Mass analysis device and method

Abstract

A charged particle manipulation device (1) comprises: a series of electrodes (2, 3) arranged to form a channel for transporting charged particles; a power supply unit (5, 6) for providing a power supply voltage to an axially segmented bunching electrode so as to generate an electric field with a defined potential in the channel, the potential well having one or more local minima between local maxima (50, 51). A potential well channel is defined that translates along at least a portion of its length. An axial extraction region (54) comprises electrodes defining the end section of the channel. They receive the power supply voltage to generate a pseudopotential in the channel, so that the depth of the potential well varies according to the mass-to-charge ratio (m / z) of the charged particles transported therein and decreases as the local maximum of the potential well translates axially towards and / or along the axial extraction region, thereby releasing the transported charged particles of different mass-to-charge ratios (m / z) at different times.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charged particle manipulation device and method for mass analysis, for example, controlling charged particles such as ions to achieve mass analysis, which may be analysis of mass-to-charge ratio or charged particles. Background Art

[0002] US patent application US2014 / 0070087A1 discloses an ion guide comprising at least one extraction region, wherein the extraction direction is substantially orthogonal to the optical axis of the ion guide. The extracted ions are preferably analyzed using a time-of-flight (ToF) mass analyzer.

[0003] US2014 / 0070087A1 experimentally demonstrates that an ion beam that is radially confined and cooled during ion guide advancement can be successfully extracted from an orthogonal direction. Ions can be propelled along the axis with a small DC gradient. Cooling in the trap prior to ion extraction is unnecessary. By eliminating the trap cooling step, mass analysis can be performed at a higher throughput, with US2014 / 0070087A1 hypothesizing a 100-fold increase in throughput.

[0004] In order to further improve the duty cycle of the analysis, it is suggested in US2014 / 0070087A1 to use ion bunching instead of continuous ion beam. In this case, the ion loss between "emissions" during orthogonal extraction can be reduced. To this end, the following embodiments are proposed. In the embodiment, a 4-pole electrode structure (80) is included, which has a main pole rod (82) for providing ion bunching and an auxiliary segmented pole rod (84), as shown in Figure 1 of the present application (corresponding to Figure 1 of US Patent US2014 / 0070087A1). Figure 6 In these embodiments, a pair of main poles will have a separate section with a slot (88) on which an extraction potential can be applied when the ion group reaches the extraction region (86), as shown in Figure 2 of the present application (corresponding to US Patent No. US2014 / 0070087A1). Figure 6 The main electrode also generates a quadrupole field through the application of RF voltage, thereby forming radial confinement for ions. The DC voltage of the auxiliary electrode is continuously changed to achieve the bunching function.

[0005] However, US Patent No. US2014 / 0070087A1 does not involve a method for generating the above-mentioned variable DC voltage. According to the above description, it can be inferred that the variable DC voltage is mainly a DC voltage pulse propagating along the transmission channel of the ion guide.

[0006] The inventors have empirically concluded that the type of bunching voltage plays an important role in the parameters of the ions it propels. According to US2014 / 0070087A1, applying a pulsed voltage to a segmented auxiliary electrode is likely to generate an electric field that changes abruptly over time, sufficient to accelerate the ions in the associated ion beam.

[0007] As previously mentioned (e.g., see reference [3] of this specification), the pulsed voltage does transfer some energy to the beamed ions. Under certain conditions (specific pulse amplitudes and specific pressure ranges), collision-induced dissociation (CID) can even be observed. The acceleration process may cause the ions to spill into the trap of the adjacent DC voltage traveling wave, thereby separating the ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio and increasing the total kinetic energy of the ions when they reach the extraction region. Based on the above-mentioned examples of ion acceleration caused by traveling waves, the ion beam propagates by alternating acceleration and deacceleration. In addition, the device in reference [3] of this specification uses a stacked annular guide structure. The inventors found that the stacked ring structure of the ion guide is not suitable for transporting or translating ions along the ion guide, considering that it has a capture field along its central axis. The present application Figure 3 The pseudopotential of the trapping field associated with a stacked annular ion guide is shown. The field walls are shown as fixed and solid. Ion beam transport along the guide axis using any type of transport potential results in incomplete cooling of the ions and significant back-off and ion losses once the ions are transported to the high vacuum region. In other words, the pseudopotential field walls interact with the transported ions, causing them to heat up.

[0008] The beamforming waveform is described in detail in US Pat. No. 9,536,721 B2. Common types of this waveform are as follows:

[0009] U0*cos(2πt / T+Φ)*cos(2πft+φ)

[0010] Where t is time (s), U0 is the amplitude (V / ms), T is the period of the low-frequency traveling wave (s), Φ is the phase of the traveling wave, f is the frequency of the RF waveform (Hz), and f is the initial phase of the high-frequency oscillation of the RF waveform. This waveform is applied to a series of electrodes that form the ion guide channel and are located at different phases (Φ) of the waveform.

[0011] The number and phase relationship Φ between the traveling waves depends on the number of electrodes in the electrode repeating group Φ that generates the traveling waves. It usually follows the following rule: Φ = 2π*i / N + Φ0, where i = 0, 1, ..N-1 and Φ0 is the unrestricted initial phase. In general, the frequency 1 / T should be significantly lower than f, for example, f = 1 MHz, 1 / T = 1 kHz. In Figures 4a-b of the present application, an example of the pseudopotential at the vertical axis of an ion guide composed of a repeating group of 8 electrodes (N = 8) is shown, and its waveform refers to US9536721B2. The present application is not limited to the specific structure disclosed in US9536721B2, namely the quadrupole ion guide, in which one pair of continuous electrodes and the other pair of finely segmented electrodes, the latter also known as bunching electrodes. Compared with the structure itself, the electric field established by the above structure is a more important feature. The following will introduce a variety of methods for creating the desired electric field arrangement.

[0012] The waveform described above is primarily used to establish a sequence of maxima and minima of the resulting potential (e.g., pseudopotential) that moves along the axis of the ion guide. These moving minima and maxima create a traveling wave effect that propagates along the axis at a constant velocity L / T, where L is the axial length of the N electrode repeating groups. This traveling wave allows positively and negatively charged particles to reside in the same minimum (well) of the traveling wave, thereby allowing the ions to undergo chemical reactions, for example, low-energy fragmentation through methods such as electron transfer dissociation (ETD).

[0013] Most importantly, this method of ion beam generation allows the ions to be cooled during transport, ideally for an unlimited cooling time. Once the ions collide with neutral gas particles, the kinetic energy of the ions is converted into heat (a well-known cooling method), and this type of traveling wave can maintain the low energy state of the ions for the required time, even if the ions are transported into a high vacuum region where collisions with the gas are almost non-existent. This is ideal for use in conjunction with a time-of-flight (ToF) mass analyzer, as typical ToF mass analyzers operate at pressures well below 10 -4 mbar, and the ions that are directed into a beam and delivered to the extraction region of the ion guide have been cooled to leave only thermal energy. Therefore, ideally, with the help of a waveform, the ions are transferred from the high-pressure region of the extraction region to the low-pressure region. In the high-pressure region, the ions are cooled to leave only thermal energy through collision cooling, while maintaining the low kinetic energy of the ions, which is basically equivalent to thermal energy. Therefore, the ions can be extracted immediately and enter the ToF analyzer more quickly. Therefore, ideally, the ions are extracted into the ToF as soon as they reach the extraction region of the ion guide, without the need for a higher pressure region, saving the additional cooling time before extraction in the extraction region.

[0014] This approach offers significant advantages over earlier prior art ion trap time-of-flight (IT-ToF) and linear ion trap time-of-flight (LIT-ToF) configurations, in which ions are transported to the ion trap using a pulsed DC voltage and then allowed ample cooling time to reach thermal equilibrium before extraction into the ToF. In prior art instruments, the pressure in the extraction region accounts for both cooling time and the gas load on the ToF analyzer. The present invention is designed with these considerations in mind. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The present invention includes the various aspects and combinations of preferred features described in this specification unless expressly prohibited or explicitly excluded.

[0016] Generally speaking, in a first aspect, the present invention provides for generating an electric field within a charged particle guide (i.e., an ion guide), wherein the electric field defines a potential well, and for collecting or bunching charged particles within the potential well by applying a voltage to a bunching electrode, wherein the bunching electrode is controlled to vary in time according to a specially formed waveform such that the minimum value of the waveform's expansion corresponds to (or coincides with) the minimum value of the potential well. This has been shown to be highly advantageous for reducing the heating temperature of the charged particles within the potential well. Preferably, the present invention can provide a "constant velocity" ion bunching apparatus and method (i.e., providing non-accelerated motion of the ion beam).

[0017] For example, the waveform may continuously and smoothly decrease to a minimum value and maintain the minimum value, or in fact / actually maintain the minimum value, or have only insignificant or negligible fluctuations. By setting the shape of the waveform, the minimum value can be maintained for a limited period of time that constitutes a significant portion of the entire waveform period (i.e., extended over time). A voltage is applied to the bunching electrode closest to the ion beam in the potential well, and the voltage can be set at a time point when the waveform (and voltage) is within the waveform minimum and the voltage is conducive to forming the minimum value (e.g., the base value) of the potential well. Similarly, a voltage is applied to the bunching electrode far from the ion beam, and the voltage can be set at a time point when the waveform (and voltage) is outside the waveform minimum and the voltage is conducive to forming the sides / walls of the potential well.

[0018] The "waveform" quoted in this specification may be understood to include, but not be limited to, references to variables that vary periodically or in a wave-like manner (e.g., an AC modulation envelope applied to an AC voltage or an RF voltage). The "voltage waveform" quoted in this specification may be understood according to the context. According to the context, it is easy for a person skilled in the art to understand that a "voltage waveform" may be a periodic or wave-like variation in the voltage of a non-high-frequency AC voltage signal (e.g., an RF signal), but the time variation rate is slow. A "voltage waveform" may be an AC voltage that varies regularly and has a stable polarity, and may specifically include a "voltage waveform" of a modulation or envelope function applied to a high-frequency RF voltage signal, or, depending on the context, may include a "voltage waveform" that does not contain a potential RF signal component. A waveform may have a "period," which may be the time interval (T) between successive occurrences of the same state in an oscillation or cyclic phenomenon.

[0019] Preferably, the waveform translates in an overall smooth manner. That is, preferably, the potential (and its characteristics) moves smoothly, resulting in smooth acceleration and smooth de-accumulation of ions. Most preferably, the axial potential should move at a substantially constant speed along the axial direction of the device.

[0020] Since the edges of the waveform rise and fall smoothly and slowly, the potential well formed by the waveform preferably moves smoothly to ensure smooth movement of the ions.

[0021] In a first aspect, the present invention may provide a device for manipulating charged particles, the device comprising:

[0022] a series of electrodes arranged to form a channel for transporting charged particles;

[0023] a power supply unit adapted to supply a first power supply voltage varying according to a waveform having a period (T) to an axially segmented bunching electrode in the electrodes so as to generate an electric field in the channel, the electric field having a potential having one or more local minima between local maxima defining a potential well, the potential well translating along a portion of the length of the channel such that a translation distance of the potential well within a time interval substantially equal to the period (T) is substantially equal to its own length (e.g., an axial length along the channel);

[0024] a power supply unit adapted to provide a second power supply voltage to a radial confinement electrode among the electrodes so as to generate a radial confinement electric field in the channel, the electric field being configured to radially confine the charged particles in the channel;

[0025] The waveform described is:

[0026] (a) remains substantially stable throughout its period (T); and

[0027] (b) During the period (T LMaintain the minimum value of the waveform substantially within a finite time period (T) within <T).

[0028] Furthermore, most preferably, the waveform has no local waveform maximum within the finite time period (T L <T). In other words, the finite time period may contain only one waveform minimum. In fact, the entire waveform may contain only one minimum within its period, i.e., T.

[0029] The first power supply voltage may include a radio frequency voltage signal modulated according to the waveform such that the potential well is formed by a pseudopotential. Alternatively, the first power supply voltage may include an alternating current voltage that varies with time according to the waveform, without including or modulating any potential radio frequency voltage signal. In the latter case, the potential well is formed by a "true" potential rather than a pseudopotential.

[0030] In this way, when applied to the bunching electrodes, the waveform can provide a potential well with a smooth minimum, at which charged particles are bunched. At the same time, the bunching electrode closest to the minimum receives the first power supply voltage within its finite (i.e., extended along time) minimum, so that any possible noise in the first power supply voltage signal on the applied electrode is greatly suppressed by the waveform, reducing the heating of the bunched ions caused by excess voltage pulses. In addition, the smooth characteristic of the waveform also helps to avoid the heating of the bunched ions in the potential well. The ion guiding channel is defined by the electrodes to which the first power supply voltage is applied, and the electric field generated by its open internal space may include a spatially traveling waveform electric potential, which can bunch charged particles (such as ions) and transport the charged particles along the ion guiding channel at the speed of the traveling waveform motion.

[0031] Within a finite time period (T L <T) within the period (T) of the waveform, the first power supply voltage can be applied to each axial segmented bunching electrode such as forming a spatially continuous adjacent electrode group at an appropriate phase of the waveform. In this way, the spatially extended range of the continuous bunching electrodes can simultaneously receive the first power supply voltage corresponding to a substantially constant minimum. Therefore, the substantially constant minimum can extend spatially along the plurality of axial segmented bunching electrodes, and the plurality of axial segmented bunching electrodes are distributed along the axis of the ion guiding channel.

[0032] In mathematics, a "continuous" function (analytical function or numerical function) refers to a function that does not contain any numerical mutations, interruptions or jumps called discontinuities. The term "continuously smooth" can be understood to include a reference to this meaning. Preferably, the rate of change of the waveform (e.g., Applied to the waveform U) is substantially continuously smooth within its period (T).

[0033] Within a finite time period (T LWithin (T), the minimum value of the waveform can be substantially constant, that is, the minimum value of the waveform is actually constant, or is constant in fact or in practice, or at least within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L and the change is insignificant within (T). If within the period (T) of the waveform, the variation corresponding to the change in the waveform value throughout T L does not exceed a preset percentage or ratio of the maximum variation between the waveform limit values (for example, the ratio of the peak-to-peak amplitude U0 of the waveform, or the ratio of the difference between the minimum and maximum values of the waveform), then it can be said that the change in the waveform is insignificant. For example, define X = 100×ΔU / U0 as the maximum allowable change (ΔU) in the waveform value throughout T L expressed as a percentage (%) of the waveform amplitude (U0). Preferably: X ≤ 10, or X ≤ 5, or X ≤ 2.5, or X ≤ 1.0, or X ≤ 0.5, or X ≤ 0.25, or X ≤ 0.1, or X ≤ 0.05, and X ≤ 0.01.

[0034] The finite time period (T L ) can be expressed as: T > T L ≥ T / k, where k is any positive number greater than one (1) (i.e., non-integer or integer) (i.e., k > 1). Preferably, k ≥ 1.2. Preferably, k ≤ 20 or k ≤ 15 or k ≤ 10. Preferably, for example, 1.2 ≤ k ≤ 8.0.

[0035] Define as the time period of T L expressed as a percentage (%) of the period T. If X = 100×ΔU / U0, preferably, or more preferably, or more preferably, or more preferably, or more preferably, or more preferably, or more preferably, or more preferably, In this sense, the minimum value of the waveform can be substantially constant within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L and (T).

[0036] Preferably, the modulus of the first-order time derivative of the waveform (U) with waveform amplitude U0 is:

[0037]

[0038] within the finite time period (T L) within, where Y = 50. For example, 50 ≥ Y ≥ 1.4, or more preferably, 10 ≥ Y ≥ 2, or more preferably, 7 ≥ Y ≥ 3. For example, Y can be approximately equal to 5. In some examples, Y ≥ 1.4. In this sense, the waveform is substantially constant within a finite time period T L . Preferably, within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L < T), the average value of the first-order time derivative of the waveform (U)) of the modulus does not exceed the value Y. Preferably, within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L ), the average value of this modulus does not exceed 0.5Y, or preferably 0.25Y, or preferably 0.1Y, or preferably 0.05Y, or preferably 0.25Y, or preferably 0.25Y. In this sense, within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L < T), the minimum value of the waveform can be substantially constant.

[0039] Preferably, at least within the time interval T within the period (T) of the waveform L , the value of the first-order time derivative of the first power supply voltage waveform (i.e., ) is substantially continuous. Preferably, the value of the first-order time derivative of the first power supply voltage waveform (i.e., ) is substantially continuous throughout the basic period (T) of the waveform. Preferably, within the above-mentioned period (T) of the waveform, the value of the modulus of the first-order time derivative of the first power supply voltage waveform having the waveform amplitude can be expressed as U0:

[0040]

[0041] More preferably, this modulus may not be greater than 75, or more preferably not greater than 50, or more preferably not greater than 20, or more preferably approximately greater than 10 and less than 15, such as about 12. Preferably, the waveform (U) includes or is at least partially defined according to the "error function" (erf). This helps prevent unnecessary force pulses on the charged particles in the potential well. In this sense, the minimum value of the waveform can be substantially constant within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L < T).

[0042] The power supply unit can be adapted to provide a first power supply voltage including a radio frequency voltage signal modulated according to a waveform to an axially segmented bunching electrode to generate an electric potential in the form of a pseudopotential in the channel, and the pseudopotential has one or more local minima between local maxima, and the local maxima define the potential wells that translate along a partial length of the channel.

[0043] Alternatively, the power supply unit may be adapted to provide a first supply voltage comprising an AC voltage that varies according to a waveform (e.g., a non-RF signal) to the plurality of bunching electrodes so as to define a potential well according to the applied first supply voltage waveform (i.e., the potential forming the forward well is not a pseudopotential but is formed by the voltage waveform) that translates along at least a portion of the length of the channel.

[0044] The power supply unit may be adapted to provide a second supply voltage (eg, an RF signal or a non-RF voltage waveform) to generate a radial (ie, transverse to the channel axis) confining potential (eg, a pseudopotential or other potential) within the channel.

[0045] Preferably, the amplitude of the second power supply voltage is not periodically modulated on time. The amplitude of the second power supply voltage can be substantially constant. The second power supply voltage applied to the radial confinement electrode in combination with the axial segmented bunching electrode can generate a radial confinement electric field (potential). This series of electrodes can be configured as a quadrupole ion guide. The radial confinement electric field (potential) can be configured as a quadrupole field, or at least substantially or approximately as a quadrupole field. The present invention is applicable to higher-order electric fields and ion guides with a greater number of poles, including but not limited to hexapole, octopole, decapole, etc.

[0046] Based on techniques readily available to those skilled in the art and found in relevant prior art, the power supply unit can be adapted to generate an RF voltage signal having a desired amplitude (e.g., several hundred volts). For example, when providing the first supply voltage waveform and / or the second supply voltage, such a voltage signal can be applied to the radial confinement electrode and / or the axial segmented bunching electrode. The power supply unit can generate an RF voltage signal having a square waveform by switching between two preselected voltage levels at a predetermined RF switching frequency. One or both of the two predetermined voltage levels used to generate the first supply voltage waveform can vary over time in any desired manner or at any desired time-varying rate, but preferably vary at a rate significantly lower than the predetermined RF switching rate. Accordingly, the time-varying characteristics of one or both predetermined voltage levels provide an amplitude modulation envelope of the RF waveform. The time-varying characteristics can be periodic. The waveform shape of the modulation envelope of the RF voltage signal can be predetermined by the user. Alternatively, when supplying the first supply voltage waveform and / or the second supply voltage, the power supply unit can be configured to generate a voltage waveform comprising a varying AC voltage that varies solely according to the waveform. Thus, the waveform can be free of any RF component. In this case, the predetermined voltage may be an AC voltage that varies in a desired manner in order to define / provide the voltage. The predetermined voltage may have a constant polarity and a periodic shape. The value of the predetermined voltage may be periodically reduced until it reaches a value close to zero (or at least negligible). Accordingly, in this manner, the waveform shape (amplitude modulation envelope or variation applied to the AC voltage) ideally comprises (modulation) of the amplitude for a finite period (T) within said time interval (T). L) maintains a substantially constant (e.g., non-zero or substantially zero) value within a finite time period (T L ) corresponds to the aforementioned local minimum.

[0047] Each bunching electrode or at least one consecutive group of electrodes can be provided with the above-mentioned waveform (i.e., as a modulation of the radio frequency voltage signal, or a time-varying AC voltage waveform), and the consecutive bunching electrodes can receive the respective waveforms at different phases modulated with a common time period, as will be described below, and can generate a spatially varying electric potential (i.e., the above-mentioned potential well) across the consecutive bunching electrodes, whereby at any given point in time, each bunching electrode contributes a respective local electric potential value to the electric potential field extending along the bunching electrode group (or all bunching electrodes) and defining the potential well. The respective local contribution value is determined by the value of the waveform applied to the contributing bunching electrode at the time of contribution.

[0048] For example, by temporarily stopping the time-varying waveform, the translational motion of the potential well can be stopped, and its shape and structure can be maintained according to the waveform value continuously applied (without time-varying waveform) to each bunching electrode (or all bunching electrodes) of the electrode group. The paused time-varying waveform applied to each bunching electrode (or all bunching electrodes) of the bunching electrode group can then be resumed to resume the translational motion of the potential well. The direction of the translational motion can be reversed by reversing the time-varying waveform.

[0049] The power supply unit may include any suitable electronic switching device readily available to a skilled person (e.g., a precisely timed metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET)) for providing an RF voltage component to one or both of the first and second supply voltages as needed. The switching device may be configured to be switchable so as to be alternately electrically connected to and disconnected from a respective one of the two DC voltage sources, each of which has a respective predetermined DC voltage value that varies according to a waveform. The respective predetermined DC voltage values ​​of the two voltage sources may have opposite polarities. This means that the rapidly oscillating RF component of the first and / or second supply voltages is not actually a sinusoidal waveform, but rather resembles a square wave. For example, the RF voltage signal may be provided by electrically controlling a high frequency (e.g., RF) switch to selectively electrically connect the respective bunching electrodes and / or radial confining electrodes alternately to a positive and a negative power rail to provide the RF voltage signal. The respective predetermined DC voltage values ​​of the two DC voltage sources may be varied by the power supply unit according to substantially the same respective waveforms or according to different respective waveforms. In this way, the waveform modulation applied to the negative polarity portion of the RF signal may match or differ from the waveform modulation applied to the positive polarity portion of the RF signal.

[0050] The power supply unit may include a first power supply unit adapted to provide a first power supply voltage and a separate second power supply unit adapted to provide a second power supply voltage. The independent provision of the power supply units allows the voltage signal (e.g., radio frequency and / or voltage waveform and / or alternating current) applied to the bunching electrode and its control to be independent of the voltage signal (e.g., radio frequency and / or voltage waveform and / or alternating current) applied to the radial confinement electrode and its control to be independent. This arrangement facilitates operation and reduces manufacturing complexity and cost.

[0051] Ideally, the local minimum of the potential is defined by a first local maximum located on a first side of the minimum and a second local maximum located on a second side opposite the local minimum. The potential well may comprise a well bottom or base containing one or more local minima, defined by two separate well walls each containing or defining two local maxima, the well walls being located on two opposite sides of the well bottom. The potential well may comprise a leading local maximum (or leading well wall) and a trailing local maximum (or trailing well wall), wherein the leading local maximum leads or precedes the trailing local maximum in the translational direction of the potential well. In other words, preferably, the trailing local maximum (or trailing well wall) follows the leading local maximum (or leading well wall).

[0052] The potential defining the bottom of the well varies substantially spatially and preferably includes only one local minimum. This allows charged particles within the potential to be accurately localized within the local minimum within the well, allowing for precise positioning of the charged particles during transport and extraction within the channel. Most preferably, the potential well translates / moves smoothly along the channel of the device, for example at a constant velocity.

[0053] Preferably, the power supply unit is operable to provide the first power supply voltage waveform to the bunching electrodes of the plurality of electrodes so as to simultaneously form a plurality of potential wells spaced axially along the channel. Preferably, the plurality of potential wells formed in this manner are synchronously translated along at least a portion of the length of the channel. Preferably, the plurality of potential wells are substantially equidistantly spaced adjacent to the array. For example, the axial spacing between the local minimum (and / or local maximum or other feature) of a given potential well and the local minimum (e.g., equivalent feature or structure) of an immediately adjacent potential well is substantially the same as the spacing between the plurality of potential wells.

[0054] Preferably, the power supply unit can be adapted to provide a periodic first supply voltage waveform having a waveform frequency (i.e., 1 / T, where T is the waveform period) of approximately 0.1 kHz to 20 kHz to the bunching electrode to generate the potential well, or to generate multiple potential wells simultaneously. Preferably, the waveform frequency is approximately 1 kHz to 4 kHz. The first supply voltage waveform can define a modulating waveform applied to the RF voltage signal to provide an "envelope" to the amplitude of the RF voltage signal, or the first supply voltage waveform can be applied separately as a time-varying AC voltage waveform, wherein the first supply voltage does not contain an RF voltage signal component. If the RF voltage signal having an RF frequency is amplitude modulated by the waveform, the RF frequency is approximately 0.2 MHz to 5 MHz, or other frequency values.

[0055] Preferably, the power supply unit can be adapted to provide a first power supply voltage waveform to each corresponding focusing electrode of the segmented electrodes, whereby the first power supply voltage waveform is time-shifted or phase-shifted compared to a voltage waveform simultaneously provided to an adjacent electrode. Preferably, substantially the same time-domain waveform is simultaneously applied to the plurality of focusing electrodes, with each focusing electrode receiving the waveform at a waveform phase different from the waveform phase received by an adjacent focusing electrode. For example, the phase of the first power supply voltage waveform applied to a given (nth) focusing electrode (n being a positive integer) can correspond to a waveform phase that is more advanced than the phase of the same waveform applied to the immediately preceding (n-1)th focusing electrode. Similarly, the phase of the first power supply voltage waveform applied to a given (nth) focusing electrode can correspond to a waveform phase that is delayed relative to the phase of the same waveform applied to the immediately preceding (n+1)th focusing electrode. In this manner, each focusing electrode can be driven in time to receive the same voltage waveform, but each focusing electrode is "provided" with a different phase version of the first power supply voltage waveform within the cycle.

[0056] Preferably, the power supply unit can be adapted to provide the first power supply voltage waveform to a selected number N of consecutive focussing electrode groups or subsets such that the phase of the first power supply voltage waveform applied to the first focussing electrode of a given group is substantially equal to the phase of the first power supply voltage waveform applied to the first focussing electrode of consecutive groups of N focussing electrodes. For example, the power supply unit can be adapted to provide the first power supply voltage waveform to the N focussing electrodes of a given focussing electrode group (e.g., the given group and each immediately adjacent group) such that the phase of the waveform applied to a given focussing electrode of the group has a phase difference ΔΦ of approximately ΔΦ = -360 / N from the phase of the waveform applied to the immediately adjacent focussing electrode of the group, and also has a phase difference ΔΦ of approximately ΔΦ = +360 / N from the phase of the waveform applied to the preceding focussing electrode of the group. Thus, within a given time, one complete cycle of the waveform passes through the N focussing electrode groups. In this manner, each Nth focussing electrode of each group / subset of N focussing electrodes receives substantially the same first power supply voltage waveform with substantially the same phase within its cycle. In other words, each bunching electrode n; n+N; n+2N; ...; n+(M-1)N receives the waveform at the same point of its cycle, where 1≤n≤N and M is the total number of bunching electrode groups, each group consisting of N bunching electrodes.

[0057] Ideally, the power supply unit can be adapted to provide a first power supply voltage waveform to generate a plurality of potential wells. The spacing between adjacent potential wells can be configured based on the lateral dimension or size of the channel defined by the plurality of electrodes. For example, if those electrodes are electrode sheets or planar electrodes, the lateral dimension is equal to the inscribed diameter of the channel, or the vertical spacing between opposing electrodes. The well spacing configuration can be achieved by taking an appropriate value of N (preferably N ≥ 6), which has been shown to be an appropriate lower limit for ensuring smooth movement of the potential wells. For example, preferably, N is equal to or greater than 8.

[0058] Preferably, the waveform frequency of the first power supply voltage waveform is such that the translational velocity v of the potential well along the channel axis is proportional to: f·L, where f=1 / T is the waveform frequency (in Hertz), L is the spatial spacing between the bunching electrodes along the channel axis, and the same value (e.g., the same phase) of the applied first power supply voltage waveform (e.g., v=f·L) exists at the spatial spacing.

[0059] Preferably, the waveform shape and / or waveform frequency (ie f=1 / T, where T is the waveform period) is such that within a predetermined finite time interval T L The voltage value of the waveform is not greater than about 10% of the maximum voltage value of the waveform within the waveform period, where T L ≥T / N. Wherein, N is the number of bunching electrodes in each subset of bunching electrodes, wherein each subset of bunching electrodes supports a corresponding period of the first power supply voltage waveform. More preferably, the voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform is not greater than the time interval T LAbout 5% of the maximum voltage value of the inner waveform. Even more preferably, the voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform is not greater than the time interval T L About 3% of the maximum voltage value of the inner waveform. Even even more preferably, the voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform is not greater than the time interval T L About 2% of the maximum voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform within the time interval T, or preferably about 1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.1% or 0.01%. Most preferably, within the time interval T L the voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform is close to zero (for example, actually or virtually zero).

