Astrum

High-resolution glow discharge mass spectrometer (GD-MS) optimized for ultra-trace impurity analysis in solid materials. Designed with cryogenic cooling, high-resolution adjustable slits, and robust ion optics for precise quantification across a wide dynamic range.

• Status: Active
• Country: UK
• Isotopic: Yes
• Elemental: Yes
• Type of measurable elements: Metals and non-metals
• Measurable isotopes/elements: Most elements between m/z=3m/z = 3m/z=3 to m/z=300m/z = 300m/z=300, including trace and matrix-level components
• Analyzer type : Magnetic Sector MS
• Ion source type: Glow discharge
• Inlet types: Pin and flat sample holders for conductive and non-conductive materials, including powders and thin films
• Mass range : 3-300 amu
• High Resolution : Yes
• Mass resolution/ Mass resolving power : Adjustable resolution from 300 to over 10,000 (10% valley definition)
• Sensitivity : 5×10−10 amps for copper signals at RP>4000
• Dynamic range : 12 orders of magnitude
• Detection limits : Sub-ppb for trace impurities in high-purity materials
• Precision : Internal reproducibility: Major components <3%, Minor <5, Trace <10% RSD
• Signal stability, relative standard deviation : <3% over 10 minutes; <5%over 30 minutes (for copper signals at RP>4000)
• Detector type : Faraday detector with charge-coupled design and a secondary electron multiplier (SEM) for extended dynamic range
• Acceleration voltage : 10 kV
• Discharge parameters : Voltage: 1–1.2 kV; Current: 1–3.5 mA; Gas flow: 0.5–0.6 sccm
• Geometry type : Double-focusing with electrostatic and magnetic sectors
• Focusing type : Continuously adjustable zoom optics
• Magnetic sector radius/ angle : 25 cm radius, 90° deflection
• Electric sector radius/ angle : 32 cm radius/ 120 deg
• Cooling system : Liquid nitrogen cryo-cooling and water chiller for turbomolecular pumps
• Vacuum system : Three-zone vacuum system with turbo molecular and ion-getter pumps; operating pressure <2×10−7 mbar
• Gas supply: Argon (99.9995%) and compressed air
• Power Requirements and Consumption : 230 V, 50/60 Hz, 16 A; 1.5–2 kW consumption during operation
• Environmental requirements : Temperature: 20–24°C; Humidity: <70%
• Dimensions and Weight: 1670 mm (W) × 1600 mm (D)