Ion spectrum system device facilitating ion transport

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for an ion spectroscopy system that facilitates the transmission of ions, the apparatus comprising: a concave ion deflector comprising a plurality of electrically conductive electrodes forming an inwardly curved surface; and a pushing element for deflecting the ions; a radio frequency voltage supply for applying a radio frequency voltage to the concave ion deflector; and an output port designed and configured to emit a directed air flow containing ions, the output port and the concave ion deflector being arranged with each other such that the directed air flow containing ions is directed to an inwardly curved surface facing the concave ion deflector; the output port is located outside the concave ion deflector; and the concave ion deflector is designed and configured to retain and deflect ions from the output port while allowing other particles from the output port to pass through the inwardly curved surface. The invention also relates to a method of facilitating ion transport in an ion spectroscopy system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an ion spectroscopy system for facilitating ion transport, and more particularly, to a deflector structure for transporting and deflecting ions in an air stream to other ion transport components. Background Art

[0002] The devices for facilitating ion transport described herein are improvements over the techniques in the literature related to the field of ion spectroscopy, such as mass spectrometry and / or ion mobility spectrometry, which are important tools for analyzing various chemical compounds. For example, a mass spectrometer can be used to determine the molecular weight of a sample compound. Analyzing a sample by mass spectrometry includes three main steps: converting the sample material into gas-phase ions, performing mass spectrometry analysis on the ions (more precisely, mass-to-charge ratio (m / z) analysis), and detecting the ions. There are various methods and means in the field of mass spectrometry to achieve these three functions. The specific combination of means and methods used in a particular mass spectrometer determines the characteristics of the instrument.

[0003] For example, to perform mass spectrometry analysis on ions, magnetic or electrostatic analysis can be used, where ions passing through a magnetic field or an electrostatic field will move along a curved path. In a magnetic field, the degree of curvature of the path reflects the momentum-to-charge ratio of the ions. In an electrostatic field, the degree of curvature of the path reflects the energy-to-charge ratio of the ions. If a magnetic analyzer and an electrostatic analyzer are used sequentially, the momentum-to-charge ratio and the energy-to-charge ratio of the ions can be obtained simultaneously, thereby determining the mass of the ions. Other mass spectrometers include quadrupole (Q), ion cyclotron resonance (ICR), time-of-flight (TOF), and ion trap analyzers (such as three-dimensional, cylindrical, quadrupole, and Orbitrap TM ion trap analyzers). The devices described herein can be used to transport ions to any of the above analyzers.

[0004] Before the start of mass spectrometry analysis, the sample material must be converted into gas-phase ions. Examples of ionization methods include electrospray ionization (ESI), matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionization (MALDI), electron ionization (EI), and photoionization, etc.

[0005] Since ion generation (ion source), mass spectrometry analysis (mass spectrometer), ion detection, and other devices and steps that a mass spectrometer may include and implement (such as ion manipulation, selection, or fragmentation) can be located in different regions with different pressure environments, transporting ions between the ion generation region and other regions is crucial for the function of the mass spectrometer. For example, when using an ESI ion source, ions are formed and initially located in a high-pressure region (such as ≥0.1 bar) together with other components (such as "carrier gas" and incompletely desolvated droplets generated or sourced by ESI). To enable the gas-phase ions to enter the mass spectrometer, the ions must be separated from other components in the ion generation region and transported through one or more vacuum stages.

[0006] The use of multipole ion guides has proven to be an effective means for transporting ions through a vacuum system, see for example US Patent Document US 4,963,736 A. Under the general terms of "ion guide" or "ion deflector", different electrical devices are used, such as quadrupole, hexapole or octapole systems, as well as stacked ring electrodes (see for example US Patent Document US6,891,153B2). The function of the ion guide / ion deflector is to confine, focus and transport an ion beam through an intermediate vacuum stage by means of an applied DC voltage, RF voltage or a combination thereof.

