Patent ID: 8754371

Claim:
A mass spectrometer comprising: (A) a vacuum housing defining a vacuum cavity to support a vacuum of about 10 −5 mm Hg or less; (B) an electrode, disposed within the vacuum cavity and configured to be charged to an electrode potential, to control acceleration of a charged particle propagating through the vacuum cavity; (C) a conversion circuit, disposed within the vacuum cavity, to convert an input voltage from a power source outside the vacuum cavity so as to provide the electrode potential for the electrode; and (D) a feedthrough having a dielectric strength of less than or equal to about 36 V to provide an electrical connection between the conversion circuit and the power source; (E) control electronics, disposed within the vacuum cavity and operably coupled to the conversion circuit, to vary the electrode potential; and (F) a heater, operably coupled to the control electronics and in thermal communication with at least one component within the vacuum cavity, to heat the at least one component in response to a signal from the control electronics so as to drive gas off the at least one component.