Feasibility Study on a (252)Cf Plasma Desorption Imaging Mass Detector. Phase 1

摘要

The overall objective of the Phase I work was to evaluate certain key technicalaspects of a proposed Imaging Mass Detector. The proposed instrument consists of a time of flight fission fragment plasma desorption mass spectrometer with a novel imaging system for locating the position on the specimen from which molecules are desorbed. Mass Spectrometers which utilize fission fragments to plasma desorb molecular ions from samples have been characterized in the scientific literature and did not require further development. The unique untested principle of the proposed system was that of tracking the fission fragments and combining the mass and spatial information to develop mass images of specimens. The primary task of this Phase I program was, therefore, to identify, test, and evaluate the most suitable spatial detector technology. The main results of the investigation has been to demonstration that such a design is feasible and to provide a layout of a plausible system.