[0060] The shape of the waveform can be defined by a mathematical function. The mathematical function can include an analytical function (i.e., expressed as a mathematical equation) or can be a numerical function. Preferably, the first power supply voltage can take the following form:

[0061] V(f,T,t)=U(2πt / T+Φ)*ξ(2πft+φ)

[0062] where the function U(2πt / T+Φ) represents the waveform as a periodic modulation function with a period T (s), a phase Φ, and an amplitude U0. The function ξ(2πft+φ) can be a rapidly oscillating (e.g., radio frequency) periodic function with a frequency f and a phase φ, or can be a constant value (e.g., similar to setting: f = 0) in the case where there is no radio frequency component within the first power supply voltage.

[0063] For example, the shape of the waveform U(2πt / T+Φ) can at least partially include the shape of the "error function" (erf(y)) such that:

[0064]

[0065] within at least a partial time period of the period T of the waveform, where:

[0066]

[0067] and the variable y is proportional to t and T (e.g., has a functional relationship). For example, the variable y may be proportional to the ratio t / T (e.g., y~t / T).

[0068] Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T+Φ) is always positive, or always negative. Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T+Φ) is a continuous function. Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T+Φ) has a maximum value that is substantially constant within a finite time period (T H <T) within the period (T) of the waveform. Preferably, this maximum value can correspond to a local maximum of the potential well. Preferably, within the waveform period T, the waveform U(2πt / T+Φ) is within the time interval T Hand the aforementioned time interval T L Basically continuous changes.

[0069] The device may include a memory unit having stored therein numerical data comprising a set of pairs of coordinates that collectively define a waveform. In other words, a plurality of discrete values ​​of the waveform corresponding to a respective plurality of discrete points along its cycle may be digitally stored in the device. The device may be configured to generate a voltage waveform based on the discrete values ​​stored in the memory unit. Waveform values ​​corresponding to points within the waveform's cycle that lie between two consecutive stored values ​​may be generated by the device by interpolating appropriate values.

[0070] The stored numerical data can be normalized to the time point The normalized value of a waveform with amplitude U0 and period T To represent the waveform.

[0071] The stored numerical data may be in the form of numerical values ​​of a mathematical analysis function (i.e., expressed as an equation) or a numerical function (i.e., not expressed as an equation), or an arbitrary waveform curve / shape drawn by an operator or user of the device and digitized at multiple discrete points of the waveform / curve to represent the waveform.

[0072] Any suitable waveform disclosed in this specification for use in any aspect of the invention may be digitally recorded and stored in a computer memory. N phases of the waveform are generated by N digital to analog converters and then amplified by N audio amplifiers to produce an analog waveform that is applied to the bunched ion guide. The function defining the waveform, for example an N=8 function, may be defined by a number of discrete time steps. For example, where N=8, there are 256 discrete time steps per cycle, and T is a suitable number, but should be greater than 32. In general, the number of discrete time steps is preferably a multiple of N. Thus, as another example, if N=6, then the number of discrete steps may be 36, 72, 108, 144, and so on. Preferably, the apparatus includes a memory unit in which a plurality of discrete and discrete values ​​of the waveform corresponding to a corresponding plurality of discrete and discrete points along its cycle are stored.

[0073] Preferably, the minimum value of the potential well defines the well bottom, and the potential value defining the well bottom comprises only one local minimum value, which does not change with time.

[0074] Preferably, the apparatus includes a buffer gas control unit configured to control the pressure of the buffer gas within the channel such that the pressure at the channel inlet (ion inlet) is less than 0.5 mbar. Alternatively, or in addition, the buffer gas control unit may be configured to control the pressure of the buffer gas within the channel such that the pressure of the buffer gas at one end of the channel is at least 20 times greater than the pressure at the other end of the channel. Preferably, the pressure at the channel inlet is higher than the pressure at the channel outlet.

[0075] For the avoidance of doubt, the apparatus described in various aspects of this specification and the corresponding methods disclosed herein may have the following configurations:

[0076] (a) the axially segmented rods and the radially constrained rods are both segmented along the axial direction; and / or,

[0077] (b) RF voltage can be applied to:

[0078] a. Axially segmented rods, but not applied to radially constrained rods, or

[0079] b. radially constrain the poles, but not the axially segmented poles, or

[0080] c. Axially Segmented Rods and Radially Constrained Rods. This electrode configuration allows an AC voltage (preferably not a modulated voltage) to be applied to all four opposing segments at a common axial position. That is, the segments of the bunching rod and the segments of the radially constrained rod have the same axial spacing and are located at the same axial position. Figure 7b An example of a dual segment device is shown.

[0081] The radially constrained electrode may comprise an axially segmented electrode. The radially constrained electrode may comprise an axially segmented electrode or may comprise an axial region of a segmented electrode and an axial region of a continuous non-segmented electrode. The waveform may comprise a sine function or a set of sine functions.

[0082] As a result of the above considerations, the present invention in this respect can provide a potential well with stronger axial confinement for translating charged particles along a guide channel.

[0083] The above device implements the corresponding charged particle manipulation method, which is disclosed in another corresponding aspect of the present invention. Accordingly, the device features described above in the present invention will be understood as being used to implement the corresponding method.

[0084] In a second aspect, the present invention may provide a method for manipulating charged particles, the method comprising:

[0085] providing a series of electrodes arranged to form a channel for transporting charged particles;

[0086] A power supply unit is provided, through which a first power supply voltage that varies according to a waveform having a period (T) is supplied to the axially segmented bunching electrodes among the electrodes, so as to generate an electric field in the channel. The electric potential of the electric field has one or more local minima between local maxima that define potential wells. The potential wells translate along a partial length of the channel such that the translation distance of the potential wells within a time interval substantially equal to the period (T) is substantially equal to their own length (e.g., the axial length along the channel direction); and

[0087] A power supply unit is provided, through which a second power supply voltage is supplied to the radially confining electrodes among the electrodes, so as to generate a radially confining electric field in the channel, and the electric field is configured to radially confine charged particles in the channel;

[0088] (a) wherein the waveform: is substantially continuous and steady (T) within its period;

[0089] (b) maintains the minimum value of the waveform substantially within a finite time period (T L <T) within the period (T).

[0090] Most preferably, in this method, there is no local waveform maximum within the finite time period (T L <T) of the waveform. For example, the finite time period may only contain one waveform minimum. The entire waveform may only contain one minimum within its period, i.e., T.

[0091] Preferably, in this method, the first power supply voltage may include a radio frequency voltage signal modulated according to the waveform such that the potential well is formed by a pseudopotential. Alternatively, the first power supply voltage may include an alternating current voltage that varies with time according to the waveform, without including or modulating any potential radio frequency voltage signal. In the latter case, the potential well is formed by a "true" potential rather than a pseudopotential.

[0092] Ideally, according to this method, within a finite time period (T L <T) within the period (T) of the waveform, the first power supply voltage can be applied to each axially segmented bunching electrode such as forming spatially continuous adjacent electrode groups at an appropriate phase of the waveform. In this way, the spatially extended range of the continuous bunching electrodes can simultaneously receive the first power supply voltage corresponding to a substantially constant minimum value. Therefore, the substantially constant minimum value can extend spatially along the plurality of axially segmented bunching electrodes, and the plurality of axially segmented bunching electrodes are distributed along the axis of the ion guiding channel.

[0093] Ideally, in this method, within a finite time period (T LWithin (T), the minimum value of the waveform can be substantially constant, that is, the minimum value of the waveform is actually constant, or de facto or in fact constant, or at least within the above-mentioned limited time period (T L and varies insignificantly within (T). If, within the period (T) of the waveform, the variation corresponding to the change in the waveform value throughout T L does not exceed a preset percentage or ratio of the maximum variation between the waveform limit values (for example, the ratio of the peak-to-peak amplitude U0 of the waveform, or the ratio of the difference between the minimum and maximum values of the waveform), then it can be said that the change in the waveform is insignificant. For example, define X = 100×ΔU / U0 as the maximum allowable change (ΔU) in the waveform value throughout T L , expressed as a percentage (%) of the waveform amplitude (U0). Preferably: X ≤ 10, or X ≤ 5, or X ≤ 2.5, or X ≤ 1.0, or X ≤ 0.5, or X ≤ 0.25, or X ≤ 0.1, or X ≤ 0.05, and X ≤ 0.01.

[0094] Preferably, the method includes: restricting the limited time period (T L ), so that: T > T L ≥ T / k, where k is any positive number greater than one (1) (i.e., non-integer or integer) (i.e., k > 1). Preferably, k ≥ 1.2. Preferably, k ≤ 20 or k ≤ 15 or k ≤ 10. Preferably, for example, 1.2 ≤ k ≤ 8.0.

[0095] Preferably, in this method, is defined as the minimum allowable time period of T<00SUP>0000040[[ / SUP]]END]], expressed as a percentage (%) of the period T. Preferably, in this method, the ratio of the maximum allowable change (ΔU) in the waveform value within T L and the minimum allowable time period T L can be restricted such that: Or more preferably Or more preferably Or more preferably Or more preferably Or more preferably Or more preferably Or more preferably

[0096] Preferably, the method may include controlling the first power supply voltage waveform such that at least within the time interval T within the waveform period L , the value of the first-order time derivative (i.e., its ) is substantially continuous. Preferably, the value of the first-order time derivative (i.e., ) of the first power supply voltage waveform is substantially continuous throughout substantially the entire period T of the waveform. Preferably, the value of the first-order time derivative (i.e., ) does not exceed over substantially the entire period T of the waveform.

[0097] Preferably, the first time derivative of the waveform (U) with waveform amplitude U0 has a modulus of:

[0098]

[0099] within a finite time period (T L < T) within the above-mentioned period (T) of the waveform, where Y = 50. For example, 50 ≥ Y ≥ 1.4, or more preferably, 10 ≥ Y ≥ 2, or more preferably, 7 ≥ Y ≥ 3. For example, Y can be approximately equal to 5. In some examples, Y ≥ 1.4. In this sense, the waveform is substantially constant within the finite time period T L . Preferably, within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L < T), the first time derivative of the waveform (U) has an average modulus value that does not exceed the value Y. Preferably, within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L ), the average value of this modulus does not exceed 0.5Y, or preferably 0.25Y, or preferably 0.1Y, or preferably 0.05Y, or preferably 0.01Y, or preferably 0.001Y. In this sense, within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L < T), the minimum value of the waveform can be substantially constant.

[0100] The method may include: providing a first supply voltage including a radio frequency voltage signal modulated according to a waveform to an axially segmented bunching electrode to generate an electric potential in the form of a pseudopotential in the channel, the pseudopotential having one or more local minima between local maxima, the local maxima defining the potential wells that translate along a partial length of the channel.

[0101] More generally, preferably, the method includes: at least within a time interval T L within the period (T) of the waveform, the first time derivative of the first supply voltage waveform (U) (i.e., ) is constrained to be substantially continuous. Preferably, the first time derivative of the first supply voltage waveform (i.e., ) is constrained to be substantially continuous over substantially the entire period (T) of the waveform. Preferably, in the method, within the period T of the above-mentioned waveform, the modulus value of the first time derivative of the first supply voltage waveform with waveform amplitude U0 is constrained such that:

[0102] <000058 six>

[0103] More preferably, the modulus may be no greater than 75, or more preferably no greater than 50, or more preferably no greater than 20, or more preferably approximately greater than 10 and less than 15, such as approximately 12. Preferably, the waveform (U) includes or is defined at least in part according to an "error function" (erf). This is advantageous in preventing unnecessary force pulses from being generated on the charged particles in the potential well.

[0104] Alternatively, the method may include providing a first supply voltage comprising an AC voltage that varies according to a waveform (e.g., a non-RF signal) to the plurality of bunching electrodes so that a potential well is defined according to the applied first supply voltage waveform (i.e., the potential forming the forward well is not a pseudopotential but is formed by the voltage waveform) that translates along at least a portion of the length of the channel.

[0105] The method may include: providing a second power supply voltage (e.g., a radio frequency signal or a non-radio frequency voltage waveform) to the axially segmented bunching electrode (i.e., an electrode other than the radial confinement electrode) to generate a radial (i.e., transverse to the channel axis) confinement potential (e.g., a pseudopotential or other potential) within the channel. Preferably, the amplitude of the second power supply voltage is substantially constant. Preferably, the amplitude of the second power supply voltage is not modulated in time. The second power supply voltage applied to the radial confinement electrode in combination with the axially segmented bunching electrode can generate a radial confinement electric field (potential). The series of electrodes can be configured as a quadrupole ion guide. The radial confinement electric field (potential) can be configured as a quadrupole field. The present invention is applicable to higher-order electric fields and ion guides with a greater number of poles, including but not limited to hexapole, octopole, decapole, etc.

[0106] The method may include generating a radio frequency voltage signal having a square waveform by switching between two preselected voltage levels at a predetermined radio frequency switching frequency. The method may include varying one or both of the two predetermined voltage levels over time in any desired manner or time-varying rate (but preferably at a rate much lower than the predetermined radio frequency switching rate). By providing an amplitude modulation envelope of the radio frequency waveform through the time-varying characteristics of one or both of the predetermined voltage levels, the time-varying characteristics may be periodic. The method may include generating a waveform shape of the modulation envelope, comprising a finite time period (T) of the (modulation) envelope within said time interval (T) L ) maintains a substantially constant (e.g., non-zero or substantially zero) value within a finite time period (T L ) corresponds to the aforementioned local minimum.

[0107] The method may include providing a modulated RF voltage signal or a non-RF waveform to each bunching electrode or at least a group of consecutive bunching electrodes, wherein consecutive bunching electrodes may receive corresponding modulated RF voltage signals or non-RF waveforms at different phases modulated about a common time period.

[0108] The method may include providing an RF voltage signal by electrically controlling a high frequency (eg, RF) switch to selectively electrically connect corresponding bunching electrodes alternately to positive and negative power rails to provide an RF oscillating component of the waveform.

[0109] The method may comprise providing a first power supply unit, by means of which a first supply voltage is provided, and providing a separate second power supply unit adapted to provide a second supply voltage.

[0110] Ideally, the local minimum is bounded by a first local maximum located on a first side of the minimum and a second local maximum located on a second, opposite side of the local minimum.The potential well may be constructed as described above.

[0111] The potential defining the bottom of the well varies substantially smoothly and preferably includes only one local minimum. This allows charged particles within the potential to be accurately positioned within the local minimum within the well, allowing for precise positioning of the charged particles during transport and extraction within the channel. Preferably, the local minimum defined by the two well walls is continuous, with substantially no (or at least substantially no) discontinuous values ​​or gradients.

[0112] The method may include providing the first supply voltage waveform to a bunching electrode of a plurality of electrodes so as to simultaneously form a plurality of potential wells spaced axially along the channel. Preferably, the plurality of potential wells formed in this manner translate synchronously along at least a portion of the length of the channel. Preferably, the plurality of potential wells are substantially equidistantly spaced adjacent to each other in the array of potential wells. For example, the axial spacing between a local minimum (and / or local maximum or other feature) of a given potential well and a local minimum (e.g., an equivalent feature or structure) of an immediately adjacent potential well is substantially the same as the spacing between the plurality of potential wells.

[0113] The method may include providing a periodic first power supply voltage waveform having a waveform frequency (i.e., 1 / T, where T is the waveform period) of approximately 0.1 kHz to 20 kHz to the bunching electrode to generate the potential well, or to generate multiple potential wells simultaneously. Preferably, the waveform frequency is approximately 1 kHz to 4 kHz. The first power supply voltage waveform may define a modulating waveform applied to the RF voltage signal to provide an "envelope" to the amplitude of the RF voltage signal, or the first power supply voltage waveform may be applied independently as a time-varying AC voltage waveform when the first power supply voltage does not contain an RF voltage signal. If the RF voltage signal having an RF frequency is amplitude modulated by the waveform, the RF frequency is approximately 0.2 MHz to 5 MHz.

[0114] Preferably, the method may include providing a first power supply voltage waveform to each corresponding focusing electrode of the segmented electrode, whereby the first power supply voltage waveform is time-shifted or phase-shifted compared to a voltage waveform simultaneously provided to an adjacent electrode. Preferably, substantially the same time-domain waveform is simultaneously applied to the plurality of focusing electrodes, with each focusing electrode receiving the waveform at a waveform phase different from the waveform phase received by an adjacent focusing electrode. For example, the phase of the first power supply voltage waveform applied to a given (nth) focusing electrode (n being a positive integer) may correspond to a waveform phase that is more advanced than the phase of the same waveform applied to the immediately preceding (n-1)th focusing electrode. Similarly, the phase of the first power supply voltage waveform applied to a given (nth) focusing electrode may correspond to a waveform phase that is delayed relative to the phase of the same waveform applied to the immediately preceding (n+1)th focusing electrode. In this manner, each focusing electrode can be driven in time to receive the same voltage waveform, but each focusing electrode is "provided" with a slightly different phase version of the first power supply voltage waveform within the cycle.

[0115] The method may include providing a first power supply voltage waveform to a selected number N of consecutive focussing electrode groups or subsets such that the phase of the first power supply voltage waveform applied to a first focussing electrode of a given group is substantially equal to the phase of the first power supply voltage waveform applied to a first focussing electrode of an immediately adjacent group of N focussing electrodes. For example, the method may include providing a first power supply voltage waveform to the N focussing electrodes of a given focussing electrode group (e.g., the group and each immediately adjacent group) such that the phase of the waveform applied to a given focussing electrode of the group has a phase difference ΔΦ of approximately ΔΦ=-360 / N from the phase of the waveform applied to the immediately adjacent focussing electrode of the group, and also has a phase difference ΔΦ of approximately ΔΦ=+360 / N from the phase of the waveform applied to the preceding focussing electrode of the group.

[0116] The method may include providing a first supply voltage waveform to generate a plurality of potential wells. The spacing between adjacent potential wells may be configured based on the lateral dimension or size of a channel defined by the plurality of electrodes. For example, if the electrodes are plate-shaped or planar electrodes, the lateral dimension may be equal to the inscribed diameter of the channel, or the vertical spacing between opposing electrodes. The method may include selectively adjusting the well spacing configuration by adjusting a value of N. For example, preferably, N is equal to or greater than 8.

[0117] The method may include: controlling the waveform frequency of the first power supply voltage waveform so that the translation speed v of the potential well along the channel axis is proportional to: f·L, where f is the waveform frequency (Hz), L is the spatial interval between the bunching electrodes along the channel axis, and the same value (for example, the same phase) of the applied first power supply voltage waveform (for example, v = f·L) exists at the spatial interval.

[0118] Preferably, the method may include: controlling the waveform shape and / or waveform frequency of the first power voltage (ie f=1 / T, where T is the waveform period) so that the first power voltage is within a predetermined limited time interval T. L The voltage value of the waveform is not greater than about 10% of the maximum voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform within the waveform period, where T L ≥T / N. Wherein, N is the number of bunching electrodes in each subset of bunching electrodes, wherein each subset of bunching electrodes supports a corresponding period of the first power supply voltage waveform. More preferably, the voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform is not greater than the time interval T L More preferably, the voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform is not greater than the time interval T L More preferably, the voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform is not greater than the time interval T L 2% of the maximum voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform within the time interval T, or preferably 1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.1% or 0.01%. Most preferably, during the time interval T L The voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform is close to zero.

[0119] Ideally, the method comprises providing a waveform having a shape defined by a mathematical function. The mathematical function may comprise an analytical function (ie, expressed as a mathematical equation) or may be a numerical function. Preferably, the first supply voltage may take the form:

[0120] V(f,T,t)=U(2πt / T+Φ)*ξ(2πft+φ)

[0121] Wherein the function U(2πt / T+Φ) represents the waveform as a periodic modulation function having a period T(s), a phase Φ, and an amplitude U0. The function ξ(2πft+φ) can be a fast oscillating (e.g., radio frequency) periodic function having a frequency f and a phase φ, or can be a constant value (e.g., similar to setting f=0) in the absence of radio frequency components in the first supply voltage. For example, the shape of the waveform U(2πt / T+Φ) can at least partially include the shape of the "error function" (erf(y)), such that:

[0122]

[0123] During at least part of a period T of the waveform, wherein:

[0124]

[0125] And the variable y is proportional to t and T (e.g., has a functional relationship). For example, the variable y may be proportional to the ratio t / T (e.g., y ∼ t / T). Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) is always positive or always negative. Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) is a continuous function. Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) has a maximum value that is substantially constant within a finite time period (T H <T) within the period (T) of the waveform. Preferably, this maximum value can correspond to a local maximum of the potential well. Preferably, within the waveform period T, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) varies substantially continuously within the time interval T H and the aforementioned time interval T L between.

[0126] The method may include: providing a storage unit in which multiple separated and discrete values corresponding to multiple separated and discrete points along the period of the waveform are stored.

[0127] The method may include: controlling the pressure of the buffer gas in the channel such that the pressure at the channel outlet is lower than 0.5 mbar. The method may include: controlling the pressure of the buffer gas in the channel such that the pressure of the buffer gas at one end of the channel is at least 20 times greater than the pressure at the other end of the channel.

[0128] In another aspect, the present invention may provide a method for controlling an ion guide, a mass filter, a mass analyzer or an ion trap, the method including the above method.

[0129] In another aspect, the present invention may provide a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions, the instructions being configured to instruct a mass spectrometry device or an ion guide device or a mass filter device or a mass analyzer device or an ion capture device to perform the above method. The device may include a signal processing unit, or may include a processor or a programmed or programmable computer (e.g., including a computer-readable medium containing a computer program) to implement the computer-executable instructions.

[0130] The third aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for improving an orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight (oaToF) mass analyzer. More specifically, this aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for axially extracting from an ion guide, the method and apparatus being particularly suitable for inputting the extracted ions (or more generally, charged particles) into the "pulsator" region of an oaToF, thereby improving the oaToF analyzer.

[0131] Most generally, the present invention, in a third aspect, proposes axially releasing charged particles by manipulating the depth of an axially moving potential well, at least in part, consisting of a pseudopotential. Given that the amplitude or strength of the pseudopotential is inversely proportional to the mass-to-charge ratio (m / z) of the ions therein, the present invention aims to provide an apparatus and method by which a traveling well can distinguish the masses when a charged particle is axially released / extracted from an ion guide. The present invention exploits the property that the magnitude or amplitude of the pseudopotential is inversely proportional to the m / z of the ions experiencing or sensing the pseudopotential, providing a method for axially extracting charged particles of different masses from an ion guide at different times. Accordingly, in a third aspect, the present invention may provide a charged particle manipulation apparatus comprising:

[0132] a series of electrodes arranged to form a channel for transporting charged particles;

[0133] Power supply unit suitable for providing supply voltage to the following electrodes:

[0134] (a) an axially segmented bunching electrode in a series of electrodes to generate an electric field defining an electric potential within the channel, the electric potential having one or more local minima between local maxima defining a potential well that translates along at least part of the length of the channel, and

[0135] (b) a radially confining bunching electrode in the series of electrodes to generate a radially confining electric field within the channel, the electric field being configured to radially confine the charged particles within the channel;

[0136] An axial extraction region comprising electrodes in a series of electrodes disposed at least at or defining one end of a channel of the device, configured to receive a supply voltage to generate an electric field defining a pseudopotential within the channel, such that the depth of the potential well varies according to the mass-to-charge ratio (m / z) of the charged particles transported therein, and decreases as the local maximum of the potential well is axially translated toward and / or along the axial extraction region, thereby releasing the transported charged particles of different mass-to-charge ratios (m / z) at different times.

[0137] The potential well may comprise a well bottom or base containing one or more local minima, defined by two separate well walls each containing or defining two local maxima, the well walls being located on two opposite sides of the well bottom. The potential well may comprise a leading local maximum (or leading well wall) and a trailing local maximum (or trailing well wall), wherein the leading local maximum leads or precedes the trailing local maximum in the translational direction of the potential well. In other words, preferably, the trailing local maximum (or trailing well wall) follows the leading local maximum (or trailing well wall).

[0138] The potential defining the bottom of the well varies substantially smoothly and preferably includes only one local minimum. Based on this, charged particles within the potential can be positioned as expected at the local minimum within the well, allowing for precise positioning of charged particles during transport and extraction within the channel.

[0139] The depth of the potential well can decrease as the potential well is translated axially toward or along the axial extraction region. The reduction in potential well depth can also be achieved by configuring the device so that the height of the local maximum of the potential well decreases as the potential well moves toward and / or through the extraction region: the well depth is defined by the potential difference between the local minimum and the adjacent leading local maximum (e.g., the maximum before the local minimum). Alternatively, or in addition, the reduction in potential well depth can be achieved by configuring the device so that the height of the local minimum of the potential well increases as the potential well moves toward and / or through the extraction region: the well depth is defined by the potential difference between the leading local minimum and the adjacent local maximum (e.g., the maximum before the local minimum).

[0140] The reduction in well depth (i.e., the reduction in the height of the local maximum) can be achieved by reducing the height of the leading wall of the advancing pseudopotential well through the fringe field, and / or by applying an internal or external direct current (DC) potential outside the extraction region. The external DC potential can include a potential gradient generated between an axial extraction region (e.g., the end electrode / output end) and an external electrode outside the ion guide outside the extraction region. The external DC potential can be selected and applied in any suitable manner to reduce the height of the leading wall of the advancing potential well within the channel defined by the series of electrodes and / or partially outside the series of electrodes when or immediately following the advancing potential well leaves the channel defined by the series of electrodes and enters the fringe field region formed by the electrodes. The axial extraction region can include axially segmented bunching electrodes and can also include radially confining electrodes. The end electrodes of the channel can include axially segmented bunching electrodes and can also include radially confining electrodes. The power supply unit can be adapted to provide a power supply voltage to the terminal axial segmented bunching electrode so that all parts of the traveling potential well eventually travel to the terminal electrode of the channel (for example, once the rear part reaches the terminal electrode of the channel, the traveling front part does not stop), thereby ensuring that all parts of the traveling potential well travel into the edge field region of the channel.

[0141] The reduction in well depth (i.e., increasing the height of the local minimum) can be achieved by changing the dynamic shape of the composite potential well formed by the traveling potential well, which is adjacent to and moves upward to a separate pseudopotential barrier, rather than being a pseudopotential well. As the traveling potential well advances toward (e.g., and against) the pseudopotential barrier, it is advantageous to increase the bottom height of the composite potential well.

[0142] The power supply unit can be adapted to provide a supply voltage in the form of an RF voltage signal to the axially segmented bunching electrode. Accordingly, the bunching electrode provided in this manner can generate an electric field that defines a pseudopotential. This electric potential can have one or more local minima, as described above, between local maxima defining the potential well. The segmented bunching electrode can include an electrode disposed at or defining at least one end of a device channel. The power supply unit can be adapted to provide a supply voltage in the form of an RF voltage signal to the electrode, disposed at or defining at least one end of the device channel, such that the electrode generates an electric field that defines a pseudopotential. This electric potential can have one or more local minima, as described above, between local maxima defining the potential well, which propagates along the length of the extraction region of the channel. The power supply unit can be arranged such that the RF voltage signal is provided to the bunching electrode to generate the potential well, and is also provided to an electrode disposed at or defining the end of the channel to which the RF voltage signal is applied. Consequently, the pseudopotential well can translate through the extraction region and reach the terminal output end of the channel. In this manner, a traveling pseudopotential well can be transported to the fringe field region of the device.

[0143] Alternatively, the power supply unit may be adapted to provide a power supply voltage to the axial segmented bunching electrode in the form of a voltage waveform opposite to the modulated RF voltage signal. Accordingly, the bunching electrode provided in the above manner may generate an electric field that defines a pseudopotential. The electric potential may have one or more local minima as described above between local maxima that define the potential well. The power supply unit may be adapted to provide a power supply voltage to the electrode in the form of a modulated RF voltage signal, the electrode being disposed at least at one end of a channel of the device or defining the channel, so that the electrode may generate an electric field that defines a pseudopotential. A pseudopotential barrier may be defined in the above manner. The power supply unit may be arranged in such a manner that the non-RF voltage waveform signal provided to the bunching electrode to generate the potential well is not simultaneously provided to the electrode disposed at or defining the end of the channel and to which the modulated RF voltage signal is to be provided.

[0144] The pseudopotential barrier can be substantially static on the channel axis within the extraction region (e.g., not translated along the axis). The pseudopotential can be shaped so as to define a potential barrier on / along the channel axis within the extraction region. The pseudopotential barrier can define a local pseudopotential maximum whose height or amplitude exceeds the potential value of one or more local minima of the potential well (e.g., the well bottom). Preferably, the potential barrier can define a local pseudopotential maximum whose height or amplitude is less than the potential value of the aforementioned trailing local maximum of the potential well. Accordingly, the trailing well wall preferably has a region between the local maximum of the wall and the local minimum of the adjacent well (e.g., the well bottom), along which the potential value exceeds the local maximum of the pseudopotential barrier. This means that if a charged particle in the potential well is lifted (in potential energy) to this region by translation of the potential well near the pseudopotential barrier, then the charged particle may cross the pseudopotential barrier and continue to move along the channel in the translation direction (i.e., be extracted), eventually moving out of the channel.

