Optimizing the performance of your mass spectrometer

The performance of your mass spectrometer is often limited by the capabilities of the detector. Photonis developed an electron multiplier family called the MAGNUM™, which provides significantly improved performance by increasing linear output current, reducing noise, and increasing detector life.

Read paper:

Improved Lifetime and Performance for your Mass Spectrometer

Why choose genuine Channeltron detector?

If you want a true Channeltron® Electron Multiplier, you must come to Photonis. As the original manufacturer of these products, we have the experience and knowledge necessary to recommend the right detector for your instrument. For years, customers have been using Channeltrons® because of their superior ability to provide the most accurate analysis. Find out why Channeltrons® are considered to be the premium choice among instrument manufacturers.

Download the paper 

How Does a Channeltron Work?

A Channeltron is an electron multiplier that is comprised of a hollow, semiconductive glass “channel” which has an ability to conduct (or transmit) electricity. Channel electron multipliers directly detect and amplify energetic photons and charged particles such as positive and negative ions, electrons and assorted molecular and subatomic particles. When an ion strikes the input face of the device, it causes the electrons on the outermost area of the atom to be released, causing a secondary electron emission. The number of secondary electrons released depends on several factors, such as the type of particle, the angle at which it strikes the surface, and the energy and characteristics of the surface that is struck. These electrons are then accelerated down the channel by a positive bias current which continues to produce additional secondary electron emissions (and so on) until, at the output end of a pulse of 107 to 108 electrons emerges.

The diagram below provides a visual representation of the working principle of Channeltron operation:

Channelton schema

Photonis is the pioneer of Channeltron® Electron Multiplier technology, we possess the knowledge and expertise to recommend the ideal detector for your instrument. For years, customers have been using Channeltrons® because of their superior ability to provide the most accurate analysis. Find out why Channeltrons® are the premium choice among instrument manufacturers.
 

Exosens announces its CSR strategy
Press release

Nov 21st 2023

Exosens announces its CSR strategy

Exosens announces its CSR strategy to address current societal and environmental issues and employee expectations

Do I need to use the SDK when I am working with a module?

No. The interface of a module (Samtec connector) is not a standard interface that is directly accessible by a PC on any given operating system.

To interface a digital or analog module you need to know:


  • XSP: Xenics serial protocol or how the protocol works to do the command and control with the module.
    -There is a separate document concerning the XSP protocol
  • Property and register description: Describes what kind of value and at which address you need to talk to the module to control all the properties.
    -You can find this information in the manual of the module.
  • Pin-out of the Samtec connector: Describes the physical layout of all the pins, communication, video, trigger, power supply, etc..
    -You can find this information in the manual of the module.

Do I have direct access to my OEM module via Xeneth or the Xeneth SDK?

The only cases you can directly access a module is when the module has a standard interface that is accessible by a PC with any operating system. The OEM module needs to have one of the following interfaces:

  • Cameralink
  • RS232
  • GigE vision


Only for those modules, Xeneth and the related SDK can be used directly.

What is the Xenics SDK when working with Xenics OEM modules?

The SDK provides a working platform for the supported operating systems.

  • Windows 32 & 64 bit XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10.
  • Linux 32 & 64 bit Fedora 16 and Ubuntu 12.04


Frame grabbers for CameraLink (National Instruments 1429/1433, Euresys Grablink Full, Imperx) and CoaXpress (Active Silicon Firebird) are integrated in Xeneth and the windows based SDK.

What is the difference between Xeneth software and the Xeneth SDK?

Xeneth is a software dedicated for users to parameterize our camera e.g. during first setups and trials. The Software Developers Kit (SDK) is a pure library of camera commands and calls to integrate the camera within the software application of the user.

Compatibility of operating systems Xeneth 2.6 and Xeneth SDK 2.6

The Xeneth GUI & Xeneth SDK runs on 32 and 64 bit versions of

  • Windows XP
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 8
  • Windows 10

For Linux, the SDK supports 32-bit and 64-bit Fedora 16 and Ubuntu 12.04 LTS.

I am looking for the latest version of Xeneth or the Xeneth SDK software

A copy of the Xeneth software is provided in a USB stick that accompanies the purchase of your camera.

In case you have misplaced the software, or would like to obtain newer versions of Xeneth/SDK, please contact us.

We will need you to provide the serial number of your camera to validate your purchase. The serial number can be found on the label, usually found at the back of the camera.