Patent ID: 7381945
Filing Date: 2008-06-03
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A time-of-flight mass spectrometer, comprising: a first electrode having a substantially annular shape; a second electrode having a substantially annular shape and being positioned parallel to and spaced apart from said first electrode; a third electrode having a substantially cylindrical shape and orthogonally positioned between said first and second electrodes at one end of said first and second electrodes in order to define a single region for ions to travel between said first and second electrodes; a sample probe disposed proximate to said first electrode and adapted to hold a sample; and a detector disposed proximate to said second electrode, wherein said first electrode is adapted to be connected to a voltage source for accelerating ions to be detected, the voltage source causing a difference in voltage between said first and second electrodes to provide an electric field that changes non-linearly along substantially entire paths of ions within the single region between said sample probe and said detector.