PORTABLE TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETER USING A COLD ELECTRON BEAM PULSE

摘要

A time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF MS) is widely used due to fast data acquisition, wide mass range and high sensitivity. Since a very short ionization pulse is essential for high mass resolving power, a fast laser pulse is commonly used in a TOF MS. However, the size and power requirements of the laser device limit the miniaturization of a TOF MS. To solve this problem, a tiny cold electron ionization (CEI) source was suggested to generate the short ionization pulse.