Ion funnel based on multi-pole section

Abstract

In some examples, a multipole section-based ion funnel can include an ion funnel section formed from at least one pair of adjacently disposed members. A first member of the at least one pair of adjacently disposed members can include a pole rod structure. A second member of the at least one pair of adjacently disposed members can include a pole rod structure engageable with the pole rod structure of the first member to form a multi-pole rod structure.

Description

Background Art

[0001] An ion funnel can be a device for collecting ions within a mass spectrometer system. In one example, an ion funnel can include a relatively large inlet diameter and transport ions to an outlet having a relatively small outlet diameter. In one type of ion funnel, a set of stacked (e.g., parallel) plates can include openings in each plate, and the openings can be aligned along a central axis.

[0002] During operation of a mass spectrometer system, ions may enter through an inlet of relatively large diameter and exit through an outlet of relatively small diameter. Ions may move forward from the inlet to the outlet by means of an axial electric field. The axial electric field may be created by setting a direct current (DC) potential of each plate to form a downhill potential drop from the inlet to the outlet. By applying an alternating phase radio frequency (RF) voltage to the plates, ions may be prevented from impacting the walls of the ion funnel, for example, at the ring diameter or at each plate. In one example, an RF voltage and a DC voltage may be distributed from a pair of RF inputs and a pair of DC inputs to a set of plates having a resistor and capacitor ladder.

[0003] In some cases, ions can be cooled within the ion funnel by collision with a background gas, such as nitrogen. The background gas can help collect ions with relatively large input energies to deliver ions with relatively low energies at the exit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Features of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the following drawings, in which like numerals indicate like elements, and in which:

[0005] Figure 1A An isometric cross-sectional view of a multipole segment-based ion funnel according to an example of the present disclosure is shown, illustrating internal features of the multipole segment-based ion funnel;

[0006] Figure 1B and Figure 1C The examples according to the present disclosure are shown respectively. Figure 1A Side and front views of a multipole segment-based ion funnel;

[0007] Figure 2A Examples of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 1A An enlarged isometric cross-sectional view of an outlet of a multipole segment-based ion funnel;

[0008] Figure 2B Examples of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 1A An enlarged side cross-sectional view of an outlet of a multipole segment-based ion funnel;

[0009] Figure 3Examples of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 1A An enlarged isometric view of a pair of adjacently disposed components of a multipole segment-based ion funnel;

[0010] Figure 4 Examples of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 1A An enlarged cut-away side view of an outlet of a multipole segment-based ion funnel;

[0011] Figure 5 The example according to the present disclosure is shown. Figure 1A When looking inside the exit of the multipole segment-based ion funnel, Figure 4 An enlarged cutaway front view of the outlet of FIG. 1 showing various examples of pole structures;

[0012] Figure 6 Examples of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 1A An enlarged isometric view of another example of components of a multipole segment-based ion funnel;

[0013] Figure 7 An enlarged isometric schematic diagram showing a hexagonal layout of a pole structure according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 8 Examples of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 7 An enlarged side view of the hexagonal layout of the pole structure;

[0015] Fig. 9 An enlarged isometric schematic diagram showing another hexagonal layout of a pole structure according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0016] Fig.10 Examples of the present disclosure are shown. Fig. 9 An enlarged side view of the hexagonal layout of the pole structure;

[0017] Fig.11 Examples of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 1A Radio frequency (RF) field distribution for different types of configurations of multipole segment based ion funnels;

[0018] Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B and Fig. 12C Examples of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 1A Different types of exits and flight paths for ions in an ion funnel based on a multipole segment;

[0019] Fig.13 Various views of a multipole segment-based ion funnel including multiple outlets according to examples of the present disclosure are shown;

[0020] Fig.14 Examples of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 1A Examples of exit or internal configurations of multipole segment-based ion funnels; and

[0021] Fig.15 Examples of the present disclosure are presented. Figure 1A Multipole segment based ion funnel Fig.14 An example of an implementation of the internal configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] For the purpose of simplicity and illustration, the content of the present disclosure is mainly described by reference to examples. In the following description, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present disclosure. However, it is easy to understand that the implementation of the present disclosure may not be limited to these specific details. In other examples, some methods and structures are not described in detail to avoid unnecessary obscurity of the present disclosure.

