The detector 40 can include an appropriate transducer. The transducer typically comprises an electron multiplier (
In some embodiments, the detector 40 can comprise a planar detector for charge detection which may be particularly attractive for small mass spectrometry systems due to their inherently small size and weight and the ability to operate at pressures from low vacuum to atmospheric pressure. Charges collected by a conductive film or other conductor associated with the detector 40 can be measured either with an electrometer or a charge sensitive transimpedance amplifier. The term “electronic collector” refers to an electronic circuit and/or device that can detect charges collected by the film and/or conductor.
For example, the detector 40 can be configured to detect ions ejected in parallel from a planar CIT array with a planar electrode with a solid continuous conductive surface over the holes of the end cap electrode. The gain of a detector amplifier 92 (