Impulsional mode operation for a Paul ion trap

Abstract The aim of this article is to provide some theoretical basis concerning the impulsional mode of a Paul ion trap using a periodic impulsional voltage of the form V 0  cos ( Ωt )/(1 −  k  cos (2  Ωt )) with k  = 0.99. The performance characteristics of this impulsional mode is illustrated, and compared to the classical sinusoidal mode k  = 0. Numerical computations allowed the determination of the fractional resolution m /Δ m of the confined ions, in the first stability regions of both excitation voltage modes. An excellence resolution performance of the impulsional mode can be expected in the lower mass range of 1–2 u, by introducing the same uncertainties values for both operation modes in, machinery accuracy r 0 , stability of rf frequency Ω , the rf voltage amplitude V 0→p and the accuracy of the modulation index parameter k .