Cycloidal mass spectrometer with time of flight characteristics and associated method
US6617576B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 2002 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J49/328
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of separating ions according to mass in a mass spectrometer includes establishing a stream of ions traveling in a generally cycloidal path in an electric field and a magnetic field, subsequently causing the electric field to terminate for a predetermined period of time while maintaining the magnetic field thereby causing the electrons to travel in a generally circular path for a predetermined time period and subsequently reestablishing the electric field to cause further travel in a cycloidal path and providing a detector for receipt of some of the ions. A suitably programmed microprocessor is employed to control operation of the mass spectrometer and to receive electrical signals responsive to ions impacting on the detector to thereby provide information regarding the ions. Corresponding apparatus is provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.