[0145] Therefore, the traveling potential well can be controlled to travel but stop at the pseudobarrier. The traveling potential well can be controlled not to pass through the pseudobarrier or to pass through / cross the pseudobarrier. The traveling potential well formed by the voltage waveform (i.e., non-RF) can be translated toward the extraction region so as to encounter, intercept or "wash" the rising edge of the static pseudobarrier formed in the extraction region. In this way, the composite potential well is formed by two segments: one segment includes the portion of the traveling potential well (formed by the voltage waveform) that has not yet reached the pseudobarrier but is adjacent to and close to the pseudobarrier; and the other segment is formed by the pseudobarrier.

[0146] The composite potential well can include a local minimum located between two local maxima. One of the local maxima (voltage waveform potential) can move toward the other local maximum (pseudopotential barrier) and can be static. In the above process, when the inner wall of the tail of the traveling potential well faces and scours the front of the pseudopotential barrier, the potential of the local minimum will rise. The potential of the local minimum can continue to rise until it coincides with the peak potential of the pseudopotential barrier. At this time, the potential well is no longer a well in the sense that the local minimum is no longer limited by two local maxima. At this time, the charged particles in the composite potential well are released from the well and the axial extraction region. It should be noted that the amplitude or height of the pseudopotential barrier is inversely proportional to the mass-to-charge ratio (m / z) of the charged particles in the device, which means that the conditions for releasing a given charged particle from the composite potential well, as well as the time for releasing the charged particle, are inversely proportional to the mass-to-charge ratio (m / z) of the charged particle. Therefore, charged particles can be extracted axially in a mass-discriminatory manner: particles in a particle beam in a potential well with a relatively large mass-to-charge ratio (m / z) are released from a given composite potential well before particles in a particle beam with a relatively small mass-to-charge ratio (m / z) are released from the same well.

[0147] Preferably, the voltage amplitude or height of the trailing inner wall of the traveling potential well formed by the voltage waveform (i.e., non-RF) exceeds the voltage amplitude or height of the pseudopotential barrier. Preferably, the voltage amplitude of the leading wall of the traveling potential well formed by the voltage waveform may exceed the voltage amplitude of the pseudopotential barrier. The condition may be that with respect to a charged particle of a mass-to-charge ratio (m / z) for which the device (e.g., an ion guide, ion trap, or mass filter) is configured to transmit the charged particle, or with respect to the charged particle, the trajectory of the charged particle within the device is stable (i.e., corresponding to a "stable region" in a stability diagram associated with the device and its operating parameters).

[0148] Preferably, the potential gradient of the tail inner wall of the traveling potential well formed by the voltage waveform is essentially continuous and of finite value (i.e., does not include large changes in value), thereby achieving the following advantages: when the tail inner wall of the traveling potential well advances against the pseudopotential barrier, the local minimum of the composite potential well is allowed to rise smoothly and continuously over time, thereby avoiding the charged particles in the composite potential well being heated or "kicked" out of the potential well due to force pulses associated with the potential discontinuity.

[0149] The pseudopotential may have a local maximum defining a pseudopotential barrier peak, which is preferably static within the extraction region. Preferably, the pseudopotential barrier does not have a local minimum, thereby avoiding trapping of charged particles within the pseudopotential barrier.

[0150] An axial extraction region can be provided at or defined by the end of a channel of the device for releasing ions of different m / z at different times. For example, the axial extraction region can include a terminal or final bunching electrode and / or a radial confinement electrode of an electrode series that defines a physical end (e.g., an output end) of the electrode series. In this case, for example, the terminal or final bunching electrode can be driven to define the aforementioned traveling potential well. Alternatively, the axial extraction region can include a terminal or final electrode of a non-bunching electrode and / or a radial confinement electrode of an electrode series that defines a physical end (e.g., an output end) of the electrode series. In this case, for example, the terminal or final electrode of the non-bunching electrode can be driven to define the aforementioned pseudopotential barrier.

[0151] The axial extraction region can include one or more extraction electrodes positioned adjacent to the end of the channel and axially spaced apart from the end of the channel to define an acceleration region (e.g., including a voltage ramp), within which a potential gradient can be established by voltages applied to the extraction electrodes and voltages applied to electrodes positioned at or defining the end of the channel of the device.

[0152] One or more extraction electrodes can be positioned spaced apart from electrodes defining the end of a channel of the device, such that a potential gradient is formed between the end of the channel and the one or more extraction electrodes. Alternatively, a voltage can be applied to the extraction electrodes and the end of the channel so that they jointly define a potential gradient within the space between them, thereby encouraging charged particles released from the channel to move away from the end of the channel. The one or more extraction electrodes can be spaced apart (e.g., in groups or individually) from the end of the channel of the device by a spacing of approximately 0.005 m to 0.02 m, or preferably by a spacing of approximately 0.005 m to 0.015 m, such as approximately 0.01 m.

[0153] The potential gradient value can be between about (-7000) V / m and (-100) V / m. Negative values ​​of the voltage represent the accelerating voltage for positively charged particles. Naturally, for negatively charged particles, the accelerating voltage takes a positive value, but the modulus is similar. For example, the potential gradient value can be between about (-7000) V / m and (-2000) V / m. In another example, the potential gradient value can be between about (-2000) V / m and (-100) V / m, or more preferably between about (-2000) V / m and (-200) V / m, or still more preferably between about (-1500) V / m and (-200) V / m, or even more preferably between about (-1200) V / m and (-300) V / m. The potential gradient can be defined in terms of a spatial gradient of potential comprising pseudopotentials extending from / beyond the channel ends of the device (ie within the fringe field region) combined with a DC potential extending from the extraction electrode.

[0154] The electrodes disposed at or defining the ends of the channels may comprise electrodes having the same shape, form and configuration as the bunching electrodes. Alternatively, the electrodes disposed at or defining the ends of the channels may differ in shape, form and / or configuration from the bunching electrodes.

[0155] This equipment can comprise power supply unit, and this power supply unit is applicable to providing power supply voltage to extraction electrode, so that produce the electric field that limits DC potential, and this potential is less than the described minimum value (for example, any minimum value) of one or more local minimum values ​​of the potential produced by the electrode that forms passage.Power supply unit can be applicable to providing accelerating DC voltage to extraction electrode.For example, the DC voltage value of positive ion can be between (-5)V-0V left and right, or between (-4)V-0V left and right, or between (-3)V-0V left and right, or between about (-2)V-0V left and right, or between (-1)V-0V left and right.Voltage can be 0V (i.e. not applying voltage, or ground voltage).Certainly, when being used for negative ion, voltage value has positive polarity rather than negative polarity.Also can take other voltage values ​​according to circumstances.

[0156] The device may include one or more charged particle optical elements (e.g., ion optical elements, lenses, etc.) configured to receive charged particles extracted from the extraction region and to intersect the trajectories of the received charged particles. For example, one or more ion optical lenses (e.g., single lenses, etc.) may be arranged downstream of the extraction region. For example, the extraction electrode may also function as at least part of the charged particle optical element, helping to guide and position the extracted charged particles at a desired location downstream of the extraction region, such as at the entrance of a time-of-flight (ToF) mass spectrometer (e.g., its flight tube). Accordingly, the extracted charged particles can be accurately and efficiently transferred to the ToF spectrometer.

[0157] For example, the extraction electrode may include at least a portion of an accelerating electrode (also known as a "thruster" or "pulser" electrode) in a time-of-flight (ToF) mass spectrometer and may also perform its functions. After traveling in a downstream direction and being introduced into a time-of-flight (ToF) mass spectrometer, the charged particles may approach the orthogonal accelerating electrode of the ToF mass spectrometer, where they may be propelled by the electric field generated by the orthogonal accelerating electrode and begin to fly at a predetermined timing along the orthogonal direction of the flight tube of the ToF mass spectrometer. The charged particles accelerated from the orthogonal accelerating electrode may first fly freely in a flight space within the flight tuning range of the ToF spectrometer, and then return in the opposite direction through the reflected electric field formed by the reflector to fly freely in the flight space again until the charged particles reach the ion detector of the ToF mass spectrometer. In this way, the charged particles are axially translated within the potential well within the device, thereby allowing the charged particles to be supplied to the ToF, and in the ToF, the axial motion of the delivered charged particles can be converted into orthogonal motion within the flight tube of the ToF for spectral ToF measurement. The apparatus may comprise a time-of-flight (ToF) mass spectrometer.The invention is not limited to any particular type of ToF analyser (eg, it may be an analyser having multiple sets of mirrors), provided that the inlet of the analyser is configured as a "pusher" or "pulser".

[0158] Preferably, the apparatus may be configured to apply a thruster voltage signal to an accelerating electrode of a time-of-flight (ToF) mass spectrometer, the thruster voltage signal being configured to generate an electric field at an orthogonal accelerating electrode to effectuate the aforementioned flight of charged particles. The thruster voltage signal may be a periodic signal. The thruster voltage signal may be synchronized with a periodic voltage signal applied to a bunching electrode to generate a translational potential well. The period of the periodic thruster voltage signal may substantially match a period (k*T), where T is the period of the periodic voltage signal applied to the clustering electrode to generate a translational potential well (e.g., the time period between consecutive potential wells reaching an extraction region), and k is a positive integer. The phase of the periodic thruster voltage may be controlled to be out of phase with the phase of the periodic voltage signal applied to the bunching electrode according to a predetermined phase difference or phase delay. The predetermined phase difference or phase delay can be determined based on the transport distance of the charged particles, which is the spatial separation between the extraction region (e.g., the terminal output terminal) and the accelerating electrode (e.g., the downstream travel distance from the extraction region to the accelerating electrode), thereby achieving a predetermined timing of the pusher voltage signal to synchronize the arrival time of the charged particles extracted from the extraction region with the time of application of the pusher voltage at the orthogonal accelerating electrode of the ToF mass spectrometer. For example, the phase delay δΦ can be determined as:

[0159]

[0160] Where v+ is the translational velocity of the potential well, T is the period of the periodic voltage signal applied to the bunching electrode, and δx is the amount by which the charged particle transport distance exceeds an integer multiple of the spatial separation between consecutive potential wells (e.g., the corresponding positions or features within consecutive potential wells). In other words, the charged particle transport distance is: m×W+δx, where W is the axial length of each potential well (e.g., the axial length along the channel direction) and m is a positive integer. Where v=W / T.

[0161] The power supply unit may be adapted to provide a power supply voltage waveform (e.g., according to the first and second aspects of the invention described above) to a plurality of bunching electrodes so as to define a potential well according to an applied voltage waveform (i.e., the potential forming the advancing well is not a pseudopotential, but is formed by a voltage waveform) that translates along at least part of the length of the channel and towards the axial extraction region. The voltage signal may be provided in the manner described above in relation to the first aspect of the invention. The power supply unit may be adapted to provide a power supply voltage (e.g., a radio frequency signal) to one or more other electrodes in the extraction region so as to generate a pseudopotential within the channel. Preferably, at least some of the electrodes in the extraction region are provided with a voltage (e.g., a radio frequency signal) for generating a pseudopotential barrier (or part thereof), but are not provided with a voltage waveform (e.g., non-radio frequency) for generating a advancing potential well at the same time.

[0162] Preferably, the power supply unit can provide a power supply voltage waveform to the bunching electrodes of the plurality of electrodes so as to simultaneously form a plurality of potential wells spaced axially along the channel. Preferably, the plurality of potential wells formed in this manner are synchronously translated along at least a portion of the length of the channel. Preferably, the plurality of potential wells are substantially equidistantly spaced adjacent to the array. For example, the axial spacing between the local minimum (and / or local maximum or other feature) of a given potential well and the local minimum (e.g., equivalent feature or structure) of an immediately adjacent potential well is substantially the same as the spacing between the plurality of potential wells.

[0163] Preferably, the power supply unit can be adapted to provide a periodic power supply voltage waveform having a waveform frequency (i.e., 1 / T, where T is the waveform period) of approximately 0.1 kHz to 20 kHz to the bunching electrode, so as to simultaneously generate multiple potential wells. Preferably, the waveform frequency is approximately 1 kHz to 4 kHz. The voltage waveform can define a modulated waveform applied to the RF voltage signal to provide an "envelope" to the amplitude of the RF voltage signal, or the voltage waveform can be applied alone as a time-varying AC voltage waveform in the absence of the RF voltage signal.

[0164] Preferably, substantially identical time-domain waveforms are simultaneously applied to a plurality of focus electrodes, each focus electrode receiving a waveform with a waveform phase that differs from the waveform phase received by adjacent focus electrodes. In particular, the waveforms are preferably as described above with respect to the first aspect of the present invention. For example, the phase of the voltage waveform applied to a given (nth) focus electrode may correspond to a waveform phase that is more advanced than the phase of the same waveform applied to the immediately preceding (n-1)th focus electrode. Similarly, the phase of the voltage waveform applied to a given (nth) focus electrode may correspond to a waveform phase that is delayed relative to the phase of the same waveform applied to the immediately preceding (n+1)th focus electrode. In this manner, each focus electrode can be driven in time to receive the same voltage waveform, but each focus electrode is "provided" with a version of the voltage waveform that is in a slightly different phase within the cycle.

[0165] Preferably, the power supply unit can be adapted to provide a voltage waveform to a selected number N (N being a positive number) of consecutive focussing electrode groups or subsets such that the phase of the voltage waveform applied to the first focussing electrode of a given group is substantially equal to the phase of the voltage waveform applied to the first focussing electrode of an immediately adjacent group of N focussing electrodes. For example, the power supply unit can be adapted to provide a voltage waveform to the N focussing electrodes of a given focussing electrode group such that the phase of the waveform applied to a given focussing electrode of the group has a phase difference ΔΦ of approximately ΔΦ = -360 / N from the phase applied to the immediately adjacent focussing electrode of the group, and also has a phase difference ΔΦ of approximately ΔΦ = +360 / N from the phase applied to the preceding focussing electrode of the group. Thus, within a given time, one complete cycle of the waveform passes through the N focussing electrode groups. In particular, in this regard, the waveform is preferably as described above with respect to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0166] Ideally, when the power supply unit can be adapted to provide a voltage waveform to generate a plurality of potential wells, the spacing between adjacent potential wells can be configured according to the lateral dimension or size of the channel defined by the plurality of electrodes. For example, if those electrodes are plate electrodes or planar electrodes, the lateral dimension is equal to the inscribed diameter of the channel, or the vertical spacing between the opposing electrodes. The power supply unit can be adapted to selectively adjust the well spacing configuration by adjusting the N value. Larger N values ​​may be more suitable for channels with larger lateral dimensions or diameters. The inventors have found that the above adjustments can result in a higher resolution when distinguishing the mass of charged particles extracted from the device. For example, preferably, N is equal to or greater than 8.

[0167] Preferably, the waveform frequency is such that the translational velocity v of the potential well along the channel axis is proportional to: f·L, where f is the modulation frequency (in Hertz), L is the spatial spacing between the bunching electrodes along the channel axis, and the same value (e.g., the same phase) of the applied voltage waveform (e.g., v = f·L) exists at the spatial spacing.

[0168] The power supply unit can be adapted to supply a power supply voltage to the axially segmented bunching electrodes in the manner described above with respect to the first (and second) aspect of the present invention. For example, the power supply unit can be adapted to supply a power supply voltage that varies according to a waveform having a period (T), and translate the electric potential along at least a part of the length of the channel such that the translation distance of the potential well is substantially equal to its own length (e.g., the axial length along the channel direction) within a time interval substantially equal to the period (T).

[0169] Preferably, the waveform

[0170] (a) is substantially continuously steady (T) within its period; and

[0171] (b) maintains the minimum value of the waveform substantially within a finite time period (T L <T) within the said period (T).

[0172] In mathematics, a "continuous" function (analytical function or numerical function) is a function that does not contain any numerical mutations, interruptions or jumps called discontinuities. The term "continuously steady" can be understood to include a reference to this meaning. Preferably, the rate of change of the waveform (e.g., applied to the waveform U) is substantially continuously steady within its period (T).

[0173] Most preferably, the waveform does not have a waveform maximum within a finite time period (T L <T). For example, the finite time period may only contain one waveform minimum. In fact, the entire waveform may only contain one minimum within its period, i.e., T.

[0174] The power supply voltage can include an alternating voltage that varies according to a waveform, excluding or modulating any potential radio frequency voltage signal. In the latter case, the potential well is formed by a "true" potential rather than a pseudopotential.

[0175] Within a finite time period (T L <T) within the said period (T) of the waveform, the power supply voltage can be applied to each of the axially segmented bunching electrodes such as forming spatially continuous adjacent electrode groups at an appropriate phase of the waveform.

[0176] Within a finite time period (T L <T) within the above-mentioned period (T), the minimum value of the waveform can be substantially constant, that is, the minimum value of the waveform is actually constant, or is constant in fact or in practice, or at least does not vary significantly within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L <T). If within the period (T) of the waveform, the entire T LIf the variation corresponding to the inner waveform value does not exceed a preset percentage or ratio of the maximum variation between the waveform limit values (e.g., the ratio of the peak-to-peak amplitude U0 of the waveform, or the ratio of the difference between the minimum and maximum values of the waveform), it can be said that the waveform variation is not significant. For example, define X = 100×ΔU / U0 as the maximum waveform value variation (ΔU) allowed within the entire T L expressed as a percentage (%) of the waveform amplitude (U0), preferably: X ≤ 10, or X ≤ 5, or X ≤ 2.5, or X ≤ 1.0, or X ≤ 0.5, or X ≤ 0.25, or X ≤ 0.1, or X ≤ 0.05, and X ≤ 0.01.

[0177] The finite time period (T L ) can be expressed as: T > T L ≥ T / k, where k is any positive number greater than one (1) (i.e., non-integer or integer) (i.e., k > 1). Preferably, k ≥ 1.2. Preferably, k ≤ 20 or k ≤ 15 or k ≤ 10. Preferably, for example, 1.2 ≤ k ≤ 8.0.

[0178] Define as the time period of T L expressed as a percentage (%) of the period T, preferably: or more preferably or more preferably or more preferably or more preferably or more preferably or more preferably or more preferably

[0179] Preferably, the first-order time derivative modulus of the waveform (U) with waveform amplitude U0 is:

[0180]

[0181] Within the finite time period (T L < T) of the above period (T) of the waveform, where Y = 50. For example, 50 ≥ Y ≥ 1.4, or more preferably, 10 ≥ Y ≥ 2, or more preferably, 7 ≥ Y ≥ 3. For example, Y can be approximately equal to 5. In some examples, Y ≥ 1.4. In this sense, the waveform is substantially constant within the finite time period T L . Preferably, within the above finite time period (T L < T), the average value of the modulus of the first-order time derivative of the waveform (U) does not exceed the value Y. Preferably, within the above finite time period (T L) within, the average value of this modulus does not exceed 0.5Y, or preferably 0.25Y, or preferably 0.1Y, or preferably 0.05Y, or preferably 0.01Y, or preferably 0.001Y. In this sense, within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L <T), the minimum value of the waveform can be substantially constant.

[0182] Preferably, at least within the time interval T within the period (T) of the waveform L within, the first-order time derivative of the waveform (i.e., ) has a substantially continuous value. Preferably, the first-order time derivative of the waveform (i.e., ) has a substantially continuous value throughout the basic period (T) of the waveform. Preferably, within the above-mentioned period (T) of the waveform, the value of the modulus of the first-order time derivative of the waveform with waveform amplitude U0 can be expressed as

[0183] <U0 / T>

[0184] More preferably, this modulus may not be greater than 75, or more preferably not greater than 50, or more preferably not greater than 20, or more preferably greater than about 10 and less than 15, such as about 12. Preferably, the waveform (U) includes or is at least partially defined according to the "error function" (erf).

[0185] Preferably, the waveform shape and / or waveform frequency (i.e., f = 1 / T, where T is the waveform period) are such that within a predetermined finite time interval T L within, the voltage value of the waveform is not greater than about 10% of the maximum voltage value of the waveform within the waveform period, where T L ≥T / N. Here, N is the number of bunching electrodes in each subset of the bunching electrodes, and each subset of the bunching electrodes supports the corresponding period of the waveform. More preferably, the voltage value of the waveform is not greater than about 5% of the maximum voltage value of the waveform within the time interval T L within. Further more preferably, the voltage value of the waveform is not greater than about 3% of the maximum voltage value of the waveform within the time interval T L within. Even more preferably, the voltage value of the waveform is not greater than about 2% of the maximum voltage value of the waveform within the time interval T L within, or preferably 1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.1% or 0.01% or so. Most preferably, the voltage value of the waveform is close to zero within the time interval T L within.

[0186] Ideally, the waveform shape is defined according to a mathematical function. The mathematical function can include an analytical function (i.e., expressed as a mathematical equation) or can be a numerical function. Preferably, the first power supply voltage can take the following form: <00V(f,T,t) = U(2πt / T + Φ) * ξ(2πft + φ)

[0188] Where the function U(2πt / T + Φ) represents the waveform as a periodic modulation function with a period T (s), a phase Φ, and an amplitude U0. The function ξ(2πft + φ) can be a rapidly oscillating (e.g., radio frequency) periodic function with a frequency f and a phase φ, or can be a constant value (e.g., similar to setting: f = 0) in the case where there is no radio frequency component within the first power supply voltage. For example, the shape of the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) can at least partially include the shape of the "error function" (erf(y)) such that:

[0189]

[0190] During at least a partial time period of the period T of the waveform, where:

[0191]

[0192] And the variable y is proportional to t and T (e.g., has a functional relationship). For example, the variable y may be proportional to the ratio t / T (e.g., y ∼ t / T). Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) is always positive or always negative. Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) is a continuous function. Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) has a maximum value that is substantially constant within a finite time period (T H <T) within the period (T) of the waveform. Preferably, this maximum value can correspond to the local maximum of the potential well. Preferably, within the waveform period T, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) varies substantially continuously within the time interval T H And the aforementioned time interval T L Between them.

[0193] The device can include: a first power supply unit adapted to provide a first power supply voltage to the axially segmented bunching electrodes between the electrodes so as to generate an electric field defining a potential well within the channel; and a separate second power supply unit adapted to provide a second power supply voltage to the radially confining electrodes between the electrodes so as to generate a radially confining electric field within the channel, which electric field is configured to confine ions in the radial direction of the channel. The independent setting of the power supply units can allow the voltage signal (e.g., radio frequency and / or voltage waveform and / or alternating current) applied to the bunching electrodes and its control to be independent of the voltage signal (e.g., radio frequency and / or voltage waveform and / or alternating current) applied to the radially confining electrodes and its control. The above setting is easy to operate and can reduce manufacturing complexity and manufacturing cost.

[0194] The power supply unit can be adapted to provide a second power supply voltage (e.g., a radio frequency signal or a non-radio frequency voltage waveform) to the axially segmented confinement electrode to generate a radial (i.e., transverse to the channel axis) confinement potential (e.g., a pseudopotential or other potential) within the channel. Preferably, the amplitude of the second power supply voltage is substantially constant. Preferably, the amplitude of the second power supply voltage is not modulated in time. The second power supply voltage applied to the radial confinement electrode in combination with the axially segmented bunching electrode can generate a radial confinement electric field (potential). This series of electrodes can be configured as a quadrupole ion guide. The radial confinement electric field (potential) can be configured as a quadrupole field. The present invention is applicable to higher-order electric fields and ion guides having a greater number of poles, including but not limited to hexapole, octopole, decapole, etc.

[0195] According to the technology that is readily available to those skilled in the art and found in the relevant prior art, the power supply unit can be adapted to generate a radio frequency voltage signal with a desired amplitude (e.g., several hundred volts). For example, the voltage signal can be applied to a radial confinement electrode. The power supply unit can generate a radio frequency voltage signal with a square waveform by switching between two preselected voltage levels at a predetermined radio frequency switching frequency. The two predetermined voltage levels or one of them are changed over time in any desired manner or time variation rate (but preferably at a rate much lower than the predetermined radio frequency switching rate). Accordingly, an amplitude modulation envelope of the radio frequency waveform is provided by the time variation characteristic of one or two predetermined voltage levels. The time variation can be a periodic time variation. The waveform shape of the amplitude modulation envelope of the radio frequency voltage signal can be predetermined by the user. In a rational case, the waveform shape of the amplitude modulation envelope may include (modulating) the amplitude for a limited time period (T) within said time interval (T). L ) maintains a substantially constant (e.g., non-zero or substantially zero) value within a finite time period (T L ) corresponds to the aforementioned local minimum. As described above, the first aspect of the present invention.

[0196] The power supply unit may comprise any suitable electronic high-frequency switching device readily available to a skilled person (e.g., a precisely timed metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET)). This means that the rapidly oscillating RF component of the waveform is not actually a sinusoidal waveform, but rather resembles a square wave. The RF voltage signal is provided by, for example, electrically controlling a high-frequency (e.g., RF) switch to selectively and alternately electrically connect the corresponding bunching electrodes to the positive and negative power rails to provide the RF oscillating component of the waveform.

[0197] In another aspect, the present invention may provide an ion guide, mass filter, mass analyzer or ion trap comprising the above apparatus. In yet another aspect, the present invention may provide a time-of-flight mass analyzer (eg, an orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass analyzer) comprising the above apparatus.

[0198] The above device implements the corresponding charged particle manipulation method, which is disclosed in another corresponding aspect of the present invention. Accordingly, the device features described above in the present invention will be understood as being used to implement the corresponding method.

[0199] Accordingly, in a fourth aspect, the present invention may provide a method for manipulating charged particles, the method comprising:

[0200] providing a series of electrodes arranged to form a channel for transporting charged particles;

[0201] providing a power supply unit through which voltage is supplied;

[0202] (a) an axially segmented bunching electrode in a series of electrodes to generate an electric field defining an electric potential within the channel, the electric potential having one or more local minima between local maxima defining a potential well that translates along at least part of the length of the channel,

[0203] (b) and a radially confining bunching electrode in the series of electrodes to generate a radially confining electric field within the channel, the electric field being configured to radially confine the charged particles within the channel; and

[0204] An axial extraction region is provided, comprising electrodes in an electrode series, which are arranged at least at or defining one end of a channel of the device and receive a power supply voltage, thereby generating an electric field that defines a pseudopotential within the channel, so that the depth of the potential well varies according to the mass-to-charge ratio (m / z) of the charged particles transported therein, and decreases as the local maximum of the potential well is axially translated toward and / or along the axial extraction region, thereby releasing charged particles of different mass-to-charge ratios (m / z) transported at different times.

[0205] The method may include: controlling the potential well to include a well bottom or base containing one or more local minima, defined by two separate well walls each containing or defining two local maxima, the well walls being located on two opposite sides of the well bottom. The method may include: controlling the potential well to include a leading local maximum (or leading well wall) and a trailing local maximum (or trailing well wall), wherein the leading local maximum leads or precedes the trailing local maximum in a translational direction of the potential well. In other words, preferably, the trailing local maximum (or trailing well wall) follows the leading local maximum (or trailing well wall).

[0206] The method may include controlling the potential value defining the well bottom to vary substantially smoothly and preferably include only one local minimum. The method may include controlling the local minimum defined by the two well walls to be continuous, with substantially no (or at least substantially no) discontinuous values ​​or gradients.

[0207] The method may include controlling a depth of the potential well to decrease as the potential well translates axially toward or along the axial extraction region.

[0208] Reducing the potential well depth may also control the height of the local maximum of the potential well to decrease as the potential well moves toward and / or through the extraction region: the well depth is defined by the potential difference between the local minimum and the adjacent local maximum (e.g., the lowest value). Alternatively, or in addition, reducing the potential well depth may also control the height of the local maximum of the potential well to increase as the potential well moves toward and / or through the extraction region: the well depth is defined by the potential difference between the local minimum and the adjacent local maximum (e.g., the lowest value).

[0209] The reduction in well depth (i.e., reducing the height of the local maximum) can be achieved by reducing the leading wall height of the advancing potential well through the fringe field, and / or by applying an external direct current (DC) potential outside the extraction region to reduce the leading wall height of the advancing potential well. The external DC potential can include a potential gradient generated between an axial extraction region (e.g., an end electrode / output end) and an external electrode outside the ion guide outside the extraction region. The external DC potential can be selected and applied in any suitable manner to reduce the leading wall height of the advancing potential well within the channel defined by the series of electrodes and / or partially outside the series of electrodes when or immediately after the advancing potential well leaves the channel defined by the series of electrodes and enters the fringe field region formed by the electrodes. The axial extraction region can include an axially segmented bunching electrode, and the end electrode of the channel can include an axially segmented bunching electrode. The method can include: controlling the supply voltage to the end axially segmented bunching electrode so that all portions of the advancing potential well eventually travel to the end electrode of the channel (e.g., once the rear portion reaches the end electrode of the channel, the traveling front portion does not stop), thereby ensuring that all portions of the traveling potential well travel into the fringe field region of the channel.

