ELECTRIC SECTOR TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETER WITH ADJUSTABLE ION OPTICAL ELEMENTS

摘要

The invention provides apparatus and methods for performing time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. A TOF mass spectrometer of the present invention comprises one or more ion focusing electric sectors. At least one of the electric sectors is associated with an ion optical element. The ion optical elements comprise at least one adjustable electrode, such that the adjustable electrode is able to modify the potential experienced by an ion entering or exiting the electric sector with which it is associated.