Abstract
The resolutions of time‐of‐flight (TOF) mass spectrometers using multiple acceleration are compared with respect to their ability to compensate for initial ion velocities while operating in the space focusing mode. A theorem is proved which demonstrates that the Wiley‐McLaren two‐step TOF has the theoretical limit for energy resolution of a large class of spectrometers and has the practical limit for all other conventional TOF's which employ time independent fields. An alternate explanation is given for the increased resolution obtained by Studier.

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