Molecular Thermal-Electron Detectors

Abstract

Low-energy electrons detected with high resolution and sensitivity by their collisions with certain molecules. In thermal-electron-detection application, ambient plasma swept into collision chamber. Chamber designed to reduce stray electric fields to negligible levels and prevent inelastic and superelastic collisions with walls of collision-chamber repeller element. Instrument based on molecular detection performs high-resolution threshold photoelectron spectroscopy. Also used to detect fluorocarbons and chlorocarbons in upper atmosphere by their interaction with thermal electrons.