Time-of-flight mass spectrometer for diagnostics of continuous plasma flow.

This paper describes a version of the time-of-flight mass spectrometer based on a modified two-field acceleration approach of Wiley and McLaren. The aim of the device is a diagnostic of continuous plasma flow. The acceleration scheme idea, the construction of the spectrometer, and results of testing in plasma flow of Gd and CeO2 generated by vacuum arc discharge are described. The instrument function of the spectrometer was measured, and its mass resolution was evaluated as ∼20. With the use of the instrument function, how to interpret the registered signal in the case of intersection of mass peaks was suggested. The presented device has a simple construction and relatively low values of applied acceleration voltages, so it has fewer requirements in manufacturability and cost.