[0023] Throughout this disclosure, the terms "a" and "an" are intended to mean at least one of a particular element. As used herein, the term "comprising" means including but not limited to, and the term "including" means including but not limited to. The term "based on" means based at least in part on.

[0024] With respect to the ion funnel, as disclosed herein, in some cases, ions can be cooled within the ion funnel by collision with a background gas (such as nitrogen). The background gas can help collect ions with relatively large input energies to deliver ions with relatively low energy at the outlet. Typically, the gas pressure of the background gas can include a range of about 1 Torr to 10 Torr. In this regard, it is technically challenging to further reduce the gas pressure and / or the diameter of the outlet of the ion funnel without negatively affecting the operation of the ion funnel. If attention is paid to the RF operating frequency, amplitude and funnel geometry and the desired operating mass range, the gas pressure may be reduced to a much lower level.

[0025] With respect to the ion funnel plates, the alternating RF phases between adjacent ion funnel plates can generate a local electric field near the inner diameter of the opening in the plate. Depending on the ion mass, the effect of this local field can extend to different distances from the associated electrode, with low-mass ions maintained at a greater distance from the electrode. As the diameter of the outlet of the adjacent ion funnel decreases, low-mass ions may experience overlapping fields from both sides of the ion funnel. These overlapping fields may become an obstacle to the transport of low-mass ions. These low-mass ions may take longer to leave the ion funnel due to the slowed speed, or may be trapped for a long time near the ion funnel outlet. These factors may indicate that for a given set of operating voltages, there is a low ion mass limit for the ion funnel to transport ions from the outlet. Although the low ion mass limit can be reduced by reducing the RF amplitude or increasing the associated frequency, these factors may also negatively affect the transmission of other ion masses.

[0026] In one example, a flat ion funnel plate may be utilized in a portion of the ion funnel where ion stalling or trapping does not occur for any ion mass. In this regard, it is technically challenging to use a flat ion funnel plate for ion funnel diameters smaller than the value that would cause stalling.

[0027] In order to at least address the above technical challenges, the plates of the ion funnel can be replaced by one or more pairs of adjacently arranged components forming a multipole structure as disclosed herein. Examples of multipole structures may include quadrupoles, hexapole, octopole, decapole, etc. Each pair of adjacently arranged components can also be represented as RF multipole segments. Each pair of adjacently arranged components can be installed in the entire ion funnel structure, and the same circuit elements can be used to distribute the RF potential and DC potential from the same input end.

[0028] In one example of an implementation of one or more pairs of adjacently disposed components, an ion funnel based on a multipole segment may include an ion funnel segment formed by at least one pair of adjacently disposed components. A first component of the at least one pair of adjacently disposed components may include a pole structure. In addition, a second component of the at least one pair of adjacently disposed components may include a pole structure that can be engaged with the pole structure of the first component to form a multipole structure.

[0029] According to the examples disclosed herein, the pole structure of the first component and the pole structure of the second component can form at least two poles. The at least two poles can be symmetrically arranged along the circumference of the circular opening formed by the at least one pair of adjacently arranged components. Alternatively, the at least two poles can be arranged along the boundary of the non-circular opening formed by the at least one pair of adjacently arranged components.

[0030] According to examples disclosed herein, the RF field distribution area at the at least two poles may be greater than the RF field distribution area at another ion funnel section of the multipole segment-based ion funnel that does not include the at least one pair of adjacently disposed components.

[0031] According to examples disclosed herein, the pole structure of the first member and / or the pole structure of the second member can include a concave, convex, substantially flat, and / or rounded profile.

[0032] According to examples disclosed herein, the at least one pair of adjacently disposed members may form an electrode pair, which may include at least two poles and have opposite polarities.

[0033] According to the examples disclosed herein, the ion funnel segment formed by the at least one pair of adjacently arranged components can be tapered or shaped to form an outlet with a reduced diameter for ions to pass through the ion funnel based on the multipole segment. For example, the outlet can be arranged along the central axis of the ion funnel based on the multipole segment. Alternatively, the outlet can be radially offset relative to the central axis of the ion funnel based on the multipole segment.

