Patent ID: 6521887
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring the mass-per-charge ratio of individual ions in a collimated, continuous beam of ions, which comprises in combination:(a) means for generating a collimated, continuous beam of ions traveling along a chosen axis; (b) means for electrostatic deflection disposed about the chosen axis such that the collimated, continuous beam of ions passes unobstructed therethrough; (c) a voltage source for establishing a chosen pattern of time-varying voltages onto said means for electrostatic deflection; and (d) a position-sensitive detector for detecting both the position and time of arrival of the individual ions in the collimated, continuous beam of ions having individual masses, said position-sensitive detector being disposed along the chosen axis at a distance such that the collimated, continuous beam of ions takes a longer time to traverse the distance between said means for electrostatic deflection and said position-sensitive detector when compared with the time the collimated, continuous beam of ions takes to traverse said means for electrostatic deflection, whereby the detected position of each of the individual ions in the collimated, continuous beam of ions provides information from which the ion mass-per-charge ratio is determined.