Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry System For Chemical Detection

Portal

Time-of-flight mass spectrometry can detect minute concentrations of particulates, explosives for instance. In this technique, unknown chemicals are broken apart then accelerated in a vacuum. The time the chemical fragments take to "fly" across a small vacuum and impact a target is directly related to the mass of the fragments. The chemical composition of the unknown substance is determined by timing this flight.

Typical Mass Spectrum

Successful time-of-flight systems rely upon ultra high-speed data acquisition, often above 500 MSamples/sec. Vektrex assisted in the development of a chemical detection system based upon this technique. The system utilizes a combination of proprietary hardware and commercially available data acquisition equipment.

Prototype Hardware

Expertise Used

Data Acquisition, Analog Design.

Additional Information

Vektrex worked closely with client PhDs to complete this project. The Vektrex Metamorphosis™ process maintained project and schedule integrity.