[0034] According to examples disclosed herein, an ion funnel segment formed by at least one pair of adjacently disposed members may include a linear funnel progression from a dipole rod structure to a multipole rod structure including more than two rods.

[0035] According to the examples disclosed herein, the ion funnel segment formed by the at least one pair of adjacently arranged components can be tapered or shaped to form a plurality of reduced diameter outlets for ions to pass through the ion funnel based on the multipole segment. The reduced diameter outlets can have the same or different sizes to allow, for example, ions of different sizes to pass through outlets of different sizes of the ion funnel based on the multipole segment.

[0036] According to examples disclosed herein, the ion funnel segment can include a plurality of additional components. Each of the plurality of additional components can include an opening offset from the central axis of the ion funnel based on the multipole segment. In addition, the plurality of additional components can form a non-direct flight path for ions to pass through the ion funnel based on the multipole segment.

[0037] According to examples disclosed herein, a multipole structure can allow a multipole segment-based ion funnel to operate in a pressure range of about 1 mTorr to about 10 Torr. The multipole structure can thus achieve a larger mass range and / or a smaller exit beam diameter.

[0038] According to examples disclosed herein, the first member and / or the second member of the at least one pair of adjacently disposed members may be at least partially formed as a plate.

[0039] In another example of an implementation of one or more pairs of adjacently disposed components, a multipole structure may include a first component of a pair of components and a second component of the pair of components, wherein the first component includes a pole structure. The second component may include a pole structure that can be engaged with the pole structure of the first component to form a multipole structure for an ion funnel based on a multipole segment.

[0040] According to examples disclosed herein, the rod structure of the first member and / or the rod structure of the second member can be transverse relative to a central axis of a multipole rod segment-based ion funnel.

[0041] In another example of an implementation of one or more pairs of adjacently disposed components, an ion funnel based on a multipole segment may include a tapered ion funnel segment formed by multiple pairs of adjacently disposed components. A first component in a pair of the multiple pairs of adjacently disposed components may include a pole structure. A second component in a pair of the multiple pairs of adjacently disposed components may include a pole structure that can be engaged with the pole structure of the first component to form a multipole structure. In addition, at least two pairs of the multiple pairs of adjacently disposed components may include openings of decreasing diameters.

[0042] According to examples disclosed herein, a first pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed members may include a specified number of poles that is greater than a specified number of poles of a second pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed members.

[0043] According to the examples disclosed herein, compared to the first pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently arranged components, the second pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently arranged components can be arranged closer to the outlet of the ion funnel based on the multipole segment. Alternatively, compared to the first pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently arranged components, the second pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently arranged components can be arranged closer to the inlet of the ion funnel based on the multipole segment.

[0044] According to examples disclosed herein, a first pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed members and a second pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed members may include an equal number of poles.

[0045] Figure 1A An isometric cross-sectional view of a multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 is shown, illustrating internal features of the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 , according to an example of the present disclosure. Figure 1B and Figure 1C A side view and a front view, respectively, of a multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 according to an example of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 2A An enlarged isometric cross-sectional view of the outlet of a multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 according to an example of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2BAn enlarged side cross-sectional view of the outlet of a multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 according to an example of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 3 An enlarged isometric view of a pair of adjacently disposed components of a multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 according to an example of the present disclosure is shown.

[0046] refer to Figure 1A-Figure 3 , the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 may include an ion funnel segment 102 formed by at least one pair of adjacently disposed components 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n. The first component (e.g., 300-1) of the at least one pair of adjacently disposed components 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n may include a pole structure 302. In addition, the second component (e.g., the second component 300-2) of the at least one pair of adjacently disposed components 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n may include a pole structure 304 that can be joined with the pole structure 302 of the first component 300-1 to form a multipole structure 306. Figure 3 The specific example of can represent an electrode pair that can be installed at the entrance, exit or any other position of the ion funnel 100 based on the multipole segment. In the example shown, the electrode pair can be installed at the exit of the ion funnel 100 based on the multipole segment. In addition, Figure 3 An example can represent an octopole structure.

