Prediction of the effects of imperfect construction of a QMS filter

Modelling techniques have previously predicted the observed behaviour of perfectly manufactured QMS mass filters. These methods are extended to examination of the behaviour of imperfect QMS filters; this examination considers the behaviour of QMS filters with one rod displaced radially inward as this is a simple manufacturing defect that arises when a rod does not fit correctly into the mounting. The results demonstrate the well known, but poorly documented property, that exchanging the connections of a poorly performing QMS device sometimes improves performance. This is shown to arise because only a displacement of a y ‐rod produces a large effect. The results also show that displacement of a y ‐rod may produce a spurious additional peak known as a precursor. More detailed investigation suggests that precursors are not separate peaks but are formed because a section of the main peak is removed causing an apparent double peak. Finally results confirm that adjustment of the voltage applied to a displaced rod can be used to significantly improve the QMS behaviour. A small change by a fraction α in the position of a single rod may be compensated by a change of 2 × α in the voltage applied to that rod. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.