Ion storage device for flight time mass spectrometer uses DC potential trough in which ions oscillate for cooling by impact with residual gas atoms

摘要

The ion storage device receives ions continuously in a given direction, for storage of the ions over a limited interval of at least 10 microseconds, with extraction of the ions at defined points via voltage pulses. The storage device is provided by a DC voltage potential trough in which the ions oscillate, having a residual gas pressure of greater than 0.001 mbar and a potential distribution in both directions perpendicular to the oscillation direction allowing the ions to be held for several microseconds.