[0047] Continue to refer Figure 1A-Figure 3 The pole structure 302 of the first component 300-1 and the pole structure 304 of the second component 300-2 can form at least two poles. For example, the pole structure 302 of the first component 300-1 and the pole structure 304 of the second component 300-2 can form a quadrupole, a hexapole, etc. Figure 3 As shown, the at least two poles can be symmetrically arranged along the circumference of the circular opening 308 formed by at least one pair of adjacently arranged members 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n. Alternatively, the at least two poles can be symmetrically arranged along the non-circular opening formed by at least one pair of adjacently arranged members 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n (for example, see Fig.14 Boundary settings for different opening examples).

[0048] The ion funnel segment 102 formed by the at least one pair of adjacently disposed members 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n can be conical (e.g., including a gradually increasing or decreasing (e.g., linearly increasing or decreasing) cross-sectional diameter along the central axis) or profiled (e.g., including a cross-sectional diameter of a specified shape, such as a parabola, hyperbola, etc. along the central axis) to form a reduced diameter outlet 104 for ions to pass through the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100. For example, the outlet 104 can be disposed along the central axis 106 of the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100.

[0049] According to the examples disclosed herein, the multipole structure 306 can allow the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 to operate in a pressure range of about 1 mTorr to about 10 Torr. For example, based on the implementation of the multipole segments at the outlet end of the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100, the funnel can be utilized in a relatively wider operating pressure range. For example, the funnel can be used at pressures as low as 1 mTorr. In this regard, the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 can be used as a collision cell in a mass spectrometer, collecting and cooling ions from high energies at the inlet and forming a well-defined exit beam with a relatively small diameter at the outlet.

[0050] like Figure 1A-Figure 1C and Figure 3 As shown in the specific example of, the first member 300-1 and / or the second member 300-2 in the at least one pair of adjacently arranged members 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n can be at least partially formed as a plate. Alternatively, the first member 300-1 and / or the second member 300-2 in the at least one pair of adjacently arranged members 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n can be formed to include other shapes, which can include, for example, a curve in the surface of one or more adjacently arranged members.

[0051] refer to Figure 1A-Figure 1C and Figure 3 , when viewed separately from the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100, the multipole structure 306 can include a first member 300-1 of a pair of members and a second member 300-2 of the pair of members, wherein the first member 300-1 includes a pole structure 302. The second member 300-2 can include a pole structure 304 that can be joined with the pole structure 302 of the first member 300-1 to form a multipole structure 306 for the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100.

[0052] refer to Figure 1A-Figure 3, the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 may include a conical ion funnel segment 102 formed by multiple pairs of adjacently arranged components 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n. The first component 300-1 of a pair of components in the multiple pairs of adjacently arranged components 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n may include a pole structure 302. The second component 300-2 of a pair of components in the multiple pairs of adjacently arranged components may include a pole structure 304 that can be joined with the pole structure 302 of the first component 300-1 to form a multipole structure 306. In addition, at least two pairs of the multiple pairs of adjacently arranged components 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n (e.g., pair 110 and pair 112) may include openings with continuously decreasing diameters (e.g., see Figure 1A ). These reduced diameter openings may form a reduced diameter outlet 104.

[0053] In one example, a first pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed components 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n may include a specified number of rods that is greater than a specified number of rods of a second pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed components 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n. For example, the first pair 110 may include eight rods, while the second pair 112 may include six rods.

[0054] In one example, the second pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed components can be disposed closer to the exit 104 of the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 than the first pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed components 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n. Alternatively, the second pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed components can be disposed closer to the entrance 114 of the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 than the first pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed components 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n. For example, although in Figure 1A Although not shown in the figure, the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed members 300 - 1 , 300 - 2 , . . . , 300 - n may be disposed closer to the inlet 114 to form a tapered funnel section toward the inlet 114 .

[0055] In another example, the first pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed members 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n and the second pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed members may include an equal number of rods. For example, the first pair 110 and the second pair 112 may each include six rods.

[0056] refer to Figure 1A-Figure 3 , Figure 3A pair of adjacently disposed members 300-1 and 300-2 is shown. In this regard, instead of two adjacently disposed members 300-1 and 300-2, the adjacently disposed members may include three adjacently disposed members. For example, the three adjacently disposed members may include two outer and one central adjacently disposed members. The three adjacently disposed members may form a pole structure to form three poles separated by 120°. In this case, for the three poles, the RF phase may be changed with a phase shift of 120°.

