Abstract:
The invention relates to a device and method for measuring the chemical composition and three-dimensional structure of chemical and biological samples, evaluating the measuring data and for subsequently representing it graphically. Suprisingly, it was ascertained counter to prior art that it is possible with the aid of the inventive optimized zone source to achieve dependency of the flying time or kinetic energy of ions in direction z upon the place of origin, said dependency being greater than the dependency of the flying times or kinetic energy of the initial energy distributions. As a result, it is possible, for the first time, to determine all three spatial directions (cartesian coordinates x, y and z). The inventive evaluation method also makes it possible to convert said local information into graphic representations.
Abstract:
An apparatus (96) configured to control a magnetic field strength of a magnetic lens (100) is provided. The apparatus may include a magnetic sensor configured to generate an output signal responsive to a first magnetic field strength of the magnetic lens (100). The apparatus (96) may also include a control circuit (102) coupled to the magnetic sensor (98) and the magnetic lens (100). The control circuit (102) may be configured to receive the output signal from the magnetic lens (100) and to receive an input signal responsive to a predetermined magnetic field strength. The control circuit (102) may be further configured to generate a control signal responsive to the output signal and the input signal. Additionally, the control circuit may be configured to apply a current to the magnetic lens (100) such that a second magnetic field strength may be generated within the magnetic lens (100) closer to the predetermined magnetic field strength than the first magnetic strength.
Abstract:
The sensitivity of a secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) is increased by using water vapor to enhance the yield of positive secondary ions sputtered by a primary focused ion beam. Water vapor is injected through a needle that is positioned close to the sample and electrically biased to reduce interference with secondary ion collection field. The sensitivity is enhanced for metals in particular, which tend to be sputtered as positive ions.
Abstract:
An apparatus (82) for extending the dynamic range of a data acquisition. Multiple anode detectors (80) and microchannel plates (83) are used to increase the dynamic range of a time-to-digital converter (82). Multiple anodes (80) determine characteristics of a signal without distortion which normally occurs with large signals, or obscuring by noise which normally occurs with small signals. The data from the multi-anode detectors (80) can be summed during selectable time frames (100, 102) and made multiple bit words.