Increasing the mass resolution in a TOF aerosol mass spectrometer using a nonlinear post focusing method

The mass resolution for the time of flight aerosol mass spectrometer for aerosol component analysis is dependent on the initial direction and energy of the ions. We have found that the shape of the optimum post focusing electric field is nonlinear. The maximum electric potential should be applied to the ions whose initial direction is 90°. To determine the post focusing effects, a laser ablation mass spectrometer was installed. By using this LA-MS, it was found that the average energy distribution of the laser ablated ions was 8 eV. To establish an optimum mass resolution, a time delay and a high voltage are needed. The study results showed that 1500 ns and 3.7 kV, respectively, were the optimum parameters for time delay and voltage for this system. Using these optimized parameters, good resolution between the isotope mass signals of copper was achieved.