[0057] refer to Figure 1A-Figure 3 , Figure 3 A pair of adjacently disposed members 300-1 and 300-2 are shown. In this regard, the adjacently disposed members 300-1 and 300-2 may be formed as a single structure as shown, or formed from multiple parts forming each of the adjacently disposed members 300-1 and 300-2.

[0058] Figure 4 An enlarged cut-away side view of the outlet of a multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 according to an example of the present disclosure is shown.

[0059] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the rod structure 302 of the first component 300-1 and / or the rod structure 304 of the second component 300-2 can be transverse (e.g., at 400) relative to the central axis 106 of the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100. Thus, although Figure 4 106, but one of the pole structures 302 or 304 may be transverse while the other pole structure is flat (e.g., parallel) relative to the central axis 106. In other examples, both pole structures 302 and 304 may be transverse relative to the central axis 106, such as Figure 4 shown.

[0060] The at least one pair of adjacently disposed members 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n may form an electrode pair, which may include at least two poles 402 and 404 of opposite polarity. For example, pole 402 may include positive polarity, while pole 404 may include negative polarity (and vice versa).

[0061] Figure 5 1 shows an example of an ion funnel 100 based on a multipole segment viewed from the inside of the outlet according to the present disclosure. Figure 4 An enlarged cut-away front view of the outlet of FIG. 1 , showing various examples of pole structures.

[0062] refer to Figure 1A-Figure 1C , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the pole structure 302 of the first component 300-1 and / or the pole structure 304 of the second component 300-2 may include a concave profile 500, a convex profile 502, a substantially flat profile 504, or a circular profile 506. Based on the change from a perfect circle to a nearly circular or hyperbolic shape, the tapering of the pole structure (e.g., from concave to flat to convex) can provide a smooth transition of the RF field from a dual-lens dipole to a multipole lens pair (e.g., adjacently arranged components). Figure 5 In the example, the concave profile 500 may provide a distance of 4.5 mm from the central axis 106, the convex profile 502 may provide a distance of 3.5 mm from the central axis 106, the flat profile 504 may provide a distance of 4.0 mm from the central axis 106, and the rounded profile 506 may provide a distance of 3.0 from the central axis 106 to thereby provide a smooth transition.

[0063] For the tapered ion funnel segment 102, the tapering can be facilitated by multipole and electrode pair shapes that transition from concave to flat to convex in the radial direction, and by the taper angle of each pair of adjacently disposed components (e.g., electrode pairs) in the direction of the outlet 104. Alternatively, the tapering can transition from concave to flat to convex, or any combination of these three (or other) types of profiles.

[0064] Figure 6 An enlarged isometric view of another example of components of a multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 according to examples of the present disclosure is shown.

[0065] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 6 , compared with the example of the first component 300-1 and the second component 300-2, the component 600 may include electrode ends 602 and 604 formed as shown, for electrical interconnection to a circuit board on which other components are mounted. Figure 3 and Figure 6 In a similar manner as shown, components of the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 may include different types of configurations for electrical interconnection.

[0066] Figure 7 An enlarged isometric schematic diagram of a hexagonal layout of a pole structure according to an example of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 8 Examples of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 7 A magnified side view of the hexagonal layout of the pole structure.

[0067] refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8, adjacently disposed members (e.g., pairs shown at 700, 702, 704, etc.) can be stacked in a manner similar to flat funnel plates 706, 708, etc., stacked so that several pairs of adjacently disposed members can be used to extend a reduced diameter funnel outlet. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The example of FIG. 7 shows three stacked, adjacently disposed hexapole pairs of components 700 , 702 , and 704 . Additionally, the associated rod structures may be flat, as shown at 710 .

[0068] Fig. 9 An enlarged isometric schematic diagram of another hexagonal layout of a pole structure according to an example of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.10 Examples of the present disclosure are shown. Fig. 9 A magnified side view of the hexagonal layout of the pole structure.

[0069] refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , with Figure 7 and Figure 8 In a similar manner to adjacently disposed members, adjacently disposed members (eg, pairs shown at 900, 902, 904, 906, etc.) may be stacked to extend the funnel outlet of reduced diameter. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The example of FIG. 9 shows a hexapole pair of four stacked, adjacently disposed members 900, 902, 904, and 906. Additionally, the associated rod structures may be convex, as shown at 908. In this regard, the rod structures of the hexapole may approximate a hyperbolic shape.

