Patent ID: 7265346
Filing Date: 2007-09-04
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A particle detection system comprising: a mass analyzer; at least two independent particle detectors, each of said detectors being positioned so as to be physically separated in space, wherein each of said two independent particle detectors is configured to detect ions comprising a portion of a sample population of ions following mass analysis of said sample population of ions by said mass analyzer, whereby each of said particle detectors in said mass analyzer is configured to detect ions of more than one mass-to-charge value, such that said mass analysis is performed essentially identically by said mass analyzer for each said portion of said sample population of ions, wherein any of said portions may include a plurality of ions of one or more ion species, wherein ions of a specific mass-to-charge value may be directed by said mass analyzer to at least two of said detectors essentially simultaneously, such that said ions of a specific mass-to-charge value are detectable essentially simultaneously by said at least two detectors, and whereby at least one output signal is produced by each of said detectors upon impingement of said ions on said detectors; at least one separate signal recorder, whereby said output signals are recorded in separate signal records; and a processor connected to process said separate signal records.