Inventors:
Herbert O. Funsten - Los Alamos NM
David J. McComas - Los Alamos NM
Earl E. Scime - Morgantown WV
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of California - Alameda CA
International Classification:
H01J 4926
Abstract:
The compact hydrogen and helium isotope mass spectrometer of the present invention combines low mass-resolution ion mass spectrometry and beam-foil interaction technology to unambiguously detect and quantify deuterium (D), tritium (T), hydrogen molecule (H. sub. 2, HD, D. sub. 2, HT, DT, and T. sub. 2),. sup. 3 He, and. sup. 4 He concentrations and concentration variations. The spectrometer provides real-time, high sensitivity, and high accuracy measurements. Currently, no fieldable D or molecular speciation detectors exist. Furthermore, the present spectrometer has a significant advantage over traditional T detectors: no confusion of the measurements by other beta-emitters, and complete separation of atomic and molecular species of equivalent atomic mass (e. g. , HD and. sup. 3 He).