[0007] To improve the separation of ions from other components or particles in the ion generation region and thus reduce contamination caused by non-ion particles entering the downstream region (such as the mass spectrometry region), US Patent Document US 7,851,752 B2 proposes placing a capillary for ion injection orthogonally between the inlet of a stacked ring ion guide and an electrode plate, where a repulsive electric potential is applied to the electrode plate so that ions ejected from the capillary are guided to and enter the inlet of the ion guide, while non-charged particles ejected from the capillary are not affected by the repulsive electric potential and thus pass through the ion guide inlet without being guided into it. However, since the ions are not directly injected into the ion guide, especially when the gas flow generated by the capillary increases, the ions from the capillary may only be partially deflected into the ion guide by the applied repulsive electric potential.

[0008] U.S. Patent Document US 8,698,075 B2 discloses a guiding-inner orthogonal ion injection device, including a stacked-ring ion guide equipped with an inlet capillary inserted into an opening on one side of the ion guide. The opening is located between two electrode lenses of the ion guide, downstream of the first electrode lens of the ion guide. The first electrode lens transports ions orthogonally to the axis of the ion guide into the ion guide. In addition, the guiding-inner orthogonal ion injection device further includes a shield made of an electrically insulating material for covering the inlet capillary entering the ion guide through the opening. However, the disadvantage of the inlet design according to US 8,698,075 B2 is that even though the inlet capillary is covered by the shield, there will be significant, uncontrollable or only limitedly controllable interactions between the capillary and the ions generated at the capillary (even before injecting into the ion guide) and the ring electrode of the ion guide into which the capillary is inserted adjacent to the capillary. Such interactions may have a negative impact on the ion trajectories and movements of the injected ions into the ion guide and limit the ability to activate or adjust the ions before they enter the ion guide. For example, the shield covering the inlet capillary provided in US 8,698,075 B2 may become charged and generate its own uncontrollable electric field. In addition, in the design of US 8,698,075 B2, the distance from the capillary outlet to the radio frequency barrier of the ion guide is determined by the inner diameter of the ion guide, so the distance for decelerating the ions ejected from the inlet capillary cannot be adjusted arbitrarily.

[0009] This also applies to the inlet design disclosed by Laskin et al. ("Multiplexing of Electrospray Ionization Sources Using Orthogonal Injection into an Electrodynamic Ion Funnel", Analytical Chemistry 2021, 93, 11576 - 11584), where the orthogonal injection port used is also directly inserted into the opposite opening of the stacked-ring ion guide.

[0010] US 9,620,347 B2 also discloses an embodiment according to its Figure 5, where ions are orthogonally introduced into the stacked-ring ion guide through an opening on one side of the ion guide. According to US 9,620,347 B2, the ion injection device does not necessarily need an opening to enter the ion guide. However, in this case, it can also be expected that when ions enter the ion guide orthogonally, strong and unwanted early interference caused by the ions injected by the ion injection device will occur because the ions pass through the opening into the ion guide, and this opening means that the ions must first pass through a channel composed of multiple electrodes to enter the interior of the ion guide.

[0011] In addition, especially when a high-quality flow from an ion source (e.g., generated by an atmospheric pressure interface and / or caused by an increased capillary size in electrospray ionization ESI) needs to be transmitted to a low-pressure region, an efficient ion deflector is required to transmit ions in order to achieve a high level of separation of ions from other particles while keeping the ion loss as small as possible. However, as the mass flow from the ion source increases, a greater force is generated in the direction of passing through the deflector (i.e., pointing to the low-pressure direction), so the above requirements are difficult to meet in the case of high-quality flow and are generally not achievable by deflectors in the prior art. If the ion path is not bent enough, ions will usually be lost on the deflector electrodes or be discharged from the system together with other components from the ion source (e.g., through a pumping port). On the contrary, if the ion path is bent too much, ions will also collide with the deflector elements when passing through the deflector, resulting in losses. Therefore, there is also a need for a radio frequency deflector that can effectively handle high-quality flow and can transmit a wide range of ion trajectories.

