The invention relates to measuring methods and corresponding measuring
cells for ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometers (FTMS). The
invention provides measuring methods with measuring cells, the ends of
which each incorporate a large number of trapping electrodes, DC voltages
of opposite polarities being applied across adjacent electrodes. For
orbiting ions this builds up a repelling pseudopotential, which holds the
ions in the measuring cell by reflection. This facilitates measurement of
the image currents without the disturbing influence of RF voltages.