UV Diode CEM Ion Source for Mass Spectrometer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mass analyzers face challenges in producing a continuous output electron beam with high temperature and high current methods, leading to rapid battery power consumption and difficulty in controlling electron emission for portable devices.
Innovation Solution
A device using a UV diode and channeltron electron multiplier module to produce and amplify electrons into a focused electron beam at low temperature and low power, enabling efficient ionization of gaseous molecules with adjustable emission time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If thermionic emission method based on high temperature and high current is used, then electron beam quantity is sufficient, but power consumption is high and response time is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal field-based thermionic emission system with a photoelectric field-based UV diode excitation system. The UV diode emits photons that directly stimulate electron emission from the CEM surface, eliminating the need for high-temperature heating and high-current flow, thus dramatically reducing power consumption while maintaining electron beam generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from high temperature (thermionic emission) to room temperature (photoelectric emission). By using UV photons with specific energy to excite electrons from the CEM surface, the system achieves electron emission at room temperature, eliminating the thermal inertia and slow response associated with heating filaments
2Ease of operation
If thermionic emission method is used, then continuous electron beam can be produced, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the power-intensive thermionic emission system with a low-power UV diode photoelectric excitation system. This replacement enables portable mass analyzers to operate on battery power, as the UV diode consumes minimal energy compared to the high currents required for filament heating, thus improving portability and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pulsed UV excitation instead of continuous excitation. The UV diode is activated in short pulses to generate electron beams only when needed for ionization, reducing average power consumption and enabling battery operation in portable devices while maintaining sufficient electron beam quantity during measurement periods
3Speed
If high current is applied to heat filament, then electron emission is sufficient, but response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the slow thermal response system with a fast photoelectric response system. UV photons from the diode directly excite electrons from the CEM surface, producing electron emission response times on the order of nanoseconds, compared to the seconds required to heat a filament to emission temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pulsed UV excitation to generate electron beams only when needed. The UV diode can be switched on and off rapidly, allowing precise temporal control of electron emission with nanosecond-scale response times, enabling accurate time-resolved measurements without the thermal inertia of continuous heating
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces power consumption, size, and weight, allowing for a portable mass analyzer with precise ionization control and efficient ion detection, suitable for portable and compact applications.
Implementation Method 1
a UV diode (110) emitting UV using supplied power
Implementation Method 2
UV photons from the UV diode is applied to an inlet of the CEM module and induces initial electron emission
Implementation Method 3
the emitted electrons are amplified into an electron beam in quantity at an outlet of the CEM module
Implementation Method 4
an electron beam focusing lens that focuses the electron beam amplified through the CEM module
Implementation Method 5
the electron beam ionizes gaseous sample molecules to produce ions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for obtaining the ion source of a mass spectrometer using an ultraviolet diode and a CEM module, having the purpose of inducing initial electron emission using a CEM module and by radiating ultraviolet photons emitted from the ultraviolet diode to the entrance of the CEM module to obtain a large amount of amplified electron beams from the exit and to produce electron beams the emission times of which are accurately controlled at low temperature and at low power. The present invention is characterized by a device for obtaining the ion source of a mass spectrometer using an ultraviolet diode and a CEM module, the device consisting essentially of: an ultraviolet diode emitting ultraviolet rays by means of supplied power; an electron multiplier inducing and amplifying the initial electron emission of ultraviolet photons from the ultraviolet diode and obtaining a large amount of electron beams from the exit; an electron condenser lens condensing the electron beams amplified by the electron multiplier; an ion trap mass separator ionizing gas sample molecules by the electron beams injected through the electron xondensing lens; and an ion detector detecting ions separated from the ion trap mass separator by mass spectrum, wherein the electron multiplier is a CEM module.