Time-of-flight mass spectrometer

A time-of-flight mass spectrometer comprising:

• an ion ejector configured to eject ions to be measured into a flight space by imparting acceleration energy to the ions by an effect of an electric field created by a voltage applied to an electrode;
• and
• a high-voltage pulse generator configured to generate a high-voltage pulse for causing an ejection of the ions and apply the high-voltage pulse to the electrode,
• the high-voltage pulse generator including:
• a) a direct-current power supply configured to generate a high direct-current voltage;
• b) a switch circuit including a semiconductor switching element configured to generate the high-voltage pulse by switching the high direct-current voltage;
• c) a drive signal generator configured to output, as a drive signal, a primary drive signal and a secondary drive signal, each based on a start signal that has a voltage level changed at a timing of the ejection of the ions, the secondary drive signal having a delay from the primary drive signal to cause the semiconductor switching element to stay in an on-state or an off-state,
• the drive signal generator including a secondary drive signal generator to generate the secondary drive signal, and configured to output, as the drive signal, the primary drive signal that does not pass through the secondary drive signal generator, at least at a timing of causing the semiconductor switching element to turn on in order to cause the ejection of the ions from the ion ejector to start;
• and
• d) a switching element drive unit configured to charge or discharge a capacitance of a control terminal of the semiconductor switching element according to the drive signal outputted by the drive signal generator, in order to cause the semiconductor switching element to turn on or stay in the on-state or cause the semiconductor switching element to turn off or stay in the off-state.