[0070] about Figure 7-10 In some examples, a higher order pole structure can be used for a relatively large inner diameter of the ion funnel. For example, for a relatively large inner diameter, an octopole, decapole, or higher order pair of adjacent components can be utilized, while for a relatively small inner diameter of the ion funnel, the entrance and / or the exit of the ion funnel, a lower order pair of adjacent components can be utilized. In some examples, a combined ion funnel design can start with a decapole, then an octopole, a hexapole, etc., reducing the exit diameter as needed.

[0071] Fig.11 RF field distributions are shown for different types of configurations of a multipole segment based ion funnel 100 according to examples of the present disclosure.

[0072] refer to Figure 1A-Figure 1C , Figure 3 and Fig.11 As disclosed herein, the pole structure 302 of the first component 300-1 and the pole structure 304 of the second component 300-2 may form at least two poles. Figure 1A As shown, the multipole segment-based ion funnel may include an ion funnel transition segment 116 formed by at least one substantially flat plate 118 including a first opening 120 and at least one pair of adjacently disposed members including a second opening 122 disposed along the same axis as the first opening (e.g., the central axis 106). Figure 1A-Figure 1C , Figure 3 and Fig.11 As shown, the RF field distribution area 1100 at the at least two poles may be larger than the RF field distribution area 1102 at another ion funnel section (e.g., at 108) of the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 that does not include the at least one pair of adjacently arranged components 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n. In this regard, Fig.11 The transition from "funnel" to "multipole" is shown from 1102 to 1110. Specifically, at 1104, the RF field distribution of the ion funnel section 108 is shown, with an adjacent lens pair at 1112. At 1106, the mixed field distribution of the ion funnel and a pair of adjacent components 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n including a hexapole configuration is shown. At 1108, the field distribution of a pair of adjacent components 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n including a hexapole configuration is shown, transitioning to the exit field distribution at 1110.

[0073] Fig.11 The drawing of shows possible inner surfaces of the at least one pair of adjacently disposed members 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n, plotted as an angle around the central axis 106 on the vertical axis versus an axial distance along the central axis 106 on the horizontal axis. The transition element can be created to include aspects of the fields from both the flat plate and a pair of adjacently disposed members 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n (e.g., multipole segments), and thus can help transition from one form to another. The transition can be adjusted to maintain an effective pseudopotential generated at the funnel wall so that the ions are contained within a space without weak spots.

[0074] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Fig.11 As disclosed herein, the first pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed members 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n and the second pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed members may include an equal number of poles. For example, the first pair 110 and the second pair 112 may each include six poles. In this regard, additional fixtures may be used to attach the first and second members from the plates (dipoles) to 1104-1108 (e.g., see Fig.11) and progress to 402-404 (see, for example, Figure 4 ), progressing to 500-502 (see, for example, Figure 5 ), and further progresses to a substantially circular shape. This type of layout can create a controlled transition from a dipole field to a quadrupole field, a hexapole field, an octupole field, and so on.

[0075] Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B and Fig. 12C Different types of exits and flight paths for ions in a multipole segment based ion funnel 100 according to examples of the present disclosure are shown.

[0076] refer to Figure 1A-Figure 1C , Figure 3 and Figure 12A-12C The ion funnel segment 102 formed by the at least one pair of adjacently disposed components 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n may be tapered or shaped to form an outlet 104 with a reduced diameter for ions to pass through the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100. For example, the outlet 104 may be disposed along a central axis 106 of the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100. Alternatively, the outlet 104 may be disposed as Fig. 12A 1200 and Fig. 12B 1202 is shown radially offset relative to the central axis 106 of the multipole segment based ion funnel 100.

[0077] refer to Fig. 12C , the ion funnel segment 102 can include a plurality of additional components 1204. Each of the plurality of additional components 1204 can include an opening 1206 offset from the central axis 106 of the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100. In addition, the plurality of additional components 1204 can form a non-direct flight path for ions to pass through the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100. Fig. 12C The example thus demonstrates an indirect ion flight path while being axially centered on the ion optical elements before and after alignment.

