Flow-through charge detection mass spectrometry to categorize micron-sized particles

Parker Allred; Eric Christie; Yixin Song; Daniel E Austin; Shiuh-Hua Wood Chiang; Aaron R Hawkins

doi:10.1063/5.0131941

Flow-through charge detection mass spectrometry to categorize micron-sized particles

Rev Sci Instrum. 2023 Mar 1;94(3):034104. doi: 10.1063/5.0131941.

Authors

Parker Allred¹, Eric Christie¹, Yixin Song¹, Daniel E Austin², Shiuh-Hua Wood Chiang¹, Aaron R Hawkins¹

Affiliations

¹ Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA.
² Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA.

PMID: 37012798
DOI: 10.1063/5.0131941

Abstract

This paper outlines the use of charge detection mass spectrometry to simultaneously measure the charge and mass of micron-sized particles. In a flow-through instrument, the detection of charge was achieved through charge induction onto cylindrical electrodes that connect to a differential amplifier. Mass was determined by particle acceleration under the influence of an electric field. Particles ranging from 30 to 400 fg (3 to 7 µm diameter) were tested. The detector design can measure particle mass within 10% accuracy for particles up to 620 fg with total charge ranging from 500e^- to 56 ke^-. This charge and mass range are expected to be relevant for dust on Mars.