Electronegative Gas Detector

Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1960 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1717554· OSTI ID:4842701

Fox, R. E.; Malmberg, P. R.; Gosser, R. B.

An electronegative gas detector was developed which is capable of measuring one part of SF₆ in 10⁷ parts of air. The operation of the instrument is based on the differences between various electronegative gases in the rates of electron attachment at low electron energies, and on the differences of mobilities of the resulting negative ions in an electric field. The instrument operates at atmospheric pressure (E/p approximately 1 v/cm-mm Hg) and uses a modulated ultraviolet light source to produce at a photocathode pulses of photoelectrons which are attached to produce negative ions. The differences in cathode-anode transit times of the negative ions result in different phase shifts of the observed cathode current. The measured phase shifts serve to indicate the amount of electronegative gas present.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-15-029488
• OSTI ID: 4842701
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 32; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics (AIP)
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AIR
ANIONS
ANODES
CATHODES
DETECTION
ELECTRONS
ENERGY LEVELS
ENGINEERING AND EQUIPMENT
FLUORIDES
GASES
INSTRUMENTS
IONS
PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT
PHOTONS
PRESSURE
SULFUR COMPOUNDS