[0210] The reduction in well depth (i.e., increasing the height of the local minimum) can be achieved by changing the dynamic shape of the composite potential well formed by the traveling potential well, which is adjacent to and moves upward to a separate pseudobarrier, not a pseudowell. Since the traveling potential well advances toward the pseudobarrier, it is beneficial to increase the bottom height of the composite potential well.

[0211] The method may include providing a supply voltage in the form of an RF voltage signal to an axially segmented bunching electrode. Accordingly, the bunching electrode provided in this manner may generate an electric field that defines a pseudopotential. This potential may have one or more local minima between local maxima defining a potential well. The segmented bunching electrode may include an electrode disposed at or defining at least one end of a device channel. The method may include providing a voltage in the form of an RF voltage signal to the electrode, disposed at or defining at least one end of the device channel, such that the electrode generates an electric field that defines a pseudopotential. This potential may have one or more local minima between local maxima defining a potential well, and the potential well propagates along the length of an extraction region of the channel. In this method, the RF voltage signal provided to the bunching electrode to generate the potential well may be simultaneously provided to an electrode disposed at or defining the end of the channel to which the RF voltage signal is applied. Thus, the pseudopotential well may translate through the extraction region and reach the terminal output end of the channel. In this manner, a traveling pseudopotential well may be propagated to the fringe field region of the device.

[0212] Alternatively, the method may include providing a power supply voltage to the axial segmented bunching electrode in the form of a voltage waveform that is opposite to the radio frequency voltage signal. Accordingly, the bunching electrode provided in the above manner can generate an electric field that defines a pseudopotential. The potential can have one or more local minima as described above between local maxima that define the potential well. The method may include providing a power supply voltage to the electrode in the form of a radio frequency voltage signal, the electrode being disposed at least at one end of or defining a channel of the device, so that the electrode can generate an electric field that defines the pseudopotential. According to the method, the voltage waveform signal provided to the bunching electrode to generate the potential well is not simultaneously provided to the electrode disposed at or defining the end of the channel and to which the radio frequency voltage signal is to be provided.

[0213] The pseudopotential barrier can be substantially static along the channel axis within the extraction region (e.g., does not translate along the axis). The pseudopotential can be shaped so as to define a potential barrier along the channel axis within the extraction region. The potential barrier can define a local pseudopotential maximum whose height or amplitude exceeds the potential value of one or more aforementioned local minima of the potential well (e.g., the well bottom). Preferably, the potential barrier can define a local pseudopotential maximum whose height or amplitude is less than the potential value of the aforementioned trailing local maximum of the potential well. Accordingly, the trailing well wall preferably has a region between the local maximum of the wall and the local minimum of the adjacent well (e.g., the well bottom), along which the potential value exceeds the local maximum of the pseudopotential barrier.

[0214] The method may include controlling the traveling potential well to travel but stop at a pseudopotential barrier. The traveling potential well may be controlled to not pass through the pseudopotential barrier or to pass through / cross the pseudopotential barrier. The traveling potential well formed by the voltage waveform may translate toward the extraction region so as to encounter, intercept, or "wash" the rising edge of the static pseudopotential barrier formed within the extraction region. In this manner, a composite potential well is formed by two segments: one segment includes a portion of the traveling potential well (formed by the voltage waveform) that has not yet reached the pseudopotential barrier but is adjacent to and close to the pseudopotential barrier; and the other segment is formed by the pseudopotential barrier.

[0215] A composite potential well can include a local minimum located between two local maxima. One of the local maxima (the voltage waveform potential) can move toward the other local maximum (the pseudobarrier) and can be static. The potential of the local minimum can continue to rise until it coincides with the peak potential of the pseudobarrier, at which point the potential well is no longer a well in the sense that the local minimum is no longer bounded by two local maxima.

[0216] Preferably, the voltage amplitude or height of the trailing inner wall of the traveling potential well formed by the voltage waveform exceeds the voltage amplitude or height of the pseudopotential barrier. Preferably, the voltage amplitude of the leading inner wall of the traveling potential well formed by the voltage waveform may exceed the voltage amplitude of the pseudopotential barrier.

[0217] Preferably, the potential gradient of the inner wall of the trailing portion of the traveling potential well formed by the voltage waveform is substantially continuous and finite in value (i.e., does not include large changes in value),

[0218] The pseudopotential may have a local maximum defining a pseudopotential barrier peak, which is preferably static within the extraction region. Preferably, the pseudopotential barrier does not have a local minimum, thereby avoiding trapping of charged particles within the pseudopotential barrier.

[0219] The method may include providing one or more extraction electrodes in an axial extraction region, the extraction electrodes being positioned adjacent to an end of the channel and axially spaced from the end of the channel by an axial spacing that defines a voltage in the acceleration region, and generating an electric potential gradient in the acceleration region by applying a voltage to the extraction electrodes and an electrode positioned at or defining the end of the channel of the device.

[0220] The method may include providing one or more extraction electrodes spaced apart from electrodes defining the end of a channel of the device such that a potential gradient is formed between the end of the channel and the one or more extraction electrodes. The method may include applying a voltage to the extraction electrodes and the end of the channel to form a potential gradient that encourages charged particles released from the channel to move away from the end of the channel. The method may include providing the one or more extraction electrodes spaced apart (e.g., in groups or individually) from the end of the channel of the device by a spacing of approximately 0.005 m to 0.02 m, or preferably a spacing of approximately 0.005 m to 0.015 m, such as approximately 0.01 m.

[0221] The method may include controlling the accelerating potential gradient to a value between approximately (-7000) V / m and (-100) V / m. Consequently, the voltage value for negatively charged particles will be positive. For example, the potential gradient may be between approximately (-7000) V / m and (-2000) V / m. In another example, the potential gradient may be between approximately (-2000) V / m and (-100) V / m, or more preferably between approximately (-2000) V / m and (-200) V / m, or still more preferably between approximately (-1500) V / m and (-200) V / m, or even more preferably between approximately (-1200) V / m and (-300) V / m. The potential gradient can be defined in terms of a spatial gradient of potential comprising pseudopotentials extending from / beyond the channel ends of the device (ie within the fringe field region) combined with a DC potential extending from the extraction electrode.

[0222] The method may include: providing a power supply voltage to the extraction electrode so as to generate an electric field that limits a DC potential that is less than the minimum value (e.g., any minimum value) of one or more local minima of the potential generated by the electrode forming the channel. The method may include: providing an accelerating DC voltage to the extraction electrode. The DC voltage value for positive ions may be between about (-5)V-0V, or between about (-4)V-0V, or between about (-3)V-0V, or between about (-2)V-0V, or between about (-1)-0V. The voltage may be 0V (i.e., no voltage is applied, or ground voltage). Of course, when used for negative ions, the voltage value has a positive polarity rather than a negative polarity. Other voltage values ​​may also be taken as appropriate.

[0223] The method may include providing one or more charged particle optical elements (eg, ion optical elements, lenses, etc.) and receiving therewith the charged particles extracted from the extraction region and intersecting the trajectories of the received charged particles.

[0224] The method may include implementing the extraction electrode as at least part of an accelerating electrode (also known as a "thruster" or "pulser" electrode) in a time-of-flight (ToF) mass spectrometer.

[0225] The method may include applying a thruster voltage signal to an accelerating electrode of a time-of-flight (ToF) mass spectrometer, the thruster voltage signal being configured to generate an electric field at an orthogonal accelerating electrode to effectuate the aforementioned flight of charged particles. The thruster voltage signal may be a periodic signal. The thruster voltage signal may be controlled to be synchronized with a periodic voltage signal applied to a bunching electrode to generate a translational potential well. The method may include controlling the period of the periodic thruster voltage signal to substantially match a period (T), which is the period of the periodic voltage signal applied to the clustering electrode to generate the translational potential well (e.g., the time period between consecutive potential wells arriving at an extraction region). The method may include controlling the phase of the periodic thruster voltage to be out of phase with the phase of the periodic voltage signal applied to the bunching electrode according to a predetermined phase difference or phase delay. The predetermined phase difference or phase delay can be determined based on the transport distance of the charged particles, which is the spatial separation between the extraction region (e.g., the terminal output terminal) and the accelerating electrode (e.g., the downstream travel distance from the extraction region to the accelerating electrode), thereby achieving a predetermined timing of the pusher voltage signal to synchronize the arrival time of the charged particles extracted from the extraction region with the time of application of the pusher voltage at the accelerating electrode of the ToF mass spectrometer. For example, the phase delay δΦ can be determined as:

[0226]

[0227] Where v+ is the translational velocity of the potential well, T is the period of the periodic voltage signal applied to the bunching electrode, and δx is the amount by which the charged particle transport distance exceeds an integer multiple of the spatial separation between consecutive potential wells (e.g., the corresponding positions or features within consecutive potential wells). In other words, the charged particle transport distance is: m×W+δx, where W is the axial length of each potential well (e.g., the axial length along the channel direction) and m is a positive integer.

[0228] The method may include providing a supply voltage (e.g., a radio frequency signal) to an axially segmented bunching electrode, thereby generating a potential (e.g., a pseudopotential or other potential) within the channel, the potential having one or more local minima between local maxima defining the potential well. The method may include providing a supply voltage to a continuous bunching electrode defining at least an extraction region of the channel. The voltage signal may be provided in accordance with the first aspect of the invention described above. The method may include providing a supply voltage (e.g., a radio frequency signal) to a plurality of bunching electrodes so as to define a pseudopotential well (i.e., the potential forming the traveling well is a pseudopotential), the pseudopotential well translating along at least a portion of the length of the channel to and through the axial extraction region.

[0229] Alternatively, the power supply unit may be adapted to provide a power supply voltage waveform to a plurality of bunching electrodes so as to define a potential well according to an applied voltage waveform (i.e., the potential forming the advancing well is not a pseudopotential, but is formed by a voltage waveform) that translates along at least part of the length of the channel and towards the axial extraction region. The voltage signal may be provided in the manner described above in relation to the first aspect of the invention. The power supply unit may be adapted to provide a power supply voltage (e.g., a radio frequency signal) to one or more other electrodes in the extraction region so as to generate a pseudopotential within the channel. Preferably, at least some of the electrodes in the extraction region are provided with a voltage for generating a pseudopotential barrier (or a portion thereof), but are not provided with a voltage waveform (e.g., non-radio frequency) for generating a advancing potential well at the same time.

[0230] The method may include providing the power supply voltage waveform to a bunching electrode of a plurality of electrodes so as to simultaneously form a plurality of potential wells spaced axially along the channel. Preferably, the plurality of potential wells formed in this manner translate synchronously along at least a portion of the length of the channel. Preferably, the plurality of potential wells are substantially equidistant from one another in the array. For example, the axial spacing between a local minimum (and / or local maximum or other feature) of a given potential well and a local minimum (e.g., equivalent feature or structure) of an immediately adjacent potential well is substantially the same as the spacing between the plurality of potential wells.

[0231] The method may include providing a periodic power supply voltage waveform having a waveform frequency (i.e., 1 / T, where T is the waveform period) of approximately 0.1 kHz to 20 kHz to the bunching electrode to generate the potential well, or to generate multiple potential wells simultaneously. Preferably, the waveform frequency is approximately 1 kHz to 4 kHz. The voltage waveform may define a modulated waveform applied to the RF voltage signal to provide an "envelope" to the amplitude of the RF voltage signal, or the voltage waveform may be applied alone as a time-varying AC voltage waveform in the absence of the RF voltage signal.

[0232] Preferably, the method includes: simultaneously applying substantially identical time-domain waveforms to a plurality of focus electrodes, each focus electrode receiving a waveform at a waveform phase that is different from the waveform phase received by an adjacent focus electrode. In particular, the waveforms are preferably as described above with respect to the first aspect of the present invention. For example, the phase of the voltage waveform applied to a given (nth) focus electrode may correspond to a waveform phase that is more advanced relative to the phase of the same waveform applied to the immediately preceding (n-1)th focus electrode. Similarly, the phase of the voltage waveform applied to a given (nth) focus electrode may correspond to a waveform phase that is delayed relative to the phase of the same waveform applied to the immediately preceding (n+1)th focus electrode. In this manner, each focus electrode can be driven in time to receive the same voltage waveform, but each focus electrode is "provided" with a version of the voltage waveform that is at a slightly different phase in the cycle.

[0233] Preferably, the method includes applying a voltage waveform to a selected set or subset of N consecutive bunching electrodes such that the phase of the voltage waveform applied to the first bunching electrode of a given set is substantially equal to the phase of the voltage waveform applied to the first bunching electrode of the set of N bunching electrodes immediately adjacent thereto. Preferably, the method includes providing a voltage waveform to the N bunching electrodes of a given bunching electrode set such that the phase difference ΔΦ between the waveform phase applied to a given bunching electrode of the set and the phase of the immediately adjacent bunching electrode of the set is approximately ΔΦ = -3**60 / N, and also the phase difference ΔΦ between the waveform phase applied to a given bunching electrode of the set and the phase of the previous bunching electrode of the set is approximately ΔΦ = +3**60 / N. Thus, within a given time, one complete cycle of the waveform traverses the set of N bunching electrodes. In particular, in this regard, the waveform is preferably as described above with respect to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0234] Preferably, when applying a voltage waveform to generate a plurality of potential wells, the spacing between adjacent potential wells can be configured according to the lateral dimension or size of the channel defined by a plurality of electrodes. For example, if those electrode sheets are planar electrode sheets, the lateral dimension is equal to the inscribed diameter of the channel, or the vertical spacing between opposite electrodes. Preferably, the method includes selectively adjusting the well spacing configuration by adjusting the value of N.

[0235] Preferably, the waveform frequency is proportional to the translational speed v of the potential well along the channel axis: f·L, where f is the modulation frequency (hertz) and L is the spatial interval along the channel axis between the bunching electrodes at which the same value (e.g., the same phase) of the applied voltage waveform (e.g., v = f·L) exists.

[0236] The method may include supplying a power supply voltage to the axially segmented bunching electrodes in the manner described above with respect to the first (and second) aspects of the present invention. For example, the power supply voltage varies according to a waveform having a period (T), translating the electric potential along at least a part of the length of the channel such that the translation distance of the potential well within a time interval substantially equal to the period (T) is substantially equal to its own length (e.g., the axial length along the channel direction). Preferably, the waveform

[0237] (a) remains substantially steady (T) throughout its period; and

[0238] (b) maintains the minimum value of the waveform substantially within a finite time period (T L (<T) within the period (T).

[0239] Preferably, the rate of change of the waveform (e.g., applied to waveform U) is substantially continuously steady during its period (T). Most preferably, the waveform is within a finite time period (T LThere is no waveform maximum within <T). For example, a finite time period may contain only one waveform minimum. In fact, the entire waveform may contain only one minimum within its period, i.e., T.

[0240] The method may include providing a power supply voltage that includes an alternating current voltage that varies with time according to a waveform and does not include or modulate any potential radio frequency voltage signal. In the latter case, the potential well is formed by a "true" potential rather than a pseudopotential.

[0241] Within a finite time period (T L <T) within the period (T) of the waveform, the power supply voltage can be applied to each axially segmented bunching electrode such as forming a spatially continuous adjacent electrode group at an appropriate phase of the waveform.

[0242] Within a finite time period (T L <T) within the above period (T), the minimum value of the waveform can be substantially constant, that is, the minimum value of the waveform is actually constant, or in fact or actually constant, or at least within the above finite time period (T L <T) the change is not significant. If within the period (T) of the waveform, the change corresponding to the change of the waveform value within the entire T L does not exceed a preset percentage or ratio of the maximum change between the waveform limit values (for example, the ratio of the peak-to-peak amplitude U0 of the waveform, or the ratio of the difference between the minimum and maximum values of the waveform), then it can be said that the change of the waveform is not significant. For example, define X = 100×ΔU / U0 as the maximum change (ΔU) of the waveform value allowed within the entire T L expressed as a percentage (%) of the waveform amplitude (U0), preferably: X≤10, or X≤5, or X≤2.5, or X≤1.0, or X≤0.5, or X≤0.25, or X≤0.1, or X≤0.05 and X≤0.01.

[0243] The finite time period (T L ) can be expressed as: T>T L ≥T / k, where k is any positive number greater than one (1) (i.e., non-integer or integer) (i.e., k > 1). Preferably, k≥1.2. Preferably, k≤20 or k≤15 or k≤10. Preferably, for example, 1.2≤k≤8.0.

[0244] Define as the time period of T L expressed as a percentage (%) of the period T, preferably: or more preferably or more preferably or more preferably or more preferably or more preferably or more preferably or more preferably

[0245] Preferably, the first-order time derivative of the waveform (U) having a waveform amplitude U0 The modulus is:

[0246]

[0247] within a finite time period (T L < T) of the above period (T) of the waveform, where Y = 50. For example, 50 ≥ Y ≥ 1.4, or more preferably, 10 ≥ Y ≥ 2, or more preferably, 7 ≥ Y ≥ 3. For example, Y can be approximately equal to 5. In some examples, Y ≥ 1.4. In this sense, the waveform is substantially constant within the finite time period T L . Preferably, within the above finite time period (T L < T), the first-order time derivative of the waveform (U The average value of the modulus does not exceed the value Y. Preferably, within the above finite time period (T L ), the average value of this modulus does not exceed 0.5Y, or preferably 0.25Y, or preferably 0.1Y, or preferably 0.05Y, or preferably 0.01Y, or preferably 0.001Y. In this sense, within the above finite time period (T L < T), the minimum value of the waveform can be substantially constant.

[0248] Preferably, at least within the time interval T L within the period (T) of the waveform, the value of the first-order time derivative of the waveform (i.e., ) is substantially continuous. Preferably, the value of the first-order time derivative of the waveform (i.e., ) is substantially continuous throughout the basic period (T) of the waveform. Preferably, in the above period (T) of the waveform, the value of the modulus of the first-order time derivative of the waveform having a waveform amplitude can be expressed as:

[0249]

[0250] More preferably, the modulus may not be greater than [i]75[ / i], or more preferably not greater than [i]50[ / i], or more preferably not greater than [i]20[ / i], or more preferably greater than about [i]10[ / i] and less than [i]15[ / i], such as about [i]12[ / i]. Preferably, the waveform (U) includes or is at least partially defined according to the "error function" (erf).

[0251] Preferably, the waveform shape and / or waveform frequency (i.e., f = 1 / T, where T is the waveform period) are such that within a predetermined finite time interval T LThe voltage value of the waveform is not greater than about 10% of the maximum voltage value of the waveform within the waveform period, where T L ≥ T / N. Where N is the number of bunching electrodes in each subset of bunching electrodes, wherein each subset of bunching electrodes supports a corresponding period of the waveform. More preferably, the voltage value of the waveform is no greater than the time interval T L More preferably, the voltage value of the waveform is not greater than the time interval T L More preferably, the voltage value of the waveform is not greater than the time interval T L 2% of the maximum voltage value of the inner waveform, or preferably 1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.1% or 0.01%. Most preferably, during the time interval T L The voltage value of the inner waveform is close to zero.

[0252] Preferably, at least during the time interval T L The first-order time derivative of the waveform (i.e. ) is basically continuous.

[0253] Ideally, the waveform shape is defined according to a mathematical function. The mathematical function may comprise an analytical function (ie, expressed as a mathematical equation) or may be a numerical function. Preferably, the first supply voltage may take the form:

[0254] V(f,T,t)=U(2πt / T+Φ)*ξ(2πft+φ)

[0255] Wherein the function U(2πt / T+Φ) represents the waveform as a periodic modulation function having a period T(s), a phase Φ, and an amplitude U0. The function ξ(2πft+φ) can be a fast oscillating (e.g., radio frequency) periodic function having a frequency f and a phase φ, or can be a constant value (e.g., similar to setting f=0) in the absence of radio frequency components in the first supply voltage. For example, the shape of the waveform U(2πt / T+Φ) can at least partially include the shape of the "error function" (erf(y)), such that:

[0256]

[0257] During at least part of a period T of the waveform, wherein:

[0258]

[0259] And the variable y is proportional to t and T (e.g., has a functional relationship). For example, the variable y may be proportional to the ratio t / T (e.g., y ∼ t / T). Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) is always positive or always negative. Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) is a continuous function. Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) has a maximum value that is substantially constant within a finite time period (T H <T) within the period (T) of the waveform. Preferably, this maximum value can correspond to a local maximum of the potential well. Preferably, within the waveform period T, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) varies substantially continuously within the time interval T H and the aforementioned time interval T L between them.

[0260] Preferably, the method includes: providing a first power supply unit through which a first power supply voltage is supplied to the axially segmented bunching electrodes between the electrodes to generate an electric field defining a potential well within the channel; and providing a separate second power supply unit through which a second power supply voltage is supplied to the radially confining electrodes between the electrodes to generate a radially confining electric field within the channel, the electric field being configured to confine ions in the radial direction of the channel.

[0261] In another aspect, the present invention can provide a method for controlling an ion guide, a mass filter, a mass analyzer, or an ion trap, the method including the above method. In yet another aspect, the present invention can provide a control method for a time-of-flight mass analyzer (e.g., an orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass analyzer) including the above method.

[0262] In another aspect, the present invention can provide a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions that are set to instruct a mass spectrometry device or an ion guide device or a mass filter device or a mass analyzer device or a time-of-flight mass analyzer device or an ion trap device to perform the above method. The device can include a signal processing unit, or can include a processor or a programmed or programmable computer (e.g., including a computer-readable medium containing a computer program) to implement the computer-executable instructions.

[0263] The fifth aspect of the present disclosure relates to an improvement in ion injection in an ion guide for transporting bunched ions. More specifically, the present disclosure in this aspect relates to using a new waveform (as in the first aspect of the present disclosure) to simplify and improve the injection of ions into a selected potential well of a device. Compared with the prior art, the main benefit of the present disclosure in this aspect is to significantly simplify the electronic device.

[0264] Correspondingly, in the fifth aspect, the present invention can provide a device for manipulating charged particles, the device including:

[0265] A series of electrodes arranged to form a channel for transporting charged particles;

[0266] a power supply unit adapted to provide a first supply voltage to an axially segmented bunching electrode of said electrodes so as to generate an electric field defining an electric potential within said channel, said electric potential having one or more local minima between local maxima defining a potential well selectively translatable along at least a portion of the length of the channel; and

[0267] a power supply unit adapted to provide a second power supply voltage to a radial confinement electrode among the electrodes so as to generate a radial confinement electric field in the channel, the electric field being configured to radially confine the charged particles in the channel;

[0268] wherein the electrodes of the series of electrodes define within the channel a collection region for collecting the charged particles, and a transport region for transporting the collected charged particles from the collection region; and

[0269] The power supply unit is adapted to apply a first power supply voltage to the electrodes defining the collection area, the first power supply voltage being selectively configured to:

[0270] (1) collecting a voltage signal for generating an electric field defining the potential well within the collection region to collect charged particles within the electric field; or

[0271] (2) transmitting a voltage signal for generating an electric field defining the potential well within the collection region,

[0272] to translate the charged particles through the collection region to the transport region;

[0273] The collecting voltage signal generates an electric field defining a substantially static potential well, and the transmitting voltage generates an electric field defining the translational potential well.

[0274] Preferably, the translational potential well is created by translating a static potential well.

[0275] Preferably, the collected voltage signal includes a voltage waveform, the amplitude of which (including a non-RF voltage signal) or the modulation envelope of which (including a RF signal) is substantially constant in time (i.e., static in time or not time-varying).

[0276] Preferably, the power supply unit is adapted to selectively transform the collection voltage signal into the transmission voltage signal by applying a periodic time variation to the collection voltage signal, thereby shifting the potential well generated by the collection voltage signal.

[0277] Ideally, this variation is coordinated with a transmission voltage signal applied to electrodes defining a transmission region, which generates an electric field defining said potential well for translating charged particles through the transmission region.

[0278] The coordination can be specifically achieved by matching the transmission voltage signal applied to the focusing electrode defining the end of the collection region with the transmission voltage signal applied to the focusing electrode in the transmission region immediately adjacent to the end of the collection region. Through this matching, the distribution of transmission voltage values ​​applied to the focusing electrodes spanning adjacent ends of the collection and transmission regions can be consistent with the distribution of transmission voltage values ​​applied to the focusing electrodes extending along (e.g., entirely along) the transmission region. The coordination can be specifically achieved by matching the transmission voltage signal values ​​applied to the focusing electrode defining the end of the collection region, and any time variations therein, with the transmission voltage signal values ​​applied to the focusing electrode in the transmission region immediately adjacent to the end of the collection region, and any time variations therein. For example, when the transmission voltage signals applied to the focusing electrodes in the collection and transmission regions are periodic and defined by a waveform having a waveform period T, coordination is achieved when the first power supply voltage is selectively configured as a collection voltage signal for a time period Δt that is substantially equal to an integer multiple of the waveform period: Δt = nT, where n = 1, 2, 3, etc.

[0279] For example, the waveform can be applied simultaneously to different bunching electrodes at different phases along the cycle of the waveform. Preferably, the difference between the end bunching electrodes of the collection region and the adjacent bunching electrodes of the transport region is the same as the phase difference between any two adjacent bunching electrodes of the collection region and / or the transport region. In other words, preferably, when applied to the bunching electrodes located on either side of the connection / interface / transition between the collection region and the transport region, the spatial distribution of the waveform phase is according to a pattern that repeats spatially along the ion guide channel. For example, N phase steps (N = integer) can be selected, with the steps being equally spaced across the cycle of the waveform. Preferably, when the transport voltage signal is applied, the N different phases of the voltage applied to the electrodes of the collection region can be synchronized with the N different phases of the voltage applied to the electrodes of the transport region. However, when the collection voltage signal is applied, the N phases of the voltage applied to the electrodes of the collection region are "frozen" at any selected phase angle, while the N phases of the voltage applied to the electrodes of the transport region are not frozen. After a time interval nT (n = integer), the N phases of the voltage applied to the collection region are then "unfrozen." Similarly, the time period of the shifted voltage may also have an nT time interval or time period. Different application events (i.e., at different times) of the collection voltage signal may have different time intervals mT (mT=integer), such that m≠n. In some embodiments, the equidistant phase steps (different phases) N across the waveform cycle applied in the collection region are collect The number of phases N that can differ across the cycle of the waveform applied in the transmission channel trans The number of axially segmented bunching electrodes across the collection area can be equal to N, or can be an integer multiple of N.

[0280] Ideally, the electrodes defining the collection region are adjacent, aligned or contiguous to the electrodes defining the transmission region, such that the collection region is connected to the transmission region. In this way, when the collection voltage is converted to the transmission voltage, the charged particles collected in the collection region by the electrodes defining the collection region can be transported to the transmission region. Preferably, the radial confinement electrodes contained in the collection region can also be axially segmented electrodes (examples are referred to as "double-segmented" in this specification). Optionally, the first power supply voltage signal applied to the axially segmented bunching electrode of the collection region (and / or the second power supply voltage signal applied to the radial confinement electrode) can include a waveform having an amplitude greater than the voltage amplitude of the axially segmented bunching electrode applied to the transmission region (and / or the second power supply voltage signal applied to the radial confinement electrode).

[0281] The first supply voltage signal may include a periodic voltage waveform signal (eg, a non-RF signal), or may include a RF signal whose amplitude is modulated by a periodic modulation waveform.

[0282] The power supply unit may be adapted to provide a first supply voltage (e.g., a radio frequency signal) to the axially segmented bunching electrode to generate a potential (e.g., a pseudopotential or other potential) within the channel, the potential having one or more local minima between local maxima defining the potential well. The power supply unit may be adapted to provide the first supply voltage to a continuous bunching electrode defining at least a collection region of the channel. The first supply voltage signal may be provided in accordance with the first aspect of the invention described above. For example, the power supply unit may be adapted to provide the first supply voltage signal (e.g., a radio frequency signal) to a plurality of bunching electrodes to define a pseudopotential well (i.e., the potential forming the static or translational well is a pseudopotential) that is selectively stationary or translational along at least a portion of the length of the collection region.

[0283] Alternatively, the power supply unit may be adapted to provide a first power supply voltage signal waveform to a plurality of bunching electrodes so as to define a potential well according to an applied voltage waveform (i.e., the potential forming the static or translational well is not a pseudopotential but is formed by a voltage waveform) which selectively remains stationary or translates along at least part of the length of the collection region. The first power supply voltage signal may be provided in the manner described above in relation to the first aspect of the invention. The power supply unit may be adapted to provide a first power supply voltage signal (e.g., a radio frequency signal) to one or more other electrodes of the collection region so as to generate a pseudopotential within the channel. Preferably, at least some of the electrodes of the collection region are provided with a voltage for generating a pseudopotential well (or part thereof) but are not provided with a voltage waveform for generating a translational potential well at the same time.

[0284] Preferably, the power supply unit can be adapted to provide a first power supply voltage signal waveform to the bunching electrodes of the plurality of electrodes so as to simultaneously form a single potential well within the collection region, or alternatively, to form a plurality of potential wells spaced apart along the channel axis within the collection region. Preferably, the potential wells formed in the above manner (if there are a plurality of potential wells) all remain stationary or translate together along at least a portion of the length of the channel within the collection region.

