A Novel Phase-Coherent Programmable Clock for High-Precision Arbitrary Waveform Generation Applied to Digital Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry
- ORNL
Digital ion trap (DIT) mass spectrometry requires the ability to precisely and accurately produce waveforms. The quality of the mass spectra produced in terms of resolution and mass accuracy depend on the resolution and precision of the applied waveforms. This publication reveals a novel method for the production of arbitrary waveforms in general and then applies the method to the production of DIT waveforms. Arbitrary waveforms can be created by varying the clock frequency input to a programmable read only memory that is then input to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The arbitrary waveform is composed of a defined number of points that are triggered to be written after programmed numbers of clock cycles to define the arbitrary waveform. The novelty introduced here is that the direct digital synthesis (DDS) generated clock frequency can be precisely changed as the arbitrary waveform is written because we have developed a method to rapidly switch the DDS frequency exactly at the end of the output clock cycle allowing exact timing of multiple transitions to produce precise and temporally complex waveforms. Changing the frequency only at the end of the output clock cycle is a phase coherent process that permits precise timing between each point in the arbitrary waveform. The waveform generation technique was demonstrated by creating a prototype that was used to operate a digital ion trap mass spectrometer. The jitter in the phase-coherent DDS TTL output that was used as the frequency variable clock was 20 ps. This jitter represents the realizable limit of precision for waveform generation. The rectangular waveforms used to operate the mass spectrometer were created with counters that increased the jitter to 100 ps. The mass resolution achieved was 5000 at m/z = 414. This resolution corresponds to a jitter of 275 ps assuming DC fluctuations and overshoots in the waveform are insignificant. Resolution should improve with increasing mass because the waveforms have longer periods while the jitter should remain constant. Given the current limit of the variable clock resolution, much better mass resolution should be achievable with future generations of the waveform production system. The agility of the DDS function generators permits the phase-coherent variable clock to be switched at a rate up to 250 MHz. This permits arbitrary waveforms to be produced with much more temporal complexity than previously possible.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Work for Others (WFO)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 982109
- Journal Information:
- International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, Vol. 292, Issue 1-3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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