[0012] As described below, the device of the present invention overcomes the limitations of many ion transport devices in the prior art. The device disclosed herein provides a unique combination of properties that make it more suitable for transporting ions from an ion source to a mass analyzer by overcoming or minimizing the disadvantages associated with the aforementioned ion transport devices in the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0013] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the present invention relates to a device for an ion spectroscopy system, preferably for a mass spectrometry and / or ion mobility spectrometry system, which promotes the transport of ions, and the device includes:

[0014] - A concave ion deflector, which includes:

[0015] - A plurality of conductive electrodes forming an inwardly curved surface; and

[0016] - A pushing element for deflecting ions (in the downstream direction);

[0017] - A radio frequency (RF) voltage power supply for applying a radio frequency voltage to the concave ion deflector, especially to at least part of the conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector; and an output port designed and configured to emit a directed gas flow containing ions;

[0018] wherein

[0019] - The output port and the concave ion deflector are arranged relative to each other in such a way that the directed gas flow containing ions (substantially) faces the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector;

[0020] - The output port is located outside the concave ion deflector;

[0021] - The concave ion deflector is designed and configured to allow other particles (typically non-charged particles) from the output port to pass through the inwardly curved surface while retaining and deflecting (at least some of) the ions from the output port.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a device for an ion spectrometry system, preferably for a mass spectrometry and / or ion mobility spectrometry system, which facilitates the transport of ions, the device comprising:

[0023] - A concave ion deflector, the concave ion deflector comprising:

[0024] - A plurality of conductive electrodes forming an inwardly curved surface; and

[0025] - A pushing element for deflecting the ions (in the downstream direction);

[0026] - A radio frequency (RF) voltage power supply for applying a radio frequency voltage to the concave ion deflector, in particular to at least some of the conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector; and an output port designed and configured to emit a directed gas flow containing ions;

[0027] Wherein:

[0028] - The output port is arranged such that the axis along which the directed gas flow containing ions moves intersects the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector;

[0029] - The output port is located outside the concave ion deflector;

[0030] - The concave ion deflector is designed and configured to allow other particles (typically non-charged particles) from the output port to pass through the inwardly curved surface while retaining and deflecting (at least some of) the ions from the output port.

[0031] One advantage of the device of the present invention is that the arrangement between the outlet and the concave ion deflector, in combination with the special design of the concave ion deflector of the present invention, enables the ions to be transmitted to be ideally separated from any other particles from the outlet. The directed gas flow containing ions exits from the outlet and (substantially) towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector (i.e., towards the interior of the concave ion deflector). This feature simultaneously ensures, in an advantageous manner, that the vast majority of the ions from the outlet are subjected to the forces provided by the ion deflector for retaining and deflecting the ions. In particular, in embodiments where the directed gas flow containing ions exiting from the outlet is completely directed towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector, usually none or only a very small proportion of the ions from the outlet leave the relevant area without interacting with the electric field acting on the ion deflector during operation. The interaction result of this effect maximizes the number of ions that can be transmitted from the outlet to other areas of the mass spectrometry system (such as the mass analyzer), and at the same time can also efficiently separate other non-ion components from the outlet (such as analyte molecules, droplets or excess gas particles that are not ionized in the ion source).

[0032] In this context, the concave shape of the ion deflector enables a relatively large inlet area to be utilized when the directed gas flow containing ions exits from the outlet towards the inwardly curved surface of the ion deflector. This allows the outlet to be located outside the ion deflector, as defined in the present invention, without significantly losing the directed gas flow or ions from the outlet that move towards the inwardly curved surface.

[0033] The relatively large inlet area provided by the concave shape of the ion deflector for the directed gas flow containing ions, in combination with the arrangement where the outlet is located outside the ion deflector, also has the following effect. In particular, during the journey of the ions from the outlet into the ion deflector, unwanted interactions are minimized and can be completely avoided in the best case. By avoiding or reducing these unwanted interactions before the ions enter the interior of the ion deflector, the ion deflection achieved by the intentionally applied electric field within the ion deflector is more predictable and thus easier to achieve.

[0034] Thus, the device in the present invention is significantly different from the ion transport devices known in the prior art. In the prior art, ions are generated or injected in the vicinity of charged components (such as near the electrodes of an ion guide), or the ions have to pass by charged components (such as electrodes or electrode segments) over a relatively short distance to enter the interior of an ion deflector or an ion guide.

