P3.3 - An Electron Capture Detector Based on a Non-Radioactive Electron Source
- Event
- AMA Conferences 2017
2017-05-30 - 2017-06-01
Nürnberg, Germany - Band
- Proceedings Sensor 2017
- Chapter
- P3 - Industrial Electronics
- Author(s)
- E. Bunert, A. Kirk, J. Oermann, S. Zimmermann - Leibniz Universität Hannover (Germany)
- Pages
- 627 - 631
- DOI
- 10.5162/sensor2017/P3.3
- ISBN
- 978-3-9816876-4-4
- Price
- free
Abstract
Gas chromatographs with electron capture detectors are widely used for the analysis of electron affine substances such as pesticides or chlorofluorocarbons. Being able to achieve limits of detection in the low pptv-range, electron capture detectors are the most sensitive detector available for such compounds. Based on their operating principle, they require free electrons at atmospheric pressure, which are usually generated using a β--decay. However, the use of radioactive materials leads to regulatory restrictions regarding the purchase, operation and disposal. Here, we present an electron capture detector based on a non-radioactive electron source, which is not subject to these limitations and offers further advantages such as adjustable electron density and energy.