electron multiplier

An electron multiplier is a detection device inside the vacuum of the mass spectrometer that converts the arrivals of ions at its front dynodes into a detectable, amplified electron current at the back lead of the device. The overall gain (signal out/signal in) can be as high as 10⁴–10⁸. Positive ions exiting  from the mass analyzer impact the first dynode surface, and the impact causes the release of several electrons, which are then accelerated through a potential to the next electrode. There, each electron impact causes the release of several secondary electrons, which are accelerated into the next dynode for a repetition of the impact–release process. A cascade of electrons is produced, generating a current that is further amplified and then sampled by an analog-to-digital converter  to be recorded by the data system.