An electron multiplier (continuous dynode electron multiplier) multiplies charge. Ions can, when bombarded on metal (or PbO coated surface) induce emission of electrons. If an electric potential is applied from one metal plate to the other, the emitted electrons will accelerate to the next metal plate and induce emission of more electrons. These electron can be accelerated to another metal plate and the whole process will be repeated but with more and more electrons. Therefore, another name for electron multipliers is avalanching ion detector. 12 stages of acceleration will usually give a gain in current of 10 million. An ion is an atom or group of atoms with a net electric charge. ... Properties The electron is a fundamental subatomic particle which carries a negative electric charge. ... Electric potential is the potential energy per unit charge associated with a static (time-invariant) electric field, also called the electrostatic potential, typically measured in volts. ... The word current usually implies a flow or movement. ...

In mass spectrometry electron multipliers are often used as a detector of ions that have been separated by a mass analyzer of some sort. Mass spectrometry is a technique for separating ions by their mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios. ...

See Also

Faraday cup Microchannel plate A faraday cup is just a piece of metal. ... A microchannel plate detector is a type of detector used in mass spectrometry which is closely related to an electron multiplier. ...