FIELD: physics.
SUBSTANCE: method is based on adding a slowly varying exponential component to an alternating electric field, under the effect of which oscillation of ions in the direction perpendicular the axis of drift becomes unipolar. In this case, the radio-frequency time-of-flight mass analyser used can be a monopolar electronic system. The working region of the analyser, stretched along the axis of drift, is formed by a corner grounded electrode and a potential electrode consisting of two parts - one with a hyperbolic profile and the other in form of a flat discrete surface. High-frequency power of the analyser is single-phase. Input and output of ions takes place through a slit and a hole in the plane y=0 in the corner electrode, spatial separation of which is provided by entry angles of charged particles in the OYZ plane in the order of 1°-3°. The method simplifies the design and reduces the size of radio-frequency time-of-flight mass analysers, improves their high-frequency power system and can be used to design time-of-flight mass spectrometers with good analytical and consumer properties.
EFFECT: improved design of radio-frequency mass analysers of ions and high-frequency power devices thereof.
