Research Interests

1.

Development of multi-turn time-of-flight mass spectrometers

2.

Development of imaging mass spectrometers

3.

Development of new ionization and dissociation techniques

4.

Ion optics

We are developing various types of mass spectrometers for investigation in various fields such as physics, astrophysics, chemistry, biology, medical science, pharmacy, environmental science etc. Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical technique that is used to identify unknown compounds, to quantify known compounds, and to elucidate the structure and chemical properties of molecules. Detection of very minute quantities of compounds is possible. Mass spectrometry provides valuable information to a wide range of professionals.
Recently, we have been mainly developing multi-turn time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometers. The mass resolution of a TOF mass spectrometer is directly proportional to its total flight path length. In order to obtain a long flight path, it is necessary to place the ions in a closed orbit and to pass the ions around the same orbit many times. The size of the analyzer part is 40cm square. Mass resolution is demonstrated to increase according to the number of ion cycles. A mass resolution of greater than 350 000 (highest resolution in the world) was achieved after 501.5cycles (flight path length: 642m). The multi-turn TOF mass spectrometer will become a powerful analytical tool in various areas of research.

Photograph of the multi-turn TOF mass spectrometer "MULTUM Linear plus"