TOF systems with two-directional isochronous motion

A new approach for design of time-of-flight system is proposed. Unlike in conventional systems, where motion is isochronous in only one (flight) direction, new system has property of isochronous motion in orthogonal (drift) direction as well. Approach is applied for design of multi-reflecting time-of-flight system based on planar mirrors with zig-zag like trajectory. New system allows increasing flight path of the beam by order of magnitude compared to conventional systems, while keeping size of the ion mirror reasonably small. A new multi-reflecting time-of-flight system of size 500 x 500 x 20 mm(3), with a flight path 20 m is designed. Simulations of ion motion in a new system show feasibility of resolving power over 50,000. Crown Copyright (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.