Control of time front tilts in planar multi-reflection time-of-flight mass analyzers by local wedge fields

• Published in: International journal of mass spectrometry 2021-11, Vol.469, p.116680, Article 116680
• Main Authors: Verenchikov, Anatoly N., Yavor, Mikhail I., Pomozov, Timofey V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Multi-reflection analyzer; Planar ion mirror; Time front; Time of flight; Wedge field
• ISSN: 1387-3806; 1873-2798
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijms.2021.116680

It is shown that an electrostatic field structure including a local wedge field in the area of small ion kinetic energies, followed by a planar accelerating field, allows to efficiently vary and control the inclination angle of time fronts (isochronous surfaces) in essentially parallel ion beams. When combined with deflectors, wedge fields allow independent control of the trajectory inclination angle and of the time front inclination angle. Two particular applications of local wedge fields are shown for improvement of planar multi-reflecting time-of-flight (MR-TOF) analyzers. One is a combination of an orthogonal accelerator and a deflector arranged for dense folding of ion trajectories. The other is a combination of an ion mirror and a deflector for reversing the ion motion and elongation of the flight paths. [Display omitted] •Weak local wedge fields at small ion energies combined with flat accelerating fields create large time front tilts.•Time front tilts control decoupled from ion trajectory inclination angle control.•Compensation of time front tilts induced by deflectors in planar multi-reflection time-of-flight analyzers.•Combination of an orthogonal accelerator with a local wedge field and a deflector for dense packaging ion trajectories.•Combination of an ion mirror with a local wedge field and a deflector for doubling the ion flight path.