A replaceable, electronically-isolated, MCP-based spectrometer detector cartridge
with enhanced sensitivity is disclosed. A coating on the MCP that enhances the
secondary electron emissivity characteristics of the MCP is selected from aluminum
oxide (Al2O3), magnesium oxide (MgO), tin oxide (SnO2),
quartz (SiO2), barium flouride (BaF2), rubidium tin (Rb3Sn),
berrylium oxide (BeO), diamond and combinations thereof. A mass detector is electro-optically
isolated the from a charge collector with a method of detecting a particle including
accelerating the particle with a voltage, converting the particle into a multiplicity
of electrons and converting the multiplicity of electrons into a multiplicity of
photons. The photons then are converted back into electrons which are summed into
a charge pulse. A detector also is provided.