Single-reference high-precision mass measurement with a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph

A multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph, competitive with Penning trap mass spectrometers, has been built at RIKEN. We have performed a first online mass measurement, using Li-8(+) (T-1/2 = 838 ms). A new analysis method has been realized, with which, using only C-12(+) references, the mass excess of Li-8 was accurately determined to be 20 947.6(15)(34) keV (delta m/m = 6.6 x 10(-7)). The speed, precision, and accuracy of this first online measurement exemplifies the potential for using this new type of mass spectrograph for precision measurements of short-lived nuclei.