Impulsional mode operation for a Paul ion trap

The aim of this article is to provide some theoretical basis concerning the impulsional mode of a Paul ion trap using a periodic impulsional voltage of the form V0 cos (Ωt)/(1 − k cos (2 Ωt)) with k = 0.99. The performance characteristics of this impulsional mode is illustrated, and compared to the classical sinusoidal mode k = 0. Numerical computations allowed the determination of the fractional resolution m/Δm of the confined ions, in the first stability regions of both excitation voltage modes. An excellence resolution performance of the impulsional mode can be expected in the lower mass range of 1-2 u, by introducing the same uncertainties values for both operation modes in, machinery accuracy r0, stability of rf frequency Ω, the rf voltage amplitude V0→p and the accuracy of the modulation index parameter k.