A
mass spectrometer in which ions of different mass/charge are separated by means of crossed electric
and magnetic fields in such a way that the selected ions follow a prolate trochoidal
path. The usual term '
cycloidal' used sometimes is incorrect because the path used is not cycloidal. A cycloid is
a special case of a trochoid.
Source:
PAC, 1991, 63, 1541
(Recommendations for nomenclature and symbolism for mass spectroscopy (including an
appendix of terms used in vacuum technology). (Recommendations 1991))
on page 1545