A radio frequency/high voltage pulse generator for the operation of a planar multipole ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

We present a radio frequency (RF)/high voltage pulse generator designed to provide suitable waveforms for the operation of a planar multipole ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Our generator supplies a RF signal to two pairs of trapping electrodes, allowing ions to be stored in between them. Subsequently, the RF is rapidly switched off and high voltage extraction pulses are applied to the trap electrodes in order to obtain a time-of-flight spectrum of the stored ions. The quenching of the RF and the extraction pulses are synchronized to the RF phase, ensuring well-defined ejection conditions.