Abstract: A reflector for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer for reflecting ionized atoms and/or molecules, with an entry opening and with an arrangement of successively arranged ring electrodes extending away from the entry opening along a longitudinal axis of the reflector is illustrated and described, as is a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The object of providing a reflector for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer or providing such a mass spectrometer, with improved mass resolution at a high detection probability, is achieved by virtue of the fact that the ring electrode closest to the entry opening serves as a correction electrode and is at an opposite electric potential compared to the other ring electrodes, that a screening electrode is provided on the side of the entry opening facing away from the ring electrodes and that the screening electrode lies at a potential that differs from that of the ring electrodes, more preferably at earth potential.

Abstract: A reflector for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer for reflecting ionized atoms and/or molecules, with an entry opening and with an arrangement of successively arranged ring electrodes extending away from the entry opening along a longitudinal axis of the reflector is illustrated and described, as is a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The object of providing a reflector for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer or providing such a mass spectrometer, with improved mass resolution at a high detection probability, is achieved by virtue of the fact that the ring electrode closest to the entry opening serves as a correction electrode and is at an opposite electric potential compared to the other ring electrodes, that a screening electrode is provided on the side of the entry opening facing away from the ring electrodes and that the screening electrode lies at a potential that differs from that of the ring electrodes, more preferably at earth potential.