Patent ID: 9234932
Filing Date: 2016-01-12
CPC Classification: G01R,H01J

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus for monitoring defects or the status of a connection of at least one ion lens disposed within a mass spectrometer, the apparatus comprising: an ion lens voltage supply for applying voltage to the at least one ion lens within the mass spectrometer; a read-back circuit connected to the at least one ion lens within the mass spectrometer and configured to provide output responses to reflect a first read-back voltage measurement if the at least one ion lens is connected and to reflect a second read-back voltage measurement if the at least one ion lens is not connected; and a test circuit including at least one Zener diode configured between the ion lens voltage supply and a reference point, to measure the output responses from the read-back circuit and for indicating a reading of the first read-back voltage measurement reflecting a reduction in voltage when the Zener diode begins conducting, the reading reflecting the reduction in voltage indicating a change in slope of a voltage applied by the ion lens voltage supply versus a voltage at the read-back circuit; wherein the test circuit comprises two Zener diodes, configured back-to-back.