Adiabatically-tuned linear ion trap with fourier transform mass spectrometry with reduced packet coalescence

A method of trapping a plurality of charged particles in a charged particle trap including first and second electrode mirrors arranged along an axis at opposite ends of the particle trap, the electrode mirrors being capable, when voltage is applied thereto, of creating respective electric fields configured to reflect charged particles causing oscillation of the particles between the mirrors, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) introducing into the charged particle trap the plurality of charged particles, the particles having a spread in the oscillation time of the particles per oscillation;
• (b) applying voltage to the first and second electrode mirrors during step (a) to induce a relatively weak self-bunching of the charged particles;
• and
• (c) after the plurality of charged particles has been introduced into the charged particle trap, waiting for a time period ΔT and then after the time period ΔT has expired, changing the voltage applied to the first and second electrode mirrors so as to induce a relatively stronger self-bunching among the charged particles.