A high-resolution multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph for precision mass measurements at RIKEN/SLOWRI

A multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph (MRTOF-MS) has been implemented at RIKEN to provide high-precision mass measurements of very short-lived nuclei with half-lives down to <= 10 ms. Such measurements are of particular interest for r-process nuclei and trans-Uranium nuclei. We provide a detailed description of the mechanical construction and electronics implementation of an MRTOF-MS at RIKEN. The resolving power is investigated by numerical simulation and these simulations are compared to experimental observations to understand the effects of voltage and thermal instabilities. The limits of precision and accuracy are investigated using offline ion sources, and the effects of non-isobaric contaminants are reported. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.