Velocity map imaging mass spectrometry

We demonstrate an alternative mass spectrometric technique, Velocity map imaging mass spectrometry, which combines transverse deflection by short, pulsed electric fields with velocity map imaging in a single stage reflectron to achieve spatially resolved mass dispersion. In this simple configuration, ions are clearly separated according to their mass-to-charge ratio through the transverse deflection of the ions perpendicular to the flight direction. In this communication, we demonstrate the technique with the simultaneous detection of Xe isotopes spatially dispersed on a position sensitive detector, showing a mass resolution greater than 600 and dynamic range >103. The approach has potential applications in tandem mass spectrometry and a variety of dynamics studies.