[0035] The expression "the directional airflow containing ions (substantially) moves toward the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector" in the present invention means that the flight path of the directional airflow containing ions after it is emitted from the output port makes the directional airflow containing ions move substantially directly toward the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector and can reach the inwardly curved surface, unless during operation, the particles in the directional airflow containing ions are not retained or deflected in advance by the existing electric field in the concave ion deflector. Therefore, the expression "the directional airflow containing ions (substantially) moves toward the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector" means that on the initial flight path given by the directional airflow containing ions emitted from the output port, there is usually no such component, which may collide with the directional airflow containing ions emitted from the output port and thereby prevent the directional airflow containing ions from reaching the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector.

[0036] In the present invention, the expression "the directional gas flow containing ions is (basically) directed toward the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector" does not exclude the presence of other components or elements between the output port and the concave ion deflector in principle. For example, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as long as these components are not located on the initial predetermined flight path of the directional gas flow containing ions from the output port toward the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector, they are allowed to exist between the output port and the concave ion deflector. Examples of such components include components that do not block the initial flight path of the directional gas flow containing ions from the output port to the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector due to their arrangement or shape, such as a shielding cover surrounding the output port, which shielding cover does not block the initial flight path of the directional gas flow containing ions emitted from the output port.

[0037] However, according to other preferred embodiments of the present invention, there are no any other parts or elements between the output port and the concave ion deflector.

[0038] In the context of the present invention, "concave" has a broad meaning and refers to an ion deflector comprising a cavity having a corresponding inner surface (inwardly curved surface). The inwardly curved surface can have a variety of shapes, for example, in a two-dimensional projection, it can appear as a "C" shape, a "U" shape or a horseshoe shape. In a two-dimensional projection, the inwardly curved surface can also have the shape of an open rectangle (cuboid), an open square (cube) or a ">" shape. According to the present invention, the shape of the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector can also change along the ion deflector. However, in a number of preferred embodiments, the shape of the inwardly curved surface remains unchanged along the concave ion deflector (at least within the range of slight variations caused by the construction).

[0039] A common feature of the shapes of all concave ion deflectors is that they have an opening through which an ion-containing directed gas flow emerging from the outlet and moving towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector can easily enter the concave ion deflector. This opening may, but does not necessarily have to, extend through the entire length of the concave ion deflector.

[0040] According to several preferred embodiments of the present invention, the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector may include a protrusion, preferably located directly opposite the outlet. Such a protrusion can be used as a pseudo jet disruptor, for example, to disperse the directed gas flow from the outlet to both sides of the protrusion rather than directly guiding it to the conductive electrode of the concave ion deflector that forms the inwardly curved surface. The protrusion may extend along the entire length of the inwardly curved surface or may be limited to specific positions or regions of the inwardly curved surface.

[0041] According to the present invention, "entering" the concave ion deflector or being "inside" or "within" the concave ion deflector means that an ion-containing directed gas flow or its corresponding ions enter or are located within a region or cavity surrounded or enclosed by the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector or other components of the concave ion deflector (e.g., the concave electrode or the annular electrodes of the concave ion deflector, which may form an ion channel or an ion funnel, which may be part of the concave ion deflector or serve as an inlet for the ion-containing directed gas flow emerging from the outlet to enter the concave ion deflector).

[0042] According to the present invention, the "outside" of the concave ion deflector refers to a position outside the region or cavity surrounded or enclosed by the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector or any other component of the concave ion deflector. For the purposes of the present invention, an outlet located outside the concave ion deflector means that the outlet is located outside the region or cavity surrounded or enclosed by the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector or any other component of the concave ion deflector. Thus, according to the present invention, the outlet does not, for example, overlap with the electrodes of the concave ion deflector, which is different from the arrangements known in the prior art, such as the arrangement disclosed in U.S. Patent Document US 8,698,075B2.

