SIMULATION OF A DISCRETE ELECTRODE DETECTOR ARRAY PERFORMANCE

An experimental and theoretical study has been carried out in which ion peaks measured using a discrete electrode detector array placed in the focal plane of a mass spectrometer are compared with the results produced by an array simulator programmed in Mathcad. All known factors influencing a peak profile have been included in the simulator. The activation of several electrodes in single events is observed experimentally and predicted by the simulator. The results highlight the parameters which are most important in determining the performance of the array, particularly the sensitivity and resolving power.