Ion Monitoring

Patent · Tue Nov 18 00:00:00 EST 2003

OSTI ID:879786

Orr, Christopher Henry ^[1]; Luff, Craig Janson ^[1]; Dockray, Thomas ^[1]; Macarthur, Duncan Whittemore ^[2]

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1. Calderbridge, GB
2. Los Alamos, NM

The apparatus and method provide a technique for significantly reducing capacitance effects in detector electrodes arising due to movement of the instrument relative to the item/location being monitored in ion detection based techniques. The capacitance variations are rendered less significant by placing an electrically conducting element between the detector electrodes and the monitored location/item. Improved sensitivity and reduced noise signals arise as a result. The technique also provides apparatus and method suitable for monitoring elongate items which are unsuited to complete enclosure in one go within a chamber. The items are monitored part by part as the pass through the instrument, so increasing the range of items or locations which can be successfully monitored.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels PLC (Risley, GB)
• Patent Number(s): US 6649916
• Application Number: 10/163437
• OSTI ID: 879786
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English