Abstract
A four sector time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer has been constructed in order to improve mass resolution and ion transmission simultaneously. The multiple focusing (triple isochronous focusing and triple spacial focusing) conditions were achieved by using a symmetrical arrangement of four electrostatic sectors in a mass spectrometer. The principle of metastable ion analysis using the TOF mass spectrometer has been proposed and performed. Product ion spectra have been obtained by measuring the flight time and the kinetic energy of the products without any additional separation process, any coincidence technique or any special timing circuit. The sequential decays of a metal cluster ion have been observed in a MS/MS/MS analysis mode. The first-generation product ion has been produced by a metastable decay, and the second-generation product has been produced by a sequential decay in a flight.
