High mass resolution isochronous time-of-flight spectrograph for three-dimensional space plasma measurements
Abstract
By combining a toroidal electrostatic analyzer with a novel cylindrically symmetric isochronous time-of-flight mass spectrometer, an instrument was developed that simultaneously determines the three-dimensional distribution function of ions and differentiates species. The ion mass is determined to high resolution (M/Delta-M greater than 50) from the time of flight within a harmonic field configuration defined by hyperboloid equipotential surfaces. A second conventional time-of-flight channel makes use of particles leaving the thin entrance foil as neutrals. An additional solid state detector in which the neutrals are stopped allows the total energy and thereby the ionic charge of the incident ions to be determined as well. Information from the neutral and the ion channels can be combined to determine the total mass of an incident molecular ion and the mass of one atomic fragment.
- Publication:
-
Review of Scientific Instruments
- Pub Date:
- November 1990
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.1141580
- Bibcode:
- 1990RScI...61.3609M
- Keywords:
-
- Cometary Atmospheres;
- High Resolution;
- Planetary Magnetospheres;
- Plasma Diagnostics;
- Time Of Flight Spectrometers;
- Distribution Functions;
- Electrostatic Probes;
- Molecular Ions;
- Astronomy