[0043] As described above and defined in the claims, according to the present invention, the output port and the concave ion deflector are arranged such that the directed ion-containing gas flow is (substantially) directed towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector. Thus, the device of the present invention differs from ion transport devices known in the prior art, in which the output port is arranged such that ions emitted from the output port move towards an outwardly curved surface. The device of the present invention also differs from ion transport devices known in the prior art, in which the output port is arranged such that ions emitted from the output port enter the ion deflector or ion guide axially (i.e., parallel), rather than moving directly towards the inner surface (e.g., the inwardly curved surface) of the ion deflector or ion guide.

[0044] The arrangement of the output port and the concave ion deflector such that the directed ion-containing gas flow is (substantially) directed towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector generally does not mean that the ions emitted from the output port actually reach or contact the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector during operation. Because during operation, these ions are typically retained by the existing electric field in the concave ion deflector and deflected onto an ion guiding path along the concave ion deflector (in the downstream direction). The situation is different for uncharged particles and other components emitted from the output port together with the ions. Unlike the ions, these particles and components are not or hardly retained and / or deflected by the existing electric field in the concave ion deflector during operation, but rather (mostly) continue to move towards the inwardly curved surface unaffected by the existing electric field and potential. Thus, according to the present invention, the concave ion deflector is designed such that the particles and components reaching the inwardly curved surface can generally pass through it and leave the concave ion deflector again.

[0045] Thus, during operation, the concave ion deflector can be regarded as an "ion sieve" through which ions can be retained while allowing other (especially uncharged) components to pass through. During operation, the concave ion deflector at least partially, preferably substantially, and more preferably completely achieves the separation of the ions contained in the directed gas flow from other particles or components. At the same time, the arrangement of the output port and the concave ion deflector ensures that the directed gas flow emitted from the output port, especially the ions contained therein, enters the concave ion deflector as much as possible.

[0046] The present invention also encompasses embodiments in which not all ions are retained by one or more electric fields existing during operation of the concave ion deflector. For example, such incomplete retention occurs when the number of ions emitted from the output port is large, or when the ions emitted from the output port have a particularly large mass and / or velocity such that the retention force of the concave ion deflector may not be sufficient to at least completely retain all ions emitted from the output port. However, overall, the device according to the present invention can still efficiently separate ions from other components of the directed gas flow at a high mass flow rate (e.g., a mass flow rate of 8 L / min), deflect the ions along the ion guiding path of the concave ion deflector, e.g., to a mass spectrometer, while ensuring zero or at least minimized ion loss and covering a wide range of ion trajectories.

[0047] The radio frequency (RF) voltage supply device for applying an RF voltage to the concave ion deflector is configured to apply an RF voltage (e.g., to one or more electrodes) to at least a specific region of the concave ion deflector, such as a part of the plurality of conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector. The RF voltage supply device can be configured to apply an RF voltage having a frequency range between 100 kHz and 10 MHz, preferably between 500 kHz and 5 MHz, more preferably between 500 kHz and 1500 kHz. Additionally, the RF voltage supply device can be configured to apply an RF voltage having an amplitude between 50 volts and 1500 volts, preferably between 50 volts and 500 volts, more preferably between 100 volts and 500 volts. The RF voltage applied to the concave ion deflector is mainly used to generate an RF pseudo-barrier to confine ions entering the concave ion deflector and / or repel ions approaching the inwardly curved surface, thereby preventing the ions from passing through the inwardly curved surface or colliding with components of the concave ion deflector. In certain embodiments, the RF voltage applied to the concave ion deflector can also be used to deflect ions entering the concave ion deflector, thereby guiding the ions along the ion guiding path of the concave ion deflector (in the downstream direction) and transporting the ions to any device that may be present downstream after the concave ion deflector, such as ion optics.

[0048] According to the present invention, the concave ion deflector includes a driving element for deflecting ions, in particular for deflecting ions (in the downstream direction) along the concave ion deflector; that is, along the ion guiding path within the concave ion deflector or along the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector to one end of the concave ion deflector, respectively. In other words, in the context of the present invention, the "driving element for deflecting ions" can also be understood as a device by which ions entering or approaching the concave ion deflector are subjected to a driving force and thus move along the concave ion deflector. The expression "along the inwardly curved surface" is only a direction description and does not mean that the guided ions will necessarily contact the inwardly curved surface or the internal components of the concave ion deflector. In fact, due to the pseudo-barrier generated by the radio frequency voltage applied to the concave ion deflector during operation, the ions deflected along the direction of the concave ion deflector preferably do not contact the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector or do not contact the concave ion deflector at all.

