Modulated-Voltage Metastable-Ionization Detector

Abstract

New detector retains sensitivity of conventional ones but automatically reduces voltage to prevent current saturation at higher values, enabling quantitative determination of relative concentrations approaching 100 percent. Detector includes feedback circuitry to prevent current saturation. When detector current begins to exceed threshold, detector high voltage reduced to keep current from rising much more. Recorder output shows detector-current and voltage-reduction signals from gas mixture with constituents both above and below threshold concentration. Those above threshold cause both current and voltage-reduction peaks. Those below threshold give rise to current peaks only.