...

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