[0078] Therefore, reference Figure 12A-12C , with respect to the at least one pair of adjacently disposed components 300 - 1 , 300 - 2 , . . . , 300 - n , a non-direct ion flight path may be implemented to prevent neutral particles and contaminants from being further driven into a detection section of an associated quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) instrument.

[0079] Fig.13 Various views of a multipole segment-based ion funnel including multiple outlets according to examples of the present disclosure are shown.

[0080] refer to Fig.13The ion funnel segment 1300 formed by the at least one pair of adjacently disposed members 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n can be tapered or shaped to form a plurality of outlets 1302 of reduced diameter for ions to pass through the multipole segment-based ion funnel 1304. For example, the ion funnel segment 1300 is shown as including two outlets 1302, but may include more than two outlets.

[0081] Fig.14 An example of an exit or interior configuration of a multipole segment based ion funnel 100 according to an example of the present disclosure is shown.

[0082] refer to Fig.14 , as shown at 1400, various options for the interior cross-section of a multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 for a single inlet or outlet are shown. At 1402, various options for the interior cross-section of a multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 for multiple inlets or outlets are shown. Examples at 1400 and 1402 may include a flat plate, a mixture of a flat plate and one or more pairs of adjacently disposed members 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n, or only one or more pairs of adjacently disposed members 300-1, 300-2, ..., 300-n.

[0083] Fig.15 A schematic diagram of an ion funnel 100 based on a multipole segment according to an example of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.14 An example of an implementation of the internal configuration.

[0084] refer to Fig.15 , an example of an interior cross section 1402 is shown superimposed on a multipole segment based ion funnel 1500. An exit port 1502 is shown, the center of which separates the dual exit funnel.

[0085] refer to Figure 1A-Figure 1C , Figure 2A-2B , Figure 12A-12C and Fig.15 , the funnel design of the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 may include a conical (e.g., funnel) shape as shown. Alternatively, the funnel design may include various other internal shapes, inlet shapes, and outlet shapes. In this regard, the (one or more) inlets, (one or more) outlets, and internal regions of the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 may be conical (e.g., the inlet is an inverted cone compared to the outlet), or include a constant diameter. The (one or more) inlets, (one or more) outlets, and internal regions of the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 may also be circular, or include as described above with reference to Fig.14Different configurations discussed. For example, if the interior region of the multipole segment-based ion funnel 100 is implemented to include a flat circumference, the exit ion beam may include a relatively small height and a relatively large width.

[0086] What has been described and illustrated herein are examples and some variations thereof. The terms, descriptions, and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant to be limiting. Many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the subject matter, which is intended to be defined by the following claims and their equivalents, wherein all terms are to be interpreted in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

1. An ion funnel based on a multipole segment, comprising: an ion funnel segment formed by at least one pair of adjacently arranged members, wherein the first member of the at least one pair of adjacently arranged members comprises a pole structure, and The second component of the at least one pair of adjacent components includes a pole structure that can be engaged with the pole structure of the first component to form a multi-pole structure.

2. The ion funnel based on a multipole segment according to claim 1, wherein: The rod structure of the first member and the rod structure of the second member form at least two rods.

3. The ion funnel based on a multipole segment according to claim 2, wherein: The at least two poles are symmetrically arranged along the circumference of the circular opening formed by the at least one pair of adjacently arranged members.

4. The multipole segment-based ion funnel according to claim 2, wherein: The at least two poles are disposed along a boundary of a non-circular opening formed by the at least one pair of adjacently disposed members.

5. The multipole segment-based ion funnel according to claim 2, wherein: A radio frequency (RF) field distribution area at the at least two poles is larger than an RF field distribution area at another ion funnel section of the multipole segment-based ion funnel that does not include the at least one pair of adjacently disposed components.

6. The multipole segment-based ion funnel of claim 1, wherein: At least one of the pole structure of the first member or the pole structure of the second member includes at least one of a concave, convex, generally flat, or rounded profile.

7. The multipole segment-based ion funnel of claim 1, wherein: The at least one pair of adjacently disposed members forms an electrode pair including at least two poles of opposite polarity.

