Optimal operational mode of Bradbury-Nielsen ion gate in an ion mobility spectrometer

To increase the resolving power of ion mobility spectrometer the operational mode of Bradbury-Nielsen gate when potentials of the neighbor wires are exchanged instantly was considered. Though in that case the gate is considered formally closed, the transmission of ion current impulse takes place. By means of the simulation it is shown that with a fixed span between wires the ion pulse has a minimal duration, and its altitude is 0.3-0.5 of the level of ion current passing through the open gate. It is not necessary to have strictly cute in time potential exchange that makes it easier to realize. The influence of imperfectness, i.e. the temporary delay of the operation mode of the instantaneous switching is considered.