Design, setup and first results of a miniaturized time-of-flight mass spectrometer with a simple reflector of a new design

A new kind of reflector with only one element has been constructed and used in a miniaturized time-of- flight mass spectrometer. Details from the simulation of the instrument with SIMION and its design are presented and discussed. The instrumental setup is displayed and some first results from measurements are presented. Laser- generated electron ionization (LEI) and resonance-enhanced multi-photon ionization (REMPI) are used for ion production. While both methods yield good mass spectra, the mass resolving power of the instrument is different for both methods. The results of the measurements are compared and discussed with respect to the design. It is found that the resolution of the new instrument is satisfactory for mass spectrometric measurements of small molecules and not limited by the reflector.