[0285] Preferably, the power supply unit is adapted to provide a first supply voltage signal to the axially segmented bunching electrodes in the series of electrodes so as to generate an electric field defining a potential within a portion of the channel outside the collection region defining the transmission region. The potential within the transmission region may include one or more local minima between local maxima defining a potential well, the potential well selectively translatable along at least a portion of the length of the channel.

[0286] The power supply unit may be adapted to provide said first supply voltage signal in the form of said transmission voltage signal to electrodes of the transmission region to generate an electric field defining one or more translational potential wells in the collection region for translating charged particles through the transmission region.

[0287] Preferably, the plurality of translational potential wells in the transmission region are arranged substantially equidistantly from one another in the array. For example, the axial spacing between the local minimum (and / or local maximum or other feature) of a given potential well and the local minimum (e.g., equivalent feature or structure) of an immediately adjacent potential well is substantially the same as the spacing between the plurality of potential wells.

[0288] Preferably, the power supply unit can be adapted to provide a periodic first power supply voltage signal waveform having a waveform frequency (i.e., 1 / T, where T is the waveform period) of approximately 0.1 kHz to 20 kHz to the bunching electrode, so as to simultaneously generate multiple potential wells. Preferably, the waveform frequency is approximately 1 kHz to 4 kHz. The voltage waveform can define a modulated waveform applied to the RF voltage signal to provide an "envelope" to the amplitude of the RF voltage signal, or the voltage waveform can be applied alone as a time-varying AC voltage waveform in the absence of the RF voltage signal.

[0289] Preferably, substantially the same time-domain waveform is applied simultaneously to a plurality of focus electrodes, each focus electrode receiving a waveform with a waveform phase that is different from the waveform phase received by an adjacent focus electrode. In particular, the voltage waveform is preferably as described above with respect to the first aspect of the present invention. For example, the phase of the voltage waveform applied to a given (nth) focus electrode may correspond to a waveform phase that is more advanced relative to the phase of the same waveform applied to the immediately preceding (n-1)th focus electrode. Similarly, the phase of the voltage waveform applied to a given (nth) focus electrode may correspond to a waveform phase that is delayed relative to the phase of the same waveform applied to the immediately preceding (n+1)th focus electrode. In this way, each focus electrode can be driven in time to receive the same voltage waveform, but each focus electrode is "provided" with a version of the voltage waveform that is in a slightly different phase within the cycle.

[0290] Preferably, when the first power supply voltage is selectively configured as:

[0291] (1) collecting a voltage signal for generating an electric field defining the potential well in a collection region to collect charged particles in the electric field, wherein the phase of the voltage waveform applied to each bunching electrode in the collection region is time-varying; or

[0292] (2) A transmission voltage signal is used to generate an electric field that defines the potential well in the collection region to translate the charged particles to the transmission region through the collection region, and the phase of the voltage waveform applied to each bunching electrode in the collection region is time-varying.

[0293] In this way, the first supply voltage signal can be controlled from a “static” variation in time or phase to a variation in time or phase, and vice versa.

[0294] Similarly, the first power supply voltage applied to the bunching electrode in the transmission region can be configured as a transmission voltage signal for generating an electric field defining the potential well in the transport region, translating the charged particles through the transmission region, and the phase of the voltage waveform applied to each bunching electrode in the transmission region is time-varying.

[0295] Preferably, the power supply unit can be adapted to supply a voltage waveform of a first power supply voltage to a selected number N of consecutive bunching electrode groups or subsets such that the phase of the voltage waveform applied to the first bunching electrode of a given group is substantially equal to the phase of the voltage waveform applied to the first bunching electrode of the N bunching electrodes' adjacent group. For example, the power supply unit can be adapted to supply a voltage waveform to N bunching electrodes of a given bunching electrode group such that the phase difference ΔΦ between the waveform phase applied to a given bunching electrode of the group and the phase of the adjacent bunching electrode of the group is approximately ΔΦ = -360 / N, and also the phase difference ΔΦ between the waveform phase applied to a given bunching electrode of the group and the phase of the previous bunching electrode of the group is approximately ΔΦ = +360 / N. Thus, within a given time, a complete cycle of the waveform passes through the N bunching electrode group. In particular, in this regard, the waveform is preferably as described above regarding the first aspect of the present invention.

[0296] Ideally, when the power supply unit can be adapted to supply a voltage waveform of a first power supply voltage to generate multiple potential wells in the transmission region and an optional collection region, the spacing between adjacent potential wells can be configured according to the lateral dimension or size of the channel defined by multiple electrodes. For example, if those electrodes are plate electrodes or planar electrodes, the lateral dimension is equal to the inscribed diameter of the channel, or the vertical spacing between opposing electrodes. The power supply unit can be adapted to selectively adjust the well spacing configuration by adjusting the value of N. A larger value of N may be more suitable for a channel with a larger lateral dimension or diameter. For example, preferably, N is equal to or greater than 8.

[0297] Preferably, the frequency of the first power supply voltage waveform is proportional to the translation speed v of the potential well along the channel axis: f·L, where f is the modulation frequency (in Hertz) and L is the spatial interval along the channel axis between the bunching electrodes where the same value (e.g., the same phase) of the applied voltage waveform exists (e.g., v = f·L).

[0298] The power supply unit can be adapted to supply the first power supply voltage to the axially segmented bunching electrodes in the manner described above regarding the first (and second) aspect of the present invention. For example, the power supply unit can be adapted to supply a first power supply voltage that varies according to a waveform with a period (T), and translate the electric potential along at least a partial length of the channel such that the translation distance of the potential well within a time interval substantially equal to the period (T) is substantially equal to its own length (e.g., the axial length along the channel direction).

[0299] Preferably, the waveform

[0300] (a) is substantially constant (T) throughout its period; and

[0301] (b) maintains a minimum value of the waveform substantially within a finite time period (T) within the period (T L <T).

[0302] In mathematics, a "continuous" function (analytical or numerical) is a function that does not contain any numerical mutations, interruptions, or jumps known as discontinuities. The term "continuous and smooth" can be understood to include a reference to this meaning. Preferably, the rate of change of a waveform (such as applied to waveform U) is substantially continuous and smooth over its period (T).

[0303] Most preferably, the waveform has no waveform maximum within a finite time period (T L < T). For example, the finite time period may contain only one waveform minimum. In fact, the entire waveform may contain only one minimum within its period, i.e., T.

[0304] The first power supply voltage may include an alternating voltage that varies with time according to the waveform, excluding or modulating any potential radio frequency voltage signals. In the latter case, the potential well is formed by a "true" potential rather than a pseudopotential. Alternatively, the first power supply voltage may include a radio frequency voltage signal component with a modulated amplitude, the value of which varies with time according to the waveform. In the latter case, the potential well is formed by a pseudopotential.

[0305] Within a finite time period (T L < T) within the period (T) of the waveform, the power supply voltage can be applied to each axial segmented bunching electrode such as forming a spatially continuous adjacent electrode group at an appropriate phase of the waveform.

[0306] Within a finite time period (T L < T) within the above-mentioned period (T), the minimum value of the waveform can be substantially constant, that is, the minimum value of the waveform is actually constant, or de facto or in fact constant, or at least does not vary significantly within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L < T). If within the period (T) of the waveform, the variation corresponding to the change in the waveform value throughout T L does not exceed a preset percentage or proportion of the maximum variation between the waveform limit values (for example, the proportion of the peak-to-peak amplitude U0 of the waveform, or the proportion of the difference between the minimum and maximum values of the waveform), then it can be said that the waveform change is not significant. For example, define X = 100×ΔU / U0 as the maximum allowable change (ΔU) in the waveform value throughout T L expressed as a percentage (%) of the waveform amplitude (U0), preferably: X ≤ 10, or X ≤ 5, or X ≤ 2.5, or X ≤ 1.0, or X ≤ 0.5, or X ≤ 0.25, or X ≤ 0.1, or X ≤ 0.05, and X ≤ 0.01).

[0307] The finite time period (T L ) can be expressed as: T > T L≥ T / k, where k is any positive number greater than one (1) (i.e., non-integer or integer) (i.e., k > 1). Preferably, k ≥ 1.2. Preferably, k ≤ 20 or k ≤ 15 or k ≤ 10. Preferably, for example, 1.2 ≤ k ≤ 8.0.

[0308] Define as the time period of T L , expressed as a percentage (%) of the period T, preferably: Or more preferably Or more preferably Or more preferably Or more preferably Or more preferably Or more preferably Or more preferably

[0309] Preferably, the first-order time derivative of the waveform (U) with waveform amplitude U0 The modulus is:

[0310]

[0311] In a finite time period (T L [[ID=3,6]]< T) within the above-mentioned period (T) of the waveform, where Y = 50. For example, 50 ≥ Y ≥ 1.4, or more preferably, 10 ≥ Y ≥ 2, or more preferably, 7 ≥ Y ≥ 3. For example, Y can be approximately equal to 5. In some examples, Y ≥ 1.4. In this sense, the waveform is substantially constant within the finite time period T L . Preferably, within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L < T), the first-order time derivative of the waveform (U) The average value of the modulus does not exceed the value Y. Preferably, within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L ), the average value of this modulus does not exceed 0.5Y, or preferably 0.25Y, or preferably, 0.1Y, or preferably 0.05Y, or preferably 0.01Y, or preferably 0.001Y. In this sense, within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L < T), the minimum value of the waveform can be substantially constant.

[0312] Preferably, at least within the time interval T L within the period (T) of the waveform, the value of the first-order time derivative of the waveform (i.e., ) is substantially continuous. Preferably, the first-order time derivative of the waveform (i.e., ) is substantially continuous within substantially the entire period (T) of the waveform. Preferably, in the above period (T) of the waveform, the value of the first-order time derivative modulus of the waveform having the waveform amplitude can be expressed as:

[0313]

[0314] More preferably, the modulus may be no greater than 75, or more preferably no greater than 50, or more preferably no greater than 20, or more preferably approximately greater than 10 and less than 15, such as about 12. Preferably, the waveform (U) includes or is defined at least in part according to an "error function" (erf).

[0315] Preferably, the waveform shape and / or waveform frequency (ie f=1 / T, where T is the waveform period) of the first power voltage is such that within a predetermined finite time interval T L The voltage value of the waveform is not greater than about 10% of the maximum voltage value of the waveform within the waveform period, where T L ≥ T / N. Where N is the number of bunching electrodes in each subset of bunching electrodes, wherein each subset of bunching electrodes supports a corresponding period of the waveform. More preferably, the voltage value of the waveform is no greater than the time interval T L More preferably, the voltage value of the waveform is not greater than the time interval T L More preferably, the voltage value of the waveform is not greater than the time interval T L 2% of the maximum voltage value of the inner waveform, or preferably 1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.1% or 0.01%. Most preferably, during the time interval T L The voltage value of the inner waveform is close to zero.

[0316] Preferably, at least during the time interval T L The first time derivative of the first power supply voltage waveform (i.e. ) is substantially continuous. Preferably, the first order time derivative of the first power supply voltage waveform (i.e. ) is substantially continuous within the entire period T of the waveform, which is beneficial to preventing unnecessary force pulses from being generated on the charged particles in the potential well.

[0317] Ideally, the waveform shape is defined according to a mathematical function. The mathematical function may comprise an analytical function (ie, expressed as a mathematical equation) or may be a numerical function. Preferably, the first supply voltage may take the form:

[0318] V(f,T,t)=U(2πt / T+Φ)*ξ(2πft+φ)

[0319] The function U(2πt / T + Φ) represents the waveform as a periodic modulation function with a period T (s), a phase Φ, and an amplitude U0. The function ξ(2πft + φ) can be a rapidly oscillating (e.g., radio frequency) periodic function with a frequency f and a phase φ, or can be a constant value (e.g., similar to setting: f = 0) in the case where there is no radio frequency component within the first power supply voltage. For example, the shape of the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) can at least partially include the shape of the "error function" (erf(y)) such that:

[0320]

[0321] During at least a partial period of the period T of the waveform, where:

[0322]

[0323] And the variable y is proportional to t and T (e.g., has a functional relationship). For example, the variable y may be proportional to the ratio t / T (e.g., y ∼ t / T). Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) is always positive or always negative. Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) is a continuous function. Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) has a maximum value that is substantially constant within a finite period (T H <T) within the period (T) of the waveform. Preferably, this maximum value can correspond to the local maximum of the potential well. Preferably, within the waveform period T, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) changes substantially continuously within the time interval T H and the aforementioned time interval T L between.

[0324] The device can include: a first power supply unit adapted to provide a first power supply voltage to the axially segmented bunching electrodes between the electrodes so as to generate an electric field defining a potential well within the channel; and a separate second power supply unit adapted to provide a second power supply voltage to the radially confining electrodes between the electrodes so as to generate a radially confining electric field within the channel, which electric field is configured to confine ions in the radial direction of the channel. The independent setting of the power supply units can allow the voltage signal (e.g., radio frequency and / or voltage waveform and / or alternating current) applied to the bunching electrodes and its control to be independent of the voltage signal (e.g., radio frequency and / or voltage waveform and / or alternating current) applied to the radially confining electrodes and its control. The above setting is easy to operate and can reduce manufacturing complexity and manufacturing cost.

[0325] The power supply unit can be adapted to provide a second supply voltage (e.g., a radio frequency signal or a non-radio frequency voltage waveform) to a radial confinement electrode of the device to generate a radial (i.e., transverse to the channel axis) confinement potential (e.g., a pseudopotential or other potential) within the channel. Preferably, the amplitude of the second supply voltage is substantially constant. Preferably, the amplitude of the second supply voltage is not time-modulated. The second supply voltage applied to the radial confinement electrode, in combination with an axially segmented bunching electrode, can generate a radial confinement electric field (potential). The radial confinement electrode can also be axially segmented such that at least the collection region and, optionally, the transmission region comprise substantially only the segmented electrodes. Optionally, each electrode segment of a given segmented electrode can be grouped so as to be substantially coplanar with a corresponding electrode segment of each other segmented electrode in a plane perpendicular to the channel axis. Alternatively, the radial confinement electrode can comprise a continuous electric rod. The series of electrodes can be configured as a quadrupole ion guide. The radial confinement electric field (potential) can be configured as a quadrupole field. The present invention is applicable to higher-order electric fields and ion guides having a greater number of poles, including but not limited to hexapole, octopole, decapole, and the like.

[0326] According to the technology that is readily available to those skilled in the art and found in the relevant prior art, the power supply unit can be adapted to generate a radio frequency voltage signal with a desired amplitude (e.g., several hundred volts). For example, the voltage signal can be applied to a radial confinement electrode. The power supply unit can generate a radio frequency voltage signal with a square waveform by switching between two preselected voltage levels at a predetermined radio frequency switching frequency. The two predetermined voltage levels or one of them are changed over time in any desired manner or time variation rate (but preferably at a rate much lower than the predetermined radio frequency switching rate). Accordingly, an amplitude modulation envelope of the radio frequency waveform is provided by the time variation characteristic of one or two predetermined voltage levels. The time variation can be a periodic time variation. The waveform shape of the amplitude modulation envelope of the radio frequency voltage signal can be predetermined by the user. In a rational case, the waveform shape of the amplitude modulation envelope may include (modulating) the amplitude for a limited time period (T) within said time interval (T). L ) maintains a substantially constant (e.g., non-zero or substantially zero) value within a finite time period (T L ) corresponds to the aforementioned local minimum. As described above, the first aspect of the present invention.

[0327] A modulated RF voltage signal can be provided to each bunching electrode, or at least a group of consecutive bunching electrodes, and the consecutive bunching electrodes can receive corresponding modulated RF voltage signals at different phases modulated over a common time period. As will be described in detail below, a spatially varying electric potential (i.e., the aforementioned potential well) can be generated across the consecutive bunching electrodes, such that at any given point in time, each bunching electrode contributes a respective local electric potential value to the electric potential field extending along the group of bunching electrodes (or all of the bunching electrodes) and defining the potential well. The respective local contribution value is determined by the value of the modulation waveform applied to the contributing bunching electrode at the time of contribution.

[0328] For example, by temporarily stopping the time variation of the modulation waveform, the translational motion of the potential well can be stopped, and its shape and structure can be maintained according to the value of the modulation waveform that continues to be applied (without time variation) to each bunching electrode (or all bunching electrodes) of the electrode group. The paused time variation of the modulation waveform applied to each bunching electrode (or all bunching electrodes) of the bunching electrode group can then be resumed to resume the translational motion of the potential well. The direction of the translational motion can be reversed by reversing the time variation of the modulation waveform.

[0329] The power supply unit may comprise any suitable electronic high-frequency switching device readily available to a skilled person (e.g., a precisely timed metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET)). This means that the rapidly oscillating RF component of the waveform is not actually a sinusoidal waveform, but rather resembles a square wave. The RF voltage signal is provided by, for example, electrically controlling a high-frequency (e.g., RF) switch to selectively and alternately electrically connect the corresponding bunching electrodes to the positive and negative power rails to provide the RF oscillating component of the waveform.

[0330] In another aspect, the present invention may provide an ion guide, a mass filter, a mass analyser or an ion trap comprising the above apparatus.

[0331] The above device implements the corresponding charged particle manipulation method, which is disclosed in another corresponding aspect of the present invention. Accordingly, the device features described above in the present invention will be understood as being used to implement the corresponding method.

[0332] Accordingly, in a sixth aspect, the present invention may provide a method for manipulating charged particles, the method comprising:

[0333] providing a series of electrodes arranged to form a channel for transporting charged particles;

[0334] providing a power supply unit by which a first supply voltage is applied to an axially segmented bunching electrode in said electrodes so as to generate an electric field defining an electric potential within said channel, said electric potential having one or more local minima between local maxima defining a potential well selectively translatable along at least a portion of the length of the channel; and

[0335] providing a power supply unit, through which a second power supply voltage is applied to a radial confinement electrode among the electrodes so as to generate a radial confinement electric field in the channel, the electric field being configured to radially confine the charged particles in the channel;

[0336] wherein the electrodes of the series of electrodes define within the channel a collection region for collecting the charged particles, and a transport region for transporting the collected charged particles from the collection region; and

[0337] A first power supply voltage is applied to the electrodes defining the collection area by a power supply unit, the first power supply voltage being selectively configured to:

[0338] (1) collecting a voltage signal for generating an electric field defining the potential well within the collection region to collect charged particles within the electric field; or

[0339] (2) transmitting a voltage signal for generating an electric field defining the potential well within the collection region,

[0340] to translate the charged particles through the collection region to the transport region;

[0341] The collecting voltage signal generates an electric field defining a substantially static potential well, and the transmitting voltage generates an electric field defining the translational potential well.

[0342] Preferably, the method comprises creating a translational potential well by translating a static potential well.

[0343] Preferably, the collected voltage signal includes a voltage waveform, the amplitude of which (including a non-RF voltage signal) or the modulation envelope of which (including a RF signal) is substantially constant in time (i.e., static in time or not time-varying).

[0344] Preferably, the method includes selectively converting the collection voltage signal into a transmission voltage signal by applying a periodic time variation to the collection voltage signal, thereby shifting the potential well generated by the collection voltage signal.

[0345] Ideally, the method includes varying (e.g., in phase) a transmission voltage signal applied to an electrode defining a transmission region, the transmission region generating an electric field defining the potential well for translating charged particles through the transmission region. The synchronization can be embodied by matching the value of the transmission voltage signal applied to a bunching electrode defining a distal end of the collection region with the value of the transmission voltage signal applied to a bunching electrode in a transmission region proximate the distal end of the collection region. The matching can be embodied by having the value of the transmission voltage signal applied to the bunching electrode defining the distal end of the collection region, and any time variations therein, be substantially identical in phase to the value of the transmission voltage signal applied to the bunching electrode in a transmission region proximate the distal end of the collection region, and any time variations therein. For example, the method can include applying a periodic transmission voltage signal to a collection region and a transmission region defined by a waveform having a waveform period T, and then synchronizing the transmission voltage signal by selectively configuring the first power supply voltage to be the collection voltage signal for a period Δt substantially equal to an integer multiple of the waveform period: Δt = nT, where n = 1, 2, 3, ...

[0346] Preferably, the method includes providing a first supply voltage signal comprising a periodic voltage waveform signal (eg, a non-RF signal), or a RF signal whose amplitude is modulated by a periodic modulation waveform.

[0347] Preferably, the method comprises providing a first supply voltage (e.g., a radio frequency signal) to an axially segmented bunching electrode to generate a potential (e.g., a pseudopotential or other potential) within the channel, the potential having one or more local minima between local maxima defining the potential well. Preferably, the method comprises providing a first supply voltage to a continuous bunching electrode defining at least a collection region of the channel. The first supply voltage signal may be provided in accordance with the first aspect of the invention described above. For example, the method may comprise providing a first supply voltage signal (e.g., a radio frequency signal) to a plurality of bunching electrodes to define a pseudopotential well (i.e., the potential forming the static or translational well is a pseudopotential) that is selectively stationary or translational along at least a portion of the length of the collection region.

[0348] Alternatively, the method may include: providing a first power supply voltage signal waveform to a plurality of bunching electrodes so as to define a potential well according to an applied voltage waveform (i.e., the potential forming the static or translational well is not a pseudopotential, but is formed by a voltage waveform) that selectively remains stationary or translates along at least a portion of the length of the collection region. The first power supply voltage signal may be provided in the manner described above in relation to the first aspect of the present invention. The method may include: providing a first power supply voltage signal (e.g., a radio frequency signal) to one or more other electrodes of the collection region so as to generate a pseudopotential within the channel. Preferably, at least some of the electrodes of the collection region are provided with a voltage for generating a pseudopotential well (or a portion thereof) but are not provided with a voltage waveform for generating a translational potential well at the same time.

[0349] Preferably, the method may include providing a first power supply voltage signal waveform to a bunching electrode of the plurality of electrodes so as to simultaneously form a single potential well within the collection region, or alternatively, to form a plurality of potential wells spaced apart along the channel axis within the collection region. Preferably, the potential wells formed in the above manner (if there are a plurality) all remain stationary or translate together along at least a portion of the length of the channel within the collection region.

[0350] Preferably, the method may include providing a first supply voltage signal to an axially segmented bunching electrode in the series of electrodes to generate an electric field defining a potential within a portion of the channel outside of the collection region defining a transmission region. The potential within the transmission region may include one or more local minima between local maxima defining a potential well that is selectively translated along at least a portion of the length of the channel.

[0351] The method may comprise providing said first supply voltage signal in the form of said transmission voltage signal to electrodes of the transmission region to generate an electric field defining one or more translational potential wells within the collection region for translating charged particles through the transmission region.

[0352] Preferably, the plurality of translational potential wells in the transmission region are arranged substantially equidistantly from one another in the array. For example, the axial spacing between the local minimum (and / or local maximum or other feature) of a given potential well and the local minimum (e.g., equivalent feature or structure) of an immediately adjacent potential well is substantially the same as the spacing between the plurality of potential wells.

[0353] Preferably, the method may include providing a periodic first power supply voltage waveform (i.e., 1 / T, where T is the waveform period) of approximately 0.5 kHz to 20 kHz to the bunching electrode to generate the potential well, or to generate multiple potential wells simultaneously. Preferably, the waveform frequency is approximately 1 kHz to 4 kHz. The voltage waveform may define a modulated waveform applied to the RF voltage signal to provide an "envelope" to the amplitude of the RF voltage signal, or the voltage waveform may be applied alone as a time-varying AC voltage waveform in the absence of the RF voltage signal.

[0354] Preferably, substantially the same time-domain waveform is applied simultaneously to a plurality of focus electrodes, each focus electrode receiving a waveform with a waveform phase that is different from the waveform phase received by an adjacent focus electrode. In particular, the voltage waveform is preferably as described above with respect to the first aspect of the present invention. For example, the phase of the voltage waveform applied to a given (nth) focus electrode may correspond to a waveform phase that is more advanced relative to the phase of the same waveform applied to the immediately preceding (n-1)th focus electrode. Similarly, the phase of the voltage waveform applied to a given (nth) focus electrode may correspond to a waveform phase that is delayed relative to the phase of the same waveform applied to the immediately preceding (n+1)th focus electrode. In this way, each focus electrode can be driven in time to receive the same voltage waveform, but each focus electrode is "provided" with a version of the voltage waveform that is in a slightly different phase within the cycle.

[0355] Preferably, when the first power supply voltage is selectively configured as:

[0356] (1) collecting a voltage signal for generating an electric field defining the potential well in a collection region to collect charged particles in the electric field, wherein the phase of the voltage waveform applied to each bunching electrode in the collection region is time-varying; or

[0357] (2) A transmission voltage signal is used to generate an electric field that defines the potential well in the collection region to translate the charged particles to the transmission region through the collection region, and the phase of the voltage waveform applied to each bunching electrode in the collection region is time-varying.

[0358] In this way, the first supply voltage signal can be controlled from a “static” variation in time or phase to a variation in time or phase, and vice versa.

[0359] Similarly, the method may include providing a first supply voltage to bunching electrodes in the transport region, which is configured to transmit a voltage signal for generating an electric field defining the potential well within the transport region, translating the charged particles through the transport region, and wherein the phase of the voltage waveform applied to each bunching electrode within the transport region is time-varying.

[0360] Preferably, the method may include: providing a voltage waveform of a first power supply voltage to a selected set or subset of N consecutive buncher electrodes such that the phase of the voltage waveform applied to the first buncher electrode of a given set is substantially equal to the phase of the voltage waveform applied to the first buncher electrode of the set of N buncher electrodes immediately adjacent thereto. For example, the method may include: providing a voltage waveform to the N buncher electrodes of a given buncher electrode set such that the phase difference ΔΦ between the waveform phase applied to a given buncher electrode of the set and the phase applied to the immediately adjacent buncher electrode of the set is approximately ΔΦ = -360 / N, and also the phase difference ΔΦ between the waveform phase applied to a given buncher electrode of the set and the phase applied to the previous buncher electrode of the set is approximately ΔΦ = +360 / N. Thus, within a given time, one complete cycle of the waveform traverses the set of N buncher electrodes. In particular, in this regard, the waveform is preferably as described above with respect to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0361] Ideally, when the method includes: providing a voltage waveform of a first power supply voltage to generate a plurality of potential wells in a transmission region and an optional collection region, the spacing between adjacent potential wells can be configured according to the lateral dimension or size of the channel defined by a plurality of electrodes. For example, if those electrode sheets are planar electrode sheets, the lateral dimension is equal to the inscribed diameter of the channel, or the vertical spacing between opposite electrodes. The power supply unit can be adapted to selectively adjust the well spacing configuration by adjusting the value of N. A larger value of N may be more suitable for channels having a larger lateral dimension or diameter. For example, preferably, N is equal to or greater than 8.

[0362] Preferably, the frequency of the first power supply voltage waveform is proportional to the translational speed v of the potential well along the channel axis: f·L, where f is the modulation frequency (hertz) and L is the spatial interval along the channel axis between the buncher electrodes at which the same value (e.g., the same phase) of the applied voltage waveform (e.g., v = f·L) exists.

[0363] Preferably, the method includes: providing the first power supply voltage to the axially segmented buncher electrodes in the manner described above with respect to the first (and second) aspects of the present invention. For example, the method may include: providing a first power supply voltage that varies according to a waveform having a period (T), and translating the electric potential along at least a portion of the length of the channel such that the translation distance of the potential well within a time interval substantially equal to the period (T) is substantially equal to its own length (e.g., the axial length along the channel direction).

[0364] Preferably, the waveform

[0365] (a) is substantially constant (T) throughout its period; and

[0366] (b) maintains a minimum value of the waveform substantially within a finite time period (T) within the period (T L <T).

[0367] In mathematics, a "continuous" function (analytical or numerical) is a function that does not contain any numerical mutations, interruptions, or jumps known as discontinuities. The term "continuous and stationary" can be understood to include a reference to this meaning. Preferably, the rate of change of a waveform (e.g., applied to waveform U) is substantially continuous and stationary over its period (T).

[0368] Most preferably, the waveform has no waveform maximum within a finite time period (T L <T). For example, the finite time period may contain only one waveform minimum. In fact, the entire waveform may contain only one minimum within its period, i.e., T.

[0369] The first power supply voltage may include an alternating voltage that varies with time according to the waveform, excluding or modulating any potential radio frequency voltage signal. In the latter case, the potential well is formed by a "true" potential rather than a pseudopotential. Optionally, the first power supply voltage may include a radio frequency voltage signal component with a modulated amplitude, the value of which varies with time according to the waveform. In the latter case, the potential well is formed by a pseudopotential.

[0370] Within a finite time period (T L <T) within the period (T) of the waveform, the first power supply voltage can be applied to each axial segmented bunching electrode such as forming a spatially continuous adjacent electrode group at an appropriate phase of the waveform.

