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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Dominic Paul Seccombe, Dr Timothy Reddish
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In response to continued improvements in the production of "cold" atoms, molecular beams, and in electronic timing resolution, the issue of space focusing in linear time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometers is reevaluated. Starting with the Wiley-McLaren [W. C. Wiley and I. H. McLaren, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 26, 1150 (1955)] condition for first-order space focusing in the conventional two-field system, we extend the approach to higher orders in more complicated situations. A general, solvable, set of equations for satisfying n-order space focusing in an m-field regime is derived. We demonstrate quantitatively that if higher orders of space focus are employed, then provided the initial velocity distribution of the ions is sufficiently narrow, a significant improvement in the mass resolution can be achieved. The conclusions drawn have important implications for the design of the next generation of TOF instruments. © 2001 American Institute of Physics.
Author(s): Seccombe DP, Reddish TJ
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Review of Scientific Instruments
Year: 2001
Volume: 72
Issue: 2
Pages: 1330-1338
ISSN (print): 0034-6748
ISSN (electronic): 1089-7623
Publisher: American Institute of Physics
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1336824
DOI: 10.1063/1.1336824
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