Current research projects

Image Ionocaloric cooling
Image Intelligent innovative power supply for superconducting coils
Image Certification of efficient air conditioning and ventilation systems through the new "indoor air quality seal" for non-residential buildings
Image Test rigs for refrigeration and heat pump technology
Image Energy efficiency consulting - cogeneration systems
Image Verification of storage suitability of cryo tubes
Image In-Situ-Swelling Behaviour of Polymer Materials in Flammable Fluids
Image Performance tests of condensing units
Image Air-flow test rig for fan characteristic measurement
Image Software modules
Image Software for test rigs
Image Low Temperature Tribology
Image Optimizing HVAC operation with machine learning
Image In-situ investigation concerning the swelling behaviour of polymer materials under elevated pressures and temperatures
Image Characterisation of Superconductors in Hydrogen Atmosphere
Image Calibration leak for the water bath leak test

You are here:  Home /  Measurements and Tests


Mass Spectrometer

Industrie und Forschungsinstitute

Gunar Schroeder

+49-351-4081-5129

Determining the composition of gas mixtures in the high or ultra-high vacuum range

Mass spectrometry is a method for determining the composition of gas mixtures in the high or ultra-high vacuum range. It can be used to carry out qualitative and quantitative gas analyses and leak detection or to determine trace contamination.

The individual neutral gas particles are ionized by an electron impact ion source and separated from each other in an electric quadrupole field according to their mass-to-charge ratio. The filtered ions are then recorded by a detector. The ion current detected is proportional to the partial pressure of the respective gas component. For a more precise quantitative gas analysis, the relatively operating measuring instrument can be calibrated with a calibration gas.

The test set-up consists of a test chamber with a connected turbo-molecular-pump and fore vacuum pump. The mass spectrometer requires a vacuum <1,5×10-7 psi (<1×10-5 mbar) to be able to measure with high precision. The mass spectrometer and a vacuum sensor are mounted on the test chamber. The mass spectrometer is connected to a measuring PC with corresponding software.

Available measurement modes are:

  • Vacuum analysis, to determine residual gas components, evaluation as a plot of ion current and mass
  • Leak detection, with helium or another tracer gas, the ion current of the tracer gas or the corresponding mass is recorded and plotted over the time
  • Mass spectrum, evaluation of ion current and mass with user-defined specifications and time trend
Paramter Test value
Analysis Vacuum analysis, leak detection, mass spectrum, trace contamination
Detectable gases H2, He, N2, H2O, O2, CO2 usw.
Mass range 1 – 100 Da (1,66×10-27 – 1,66×10-25 kg)
Detection limit 1.5×10-15 psi / 3×10-13 mbar
Min. vacuum pressure and max. temperature range <7.3×10-6 psi / 5×10-4 mbar, < 150°C / 302°F

[Translate to EN:]


Your Request

Further Projects - Measurements and Tests

Image

Tensile and compression testing

Determination of yield strength, tensile strength and elongation at break

Image

Investigation of material-dependent parameters

Investigation of the permeation behavior

Image

Breakthrough Sensor for Adsorption Filters (BelA)

Sensor system for detecting an imminent breakthrough in gas filtration

Image

Low temperature – test facilities

thermal cycling tests at very low temperatures