mass spectrograph

American  

noun

Physics.

1. a mass spectroscope for recording a mass spectrum on a photographic plate.

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mass spectrograph British  

noun

1. a mass spectrometer that produces a photographic record of the mass spectrum

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mass spectrograph Cultural  

1. A device that uses electrical or magnetic fields to determine the masses of atoms or molecules in a sample. A beam of ions is passed through the electrical or magnetic field. The field deflects the ions at different angles depending on their masses, thereby breaking the beam into separate, identifiable bands.

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Etymology

Origin of mass spectrograph

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Inside, a miniaturized mass spectrograph, especially adapted for the experiment, monitored composition of the atmosphere, transmitting the results both to the oceanauts and to the surface so that any dangerous variations would be immediately detected.

From Time Magazine Archive

Now Ernest launched a crash program to convert it into a gigantic mass spectrograph containing several calutrons, each with multiple ion sources and collectors.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Lawrence donated the unfinished 184-inch to the bomb effort by converting it to a mass spectrograph for the separation of uranium isotopes.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

As Lawrence expected, the skills of the mass spectrograph operators improved dramatically with experience, expanding the device’s capabilities; by mid-January, a nine-hour run yielded 18 micrograms of uranium enriched to 25 percent U-235.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

"If we knew how to use a mass spectrograph," said Ted.

From The Year When Stardust Fell by Jones, Raymond F.