8. The multipole segment-based ion funnel of claim 1, wherein: The ion funnel segment formed by the at least one pair of adjacently disposed members is tapered or profiled to form an exit port of reduced diameter for ions to pass through the multipole segment-based ion funnel.

9. The multipole segment-based ion funnel of claim 8, wherein: The outlet is disposed along a central axis of the multipole segment-based ion funnel.

10. The multipole segment-based ion funnel of claim 9, wherein: The outlet is radially offset relative to a central axis of the multipole segment-based ion funnel.

11. The multipole segment-based ion funnel of claim 1 , wherein: The ion funnel segment formed by the at least one pair of adjacently disposed members comprises a linear funnel progression from a dipole rod structure to the multipole rod structure, the multipole rod structure comprising more than two rods.

12. The multipole segment-based ion funnel of claim 1, wherein: The ion funnel segment formed by the at least one pair of adjacently disposed members is tapered or profiled to form a plurality of exit ports of decreasing diameter for ions to pass through the multipole segment-based ion funnel.

13. The multipole segment-based ion funnel of claim 1, wherein: The ion funnel segment includes a plurality of additional components, wherein each of the plurality of additional components includes an opening offset from a central axis of the multipole segment-based ion funnel, and wherein the plurality of additional components form an indirect flight path for ions to pass through the multipole segment-based ion funnel.

14. The multipole segment-based ion funnel of claim 1, wherein: The multipole structure allows the multipole segment-based ion funnel to operate in a pressure range of about 1 mTorr to about 10 Torr.

15. The multipole segment-based ion funnel of claim 1, wherein: At least one of the first member or the second member of the at least one pair of adjacently disposed members is at least partially formed as a plate.

16. The multipole segment-based ion funnel of claim 1 , further comprising: The ion funnel transition section is formed by: at least one generally planar plate including a first opening; as well as The at least one pair of adjacently disposed members includes a second opening disposed along the same axis as the first opening.

17. A multipole structure comprising: a first member of a pair of members, wherein the first member comprises a pole structure; and A second member of the pair of members, wherein the second member includes a rod structure engageable with a rod structure of the first member to form the multipole structure for a multipole segment based ion funnel.

18. The multipole structure according to claim 17, wherein: The rod structure of the first member and the rod structure of the second member form at least two rods.

19. The multipole structure according to claim 18, wherein: The at least two poles are symmetrically arranged along the circumference of the circular opening formed by the pair of members.

20. The multipole structure according to claim 18, wherein: The at least two poles are disposed along a boundary of the non-circular opening formed by the pair of members.

21. The multipole structure according to claim 17, wherein: At least one of the pole structure of the first member or the pole structure of the second member includes at least one of a concave, convex, generally flat, or rounded profile.

22. The multipole structure of claim 17, wherein: The pair of members form a reduced diameter exit port for ions to pass through the multipole segment-based ion funnel.

23. The multipole structure of claim 17, wherein: The pair of members form a plurality of reduced diameter exit ports for ions to pass through the multipole segment-based ion funnel.

24. The multipole structure of claim 17, wherein: At least one of the first member or the second member of the pair of members is at least partially formed as a plate.

25. The multipole structure of claim 17, wherein: At least one of the rod structures of the first member or the rod structures of the second member is transverse relative to a central axis of the multipole segment-based ion funnel.

26. An ion funnel based on a multipole segment, comprising: a conical ion funnel section formed by a plurality of pairs of adjacently arranged members, wherein the first component of a pair of components in the plurality of pairs of adjacently arranged components comprises a pole structure, wherein the second member of the pair of members in the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed members comprises a pole structure engageable with the pole structure of the first member to form a multipole structure, and wherein at least two of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed members comprise openings of decreasing diameter.

27. The multipole segment-based ion funnel of claim 26, wherein: A first pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed members includes a specified number of poles that is greater than a specified number of poles of a second pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed members.

28. The multipole segment-based ion funnel of claim 27, in, The second pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed components is disposed closer to an exit of the multipole segment-based ion funnel than the first pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed components, or Wherein, compared with the first pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed components, the second pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed components is disposed closer to an entrance of the multipole segment-based ion funnel.

29. The multipole segment-based ion funnel of claim 26, wherein: A first pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed members and a second pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacently disposed members include an equal number of poles.

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