Patent ID: 6614019
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A detection system for the detection of molecules and molecular fragments, said system comprising:(a) a beam of charged and neutral molecules and molecular fragments; (b) a first detector for receiving said beam, wherein said first detector produces a first cascade of electrons which can be detected to produce a first detection signal, and wherein said first detector comprises a detector face, said first detector face having an external surface upon which molecules and molecular fragments directly impinge, wherein said external surface is coated with a low work function material present at a surface mass density of between about 50 &mgr;g/cm2 and about 2000 &mgr;g/cm2; (c) a repeller grid positioned directly in the path of said beam, wherein said grid produces an electric field experienced by said charged molecules and molecular fragments; and (d) an analyzer capable of correlating a signal from said detector with the molecular weights of said molecules and molecular fragments.