Mass spectrometry
Hamamatsu offers microchannel plate (MCP) assemblies and electron multipliers as ion
detectors coupled to mass analyzers of various types: time-of-flight (TOF), quadrupole,
quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF), and double-focusing magnetic sector. Specific
products are recommended for each type of analyzer below.
For use as UV light sources for soft ionization methods under vacuum or at standard
pressure (e.g., atmospheric pressure photoionization). They emit UV light (115 - 400
nm) that cause minimal fragmentation of biomolecules and other compounds, making it
easier to identify molecular weights or to determine amounts of specific ions.
Hamamamtsu's deuterium lamps feature very stable light output, a long lifetime, and
easy connection to a vacuum system.
Time-of-flight (TOF)
MCP assemblies
Mass analysis based on time-of-flight requires an ion detector with a fast time
response. Our microchannel plate (MCP) assemblies designed for TOF-MS have a response
time from a few nanoseconds to as fast as 450 ps FWHM. In addition, they are robust and
have excellent flatness, which they retain even after long-term use. This MCP flatness
ensures a small time jitter; the same type of ions hitting the MCP at different
locations will have similar TOF results instead of varying widely (see figures below).
Some of our standard products are listed below, and we welcome requests for customized
MCP assemblies.
Recommended MCP assemblies
F12334-11
- Easy replacement
- Suitable installation
- Robust MCP
- Compact and thin
- Effective area: Ø 20 mm
F9892 series
- High voltage floating operation
- Fast time response
- Large effective area: Ø 42 mm
- Excellent MCP Flatness
F9890 series
- High voltage floating operation
- Fast time response
- Large effective area: Ø 27 mm
- Excellent MCP Flatness
F4655 series
- Fast time response
- 4 µm channel diameter
- Small time jitter
- Compact and lightweight
Quadrupole
Electron multipliers
These electron multipliers feature a wide dynamic range, robust structure, lower
price than MCP assemblies, and other beneficial characteristics. Our standard products
are listed below, and we welcome requests for customized electron multipliers.
R8811
- Detects positive ions only
- Compact size
- Bake-out temperature 350°C
- Off-axis structure minimizes effects from noise generated by the ionization
process (e.g., UV and x-rays)
- Contains both electron multiplier and Faraday cup components, allowing the
detection of ions from trace amounts to large amounts
R6985-80
- Detects positive and negative ions
- Can measure very heavy ions (e.g., large proteins)
- Off-axis structure minimizes effects from noise generated by the ionization
process (e.g., UV and x-rays)
R4146-10
- Detects positive ions only
- Thin format
- Bake-out temperature 350°C
Quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF)
Recommended MCP assemblies
Mass spectrometry using a quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass analyzer requires
an ion detector with a fast time response, such as a microchannel plate (MCP) assembly.
Our MCP assemblies designed for Q-TOF MS have a response time from a few nanoseconds to
as fast as 450 ps FWHM. In addition, they are robust and have excellent flatness, which
they retain even after long-term use. This MCP flatness ensures a small time jitter:
the same type of ions hitting the MCP at different locations will have similar TOF
results instead of varying widely. Some of our standard products are listed below, and
we welcome requests for customized MCP assemblies.
F12334-11
- Easy replacement
- Suitable installation
- Robust MCP
- Compact and thin
- Effective area: Ø 20 mm
F9892 series
- High voltage floating operation
- Fast time response
- Large effective area: Ø 42 mm
- Excellent MCP Flatness
F9890 series
- High voltage floating operation
- Fast time response
- Large effective area: Ø 27 mm
- Excellent MCP Flatness
F4655 series
- Fast time response
- 4 µm channel diameter
- Small time jitter
- Compact and lightweight
Double-focusing magnetic sector
Recommended electron multiplier
For magnetic sector mass spectrometers, we offer an electron multiplier in the shape
of a thin rectangular plate. Several of these electron multipliers can be combined to
simultaneously detect ions with different m/z values as they exit the magnetic sector
mass analyzer. This ion detector has a wide dynamic range and robust structure. In
addition to our standard product, we welcome requests for customized electron
multipliers.
R4146-10
- Detects positive ions only
- Thin format allows combining multiple detectors
- Bake-out temperature 350°C