Performance evaluation of a prototype multi-bounce time-of-flight mass spectrometer in linear mode and applications in space science

Mass spectrometry is a powerful tool to measure the composition of volatile and semi volatile gases. The necessity to accurately identify and quantify unknown species lead to the requirements of a mass spectrometer as the detector of choice in most separation science and direct sample analysis situations. Advantages of time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) are the high mass resolution, high mass range, and the measurement of the entire mass range in each extraction. The multi-bounce time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MBTOF) described in this work, takes advantage of a small footprint without sacrificing mass resolution. To achieve this, the MBTOF prototype uses a linear flight path with dual lens stacks. Ions are bounced in between the mirrors for a specified duration whereby increasing their flight time and resolution. The number of bounces can tune the resolution of the instrument. To show the minimum capabilities of the instrument and further applications of it, MBTOF was operated in linear mode. The instrument is designed for a multibounce passage of the ion optics and the focal point of the ion optics is optimized for this application, therefore the resolution in linear mode is limited. However, even in linear mode of operation, the mass resolution meets or exceeds that of a quadrupole mass spectrometer with limited power supplies required for operations. The measurements presented here are based on lab measurements of the early lab prototype MBTOF operated in a linear flight mode with low ion source extraction fields. A detailed evaluation including filament characterization, dynamic range and resolution are investigated. Further discussion involving applications on planetary missions for rocket science, coupling of MBTOF with laser thermal desorption or gas chromatography for potential organic determination in deep space are included.