Mass spectrometer apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for use in determining the components of an inputted gas mixture. The apparatus includes a single piece body or framework preferably made of a high insulating material, such as ceramic. The body includes a number of cut-outs for receiving or incorporating hardware used in generating ions, controlling their movement, and directing them to an ion collector plate. One of the cut-outs formed in the insulating body receives an ion source assembly. Another of the cutouts is a passageway with metallized material coated along the walls thereof for use in generating an electric field. A third cut-out receives and is associated with a magnet assembly used in directing ion movement towards the collector plate. The single body and cut-out construction reduces the number of individual parts, improves the assembly of such parts and reduces adjustment time associated with such parts. The magnetic assembly is formed using pairs of identical parts in a sandwich-like construction to also facilitate assembly of the apparatus. The body also includes a number of feed through holes for receiving conducting pins. The locations of the holes are precisely formed in the body and the conducting pins are used in providing electrical communication between apparatus parts and control hardware.