Charged Particle Optics Simulations and Optimizations for Miniature Mass and Energy Spectrometers

Abstract

<p>Computer simulation and modeling is a powerful tool for the analysis of physical systems; in this work we consider the use of computer modeling and optimization in improving the focusing properties of a variety of charged particle optics systems. The combined use of several software packages and custom computer code allows for modeling electrostatic and magnetostatic fields and the trajectory of particles through them. Several applications of this functionality are shown. The pieces of code which are shown are the starting point of an integrated charged particle simulation and optimization tool with focus on optimization. The applications shown are mass spectrographs and electron energy spectrographs. Simulation allowed additional information about the systems in question to be determined.In this work, coded apertures are shown to be compatible with sector instruments, though architectural challenges exist. Next, simulation allowed for the discovery of a new class of mass spectrograph which addresses these challenges and is compatible with computational sensing, allowing for both high resolution and high sensitivity, with a 1.8x improvement in spot size. Finally, a portion of this new spectrograph was adapted for use as an electron energy spectrograph, with a resolution 9.1x and energy bandwidth 2.1x that of traditional instruments.</p>