Resistive glass structures used to shape electric fields in analytical instruments

Abstract

A reflectron lens for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer is disclosed. The reflectron lens includes a glass tube having a conductive surface along the length of the tube. The conductive surface has an electrical resistance gradient along its length. The electrical resistance gradient provides an electric field interior to the tube that varies in strength along the length of the tube when an electric potential is applied to opposing ends of the tube. A mass spectrometer incorporating the reflectron lens, a method of making the reflectron lens, and an apparatus for removing lead from the surface of a lead silicate glass tube are also disclosed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit if U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 781,088, filed Mar. 10, 2006.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to mass spectrometers, and in particular to a reflectron type time-of-flight mass spectrometer and to a glass reflectron lens for such a spectrometer wherein the lens has a gradient electrical resistance on its surface. [0003] Mass spectrometers are analytical instruments capable of identifying unknown materials in complex mixtures with precision in the parts per billion range. Once used exclusively in research laboratories, mass spectrometers are now in use in a broad range of applications. They are used in screening for pesticides in canned foods, controlling semiconductor manufacturing processes, diagnosing disease, exploring for natural resources, discovering new pharmaceuticals, predicting volcano eruptions, and security systems. Indeed, these instruments have tra...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0027] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of preparing a glass tube for use as a reflectron lens. The process includes the steps of providing a glass tube wherein the glass contains a lead compound and immersing a portion of the glass tube in an acidic solution. The portion of the glass tube is held in the acidic solution for a time sufficient to remove lead from the surface of the immersed portion of said glass tube. The surface of the glass tube is then chemically reduced to form an electrically resistive layer on the surface of the glass tube. In this manner, the electrical resistance of the portion held in the acidic solution will be lower than the electrical resistance of another portion of the glass tube.

Problems solved by technology

As the glass continues to be heated in the presence of the hydrogen, more of the lead oxide is chemically reduced, thereby providing lower electrical resistance.

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