Ion-optical scheme for a portable high-sensitivity mass spectrograph

An ion-optical scheme that allows for a considerable improvement of the sensitivity and speed of a mass spectrograph is suggested. These ends are accomplished by appropriately choosing the parameters of an electrostatic capacitor and the shape and location of a magnetic lens, as well as by using an original multichannel linear sectional detector. The numerical simulation of the detector is carried out. It is shown that rapid analysis of multicomponent mixtures in a wide mass range, along with a substantial extension of the dynamic range of a signal recorded, is a possibility. The basic parameters of a mass analyzer based on the scheme suggested are verified experimentally, and the results obtained are discussed. (c) 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc.