Abstract: A method of reflecting ions in a multireflection time of flight mass spectrometer is disclosed. The method includes guiding ions toward an ion mirror having multiple electrodes, and applying a voltage to the ion mirror electrodes to create an electric field that causes the mean trajectory of the ions to intersect a plane of symmetry of the ion mirror and to exit the ion mirror, wherein the ion are spatially focussed by the mirror to a first location and temporally focused to a second location different from the first location. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reflecting ions in a multireflection time of flight mass spectrometer is disclosed. The method includes guiding ions toward an ion mirror having multiple electrodes, and applying a voltage to the ion mirror electrodes to create an electric field that causes the mean trajectory of the ions to intersect a plane of symmetry of the ion mirror and to exit the ion mirror, wherein the ion are spatially focussed by the mirror to a first location and temporally focused to a second location different from the first location. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reflecting ions in a multireflection time of flight mass spectrometer is disclosed. The method includes guiding ions toward an ion mirror having multiple electrodes, and applying a voltage to the ion mirror electrodes to create an electric field that causes the mean trajectory of the ions to intersect a plane of symmetry of the ion mirror and to exit the ion mirror, wherein the ion are spatially focussed by the mirror to a first location and temporally focused to a second location different from the first location. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reflecting ions in a multireflection time of flight mass spectrometer is disclosed. The method includes guiding ions toward an ion mirror having multiple electrodes, and applying a voltage to the ion mirror electrodes to create an electric field that causes the mean trajectory of the ions to intersect a plane of symmetry of the ion mirror and to exit the ion mirror, wherein the ion are spatially focussed by the mirror to a first location and temporally focused to a second location different from the first location. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reflecting ions in a multireflection time of flight mass spectrometer is disclosed. The method includes guiding ions toward an ion mirror having multiple electrodes, and applying a voltage to the ion mirror electrodes to create an electric field that causes the mean trajectory of the ions to intersect a plane of symmetry of the ion mirror and to exit the ion mirror, wherein the ion are spatially focussed by the mirror to a first location and temporally focused to a second location different from the first location. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reflecting ions in a multireflection time of flight mass spectrometer is disclosed. The method includes guiding ions toward an ion mirror having multiple electrodes, and applying a voltage to the ion mirror electrodes to create an electric field that causes the mean trajectory of the ions to intersect a plane of symmetry of the ion mirror and to exit the ion mirror, wherein the ion are spatially focussed by the mirror to a first location and temporally focused to a second location different from the first location. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reflecting ions in a multireflection time of flight mass spectrometer is disclosed. The method includes guiding ions toward an ion mirror having multiple electrodes, and applying a voltage to the ion mirror electrodes to create an electric field that causes the mean trajectory of the ions to intersect a plane of symmetry of the ion mirror and to exit the ion mirror, wherein the ion are spatially focussed by the mirror to a first location and temporally focused to a second location different from the first location. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ion trap comprises substantially elongate electrodes 10, 20 some of which are curved along their axis of elongation and which define a trapping volume between them. The sectional area of this trapping volume towards the extremities of the trap in the direction of elongation is different to the sectional area away from its extremities (eg towards the middle of the trap). In a preferred embodiment, the trap has a plurality of elongate electrodes, wherein opposed electrodes have different radii of curvature so that the trap splays towards its extremities. Thereby, a wider mass range of ions can be trapped and ejected, a higher space charge capacity (for a given trap length) is provided, and sharper ion beam focussing on ejection is possible.

Abstract: A method of reflecting ions in a multireflection time of flight mass spectrometer is disclosed. The method includes guiding ions toward an ion mirror having multiple electrodes, and applying a voltage to the ion mirror electrodes to create an electric field that causes the mean trajectory of the ions to intersect a plane of symmetry of the ion mirror and to exit the ion mirror, wherein the ion are spatially focussed by the mirror to a first location and temporally focused to a second location different from the first location. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reflecting ions in a multireflection time of flight mass spectrometer comprising providing an ion mirror having a plurality of electrodes, the ion mirror having a cross section with a first, minor axis (Y) and a second, major axis (X) each perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (Z) of the ion mirror which lies generally in the direction of time of flight separation of the ions in the mirror; guiding ions towards the ion mirror; applying a voltage to the electrodes so as to create an electric field which: (a) causes the mean trajectory of the ions to intersect a plane of symmetry of the ion mirror which contains the longitudinal (Z) and major axes (X) of the mirror; (b) causes the ions to reflect in the ion mirror; and (c) causes the ions to exit the ion mirror in a direction such that the mean trajectory of ions passing through the ion mirror has a component of movement in a direction (Y) perpendicular to and diverging from the said plane of symmetry thereof.

Abstract: An ion trap comprises substantially elongate electrodes 10, 20 some of which are curved along their axis of elongation and which define a trapping volume between them. The sectional area of this trapping volume towards the extremities of the trap in the direction of elongation is different to the sectional area away from its extremities (eg towards the middle of the trap). In a preferred embodiment, the trap has a plurality of elongate electrodes, wherein opposed electrodes have different radii of curvature so that the trap splays towards its extremities. Thereby, a wider mass range of ions can be trapped and ejected, a higher space charge capacity (for a given trap length) is provided, and sharper ion beam focussing on ejection is possible.

Abstract: An ion trap comprises substantially elongate electrodes 10, 20 some of which are curved along their axis of elongation and which define a trapping volume between them. The sectional area of this trapping volume towards the extremities of the trap in the direction of elongation is different to the sectional area away from its extremities (eg towards the middle of the trap). In a preferred embodiment, the trap has a plurality of elongate electrodes, wherein opposed electrodes have different radii of curvature so that the trap splays towards its extremities. Thereby, a wider mass range of ions can be trapped and ejected, a higher space charge capacity (for a given trap length) is provided, and sharper ion beam focussing on ejection is possible.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reflecting ions in a multireflection time of flight mass spectrometer comprising providing an ion mirror having a plurality of electrodes, the ion mirror having a cross section with a first, minor axis (Y) and a second, major axis (X) each perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (Z) of the ion mirror which lies generally in the direction of time of flight separation of the ions in the mirror; guiding ions towards the ion mirror; applying a voltage to the electrodes so as to create an electric field which: (a) causes the mean trajectory of the ions to intersect a plane of symmetry of the ion mirror which contains the longitudinal (Z) and major axes (X) of the mirror; (b) causes the ions to reflect in the ion mirror; and (c) causes the ions to exit the ion mirror in a direction such that the mean trajectory of ions passing through the ion mirror has a component of movement in a direction (Y) perpendicular to and diverging from the said plane of symmetry thereof.

Abstract: A method for reducing the energy spread of ions over a specific and limited mass to charge ratio range is disclosed, along with an ion deceleration arrangement for implementing such a method. An electric field, having an electric field strength E is generated by a deceleration electrode arrangement (250). Ions of a specific and limited mass to charge ratio range, but having a spread of energies, are directed into the decelerating electric field generated by the deceleration electrode arrangement (250). The decelerating electric field is then removed, once substantially all of the ions of the specific mass to charge ratio range have entered the decelerating electric field. By matching the electric field strength E to the energy spread of the ions upon entry into the electric field, the energy spread of the said ions is reduced. Preferred embodiments of the invention employ energy dispersion upstream of the ion deceleration arrangement.

Abstract: An ion trap comprises substantially elongate electrodes 10, 20 some of which are curved along their axis of elongation and which define a trapping volume between them. The sectional area of this trapping volume towards the extremities of the trap in the direction of elongation is different to the sectional area away from its extremities (eg towards the middle of the trap). In a preferred embodiment, the trap has a plurality of elongate electrodes, wherein opposed electrodes have different radii of curvature so that the trap splays towards its extremities. Thereby, a wider mass range of ions can be trapped and ejected, a higher space charge capacity (for a given trap length) is provided, and sharper ion beam focussing on ejection is possible.

Abstract: A method for reducing the energy spread of ions over a specific and limited mass to charge ratio range is disclosed, along with an ion deceleration arrangement for implementing such a method. An electric field, having an electric field strength E is generated by a deceleration electrode arrangement (250). Ions of a specific and limited mass to charge ratio range, but having a spread of energies, are directed into the decelerating electric field generated by the deceleration electrode arrangement (250). The decelerating electric field is then removed, once substantially all of the ions of the specific mass to charge ratio range have entered the decelerating electric field. By matching the electric field strength E to the energy spread of the ions upon entry into the electric field, the energy spread of the said ions is reduced. Preferred embodiments of the invention employ energy dispersion upstream of the ion deceleration arrangement.