N.sup.th order delayed extraction
AssigneeBruker Analytical Systems, Inc.
InventorMelvin Park
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An N.sup.th order delayed extraction apparatus and method for use in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer is disclosed. A non-linear electric field, produced by specially formed electrodes, is used to accelerate ions, improve flight time focusing and thereby increase mass resolution.
Claims20
A time of flight mass spectrometer capable of providing improved mass resolution, said spectrometer comprising:
- a sample plate;
- extraction electrodes;
- and
- more than one apertured electrodes;
- wherein said apertured electrodes are positioned between said sample plate and said extraction electrodes such that a non-linear electric field of an order equal to the number of said apertured electrodes is produced which decreases the flight time distribution of said ions.
A delayed extraction apparatus for use in a time of flight mass spectrometer, said apparatus comprising:
- an electrode plate on which a sample to be ionized may be positioned;
- extraction electrodes, placed a pre-determined distance from said electrode plate, which may be powered to create an electric field capable of extracting ions from said ionized sample;
- and
- more than one apertured electrodes positioned between said electrode plate and said extraction electrodes, the shape, potentials and number of said apertured electrodes being selected such that a non-linear electric field of an order equal to the number of said apertured electrodes is produced, said field being capable of decreasing the flight time distribution of said ions, thereby increasing mass resolution.
A method of decreasing the flight time distribution, and thereby increasing the mass resolution, of ions being resolved in a time of flight mass spectrometer, said method comprising the steps of:
- placing a sample to be tested on an electrode plate;
- placing more than one extraction electrodes at a pre-determined distance from said electrode plate
- placing one or more apertured electrodes between said electrode plate and said extraction electrodes;
- and
- powering said electrodes such that a nonlinear electric field of an order equal to the number of said apertured electrodes is created;
- and
- ionizing said sample such that ions of said sample are extracted through said electrodes at pre-determined time intervals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.