Patent ID: 8809771

Claim:
A sensor comprising: an aperture system configured to permit a sample of particles from a bulk collection of particles to enter the sensor when the particles have a mean velocity vector relative to the sensor in a first direction, the aperture system comprising an opening elongated in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; an electrostatic deflector configured to provide an electric field in a third direction that is substantially perpendicular to each of the first and second directions such that the electric field can deflect the sample of particles in the third direction when the sample of particles carries a charge, wherein the electrostatic deflector comprises a screen at an output end; a two-dimensional imaging readout positioned to receive deflected particles from the electrostatic deflector; and a microchannel plate positioned between the electrostatic deflector and the imaging readout; wherein a periphery of the output end of the electrostatic deflector defines a transverse area that extends in both the second and third directions, and wherein no less than about 50 percent of the transverse area is open and in direct communication with the microchannel plate such that particles can be delivered to the microchannel plate through the open portion of the transverse area and wherein openings in the screen define the open portion of the transverse area.