时间-数字转换器测量结果的软件修正及其应用

关键词：时间-数字转换器，死时间效应，飞行时间质谱计

SOFTWARE CORRECTION OF THE MEASUREMENT RESULT OF TIME-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER AND ITS APPLICATION

Li Ning Jin Qiji

Department of Electronics Engineering, Tsinghua University

Abstract: There exist simultaneous ion arrivals and dead time effects in time-to-digital converter. They cause data loss and spectrum distortion, and greatly limit the linear range of time of flight mass spectrometer. This paper discussed these two effects in details, and gave an effective correction method to eliminate the bad influence caused by the two effects. After the correction, both the precision and the linear range of the spectrometer were largely improved. The result is satisfactory.

Key words: time to digital converter，dead time effects，time of flight mass spectrometer

当需要用系统对初始激励的响应时间来确定系统或样品的性质时，如果信号很弱并且是由小数量的电子、离子、光子等粒子构成，则将它们作为脉冲检测并引入单粒子计数方法是很方便且有益的。得到一个谱的时间称为一个测量周期。一次测量周期由大量相同的扫描周期组成，每个扫描周期被分为若干时间通道。若检测到某通道有一个以上脉冲到达则将此通道记数值加1。多次重复扫描周期后，所得响应可以反映由施加激励到待测离子被测到之间的时间间隔的分布情况。飞行时间质谱计(Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer, TOFMS)就是应用这种技术得到谱图的。