cross-calibration

A calibration method that is used to correlate both pulse (low levels) and analog (high levels) signals in a dual-mode detector. This is possible because the analog and pulse outputs can be defined in identical terms (of incoming pulse counts per second) based on knowing the voltage at the first analog stage, the output current, and a conversion factor defined by the detection circuitry electronics. By carrying out a cross-calibration across the mass range, a dual-mode detector is capable of achieving approximately eight to nine orders of dynamic range in one simultaneous scan.