A field-programmable-gate-array based time digitizer for the time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Area of Science:

• Instrumentation and Measurement
• Analytical Chemistry
• Digital Electronics

Background:

• Time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry relies on precise timing measurements.
• Existing time digitizers using analog circuits or ASICs face limitations in density, design cycle, and flexibility.
• High-density, adaptable time digitizers are crucial for advancing TOF mass spectrometry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel, highly flexible, accurate, and low-cost time digitizer design.
• To overcome the limitations of traditional analog and ASIC-based time digitizers.
• To enhance the capabilities and applicability of TOF mass spectrometry.

Main Methods:

• Development of a time digitizer utilizing a field-programmable-gate-array (FPGA).
• Implementation of a time interpolation method for enhanced precision.
• Integration of programmable features for customizable functionality.

Main Results:

• Achieved a bin size of 390 ps with an average standard deviation of approximately 150 ps.
• Demonstrated excellent differential nonlinearity (-0.10 to +0.05 LSB) and a wide measurement time range (>10^7 s).
• The FPGA-based design offers reduced system complexity and superior flexibility compared to existing methods.

Conclusions:

• The proposed FPGA-based time digitizer provides a versatile and cost-effective solution for TOF mass spectrometry.
• Its programmable nature allows for integration of additional functions and adaptation to diverse application requirements.
• This design enables multi-stop measurements and timestamp recording, expanding its utility beyond traditional TOF applications.