Miniature TOF Mass Spectrometer with Enhanced Resolution

Zeteo Tech, Inc. nbsp;proposes to design, develop and prototype a robust, small size, weight, and power (SWaP) TOF mass spectrometer with enhanced mass resolving power (m/Delta;m ge; 25,000, FWHM) along with a full, practically unlimited mass range (from 10 Da to 10,000 Da), which will allow in situ detection of organic and biomolecules in complex mixtures. It is based on a novel design of a multi-reflection TOF using microfabrication techology with no overlap of ions with different m/z, which results in the whole mass range being recorded. The mass analyzer operates at low static voltages (a few hundred volts). Using static voltages (without pulsing) simplifies the electronics and minimizes power consumption for the proposed miniature mass spectrometer. We estimate the mass spectrometer weight as about 3 kg and power consumption less than 50 W (without vacuum pumps). Initially, the mass spectrometer will be operated with a laser/desorption ionization ion source using tightly focused pulsed UV laser. LDI mode of operation allows direct organics detection in complex matrices with minimal sample preparation. High mass resolving power provided by the multireflection TOF mass analyzer will allow to differentiate compounds with nearly identical molecular weights, e.g. leucine (monoisotopic mass 131.095 g/mole), and creatine (monoisotopic mass 113.059 g/mole). nbsp;Later, we will extend its applications for gas chromatography-electron impact (GC-EI) ionization and other ionization methods, including, but not limited, to ionization at elevated pressures, such as laser spray and electrospray (ESI).