[0371] Within a finite time period (T L <T) within the above-mentioned period (T), the minimum value of the waveform can be substantially constant, that is, the minimum value of the waveform is actually constant, or in fact or actually constant, or at least within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L <T) the change is not significant. If within the period (T) of the waveform, the change corresponding to the variation of the waveform values throughout T L does not exceed a preset percentage or ratio of the maximum variation between the waveform limit values (e.g., the ratio of the peak-to-peak amplitude U0 of the waveform, or the ratio of the difference between the minimum and maximum values of the waveform), then it can be said that the waveform change is not significant. For example, define X = 100×ΔU / U0 as the maximum allowable change (ΔU) of the waveform value throughout T L expressed as a percentage (%) of the waveform amplitude (U0), preferably: X≤10, or X≤5, or X≤2.5, or X≤1.0, or X≤0.5, or X≤0.25, or X≤0.1, or X≤0.05 and X≤0.01.

[0372] The finite time period (T L ) can be expressed as: T>T L≥T / k, where k is any positive number greater than one (1) (i.e., non-integer or integer) (i.e., k > 1). Preferably, k ≥ 1.2. Preferably, k ≤ 20 or k ≤ 15 or k ≤ 10. Preferably, for example, 1.2 ≤ k ≤ 8.0.

[0373] Define as T L The time period, expressed as a percentage (%) of the period T, preferably: Or more preferably Or more preferably Or more preferably Or more preferably Or more preferably Or more preferably Or more preferably

[0374] Preferably, the first-order time derivative of the waveform (U) with waveform amplitude U0 The modulus is: within a finite time period (T L < T) within the above-mentioned period (T) of the waveform, where Y = 50. For example, 50 ≥ Y ≥ 1.4, or more preferably, 10 ≥ Y ≥ 2, or more preferably, 7 ≥ Y ≥ 3. For example, Y can be approximately equal to 5. In some examples, Y ≥ 1.4. In this sense, the waveform is substantially constant within the finite time period T L . Preferably, within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L < T), the first-order time derivative of the waveform (U) The average value of the modulus does not exceed the value Y. Preferably, within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L ), the average value of this modulus does not exceed 0.5Y, or preferably 0.25Y, or preferably 0.1Y, or preferably 0.05Y, or preferably 0.01Y, or preferably 0.001Y. In this sense, within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L < T), the minimum value of the waveform can be substantially constant.

[0375] Preferably, at least within the time interval T L within the period (T) of the waveform, the value of the first-order time derivative of the waveform (i.e., ) is substantially continuous. Preferably, the value of the first-order time derivative of the waveform (i.e., ) is substantially continuous throughout the basic entire period (T) of the waveform. Preferably, within the above-mentioned period (T) of the waveform, the value of the modulus of the first-order time derivative of the waveform with waveform amplitude can be expressed as:

[0376]

[0377] More preferably, the modulus may be no greater than 75, or more preferably no greater than 50, or more preferably no greater than 20, or more preferably approximately greater than 10 and less than 15, such as about 12. Preferably, the waveform (U) includes or is defined at least in part according to an "error function" (erf).

[0378] Preferably, the waveform shape and / or waveform frequency (ie f=1 / T, where T is the waveform period) of the first power voltage is such that within a predetermined finite time interval T L The voltage value of the waveform is not greater than about 10% of the maximum voltage value of the waveform within the waveform period, where T L ≥ T / N. Where N is the number of bunching electrodes in each subset of bunching electrodes, wherein each subset of bunching electrodes supports a corresponding period of the waveform. More preferably, the voltage value of the waveform is no greater than the time interval T L More preferably, the voltage value of the waveform is not greater than the time interval T L More preferably, the voltage value of the waveform is not greater than the time interval T L 2% of the maximum voltage value of the inner waveform, or preferably 1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.1% or 0.01%. Most preferably, during the time interval T L The voltage value of the inner waveform is close to zero.

[0379] Preferably, at least during the time interval T L The first time derivative of the first power supply voltage waveform (U) (i.e. ) is substantially continuous. Preferably, the first order time derivative of the first power supply voltage waveform (i.e. ) is substantially continuous within the entire period T of the waveform, which is beneficial to preventing unnecessary force pulses from being generated on the charged particles in the potential well.

[0380] Ideally, the waveform shape is defined according to a mathematical function. The mathematical function may comprise an analytical function (ie, expressed as a mathematical equation) or may be a numerical function. Preferably, the first supply voltage may take the form:

[0381] V(f,T,t)=U(2πt / T+Φ)*ξ(2πft+φ)

[0382] The function U(2πt / T + Φ) represents the waveform as a periodically modulated function with a period T (s), a phase Φ, and an amplitude U0. The function ξ(2πft + φ) can be a rapidly oscillating (e.g., radio frequency) periodic function with a frequency f and a phase φ, or can be a constant value (e.g., similar to setting: f = 0) in the case where there is no radio frequency component within the first power supply voltage. For example, the shape of the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) can at least partially include the shape of the "error function" (erf(y)) such that:

[0383]

[0384] During at least a partial time period of the period T of the waveform, where:

[0385]

[0386] And the variable y is proportional to t and T (e.g., has a functional relationship). For example, the variable y may be proportional to the ratio t / T (e.g., y ∼ t / T). Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) is always positive or always negative. Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) is a continuous function. Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) has a maximum value that is substantially constant within a finite time period (T H <T) within the period (T) of the waveform. Preferably, this maximum value can correspond to the local maximum of the potential well. Preferably, within the waveform period T, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) changes substantially continuously between the time interval T H and the aforementioned time interval T L .

[0387] The method can include: providing a first power supply unit through which a first power supply voltage is applied to an axially segmented bunching electrode between electrodes to generate an electric field that defines a potential well within the channel; and providing a separate second power supply unit through which a second power supply voltage is applied to a radially confining electrode between electrodes to generate a radially confining electric field that is configured to confine ions in the radial direction of the channel.

[0388] The method may include providing a second supply voltage (e.g., a radio frequency signal or a non-radio frequency voltage waveform) to a radial confinement electrode of the device to generate a radial (i.e., transverse to the channel axis) confinement potential (e.g., a pseudopotential or other potential) within the channel. Preferably, the amplitude of the second supply voltage is substantially constant. Preferably, the amplitude of the second supply voltage is not time-modulated. The second supply voltage applied to the radial confinement electrode, in combination with an axially segmented bunching electrode, can generate a radial confinement electric field (potential). The radial confinement electrode can also be axially segmented such that at least the collection region and, optionally, the transmission region comprise substantially only the segmented electrodes. Optionally, each electrode segment of a given segmented electrode can be grouped so that it is substantially coplanar with a corresponding electrode segment of each other segmented electrode in a plane perpendicular to the channel axis. Alternatively, the radial confinement electrode can comprise a continuous electric rod. The series of electrodes can be configured as a quadrupole ion guide. The radial confinement electric field (potential) can be configured as a quadrupole field. The present invention is applicable to higher-order electric fields and ion guides having a greater number of poles, including but not limited to hexapole, octopole, decapole, and the like.

[0389] In another aspect, the present invention can provide a method for controlling an ion guide, mass filter, mass analyzer, or ion trap, the method comprising the above method. In yet another aspect, the present invention can provide a method for controlling a time-of-flight mass analyzer (e.g., an orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass analyzer) comprising the above method.

[0390] In another aspect, the present invention may provide a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions, wherein the instructions are configured to instruct a mass spectrometry device, an ion guide device, a mass filter device, a mass analyzer device, a time-of-flight mass analyzer device, or an ion trap device to perform the above method. The device may include a signal processing unit, or may include a processor or a programmed or programmable computer (e.g., including a computer-readable medium containing a computer program) to implement the computer-executable instructions.

[0391] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure relates to an improved structure for beamed ion transport. More specifically, the present disclosure in this aspect relates to a novel planar structure for providing ion transport according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. This structure can be implemented by manufacturing a simplified printed circuit board.

[0392] In a seventh aspect, the present invention may provide a charged particle manipulation apparatus, the apparatus comprising a guide assembly, the guide assembly comprising a series of electrodes arranged to form a guide channel, the guide channel defining an axis for transporting the charged particles, the guide assembly comprising:

[0393] A bunching electrode assembly comprising:

[0394] a first array of a plurality of planar bunching electrodes, the electrodes being arranged to be axially separated along the guide channel; and

[0395] a second array of a plurality of planar bunching electrodes, the electrodes being arranged axially separated along the guide channel, wherein the second array is arranged separated from the first array across the axis of the guide channel;

[0396] a radially constrained electrode assembly comprising a plurality of planar constrained electrodes, the planar constrained electrodes being arranged to be spaced apart across the axis of the guide channel to achieve planar parallelism and mutual planar parallelism;

[0397] A power supply unit is adapted to provide a first power supply voltage to the bunching electrodes of the first array and the second array, and to provide a second power supply voltage to the plurality of planar confinement electrodes, thereby generating an electric field with a defined potential which radially confines the charged particles within the guide channel and has one or more local minima between local maxima defining a potential well which translates along the axis of at least a portion of the guide channel.

[0398] Preferably, the power supply unit is adapted to simultaneously provide power voltage to the bunching electrodes of the bunching electrode assembly and the confining electrodes of the radial confining electrode assembly in the form of a modulated voltage waveform and a radio frequency voltage.

[0399] Preferably, the power supply unit is adapted to simultaneously provide the power supply voltage to the focusing electrodes of the focusing electrode assembly in the form of an applied radio frequency voltage (ie, modulating the amplitude of the radio frequency voltage).

[0400] Preferably, the power supply unit is adapted to provide a radio frequency voltage to the planar confinement electrode so as to generate an electric field that defines a pseudopotential in the guide channel.

[0401] Preferably, the first array of planar bunching electrodes is spaced apart from the second array of planar bunching electrodes by a lateral spacing transverse to the axis of the guide channel. Preferably, the lateral spacing is uniform along at least a portion of the guide channel. Preferably, consecutive (e.g., adjacent) planar bunching electrodes of the first array of planar bunching electrodes are axially separated by an axial spacing or gap in a direction parallel to the axis of the guide channel. Preferably, consecutive (e.g., adjacent) planar bunching electrodes of the second array of planar bunching electrodes are axially separated by an axial spacing or gap in a direction parallel to the axis of the guide channel. Preferably, the spacing between consecutive planar bunching electrodes of the first array matches the spacing between consecutive planar bunching electrodes of the second array. Preferably, a given planar bunching electrode of the first array of planar bunching electrodes is axially aligned with a corresponding planar bunching electrode of the second array of planar bunching electrodes. Preferably, the lateral spacing between the planar bunching electrodes is at least equal to the axial spacing between the planar bunching electrodes. More preferably, the lateral spacing is at least twice (2x) the axial spacing. Even more preferably, the lateral spacing is at least three times (3x) the axial spacing. Optionally, in some embodiments, the lateral spacing is at least five times (5x) the axial spacing.

[0402] The radial confinement electrode assembly may include a third array of confinement electrodes, the array including one or more planar confinement electrodes, the planar confinement electrodes being arranged coplanar with the planar bunching electrodes of the first array of bunching electrodes, and one or more planar confinement electrodes opposite the planar bunching electrodes being arranged coplanar with the planar bunching electrodes of the second array of bunching electrodes.

[0403] The radial confinement electrode assembly may include a fourth array of confinement electrodes, the array including one or more planar confinement electrodes, the planar confinement electrodes being arranged coplanar with the planar bunching electrodes of the first array of bunching electrodes, and one or more planar confinement electrodes opposite the planar bunching electrodes being arranged coplanar with the planar bunching electrodes of the second array of bunching electrodes.

[0404] Preferably, the planar bunching electrodes of the first array of bunching electrodes are arranged between the coplanar confining electrodes of the third array of bunching electrodes and the coplanar confining electrodes of the fourth array of bunching electrodes.

[0405] Preferably, the planar bunching electrodes of the second array of bunching electrodes are arranged between the coplanar confining electrodes of the third array of bunching electrodes and the coplanar confining electrodes of the fourth array of bunching electrodes.

[0406] The third array of constraining electrodes and the fourth array of constraining electrodes can be arranged to face each other in a direction transverse to (e.g., orthogonal to) the axis of the guide channel (e.g., in a direction transverse to the axis of the guide channel). The third array of constraining electrodes and the fourth array of constraining electrodes can extend substantially along the entire length of the guide channel. The third array of constraining electrodes and the fourth array of constraining electrodes can each include a single (e.g., continuous) planar constraining electrode that extends substantially along the entire length of the guide channel. The two separate constraining electrodes can be parallel in planar direction.

[0407] The third array of confining electrodes and the fourth array of confining electrodes may each include a pair of two respectively continuous planar confining electrodes. The two respectively continuous confining electrodes in each pair may be planarly parallel to each other and spaced apart such that one confining electrode in the pair is adjacent to (e.g., coplanar with) the first array of bunching electrodes and the other confining electrode in the pair is adjacent to (e.g., coplanar with) the second array of bunching electrodes.

[0408] The third array of confinement electrodes and the fourth array of bunching electrodes can each include a group of four continuous planar confinement electrodes. The four continuous confinement electrodes of each group can be parallel to each other and spaced apart so that two coplanar confinement electrodes of the group are adjacent (e.g., coplanar) to the first array of bunching electrodes, and the other two coplanar confinement electrodes of the group are adjacent (e.g., coplanar) to the second array of bunching electrodes. In this way, the first array of bunching electrodes can be coplanar with a first pair of coplanar and parallel continuous confinement electrodes on one side of the first array of planar bunching electrodes, and coplanar with a second pair of coplanar and parallel continuous confinement electrodes on the other side of the first array of planar bunching electrodes. Similarly, the second array of bunching electrodes can be coplanar with a third pair of coplanar and parallel continuous confinement electrodes on one side of the second array of planar bunching electrodes, and coplanar with a fourth pair of coplanar and parallel continuous confinement electrodes on the other side of the second array of planar bunching electrodes. This arrangement enhances the radial confinement potential.

[0409] Preferably, the planar focusing electrodes of the second array are arranged parallel to the planar focusing electrodes of the first array of planar focusing electrodes. Preferably, the planar focusing electrodes of the second array of planar focusing electrodes are arranged coplanar with each other. Preferably, the planar focusing electrodes of the first array of planar focusing electrodes are arranged coplanar with each other. Preferably, the planar electrodes of the first array of planar focusing electrodes and the planar electrodes of the second array of planar focusing electrodes are arranged parallel to the axial plane of the guide channel.

[0410] Preferably, the planar electrodes of the first array of planar bunching electrodes and the planar electrodes of the second array of planar bunching electrodes are arranged to lie in a common plane transverse to the axis of the guide channel. Preferably, each planar electrode of the first array of planar bunching electrodes is arranged coplanar with a corresponding planar electrode of the second array of planar bunching electrodes, wherein the common plane is transverse to the axis of the guide channel. Preferably, the transverse plane is perpendicular to the axis of the guide channel.

[0411] Preferably, the planar bunching electrodes of the second array are arranged axially spaced apart so as not to be coplanar and plane-parallel to one another. Preferably, the planar bunching electrodes of the first array are arranged axially spaced apart so as not to be coplanar and plane-parallel to one another.

[0412] Preferably, the planar electrodes of the first array of planar bunching electrodes and the planar electrodes of the second array of planar bunching electrodes are arranged so that the first array is parallel to the second array and so that the first array of planar bunching electrodes is opposite the second array of planar bunching electrodes centered at a lateral spacing that defines the width of the guide channel.

[0413] Preferably, the third array of constraining electrodes is segmented to define an array of a plurality of electrode segments extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the guide channel.Preferably, the fourth array of constraining electrodes is segmented to define an array of a plurality of electrode segments extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the guide channel.

[0414] The confining electrodes may be segmented in the same manner as the segmentation of the first array of planar bunching electrodes and / or the second array of planar bunching electrodes.

[0415] Ideally, the power supply unit is adapted to provide a bunching voltage only to the bunching electrodes of the first array and the second array in order to generate an electric field defining the potential well.

[0416] Ideally, the power supply unit is adapted to provide radial confinement voltage only to the plurality of planar confinement electrodes so as to generate an electric field of defined potential in the guide channel, which radially confines the charged particles in the channel.

[0417] The power supply unit can be adapted to provide a supply voltage (e.g., a radio frequency signal or a non-radio frequency voltage waveform) to the axially segmented bunching electrodes to generate a potential (e.g., a pseudopotential or other potential) within the channel, the potential having one or more local minima between local maxima defining the potential well. For example, the power supply unit can be adapted to provide a first supply voltage (e.g., a radio frequency signal) to the plurality of bunching electrodes to define a pseudopotential well (i.e., the potential forming the traveling well is a pseudopotential) that translates along at least a portion of the length of the channel.

[0418] Alternatively, the power supply unit can be adapted to provide a first power supply voltage waveform (e.g., a non-RF signal) to a plurality of bunching electrodes so as to define a potential well according to the applied first power supply voltage waveform (i.e., the potential forming the forward well is not a pseudopotential, but is formed by a voltage waveform), which waveform translates along at least a portion of the length of the channel. The power supply unit can be adapted to provide a second power supply voltage (e.g., an RF signal or a non-RF voltage waveform) to the axially segmented confinement electrode so as to generate a radial (i.e., transverse to the channel axis) confinement potential (e.g., a pseudopotential or other potential) within the channel. Preferably, the amplitude of the second power supply voltage is substantially constant. Preferably, the amplitude of the second power supply voltage is not modulated in time. The second power supply voltage applied to the radial confinement electrode in combination with the axially segmented bunching electrode can generate a radial confinement electric field (potential). The series of electrodes can be configured as a quadrupole ion guide. The radial confinement electric field (potential) can be configured as a quadrupole field. The present invention is applicable to higher-order electric fields and ion guides having a greater number of poles, including but not limited to hexapole, octopole, decapole, etc.

[0419] The power supply unit may include a first power supply unit adapted to provide a first power supply voltage and a separate second power supply unit adapted to provide a second power supply voltage. The independent provision of the power supply units allows the voltage signal (e.g., radio frequency and / or voltage waveform and / or alternating current) applied to the bunching electrode and its control to be independent of the voltage signal (e.g., radio frequency and / or voltage waveform and / or alternating current) applied to the radial confinement electrode and its control to be independent. This arrangement facilitates operation and reduces manufacturing complexity and cost.

[0420] Ideally, the local minimum is defined by a first local maximum located on a first side of the minimum and a second local maximum located on a second side opposite the local minimum. The potential well may comprise a well base or base containing one or more local minima, defined by two separate well walls each containing or defining two local maxima, the well walls being located on two respective opposite sides of the well base. The potential well may comprise a leading local maximum (or leading well wall) and a trailing local maximum (or trailing well wall), wherein the leading local maximum leads or precedes the trailing local maximum in the translational direction of the potential well. In other words, preferably, the trailing local maximum (or trailing well wall) follows the leading local maximum (or trailing well wall).

[0421] The potential defining the bottom of the well varies substantially smoothly and preferably includes only one local minimum. This allows charged particles within the potential to be accurately positioned within the local minimum within the well, allowing for precise positioning of the charged particles during transport and extraction within the channel. Preferably, the local minimum defined by the two well walls is continuous, with substantially no (or at least substantially no) discontinuous values ​​or gradients.

[0422] Preferably, the power supply unit can provide a first power supply voltage waveform to the bunching electrodes of the plurality of electrodes so as to simultaneously form a plurality of potential wells spaced axially along the channel. Preferably, the plurality of potential wells formed in this manner are synchronously translated along at least a portion of the length of the channel. Preferably, the plurality of potential wells are substantially equidistantly spaced adjacent to the array. For example, the axial spacing between the local minimum (and / or local maximum or other feature) of a given potential well and the local minimum (e.g., equivalent feature or structure) of an immediately adjacent potential well is substantially the same as the spacing between the plurality of potential wells.

[0423] Preferably, the power supply unit can be adapted to provide a periodic first power supply voltage waveform having a waveform frequency (i.e., 1 / T, where T is the waveform period) of approximately 0.1 kHz to 20 kHz to the bunching electrode, so as to generate the potential well, or to simultaneously generate a plurality of potential wells. Preferably, the waveform frequency is approximately 1 kHz to 4 kHz. The first power supply voltage waveform can define a modulated waveform applied to the RF voltage signal to provide an "envelope" to the amplitude of the RF voltage signal, or the first power supply voltage waveform can be applied alone as a time-varying AC voltage waveform in the absence of the RF voltage signal.

[0424] Preferably, the power supply unit can be adapted to provide a first power supply voltage waveform to each corresponding focusing electrode of the segmented electrodes, whereby the first power supply voltage waveform is time-shifted or phase-shifted compared to the voltage waveform simultaneously provided to adjacent electrodes. Preferably, substantially the same time-domain waveform is simultaneously applied to the plurality of focusing electrodes, with each focusing electrode receiving the waveform at a waveform phase different from the waveform phase received by adjacent focusing electrodes. For example, the phase of the first power supply voltage waveform applied to a given (nth) focusing electrode can correspond to a waveform phase that is more advanced than the phase of the same waveform applied to the immediately preceding (n-1)th focusing electrode. Similarly, the phase of the first power supply voltage waveform applied to a given (nth) focusing electrode can correspond to a waveform phase that is delayed relative to the phase of the same waveform applied to the immediately preceding (n+1)th focusing electrode. In this manner, each focusing electrode can be driven in time to receive the same voltage waveform, but each focusing electrode is "provided" with a slightly different phase version of the first power supply voltage waveform within the cycle.

[0425] Preferably, the power supply unit can be adapted to supply a first power supply voltage waveform to a selected number N of consecutive bunching electrode groups or subsets such that the phase of the first power supply voltage waveform applied to the first bunching electrode of a given group is substantially equal to the phase of the first power supply voltage waveform applied to the first bunching electrode of the group of N bunching electrodes immediately adjacent thereto. For example, the power supply unit can be adapted to supply a first power supply voltage waveform to N bunching electrodes of a given bunching electrode group such that the phase difference ΔΦ between the waveform phase applied to a given bunching electrode of the group and the waveform phase applied to the immediately adjacent bunching electrode of the group is approximately ΔΦ = -360 / N, and there is also a phase difference ΔΦ of approximately ΔΦ = +360 / N between the waveform phase applied to the previous bunching electrode of the group. Thus, within a given time, one complete cycle of the waveform passes through the group of N bunching electrodes.

[0426] Ideally, the power supply unit can be adapted to supply a first power supply voltage waveform to generate a plurality of potential wells. The spacing between adjacent potential wells can be configured according to the lateral dimension or size of the channels defined by a plurality of electrodes. For example, if those electrode sheets are planar electrode sheets, the lateral dimension is equal to the inscribed diameter of the channel, or the vertical spacing between opposite electrodes. The power supply unit can be adapted to selectively adjust the well spacing configuration by adjusting the value of N. The inventors have found that accurately setting the value of N can enable higher discrimination rates and other effects when discriminating the mass of charged particles extracted from the device. For example, preferably, N is equal to or greater than 8.

[0427] Preferably, the waveform frequency of the first power supply voltage waveform is proportional to the translation speed v of the potential wells along the channel axis: f·L, where f is the modulation frequency (hertz) and L is the spatial interval along the channel axis between the bunching electrodes at which the same value (e.g., the same phase) of the applied first power supply voltage waveform exists (e.g., v = f·L).

[0428] The power supply unit can be adapted to supply a first power supply voltage to the axially segmented bunching electrodes in the manner described above with respect to the first (and second) aspects of the present invention. For example, the power supply unit can be adapted to supply a first power supply voltage that varies according to a waveform having a period (T), and translate the electric potential along at least a portion of the length of the channel such that the translation distance of the potential wells within a time interval substantially equal to the period (T) is substantially equal to its own length (e.g., the axial length along the channel direction).

[0429] Preferably, the waveform is substantially steady (T) within

[0430] (a) its period; and

[0431] (b) maintains substantially the minimum value of the waveform within a finite time period (T) within the period (T L <T).

[0432] In mathematics, a "continuous" function (analytical or numerical function) is a function that does not contain any numerical mutations, interruptions, or jumps known as discontinuities. The term "continuous and steady" can be understood to include a reference to this meaning. Preferably, the rate of change of a waveform (e.g., applied to waveform U) is substantially continuous and steady over its period (T).

[0433] Most preferably, the waveform has no waveform maximum within a finite time period (T L < T). For example, the finite time period may contain only one waveform minimum. In fact, the entire waveform may contain only one minimum within its period, i.e., T.

[0434] The first power supply voltage may include an alternating current voltage that varies with time according to the waveform, excluding or modulating any potential radio frequency voltage signal. In the latter case, the potential well is formed by a "true" potential rather than a pseudopotential. Optionally, the first power supply voltage may include a radio frequency voltage signal component with a modulated amplitude, the value of which varies with time according to the waveform. In the latter case, the potential well is formed by a pseudopotential.

[0435] Within a finite time period (T L < T) within the period (T) of the waveform, the power supply voltage can be applied to each axial segmented bunching electrode such as forming a spatially continuous adjacent electrode group at an appropriate phase of the waveform.

[0436] Within a finite time period (T L < T) within the above-mentioned period (T), the minimum value of the waveform can be substantially constant, that is, the minimum value of the waveform is actually constant, or in fact or actually constant, or at least within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L < T) the change is not significant. If within the period (T) of the waveform, the change corresponding to the change of the waveform value throughout T L does not exceed a preset percentage or ratio of the maximum change between the waveform limit values (e.g., the ratio of the peak-to-peak amplitude U0 of the waveform, or the ratio of the difference between the minimum and maximum values of the waveform), then it can be said that the change of the waveform is not significant. For example, define X = 100×ΔU / U0 as the maximum change (ΔU) of the waveform value allowed throughout T L expressed as a percentage (%) of the waveform amplitude (U0), preferably: X≤10, or X≤5, or X≤2.5, or X≤1.0, or X≤0.5, or X≤0.25, or X≤0.1, or X≤0.05 and X≤0.01.

[0437] The finite time period (T L ) can be expressed as: T > T L≥T / k, where k is any positive number greater than one (1) (i.e., non-integer or integer) (i.e., k > 1). Preferably, k ≥ 1.2. Preferably, k ≤ 20 or k ≤ 15 or k ≤ 10. Preferably, for example, 1.2 ≤ k ≤ 8.0.

[0438] Define as the time period T L , expressed as a percentage (%) of the period T, preferably: or more preferably or more preferably or more preferably or more preferably or more preferably or more preferably or more preferably

[0439] Preferably, the first time derivative of the waveform (U) with waveform amplitude U0 The modulus is: within a finite time period (T L < T) within the above-mentioned period (T) of the waveform, where Y =

[50] . For example, 50 ≥ Y ≥ 1.4, or more preferably, 10 ≥ Y ≥ 2, or more preferably, 7 ≥ Y ≥ 3. For example, Y can be approximately equal to 5. In some examples, Y ≥ 1.4. In this sense, the waveform is substantially constant within the finite time period T L . Preferably, within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L < T), the first time derivative of the waveform (U) The average value of the modulus does not exceed the value Y. Preferably, within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L ), the average value of this modulus does not exceed 0.5Y, or preferably 0.25Y, or preferably 0.1Y, or preferably 0.05Y, or preferably 0.01Y, or preferably 0.001Y. In this sense, within the above-mentioned finite time period (T L < T), the minimum value of the waveform can be substantially constant.

[0440] Preferably, at least within the time interval T L within the period (T) of the waveform, the value of the first time derivative of the waveform (i.e., ) is substantially continuous. Preferably, the value of the first time derivative of the waveform (i.e., ) is substantially continuous throughout the basic entire period (T) of the waveform. Preferably, within the above-mentioned period (T) of the waveform, the value of the modulus of the first time derivative of the waveform with waveform amplitude can be expressed as:

[0441] s

[0442] More preferably, the modulus may be no greater than 75, or more preferably no greater than 50, or more preferably no greater than 20, or more preferably approximately greater than 10 and less than 15, such as about 12. Preferably, the waveform (U) includes or is defined at least in part according to an "error function" (erf).

[0443] Preferably, the first power supply voltage waveform shape and / or waveform frequency (ie f=1 / T, where T is the waveform period) is set so that within a predetermined limited time interval T L The voltage value of the waveform is not greater than about 10% of the maximum voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform within the waveform period, where T L ≥T / N. Wherein, N is the number of bunching electrodes in each subset of bunching electrodes, wherein each subset of bunching electrodes supports a corresponding period of the first power supply voltage waveform. More preferably, the voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform is not greater than the time interval T L More preferably, the voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform is not greater than the time interval T L More preferably, the voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform is not greater than the time interval T L 2% of the maximum voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform within the time interval T, or preferably 1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.1% or 0.01%. Most preferably, during the time interval T L The voltage value of the first power supply voltage waveform is close to zero.

[0444] Preferably, at least during the time interval T L The first time derivative of the first power supply voltage waveform (i.e. ) is substantially continuous. Preferably, the first order time derivative of the first power supply voltage waveform (i.e. ) is substantially continuous within the entire period T of the waveform, which is beneficial to preventing unnecessary force pulses from being generated on the charged particles in the potential well.

