Multi-reflection Astral mass spectrometer with isochronous drift in elongated ion mirrors

Abstract

Multi-reflection time-of-flight (MR ToF) mass spectrometers are promising tools for accurate mass analysis, which combine a high resolving power with a short duty cycle. Though MR ToFs have been used for long in nuclear physics to explore short-lived isotopes, a restricted mass range of closed ion traps did not allow their use in chemical and bio-chemical applications, in which an analyte mixture contains a wide range of ionic species. This paper describes development of an open-path multi-reflection analyzer in which ion trajectories stay separated in the phase space on the oscillations to achieve an unlimited mass range. The design employs a controlled adiabatic ion drift along electrostatic mirrors. Ion focusing and time-of-flight aberration are corrected via reflection in slightly converging mirrors and refraction on optimally shaped electrostatic prisms.