NGX: A new Multi-Collector Noble Gas Mass Spectrometer from Isotopx
Damian Tootell, David Burgess, Tony Jones, Zenon Palacz . Isotopx UK
Isotopx introduces the NGX Multi-collector noble gas mass spectrometer. The instrument uses the proven 27cm radius magnet used in the Phoenix Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer with a combination of Faraday and ion counting SEM detectors.
At less than half the volume of the VG5400, the comparative sensitivity is doubled. This is achieved by using an asymmetric arrangement of the ion optics whereby the image length is shortened but still allows the accurate measurement of resolved helium with increased sensitivity.
The design includes novel insulator materials within the ion source that have been specifically selected to reduce contributions to background signals at interfering masses.
We also describe the performance of the latest Faraday amplifier technology of high gain 1e12Ω amplifiers. In comparison to the more traditional 1e11Ω amplifiers, the theoretical signal/noise is improved by a factor of ~3. However, the signal decay or “tau response” times are not significantly compromised (5ppm of peak signal within 3 seconds). This has a favourable impact upon analysis times when peak-hopping.
This paper highlights efforts to improve instrumentation by increasing sensitivity and reducing background interferences which are factors currently limiting analytical precision in Noble Gas instrumentation, whilst showing enhanced Faraday amplification performance to minimise analysis times and improve accuracy.
For more details email damian.tootell@isotopx.com or why not join our mail list?
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