[0445] Ideally, the waveform shape is defined according to a mathematical function. The mathematical function may comprise an analytical function (ie, expressed as a mathematical equation) or may be a numerical function. Preferably, the first supply voltage may take the form:

[0446] V(f,T,t)=U(2πt / T+Φ)*ξ(2πft+φ)

[0447] The function U(2πt / T + Φ) represents the waveform as a periodic modulation function with a period T (s), a phase Φ, and an amplitude U0. The function ξ(2πft + φ) can be a rapidly oscillating (e.g., radio frequency) periodic function with a frequency f and a phase φ, or can be a constant value (e.g., similar to setting: f = 0) in the case where there is no radio frequency component within the first power supply voltage. For example, the shape of the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) can at least partially include the shape of the "error function" (erf(y)) such that:

[0448]

[0449] During at least a portion of the period T of the waveform, where:

[0450]

[0451] And the variable y is proportional to t and T (e.g., has a functional relationship). For example, the variable y may be proportional to the ratio t / T (e.g., y ∼ t / T). Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) is always positive or always negative. Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) is a continuous function. Preferably, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) has a maximum value that is substantially constant within a finite time period (T H <T) within the period (T) of the waveform. Preferably, this maximum value can correspond to the local maximum of the potential well. Preferably, within the waveform period T, the waveform U(2πt / T + Φ) varies substantially continuously between the time interval T H and the aforementioned time interval T L 之间基本上连续变化。

[0452] Preferably, the device includes an extraction electrode assembly and an extraction voltage application unit configured to selectively apply an extraction voltage to the extraction electrode assembly to extract charged particles from the guiding channel. The extraction electrode assembly can include one or more bunching electrodes of the first array and / or the second array of bunching electrodes, and / or can include one or more radial confinement electrodes of the radial confinement electrode assembly.

[0453] The extraction voltage applying unit can be configured to apply an extraction voltage to the extraction electrode assembly, thereby applying a force to the charged particles to extract the charged particles in a direction transverse (e.g., perpendicular or orthogonal) to the guide channel. The extraction direction can be perpendicular to the plane of the first array or the second array containing the bunching electrodes. The extraction direction can be parallel to the plane of the first array or the second array containing the bunching electrodes. Orthogonal extraction is facilitated in any transverse direction. The charged particles can be extracted from the device through the slits / holes in the planar electrodes of the extraction electrode assembly, or through the mesh electrodes of the extraction electrode assembly. In some embodiments, the mesh electrode can be located within an electrode of the first array or the second array of bunching electrodes, or within a plurality of electrodes of the first array or the second array of bunching electrodes.

[0454] The planar structure of the electrodes facilitates the orthogonal extraction of charged particles from the ion guide. The extraction electrode assembly can include an ion-optical lens located close to the guide channel. This helps minimize aberrations in the extraction optics because the planar nature of the guide channel electrodes allows for closer use of the lens compared to other similar devices.

[0455] The extraction voltage applying unit may be configured to apply an extraction voltage to the extraction electrode assembly, thereby applying a force to the charged particles to extract the charged particles in a direction parallel to the guide channel (eg, axial direction).

[0456] The above device implements the corresponding charged particle manipulation method, which is disclosed in another corresponding aspect of the present invention. Accordingly, the device features described above in the present invention will be understood as being used to implement the corresponding method.

[0457] Accordingly, in an eighth aspect, the present invention may provide a method for manipulating charged particles, the method involving a guide assembly comprising a series of electrodes arranged to form a guide channel, the guide assembly defining an axis for transporting the charged particles, the method comprising:

[0458] A bunching electrode assembly is provided, comprising:

[0459] a first array of a plurality of planar bunching electrodes, the electrodes being arranged to be axially separated along the guide channel; and

[0460] a second array of a plurality of planar bunching electrodes, the electrodes being arranged axially separated along the guide channel, wherein the second array is arranged separated from the first array across the axis of the guide channel;

[0461] Providing a radial confinement electrode assembly comprising a plurality of planar confinement electrodes, the planar confinement electrodes being arranged to be spaced apart across the axis of the guide channel to achieve planar parallelism and mutual planar parallelism; and

[0462] A power supply unit is provided, which is suitable for applying a first power supply voltage to the bunching electrodes of the first array and the second array, and applying a second power supply voltage to the multiple planar confinement electrodes, thereby generating an electric field with a defined potential, which radially confines the charged particles within the guide channel and has one or more local minima between local maxima of a defined potential well, which translates along the axis of at least part of the guide channel.

[0463] It will be appreciated that any feature according to any one aspect of the invention described above may be applied to any other aspect of the invention described above, unless the context dictates otherwise.

[0464] The term "electric field defining a potential" as used herein may be understood to include at least, but not be limited to, reference to a potential field, an electric potential, or simply a potential. Abbreviated terms are often used synonymously in the art. The potential field may exist in and extend through free space such that the field values ​​(voltages) at different spatial coordinates define its shape through space, as compared to the voltage applied to the electrodes.

[0465] The term “RF” is an abbreviation of the term “radio frequency.” Preferably, the term may be given the meaning used in the art, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0466] References to "waveforms" in this specification may be understood to include, but are not limited to, references to variables (e.g., voltage) that vary periodically or in a wave-like manner. References to "voltage waveforms" in this specification may be understood contextually. As will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, a "voltage waveform" may be a non-RF voltage signal that varies periodically or in a wave-like manner, but with a slow rate of change. Specifically, it may include a "voltage waveform" that is a modulation or envelope function applied to a modulated RF voltage, or it may include a "voltage waveform" that does not contain any underlying RF signal components.

[0467] The term "bunching electrode" may be understood to include at least, but not exclusively, an electrode in a segmented array comprising a plurality of such electrodes, to which a voltage waveform signal and / or a radio frequency voltage signal (which may be modulated) may be applied to individually generate an electric potential field that is combined with other such electrodes to collectively generate one or more electric potential fields (e.g., potential wells) configured to spatially "bunch" charged particles within the electrode (referred to herein as "bunching potentials"). Some non-limiting but relevant structural examples are provided in U.S. Patent No. 9,536,721 B2. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0468] The following describes embodiments and experiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0469] FIG1 relates to the prior art disclosure of U.S. Patent No. US2014 / 0070087A1;

[0470] FIG2 relates to the prior art disclosure of U.S. Patent No. US2014 / 0070087A1;

[0471] Figure 3 Pseudopotential of the trapping field associated with the stacked annular ion guides is shown;

[0472] Figures 4a-b relate to the prior art disclosure of US Pat. No. 9,536,721 B2;

[0473] Figure 5A The parasitic offset is shown;

[0474] Figure 5B shows an example of calculated parasitic offset;

[0475] Figure 6 A device for manipulating charged particles according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0476] Figure 7a -d shows an example electrode arrangement for a transmission channel;

[0477] Figure 8a -e shows an example electrode structure for a transmission channel;

[0478] Figure 9a -b shows an example ion guide suitable for orthogonal extraction;

[0479] Figure 10a -h shows a waveform according to the present disclosure;

[0480] Figure 11 An example of a disclosed waveform is shown;

[0481] Figure 12 The corresponding Figure 11 The waveform of the pseudopotential on the axis of the eight-phase ion guide;

[0482] Figure 13a The pseudopotential in the ZX plane caused by the existing modulation technique (infinitely modulated sine wave) is shown;

[0483] Figure 13b shows the pseudopotential in the ZX plane according to the modulation technique ('erf' modulation) of the present disclosure;

[0484] Figure 13c shows the total potential in the ZX plane according to the modulation technique ('erf' modulation) and a dedicated positive offset (+20V);

[0485] Figure 14 An example of a traveling potential well is shown;

[0486] Figure 15 An example of a disclosed waveform is shown;

[0487] Figure 16 An example of a potential well sequence traveling at two points in time is shown;

[0488] Figure 17-23 An example of an ion trajectory is shown;

[0489] Figure 24 An example of a disclosed waveform is shown;

[0490] Figure 25 An example of a traveling pseudopotential well is shown;

[0491] Figure 26 Examples of trajectories of ions within and axially extracted from an ion guide are shown;

[0492] Figure 27 An example of a traveling potential well is shown;

[0493] Figure 28 An example of ion trajectories extracted axially from an ion guide and subsequently entering a time-of-flight (ToF) spectrometer is shown;

[0494] Figure 29 Examples of trajectories of ions within and axially extracted from an ion guide are shown;

[0495] Figure 30 Examples of trajectories of ions within and axially extracted from an ion guide are shown;

[0496] Figure 31 An example of a disclosed waveform is shown;

[0497] Figure 32 An example of a disclosed waveform is shown;

[0498] Figure 33 An example of a static potential well adjacent to a traveling potential well and an ion guide supporting it is shown;

[0499] Figure 34 An example of a planar electrode of the disclosed ion guide is shown;

[0500] Figures 35-38 shows an example cross-sectional view of the disclosed ion guide;

[0501] Figures 39-41 An example cross-sectional view of the disclosed ion guide is shown, wherein equipotential lines of the electric field are used for ion confinement and orthogonal extraction of ions;

[0502] Figures 42-43An example cross-sectional view of the disclosed ion guide is shown, wherein equipotential lines of the electric field are used for ion confinement and orthogonal extraction of ions;

[0503] Figure 44 Examples of disclosed waveforms and their time derivatives are shown;

[0504] Figure 45 Examples of disclosed waveforms and their time derivatives are shown;

[0505] Figure 46 An example of ion trajectories within an ion guide is shown;

[0506] Figure 47 An example of the kinetic energy of ions within an ion guide is shown;

[0507] Figure 48 Examples of disclosed waveforms and their time derivatives are shown;

[0508] Figure 49 Examples of disclosed waveforms and their time derivatives are shown;

[0509] Figure 50 Examples of disclosed waveforms and their time derivatives are shown;

[0510] Figure 51 Examples of waveforms and their time derivatives are shown;

[0511] Figure 52 An example of ion trajectories within an ion guide is shown;

[0512] Figure 53 An example of the kinetic energy of ions within an ion guide is shown;

[0513] Figure 54 Examples of disclosed waveforms and their time derivatives are shown;

[0514] Figure 55 An example of ion trajectories within an ion guide is shown;

[0515] Figure 56 An example of the kinetic energy of ions within an ion guide is shown; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0516] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will be discussed below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further aspects and embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference.

[0517] In the following disclosure, a theoretical discussion is provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the fundamental properties of pseudopotentials and fringe fields, followed by examples of beneficial practical applications and uses of these properties that have been achieved by the inventors.

[0518] pseudopotential

[0519] Pseudopotential methods are widely used in relevant parts of mass spectrometry. For example, a comprehensive theoretical description of pseudopotential traveling waves can be found in the prior art (US9536721 B2). The following provides an understanding of the physics of charged particles confined by radio frequency fields, followed by an overview of pseudopotential methods using a simple example of a 2D quadrupole mass filter.

[0520] Through a mechanical simulation that aids understanding, we consider the corresponding arrangement of purely electrostatic arrangements for ion confinement in an RF field, specifically considering the trapping of a bead on a rotating saddle plane. While not entirely consistent with the physics of an RF ion guide / trap, the rotating saddle potential simulation captures the basic principles in an intuitive and useful way. To stably confine a massive particle m to a point in space, a restoring force, the confinement force F, is required (see Hooke's law):

[0521] F=-cr

[0522] In the present invention, c is the spring constant and r is the position variable. The conservative force F can always be expressed by the scalar position U:

[0523]

[0524] Taking this force into account, the electric potential is calculated by a single integration:

[0525]

[0526] Here, α, β, and γ are the three spatial directions of c. It has not yet been explained that when a charged particle is trapped in an electrostatic potential, the following choices are made: α = -β = 1, γ = 0. With these choices, U forms a saddle-shaped potential:

[0527]

[0528] Although this shape of the potential allows trapping of particles along the x-direction, there is no stable minimum, and the particle will always escape along the y-direction. Therefore, stable trapping is not possible under an electrostatic potential. However, as shown in the example using the gravitational saddle potential, trapping becomes possible when time-varying forces are introduced. In the gravitational potential, set:

[0529]

[0530] The expression of gravitational saddle potential is:

[0531]

[0532] Where m is the mass of the bead, g is the Earth's gravitational acceleration, and g and r0 are parameters that determine the curvature of the potential energy. The saddle can be rotated with an angular frequency ω about its vertical axis (z-axis) without applying any other motion to it, in order to "balance" the bead within the saddle. This angular rotation transforms the static gravitational potential into a time-varying potential, which can be described in terms of the rotation axes x', y' as follows:

[0533]

[0534] The rotational saddle potential can be described in the laboratory framework by applying the standard coordinate transformation of the rotation matrix:

[0535]

[0536] You can get:

[0537]

[0538] Figuratively speaking, the time variation of this potential can be visualized as the rotation of the saddle surface about the vertical axis, with a frequency ω preventing the bead from rolling off the saddle surface. The faster the saddle surface rotates, the more the bead will be confined within the saddle surface (i.e., the gravitational potential surface). It can be shown that if the rotation is fast enough, the confined trajectory of the bead on the saddle surface will become stable. Although the rotating saddle potential intuitively illustrates the basic physics of trapping particles with a rapidly oscillating potential, it must be noted that the potential used in ion trapping / guiding is not exactly the mathematical form of the gravitational potential saddle surface U(x,y,t) shown above. Instead, the potential in the ion guide / trap typically has the following form:

[0539]

[0540] Figuratively, the time-varying potential represented by this potential is like a flapping potential, where the curvature oscillates with time and the saddle potential walls flap like a bird's wings. The constant c'0 depends on the voltage U applied to the ion trap / guide electrodes.

[0541] Rapidly oscillating potentials, such as the "rotating saddle" potential or the "beating" potential, can be used to constrain particles. This can be understood through the concept of "pseudopotential." In the pseudopotential approximation, the average potential acting on the particle in the rapidly oscillating potential is considered the effective potential. During calculations, the time average over one cycle of the rapid oscillation is taken. To analyze the trajectory of a particle in this potential, the particle's equation of motion in the potential is:

[0542]

[0543] where z is the charge of a particle of mass m. The general type of potential that confines an ion consists of a stationary, slowly varying, or quasi-stationary part U0(r) and a rapidly time-varying oscillating part U RF (r)cos(Ωt) composition:

[0544] U(r)=U0(r)+U RF (r)cos(Ωt)

[0545] Assuming that the frequency of the oscillating part is much larger than the inverse time scale of a motion period T, the particle will only move under the influence of U0(r), that is, Ω>>1 / T. By assuming:

[0546]

[0547] The stationary particle trajectory caused by the force F0(r) is given by the oscillating force F with frequency ω RF (r) modulation. Therefore, the overall trajectory r(t) can be expressed as the sum of the smooth part R(t) and the fast oscillation part ξ(t):

[0548] r(t)=R(t)+ξ(t)

[0549] Typically, the amplitude of the oscillation ξ will be much smaller than the stable part of the trajectory R, ​​that is, |ξ|<<|R|. On this basis, the force F0(r) and the force F in the Taylor series can be RF (r) is expanded to the lowest order in the parameter ξ as follows:

[0550]

[0551]

[0552] Omitting the negligible part of the series, the equation of motion becomes:

[0553]

[0554] The resulting equation of motion for the oscillatory portion of the trajectory is approximately given by:

[0555]

[0556] The solution to the equation is:

[0557]

[0558] By calculating the time average value within the period 2π / Ω: This gives an expression for the time-averaged pseudopotential. In this way, it is important to note that the terms containing cos(Ωt) will be time-averaged to zero, and only the terms containing [cos(Ωt)] 2 The items remain unchanged. That is:

[0559]

[0560] assumed: The above formula can be simplified to:

[0561]

[0562] Note that F is a conservative force, and but:

[0563]

[0564] Therefore, note that <cos 2 (Ωt)>=1 / 2, we can obtain:

[0565]

[0566] This means that the “long-term” force (F sec ) can be defined as the time-averaged force acting on a charged particle z in a rapidly oscillating radiofrequency potential. In other words, the long-term force is proportional to the spatial gradient of the long-term potential (U sec ):

[0567]

[0568] in,

[0569]

[0570] This is the "pseudopotential" generated by the radio frequency field. The time-averaged equation of motion within a fast oscillation cycle shows that when time-averaged, the long-term potential can be expressed as the sum of the static potential and the "pseudopotential". For quadrupole fields, etc., since F RF ∝U RF , the "pseudopotential" is proportional to the square of the magnitude of the oscillatory part of the potential, and is also inversely proportional to the particle mass-to-charge ratio: m / z. Note also that, because F RF ∝z and U ps ∝z 2 , the net force is independent of the sign of the charge on the charged particle in question. This is why pseudopotential waves can transport particles of two charges in the same well.

[0571] Fringe Field

[0572] In the inner region of a linear quadrupole ion guide, away from the ends of the guide, the two-dimensional quadrupole potential can be expressed as:

[0573]

[0574] Where 2r0 is the shortest distance between the opposing rods of the quadrupole ion guide, where the expression is: U0-U RF cos(Ωt) is the potential measured with respect to earth, applied to each of the two pairs of rods with opposite polarity, and is the DC (i.e., U0) and radio frequency (i.e., URF cos(Ωt)) components, where ω is the angular frequency of the RF signal. Ideally, this is a good approximation in the inner region of a linear quadrupole ion guide away from the guide ends, but the axial position accuracy decreases along the ion guide near the ends. Furthermore, the ion guide potential also extends outside the ion guide beyond its ends and does not drop to zero instantaneously directly outside the exit end. Instead, the amplitude or intensity of the potential smoothly transitions from its expected value in the so-called "fringe field" region.

[0575] It can be shown that the outlet edge field U FF It can be quantified as:

[0576]

[0577] Here, the decreasing term f(z) is a function of the amplitude or strength that decreases steadily with the axial distance z along the ion guide axial direction approaching and exceeding the exit end of the ion guide. Ions on the central axis of the ion guide (i.e., the z-axis) encounter a non-zero quadrupole potential outside the ion guide as they pass through the edge region at the end of the ion guide. This potential decreases with increasing distance beyond the end of the ion guide in the direction along the z-axis. It can be seen that to achieve a sufficient approximation:

[0578] f(z)=1-exp(-a[z-z0]-b[z-z0] 2 )

[0579] where a and b are positive constants determined by the geometry of the quadrupole ion guide, and z0 is the axial position outside the ion guide at a fixed potential (e.g., ground), as described in relation to the Enge function. As mentioned above, this edge effect also applies to pseudopotentials generated by the RF potential. Fringe fields exist in ion guides with non-quadrupole geometries (e.g., hexapole, octopole, decapole, etc.). It can be seen that the effect of the fringe field is to reduce the potential at and near the end of the guide within the ion guide and to limit the non-zero extension of the potential beyond the end to a limited range.

[0580] In the following disclosure, reference will be made to beneficial practical applications and uses of the properties of pseudopotentials and fringe fields that the inventors have achieved.The above theoretical discussion is intended to give the reader an understanding of the fundamental properties of pseudopotentials and fringe fields.

[0581] WaveformIn fact, the inventors have found that the waveform of US9536721 B2 (described above) has small imperfections and that these imperfections reduce the herding effect of the transmission device. These imperfections are due to very small imperfections in the electronics that implement the waveform. Although the term "small" means the degree of imperfection is small compared to the amplitude of the waveform, imperfections in the ion movement have a negative impact and can lead to the complete loss of ions.

[0582] The present disclosure discloses a novel waveform suitable for a multipole ion guide, such as a quadrupole ion guide, which is configured for bunched ion transport and has a main pole and a bunching electrode (some suitable structures have been disclosed by the inventors in U.S. Patent No. 9,536,721 B2). This type of device is believed to be helpful in providing comprehensive mass spectrometry / mass spectrometry analysis with high throughput and minimal loss. Preferably, the disclosed waveform can keep the ions cool within a propagation time of tens of milliseconds, for example after they have been transported to a high vacuum region. With this waveform, it should be possible to use so-called "soft" and "slow" dissociation methods within the device, including methods such as electron transfer dissociation (ETD), which produces ion products by the reaction of particles of opposite charge. In order to provide the maximum amount of information with minimal loss and almost completely avoid "crosstalk" between adjacent traps, the ion beam must stay in its respective traveling potential wave trap to avoid increasing its kinetic energy. The first aspect of the present disclosure and the corresponding second aspect relate to an ion transfer method (second aspect) and an apparatus (first aspect), as described above in relation to the first and second aspects of the present invention. More specifically, this aspect of the disclosure relates to an improved waveform for bunched ion transport in an ion guide. The ion guide is used in conjunction with a "slow" method of ion fragmentation in a time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyzer. The new waveform is applicable to an ion guide having a multipole structure, such as a quadrupole structure having two parallel continuous rods and two rows of parallel segmented electrodes, or a quadrupole structure having four rows of parallel segmented electrodes.

[0583] Compared with the prior art known to the inventors, the advantages of the methods and devices of the first to eighth aspects of the present disclosure include:

[0584] • According to, for example, the seventh and eighth aspects of the invention, orthogonal extraction can be used to target ion beams with maximum mass range and preferably minimum ion heating.

[0585] Ions are delivered to orthogonal extraction with the lowest energy distribution and smallest beam size.

[0586] The waveform accuracy requirements are significantly reduced compared to prior art waveforms, and therefore the requirements on the power supply unit (PSU) are also reduced accordingly.

[0587] Compensate for the effects of parasitic waveform distortion (if any).

[0588] • Allows increasing the height of the traveling wave barriers described in the prior art, thereby providing a greater range of transmission qualities.

[0589] • Significantly reduce or prevent the transfer or "crosstalk" of ions between adjacent traps (because any ions escaping axially from a trap will be ejected radially rather than transferred to an adjacent trap).

[0590] Allows the decoupling of the characteristics of the traveling wave in the axial and radial directions, avoiding the height of the potential barrier being closely related to the strength of the radial confinement as in the prior art.

[0591] • Allows for more efficient ion confinement than current techniques.

[0592] • Allows the shape and size of the delivered ion beam to be modified by the characteristics of the applied waveform.

[0593] Allows waveforms to be implemented using simplified digital switching schemes.

[0594] The ions are allowed to be transported so that the ion beam is at a minimum of the modulated RF amplitude (if any) that produces a traveling pseudopotential, and the impact on simplified and practical waveform requirements is noted.

[0595] • Pseudopotentials and real potentials may be combined according to, for example, the third and fourth aspects of the invention, to provide improved methods of potential transport.

[0596] The advantages described above can be achieved according to, for example, the first and second aspects of the present invention. The first and second aspects of the present invention are applicable to all aspects disclosed in this specification.

[0597] The third and fourth aspects of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus for axial extraction (the third aspect) and a corresponding method (the fourth aspect). As described above in relation to the third and fourth aspects of the present disclosure. The apparatus and method are suitable for improving, for example, an orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass analyzer (oaToF) or applying a bunched ion guide to an oaToF analyzer. More specifically, these aspects of the present disclosure also relate to an apparatus and a corresponding method for axially extracting from an ion guide into a pulse generator region of an oaToF, thereby providing improvements to the oaToF analyzer. As described above in relation to the third and fourth aspects of the present disclosure.

[0598] The fifth and sixth aspects of the present disclosure both relate to improvements to an apparatus (fifth aspect) and a corresponding method (sixth aspect) for injecting ions into an ion guide for bunched ion transport. As described above in relation to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention. In more detail, the present disclosure in these aspects relates to the use of new waveforms (such as in the first and second aspects of the present disclosure) to simplify and improve the injection of ions into a selected potential well of the apparatus. Compared to the prior art, the main benefit of the present disclosure in this aspect is that the electronic equipment is significantly simplified. The seventh and eighth aspects of the present disclosure each relate to an improved structure (seventh aspect) and a corresponding method (eighth aspect) for bunched ion transport. In more detail, the present disclosure in this aspect relates to a novel planar structure for providing ion transport according to the arrangement disclosed in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspects of the present disclosure. The structure can be implemented by manufacturing a simplified printed circuit board.

[0599] It should be understood that the apparatus and methods associated with the first and second aspects of the present invention, and the novel waveforms disclosed therein, are applicable to all aspects of the present invention disclosed in this specification.

[0600] New Waveform

[0601] Next, a method or device for manipulating charged particles provided by the present invention will be described through an example of the present invention. The device includes a series of electrodes arranged to form a channel for transporting charged particles. Figure 6 A device according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. The device comprises a power supply unit 5 which supplies a first supply voltage to an axially segmented bunching electrode so as to generate an electric field within the channel. The potential of the electric field has one or more local minima which are translated along at least part of the length of the channel at least within a time interval (T). The first supply voltage applied to a given axially segmented bunching electrode is applied for a finite time period (T) within the time interval (T). L ) and the finite time period (T L ) corresponds to a local minimum. In practical applications, by definition, the waveform voltage ranges from the voltage minimum (including this value, e.g., zero, excluding any common DC offset) to no more than 10% of the waveform amplitude during that portion of the waveform cycle.

[0602] The power supply unit 6 simultaneously provides a second supply voltage to the radial confinement electrodes to generate a radial confinement electric field in the channel, which is configured to radially confine ions in the channel. The following examples describe the properties of appropriate potentials, the potential wells generated and their benefits.

[0603] In the process the inventors attempted to achieve the following type of waveform:

[0604] U0*cos(2πt / T+Φ)*cos(2πft+φ)

[0605] As described in the prior art (see background above), the inventors have discovered problems caused by so-called parasitic offsets. Preferably, the generation of the waveform is done by a "digital method": a waveform is generated in the radio frequency range and has an amplitude of several hundred volts, as described in various prior art. The square wave is generated by switching between two voltage levels using precisely timed metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs). This means that, in practice, the fast oscillating component of the waveform is not a cosine: cos(2πft+φ), but a square wave. In the prior art and in the present application, the two voltage levels can be time-varying. The time period variation provides an amplitude modulation envelope of the radio frequency waveform. The parasitic offset generates a voltage component which is not specifically designed, but stems from the fact that the positive and negative half cycles are not completely balanced, i.e. not equal nor opposite. This offset can be calculated as Figure 5A The difference in the integrated area of ​​the positive and negative excursions of the RF waveform is evaluated. This discrepancy is believed to arise from two factors. First, it is due to an imbalance between the positive and negative amplitudes of the modulating waveform. Another reason is that the duty cycle of the RF waveform deviates slightly from 0.5. The duty cycle is essentially the ratio of the time period of the positive or negative half-cycle of the carrier waveform to its period. Ideally, the duty cycle of the RF waveform (sometimes referred to as the carrier waveform) is 0.5 (or 50%). The inventors have discovered that even small deviations from a duty cycle of 0.5 can generate parasitic offset voltages that have a significant detrimental effect on bunched ion transmission. The amplitude of the parasitic offset per cycle of the carrier waveform is given by (A–B)*f, where A and B are the areas of the positive and negative excursions and can be calculated digitally from a digitized oscilloscope trace of the real waveform. A & B are expressed in (V*s), and f is the frequency of the RF waveform in Hertz. The parameters of the real waveform are maintained within certain tolerances. The magnitude of these tolerances is determined by imperfections in the method used to generate the waveform. These defects include tolerances of electronic components, such as variations in capacitance and resistance values, MOSFET characteristics, etc., as well as capacitance between components of the ion guide itself (load capacitance). Figure 5B An example of the calculated offset is shown in FIG. Figure 5BAs shown, the parasitic offset is a signal with a frequency higher than the modulation frequency and is therefore difficult to remove by filtering methods. It can be noted that a parasitic offset of 2V may result from an imbalance of only 0.25% of a waveform with an amplitude of 400V. In addition, for a 400V RF amplitude waveform with a frequency of 1MHz, the same parasitic offset of 2V will be caused by an imbalance of only 5ns between the positive and negative half cycles. In a quadrupole structure guide with an inscribed radius of 2.5mm, 2V is not conducive to the bunched ion transport performance. The inventors have found that when there is modulation of the amplitude or phase of the waveform or other types of modulation, the offset can be improved by specifying higher component tolerances, but the cost is too high and has not been effectively solved so far. On this basis, the inventors are eager to find an alternative, lower-cost, more effective solution. As shown in the prior art document US9536721B2, a pseudopotential can be generated by applying the following voltage waveform to the bunching electrode along the axis (z direction) of the quadrupole ion guide:

[0606] U0*cos(2πt / T+Φ)*cos(2πft+φ).

[0607] The resulting axial pseudopotential is given by:

[0608]

[0609] where E0 is the time-averaged electric field, z is the ion charge, and m is the mass of the ion in the pseudopotential. The minimum value t = n*T of the pseudopotential at any coordinate z occurs at time t = n*T, where n is a natural number. The inventors also realized that these time points are waveforms:

[0610] U0*cos(2πt / T+Φ)*cos(2πft+φ)

[0611] At a maximum or minimum, i.e., at the extremes of the RF amplitude. This means that ions located at the minimum of the pseudopotential traveling wave are subject to the highest parasitic offset voltages, where the parasitic offset can reach 2% of the RF amplitude, amounting to several volts. This very unfavorable situation affects the propagation of the ion beam in several different ways, which is detrimental to ion transport. The above voltages will cause ions to overflow into adjacent moving pseudopotential wells, resulting in heating and mass-related losses. Brief and sudden changes in potential can act like a pulse of potential, giving ions an energy "kick," leading to overflow into adjacent wells or radial losses (i.e., in the radial direction, transverse to the guide axis). Parasitic offsets can contribute to the rise of the bottom of the pseudopotential well. Since the depth of the pseudopotential well is inversely proportional to the mass of the ion, heavy ions in an ion beam confined by the pseudopotential well will begin to escape before light ions, reducing the mass range capability of the ion guide.

