Abstract: The invention covers novel ion reflectors which are conceived principally for use in time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Caused by special electrodes of conical construction, such ion reflectors also have special ion-optical properties which are made possible through optimum compensation of the spherical and chromatic aberrations both of the ion flight times and of the ion flight paths. The time and place focusing of the ions hereby achieved means for time-of-flight mass spectrometers high mass resolution capability and high transmissions.

Abstract: In a method for generating extremely short ion pulses having a high intensity and a pulsed ion source to generate extremely short ion pulses having a high intensity, the ions are generated by an electron, laser or particle beam and are stored in a potential well formed by at least three electrodes, at least one of the central electrodes having a more attractive potential for the ions in question than the other electrodes. A single electrical pulse is used for extracting the ions from the potential well. Correspondingly constructed pulsed ion sources are particularly suitable for use in time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The ion storage effect is produced by a number of electrodes which generate a potential well for the ions to be detected. The ion compression is determined by the field strength existing during the ion extraction in the ion source which should be approximately equal in the entire area of acceleration.