PNNL

Abstract

A third-generation Faraday-strip array detector has been coupled to a Mattauch-Herzog mass spectrometer and dc glow-discharge ionization source. This combination offers simultaneous determination of multiple elements directly from solid samples and provides superior resolving power and improved limits of detection over previous generations of array detectors. With the thirdgeneration detector array, resolving power is limited only by the mass spectrometer and not by the array. Because of this enhanced resolution, limits of detection, especially for higher mass-to-charge ratios, were improved. Isotope-ratio precision was found to be 0.07% RSD on average and quantitative response was linear over 5 orders of magnitude.