[0612] Parasitic excursions naturally have the greatest impact on ions when they occur near (along the axis of) the delivered ion beam (i.e., at the location of the pseudopotential well minimum). Therefore, the inventors have recognized the need to reduce, and preferably eliminate, the effects of waveform defects at all ion beam locations. Therefore, the inventors sought a method to minimize the RF amplitude at such locations.

[0613] In the course of pursuing this approach, the inventors realized that the following is relevant not only to the formation of pseudopotential wells, but also to the formation of "real" potential wells as AC voltage waveforms (i.e., excluding RF components):

[0614] Preferably, the waveform has negligible or substantially zero amplitude at the location of the moving ion beam. This means that the ions are not affected by parasitic offsets of the waveform applied to the nearest waveform. From another perspective, if the voltage waveform, such as a modulated RF waveform or an AC voltage waveform, has a "zero" and constant value at the location of the potential well, then the waveform applied to the nearest electrode cannot produce parasitic offsets that could adversely affect the potential well.

[0615] The pseudopotential has an effective value at the position of the adjacent electrode on either side, but decreases significantly at the position of the adjacent electrode further away. Therefore, in the case of eight phases (N=8), preferably, within the period of the waveform, three adjacent electrodes simultaneously have a zero-level waveform.

[0616] In a scheme having this feature, it is most preferred that ions are radially trapped by an RF voltage (e.g., an additional RF voltage) applied to the main pole (i.e., radial confinement electrode), and this voltage can be provided by an RF waveform having a constant amplitude. Note that the constant amplitude RF waveform can contain any DC component that is completely removed by a simple DC blocking method. In this case, the ions in the traveling wave trap may be radially confined only by the quadrupole trapping field of the main pole (i.e., radial confinement electrode). Providing the same DC offset on the main pole (i.e., radial confinement electrode) and the axially segmented bunching electrode (bunching electrode) does not destroy the potential well and ensures that no decomposition DC occurs due to parasitic offsets.

[0617] In addition to these important discoveries, the waveforms described in this disclosure provide several new features and greater flexibility compared to the prior art US9536721 B2, such as:

[0618] The axial trapping and bunching potentials and the radial trapping potential are essentially independent. This simplifies the operation of the device. Consequently, higher radial trapping fields can be applied compared to prior art techniques. Radial ion confinement is provided by a trapping multipole field (e.g., a quadrupole field) of the main pole (i.e., radial confinement electrode), while axial ion bunching is provided by a modulated potential (i.e., a voltage waveform) having multiple phases (e.g., waveform / modulated phases).

[0619] Additional waveform parameters affect the height of the barriers between the potential wells and the strength of the electric field that holds the ions within them, providing more effective ion beam confinement compared to existing techniques. This means that for a given amplitude of the modulated waveform, ions can be better confined within a given beam, with lower losses and a wider mass range than with existing techniques. Furthermore, waveform parameters can be used to control the axial size of the ion beam, providing greater flexibility.

[0620] The new waveform provides constant-speed translation (i.e., no acceleration or deceleration) as described in US9536721 B2, resulting in "smooth" ion beam transport. This approach keeps ions cool during transport and can be used to transport the ion beam into high-vacuum regions and further transport ions within them. Furthermore, by reducing the waveform accuracy requirements, the related content provides a more practical implementation approach.

[0621] The new waveform is suitable for a transmission device including a multipole field structure (e.g., a quadrupole field structure) consisting of a main pole rod and a bunching electrode. The bunching electrode may include finely segmented pole rods. U.S. Patent No. 9,536,721 B2 provides some relevant structural examples. The main function of the main pole rod (i.e., radial confinement electrode) is to provide a multipole (e.g., quadrupole) radial confinement field to confine ions on the axis of the transmission device. The bunching electrodes are spaced apart along the optical axis of the ion guide. The axially segmented bunching electrodes can be provided with voltage by a power supply unit (PSU) that provides a power supply voltage having multiple waveforms. These waveforms generate multiple potential wells along the axis of the device in the guide channel, and these potential wells move axially along the ion guide at a constant wave speed. Typically, eight (8) phases (e.g., common voltage waveforms) are provided to the multiple bunching electrodes. In this particular case, the eight phases can have a constant phase shift between the phases of 360 / 8=45 degrees. More generally, N phases are used, where N is a positive integer, in which case there is a constant phase shift in the phase angle between adjacent phases of 360 / N degrees. Phase N is applied to each corresponding Nth electrode. Thus, a repeated set of N electrodes is used. That is, each electrode has a phase angle shift of -360 / N degrees from the previous electrode and a phase shift of +360 / N degrees from the previous electrode. The waveform can be a periodic voltage (e.g., not including an RF component) or a periodically modulated RF voltage (e.g., including an RF component whose amplitude is modulated according to the waveform). The waveform can be a combination of the two: that is, the sum of a periodically dependent voltage and a periodically modulated RF voltage. The waveform applied to the electrode generates an electric potential or pseudopotential consisting of a minimum and a maximum value moving at a constant speed along the axis of the transport device. The speed can be adjusted according to the requirements of ion transport and is determined by the modulation frequency and the repetition distance of the N electrodes. There can be M sets of N electrodes, with a total length of the device being L total= M * L, where L is the length of the N electrode groups. The main pole rod (i.e., the radial confinement electrode) and the bunching electrode preferably operate separately specifically.

[0622] Figure 6 Schematically shows an example of a charged particle manipulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device (1) includes a series of electrodes (2, 3) arranged to form a channel for transmitting charged particles. A first power supply unit (5) is adapted to supply a first power supply voltage (7) varying according to a waveform having a period (T) as disclosed therein to the axially segmented bunching electrode (3) therein, so as to generate an electric field in the channel. The electric potential of the electric field has a plurality of local minima between local maxima defining potential wells, which, as described herein, translate along at least a part of the length of the channel. The potential wells translate a distance substantially equal to their length within a time interval substantially equal to the period (T) (e.g., the axial length along the channel direction). As discussed in this specification, the waveform

[0623] (a) is substantially constant (T) throughout its period; and

[0624] (b) maintains the minimum value of the waveform substantially within a finite time period (T) within the period (T L < T).

[0625] A second power supply unit (6) is adapted to supply a second power supply voltage (8) to the radial confinement electrode (2) so as to generate a radial confinement electric field in the channel, which is configured to radially confine charged particles in the channel.

[0626] The device includes a control unit (4) and a computer (9), the control unit (4) includes the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit (5, 6), the computer (9) includes a storage unit, and a plurality of separate and discrete values of the waveform corresponding to a plurality of separate and discrete points along its period are stored in the storage unit. The computer is arranged to control the first power supply unit to generate the waveform according to the discrete values stored in the storage unit.

[0627] The device includes a buffer gas control unit (10), which is configured to control the pressure of the buffer gas in the channel such that the pressure at the channel outlet is lower than 0.5 mbar. The buffer gas control unit can be configured to control the pressure of the buffer gas in the channel such that the pressure of the buffer gas at one end of the channel is at least 20 times greater than the pressure at the other end of the channel. For example, the pressure at the channel outlet / output end can be controlled to be at least 2 decades lower than the pressure at the channel input end.

[0628] The control unit (4) can control the first power supply voltage to include a radio frequency voltage signal modulated according to the waveform such that the potential well is formed by a pseudopotential, or to include an alternating current voltage varying according to the waveform, and not to include or modulate any potential radio frequency voltage signal.

[0629] The control unit (4) can control the first power supply unit (5) to supply a first power supply voltage waveform to each electrode of the axially segmented bunching electrodes, such that the first power supply voltage waveform is phase-shifted with respect to the voltage waveforms simultaneously supplied to adjacent electrodes. Specifically, it can include that within a finite time period (T L <T) within the period (T) of the waveform, the first power supply voltage is applied to each of a plurality of consecutive axially segmented bunching electrodes simultaneously at different phases of the waveform.

[0630] The control unit (4) can control the first power supply unit (5) to supply a first power supply voltage waveform such that at the waveform frequency (f = 1 / T), during a predetermined finite time interval T L , the value of the waveform is not greater than 10% of the maximum value of the waveform within the period T of the waveform, where T L ≥T / N, and N is the number of consecutive axially segmented bunching electrodes in the subset of axially segmented bunching electrodes that form the entire period T of the support waveform. In some embodiments, the first power supply unit (5) can be controlled such that within a finite time period (T L ), the change in the value of the waveform does not exceed a predetermined maximum allowable change (ΔU), which is expressed as a percentage (%) of the amplitude (U0) of the waveform, such that: 100×U / U0≤10. In some embodiments, the first power supply unit (5) can be controlled such that ΔU’ / T’ L ≤2.0, where T’ L =100×T L / T is the time period T expressed as a percentage (%) of the period T, and ΔU’ = 100×ΔU / U0. In some embodiments, the first power supply unit (5) can be controlled such that for a waveform (U) with waveform amplitude U0, the modulus of the first-order time derivative L of the waveform within the finite time period (T L ) is: of the waveform within the finite time period (T

[0631]

[0632] In some embodiments, the first power supply unit (5) can be controlled such that the modulus of the first-order time derivative of the first power supply voltage waveform with waveform amplitude U0 takes a value within the period (T) of:

[0633]

[0634] For example, these upper limits on the first-order time derivative are particularly applicable when the waveform includes the error function ("erf") discussed herein. Ideally, the potential well generated by applying any of these waveforms and conditions defines a well bottom, and the value of the potential well defining the well bottom includes only a local minimum that is not time-varying.

[0635] Figure 7a Examples of electrodes that can be used in the transmission channel are given in -d. The main pole and the bunching electrode can be "like" the poles of a standard linear quadrupole, and the bunching electrode should be segmented or dived in some way. For example, the radial trapping field can be generated by the voltage difference between the radial confinement electrode and the axial segmented bunching electrode. Therefore, the RF radial confinement voltage can be applied to the radial confinement electrode, the axial segmented bunching electrode, or both. When the radial confinement electrode is segmented, and the voltage applied to the axial segmented bunching electrode is not a modulated RF voltage, it can be applied to both the axial segmented bunching electrode and the radial confinement electrode.

[0636] Both types of rods can have Figure 7a In other embodiments, both the main pole and the bunching rods may be segmented, such as Figure 7b As shown. The cross-sections of the main pole and the bunching rods can be other shapes, including but not limited to truncated hyperbolic electrodes, circular electrodes, trapezoidal electrodes, and rectangular electrodes. In embodiments, the segmented bunching rods can have a different cross-sectional shape than the main pole rods and can have smaller or larger spacing than the main pole rods.

[0637] Figure 8a -e shows some further applicable structures. Among them, Figure 8a and Figure 8b An example with a planar main pole and a planar bunching electrode is shown. Figure 8c A structure with partially hyperbolic continuous main poles and partially hyperbolic cluster electrodes is shown. Figure 8d An alternative embodiment is shown. Figure 8d A device comprising opposing electrode planes is shown. Each plane consists of an internal bunching electrode and two main poles. The structure is easy to manufacture and can be fabricated on a printed circuit board (PCB) or on electrodes mounted on a PCB.

[0638] Figure 8d Can be used to provide an approximation of the quadrupole field when viewed in cross section. Figure 8e An alternative structure is shown with two pairs of main poles in each plane, for a total of eight pairs of main poles, to provide a more precise quadrupole field when appropriate voltages are applied. The above arrangement of bunching electrodes and radial confinement electrodes can be incorporated into a charged particle manipulation device (corresponding to item 1; Figure 6), as described herein. The arrangement of bunching electrodes and radial confinement electrodes comprises a guide assembly 20 comprising a series of electrodes arranged to form a guide channel defining an axis for transporting charged particles, the guide assembly comprising:

[0639] A bunching electrode assembly comprising:

[0640] a first array 21 of a plurality of planar bunching electrodes, the electrodes being arranged to be axially separated along the guide channel; and

[0641] a second array 22 of a plurality of planar bunching electrodes, the electrodes being arranged axially separated along the guide channel, wherein the second array is arranged separated from the first array across the axis of the guide channel;

[0642] a radial constraint electrode assembly (23, 24, 25, 26) comprising a plurality of planar constraint electrodes, the planar constraint electrodes being arranged to be spaced apart across the axis of the guide channel to achieve planar parallelism and mutual planar parallelism;

[0643] Power supply unit (items 5 and 6: Figure 6 ) is suitable for providing a first power supply voltage 7 to the bunching electrodes of the first array and the second array, and providing a second power supply voltage 8 to the plurality of planar confinement electrodes, thereby generating an electric field of a defined potential, which radially confines the charged particles in the guide channel and has one or more local minima between local maxima of a defined potential well, which translates along the axis of at least part of the guide channel.

[0644] The first array 21 of planar bunching electrodes is spaced apart from the second array 22 of planar bunching electrodes by a transverse spacing transverse to the axis of the guide channel. The transverse spacing is uniform along at least a portion of the guide channel. Successive (e.g., adjacent) planar bunching electrodes of the first array of planar bunching electrodes are axially separated by an axial spacing or gap in a direction parallel to the axis of the guide channel. Successive (e.g., adjacent) planar bunching electrodes of the second array of planar bunching electrodes are axially separated by an axial spacing or gap in a direction parallel to the axis of the guide channel. The spacing between consecutive planar bunching electrodes of the first array matches the spacing between consecutive planar bunching electrodes of the second array. A given planar bunching electrode of the first array of planar bunching electrodes is axially aligned with a corresponding planar bunching electrode of the second array of planar bunching electrodes. The transverse spacing is at least twice the axial spacing. More preferably, the transverse spacing is at least twice (3x) the axial spacing. Even more preferably, the transverse spacing is at least three and a half times (3.5x) the axial spacing. Ideally, the transverse spacing is at least five times (5x) the axial spacing.

[0645] The radial confinement electrode assembly includes a third array (23, 24) of confinement electrodes, the array including one or more planar confinement electrodes, the planar confinement electrodes being arranged coplanar with the planar confinement electrodes of the first array of confinement electrodes, and one or more planar confinement electrodes opposite to the planar confinement electrodes being arranged coplanar with the planar confinement electrodes of the second array of confinement electrodes. The radial confinement electrode assembly also includes a fourth array (25, 26) of confinement electrodes, the array including one or more planar confinement electrodes, the planar confinement electrodes being arranged coplanar with the planar confinement electrodes of the first array of confinement electrodes, and one or more planar confinement electrodes opposite to the planar confinement electrodes being arranged coplanar with the planar confinement electrodes of the second array of confinement electrodes. The planar confinement electrodes of the first array 21 of confinement electrodes are arranged between the coplanar confinement electrodes of the third array (23, 24) of confinement electrodes and the coplanar confinement electrodes of the fourth array (25, 26) of confinement electrodes. The planar bunching electrodes of the second array 22 of bunching electrodes are arranged between the coplanar confining electrodes of the third array (23, 24) of bunching electrodes and the coplanar confining electrodes of the fourth array (25, 26) of bunching electrodes.

[0646] The third array of constraining electrodes and the fourth array of constraining electrodes are arranged to face each other in a direction transverse to (e.g., orthogonal to) the axis of the guide channel (e.g., in a direction transverse to the axis of the guide channel). The third array of constraining electrodes and the fourth array of constraining electrodes extend substantially along the entire length of the guide channel. The third array of constraining electrodes and the fourth array of constraining electrodes each include a single (e.g., continuous) planar constraining electrode that extends substantially along the entire length of the guide channel. The two separate constraining electrodes can be planarly parallel.

[0647] The third array of confining electrodes and the fourth array of confining electrodes each include a pair of two respectively continuous planar confining electrodes. The two respectively continuous confining electrodes in each pair are planarly parallel to each other and spaced apart such that one confining electrode in the pair is adjacent to (e.g., coplanar with) the first array of bunching electrodes and the other confining electrode in the pair is adjacent to (e.g., coplanar with) the second array of bunching electrodes.

[0648] In another example, Figure 8eAs shown, the third array of confinement electrodes and the fourth array of bunching electrodes can each include a group of four continuous planar confinement electrodes (23, 24, 37, 38, 25, 26, 39, 40). In an example, the four continuous confinement electrodes of each group are parallel to each other and spaced apart so that two coplanar confinement electrodes of the group are adjacent to (e.g., coplanar with) the first array of bunching electrodes, and the other two coplanar confinement electrodes of the group are adjacent to (e.g., coplanar with) the second array of bunching electrodes. In this way, the first array of bunching electrodes is coplanar with a first pair of coplanar and parallel continuous confinement electrodes on one side of the first array of planar bunching electrodes, and coplanar with a second pair of coplanar and parallel continuous confinement electrodes on the other side of the first array of planar bunching electrodes. Similarly, the second array of bunching electrodes is coplanar with a third pair of coplanar and parallel continuous confinement electrodes on one side of the second array of planar bunching electrodes, and coplanar with a fourth pair of coplanar and parallel continuous confinement electrodes on the other side of the second array of planar bunching electrodes. This arrangement enhances the radial confinement potential.

[0649] Preferably, the planar focusing electrodes of the second array are arranged parallel to the planar focusing electrodes of the first array of planar focusing electrodes. Preferably, the planar focusing electrodes of the second array of planar focusing electrodes are arranged coplanar with each other. The planar focusing electrodes of the first array of planar focusing electrodes may be arranged coplanar with each other. Furthermore, the planar electrodes of the first array of planar focusing electrodes and the planar electrodes of the second array of planar focusing electrodes may be arranged parallel to the axial plane of the guide channel.

[0650] The planar electrodes of the first array of planar bunching electrodes and the planar electrodes of the second array of planar bunching electrodes can be arranged to lie in a common plane transverse to the axis of the guide channel. Each planar electrode of the first array of planar bunching electrodes can be arranged coplanar with a corresponding planar electrode of the second array of planar bunching electrodes, wherein the common plane is transverse to the axis of the guide channel. Preferably, the transverse plane is perpendicular to the axis of the guide channel. The planar bunching electrodes of the second array can be arranged axially spaced apart so as to be non-coplanar and planar-parallel to each other. Furthermore, the planar bunching electrodes of the first array can be arranged axially spaced apart so as to be non-coplanar and planar-parallel to each other.

[0651] In some examples, the planar electrodes of the first array of planar bunching electrodes and the planar electrodes of the second array of planar bunching electrodes are arranged so that the first array is parallel to the second array, and so that the first array of planar bunching electrodes is opposite the second array of planar bunching electrodes, centered about a lateral spacing that defines the width of the guide channel. In some examples, the fourth array of constraining electrodes is segmented to define an array of multiple electrode segments extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the guide channel. The fourth array of constraining electrodes can be segmented to define an array of multiple electrode segments extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the guide channel.

[0652] In some examples, the gap between the bunching electrode segments is greater than or equal to the segment width. Preferably, the axial width of the bunching segment is significantly smaller than the inscribed radius of the transport device, preferably at least 2.5 or 5 times smaller, and more preferably at least 10 times smaller. The lateral width of the bunching electrode segment is preferably equal to the inscribed radius of the device channel.

[0653] Preferably, the inscribed radius of the transport channel is in the range of about 2 mm to 5 mm. Preferably, the gap between the segments of the bunching rod (in the axial direction) is greater than 2 or 4 times the width of the bunching segment.

[0654] Ions are extracted orthogonally from the ion guide.

[0655] The main pole rod (i.e., radial confinement electrode) can be divided into two or more segments. At least one segment of each main pole rod can serve as an extraction region for extracting an ion beam from the guide. The ion beam can be extracted from the extraction region in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the ion guide. The ion beam can be directed to one or more ToF mass analyzers. Figure 9a -b shows an example of an ion guide suitable for this type of extraction. . Reference Figure 9b , shows a segmented ion guide having a single extraction region 929 and extraction lens electrodes 933, 935 and 937.

[0656] The extraction region is configured to provide two field configurations at two moments in time:

[0657] transport field (same for upstream and downstream transport ion guides), and

[0658] • Extraction field (same as the transmission field and extraction field upstream and downstream).

[0659] In operation, the extraction region switches conti...

Claims

1. A device for manipulating charged particles, the device comprising: a series of electrodes arranged to form a channel for transporting charged particles; A power supply unit suitable for providing supply voltage to: an axially segmented bunching electrode in the series of electrodes to produce an electric field within the channel defining a potential having one or more local minima between local maxima defining a potential well channel that translates along at least a portion of its length, and a radial confinement electrode in the series of electrodes to generate a radial confinement electric field within the channel, the radial confinement electric field being configured to radially confine charged particles within the channel; an axial extraction region comprising an electrode of the series of electrodes disposed at or defined at least at an end of the channel of the apparatus and arranged to receive a supply voltage to generate an electric field defining a pseudopotential within the channel such that the depth of the potential well varies as a function of the mass-to-charge ratio (m / z) of the charged particles transported therein, and The apparatus is configured to form a fringe field at and near an extraction region to reduce the height of a front wall of a translational potential well such that the height of a local maximum of the potential well decreases as it progresses toward and / or through the extraction region; or, The apparatus is configured to apply an internal or external DC potential near the extraction region to reduce the height of the front wall of the translational potential well, such that the height of the local maximum of the potential well decreases as it progresses towards and / or through the extraction region; or, wherein the translational potential well is not a pseudopotential well, but rather the potential well is translated to abut and move upward to a separate pseudopotential barrier such that the height of the local minimum of the potential well increases as it travels toward and / or through the extraction region; As the local maximum of the potential well translates axially toward and / or along the axial extraction region, the axial translation of the potential well causes the depth of the potential well to decrease, thereby releasing transport charged particles with different mass-to-charge ratios (m / z) at different times.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising one or more extraction electrodes disposed in the axial extraction region adjacent to the end of the channel and axially spaced from the end of the channel by an axial spacing defining an acceleration region, wherein a potential gradient can be formed by voltages applied to the extraction electrodes and voltages applied to electrodes disposed or defined at the end of the device channel.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising one or more charged particle optical elements arranged to receive charged particles extracted from the extraction region and to converge trajectories of the received charged particles.

4. The device according to claim 1 comprises a time-of-flight (ToF) mass spectrometer, wherein the device is arranged to apply a configured push voltage signal to an accelerating electrode of the time-of-flight (ToF) mass spectrometer to achieve flight of charged particles therein, wherein the push voltage signal is synchronized with the periodic power supply voltage applied to the axially segmented bunching electrode to generate the translational potential well.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The power supply unit is adapted to provide the supply voltage to the axially segmented bunching electrode in a form varying according to a waveform having a period T, and to translate the potential along at least a portion of the length of the channel such that the potential well translates a distance substantially equal to its length within a time interval substantially equal to the period T, wherein the waveform is: (a) remains substantially stationary over its stated period T; and (b) a finite time period T within the period T L The inner value is essentially constant, corresponding to the minimum value of the waveform, where T L <T.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein The power supply unit is adapted to supply a first supply voltage comprising a first supply voltage waveform to each respective electrode of the axially segmented bunching electrode such that it is phase-shifted relative to a voltage waveform supplied simultaneously to an adjacent electrode.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein The power supply unit is configured to be in the limited time period T within the period T of the waveform L The first power supply voltage waveform is applied to each of a plurality of consecutive axial segmented bunching electrodes at different phases of the waveform, wherein T L <T。 8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein According to the waveform frequency f=1 / T, during the predetermined finite time interval T L , the value of the waveform is not greater than 10% of the maximum value of the waveform within the period T of the waveform, where T L ≥ T / N, and N is the number of consecutive axially segmented bunching electrodes forming the subset of axially segmented bunching electrodes that supports the entire said period T of said waveform.

9. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein In the limited time period T L Within the range, the value change of the waveform does not exceed a predetermined maximum allowable change ΔU, which is expressed as a percentage (%) of the amplitude U0 of the waveform, resulting in: 100×ΔU / U0≤10.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein According to the limited time period T L , ΔU' / T' L ≤2.0, where T' L =100×T L / T is T expressed as a percentage (%) of the period T L time period, and ΔU'=100×ΔU / U0.

11. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The waveform U with waveform amplitude U0 is in the finite time period T L The first time derivative of The modulus is:

12. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein The modulus of the first-order time derivative of the first power supply voltage waveform with waveform amplitude U0 in the period T of the waveform is:

13. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein The power supply unit comprises a first power supply unit adapted to provide the first supply voltage and a separate second power supply unit adapted to provide a second supply voltage.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The minimum value of the potential well defines a well bottom, and the potential value defining the well bottom includes only one local minimum value, which does not change with time.

15. An ion guide, a mass filter, a mass analyser, an ion trap or a time-of-flight mass analyser comprising the apparatus of claim 1.

16. A method for manipulating charged particles, the method comprising: providing a series of electrodes arranged to form a channel for transporting charged particles; A power supply unit is provided, suitable for providing supply voltage to: an axially segmented bunching electrode in the series of electrodes to produce an electric field within the channel defining a potential having one or more local minima between local maxima defining a potential well channel that translates along at least a portion of its length, and a radial confinement electrode in the series of electrodes to generate a radial confinement electric field within the channel, the radial confinement electric field being configured to radially confine charged particles within the channel; providing an axial extraction region comprising an electrode of the series of electrodes, the electrode being disposed or defined at least at an end of the channel of the apparatus and being arranged to receive a supply voltage to generate an electric field, the electric field defining a pseudopotential within the channel such that the depth of the potential well varies according to the mass-to-charge ratio (m / z) of the charged particles transported therein, and, forming a fringe field at and near an extraction region to reduce the height of a front wall of a translational potential well such that the height of a local maximum of the potential well decreases as it travels toward and / or through the extraction region; or, applying an internal or external DC potential near the extraction region to reduce the height of the front wall of the translational potential well so that the height of the local maximum of the potential well decreases as it travels towards and / or through the extraction region; or, wherein the translational potential well is not a pseudopotential well, but rather the potential well is translated to abut and move upward to a separate pseudopotential barrier such that the height of the local minimum of the potential well increases as it travels toward and / or through the extraction region; As the local maximum of the potential well translates axially toward and / or along the axial extraction region, the axial translation of the potential well causes the depth of the potential well to decrease, thereby releasing transport charged particles with different mass-to-charge ratios (m / z) at different times.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising providing one or more extraction electrodes disposed in the axial extraction region adjacent the distal end of the channel and axially spaced from the distal end of the channel by an axial spacing defining an acceleration region, within which a potential gradient can be formed by voltages applied to the extraction electrodes and voltages applied to electrodes disposed or defined at the distal end of the device channel.

18. A method according to claim 16, comprising providing one or more charged particle optical elements arranged to receive charged particles extracted from the extraction region and to converge the trajectories of the received charged particles.

19. The method according to claim 16 comprises providing a time-of-flight (ToF) mass spectrometer, wherein the device is arranged to apply a configured push voltage signal to an accelerating electrode of the time-of-flight (ToF) mass spectrometer to achieve flight of charged particles therein, wherein the push voltage signal is synchronized with the periodic power supply voltage applied to the axially segmented bunching electrode to generate the translational potential well.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein The power supply unit is adapted to provide the supply voltage to the axially segmented bunching electrode in a form varying according to a waveform having a period T, and to translate the potential along at least a portion of the length of the channel such that the potential well translates a distance substantially equal to its length within a time interval substantially equal to the period T, wherein the waveform is: (c) remains substantially stationary over its stated period T; and (d) a limited time period T within the period T L The inner value is essentially constant, corresponding to the minimum value of the waveform, where T L <T.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein The power supply unit is adapted to supply a first supply voltage comprising a first supply voltage waveform to each respective electrode of the axially segmented bunching electrode such that it is phase-shifted relative to a voltage waveform supplied simultaneously to an adjacent electrode.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein The power supply unit is configured to be in the limited time period T within the period T of the waveform L The first power supply voltage waveform is applied to each of a plurality of consecutive axial segmented bunching electrodes at different phases of the waveform, wherein T L <T。 23. The method according to claim 20, wherein According to the waveform frequency f=1 / T, during the predetermined finite time interval T L , the value of the waveform is not greater than 10% of the maximum value of the waveform within the period T of the waveform, where T L ≥ T / N, and N is the number of consecutive axially segmented bunching electrodes forming the subset of axially segmented bunching electrodes that supports the entire said period T of said waveform.

24. The method according to claim 20, wherein In the limited time period T L Within the range, the value change of the waveform does not exceed a predetermined maximum allowable change ΔU, which is expressed as a percentage (%) of the amplitude U0 of the waveform, resulting in: 100×ΔU / U0≤10.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein According to the limited time period T L , ΔU' / T' L ≤2.0, where T' L =100×T L / T is T expressed as a percentage (%) of the period T L time period, and ΔU'=100×ΔU / U0.

26. The method according to claim 20, wherein The waveform U with waveform amplitude U0 is in the finite time period T L The first time derivative of The modulus is:

27. The method according to claim 21, wherein The modulus of the first-order time derivative of the first power supply voltage waveform with waveform amplitude U0 in the period T of the waveform is:

28. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions configured to cause a mass spectrometer, an ion guide, a mass filter, a mass analyzer, a time-of-flight mass analyzer, or an ion trap device to perform the method of claim 20.

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