Focal plane charge detector for use in mass spectrometry

Abstract

Since the advent of the microchannel plate (MCP) electron multiplier, the design of photon, electron and ion focal plane detectors (FPDs) has been an active but specialized research area. Recent rapid advances in support of integrated circuit design have brought powerful high-technology tools into the reach of research groups requiring custom FPDs. Focal plane detectors with an MCP front end are used in mass spectrometry, ultraviolet spectrophotometry, electron energy loss spectroscopy, etc., and are outlined. The design of a working charge detector on silicon is described and the proposed design of a new high-resolution FPD based on this detector is presented, with an explanation of the trade-offs made between the many design variables.