[0049] Accordingly, the driving element for deflecting ions is used to guide the ions coming from the output port along the ion guiding path (in the downstream direction) of the concave ion deflector to facilitate the transport of the ions coming from the output port and to transport these ions from one region of the ion spectroscopy system to another region. In addition, the driving element and its (usually transverse) forced movement of the ions, mainly the movement of the ions from the output port towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector, contribute to separating the ions from other particles and components in the directed gas flow emitted from the output port. Specifically, the force exerted on the ions by the driving element during operation changes their trajectories relative to other (uncharged) particles and components, thus facilitating the spatial separation of the ions from these other particles and components.

[0050] Preferably, the movement of the ions entering or approaching the concave ion deflector (in the downstream direction) along the concave ion deflector is achieved by applying a direct current (DC) voltage to at least one sub-region of the concave ion deflector, thereby establishing a DC voltage gradient along the concave ion deflector and thus forcing the ions to move along the ion guiding path leading to one end of the concave ion deflector (in the downstream direction). The applied DC field can be linear, logarithmic, parabolic or in other functional forms. Preferably, the established DC voltage gradient can be between 5 and 200 volts per centimeter of the length of the concave ion deflector, preferably between 30 and 150 volts per centimeter of the length of the concave ion deflector.

[0051] Accordingly, according to various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the device according to the present invention may further comprise a DC voltage supply device for applying a DC voltage to the concave ion deflector, in particular to a part of the plurality of conductive electrodes and / or to the actuating element of the concave ion deflector. However, according to the present invention, it is also possible to achieve the deflection and movement of ions along the concave ion deflector by applying a radio frequency voltage (having a preselected frequency and amplitude) to at least a part of the conductive electrodes, the RF voltage guiding the ions along an ion guiding path into or towards the concave ion deflection reflector electrode device.

[0052] Preferably, the actuating element comprises or is a reflector electrode.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reflector electrode may also be used as a terminal electrode at one end of the concave ion deflector. In this case, such a terminal electrode is arranged, for example, at one of the two ends of the plurality of conductive electrodes forming the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector, so that by applying a DC voltage to the terminal electrode, the ions entering the concave ion deflector are pushed in the downstream direction of the concave ion deflector.

[0054] In the context of the present invention, the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector is understood to be a virtual surface formed by a plurality of conductive electrodes, which surface extends along the inner walls of these electrodes (including any holes in the electrodes and any gaps between adjacent electrodes), and is generally at least partially permeable to certain particles (especially uncharged particles) from the output port. The ability of the concave ion deflector to allow (especially uncharged) particles from the output port to pass through the inwardly curved surface can be achieved in various ways. For example, holes or channels may be provided in or between the plurality of conductive electrodes forming the inwardly curved surface, so that the particles that are not bound and deflected by the forces present within the concave ion deflector and are deflected along the path (in the downstream direction) of the concave ion deflector can leave the concave ion deflector again.

[0055] It should be noted that the concave ion deflector of the device according to the present invention may not allow all particles coming from the output port and reaching the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector (due to not being deflected or confined by the forces within the concave ion deflector or not being correctly deflected or confined) to pass through, because some of these particles, for example, may not hit one of the holes, gaps or channels in the concave ion deflector, or may collide with the inner wall of one of the channels after entering one of the channels of the concave ion deflector. Therefore, in the context of the present invention, the statement "the concave ion deflector is designed and configured to confine and deflect ions from the output port while allowing other particles from the output port to pass through the inwardly curved surface" should be understood as allowing at least some particles from the output port (not deflected by the forces within the concave ion deflector to a path along the downstream direction of the concave ion deflector) to pass through the concave ion deflector. However, according to various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the concave ion deflector is designed and configured to allow at least a major portion of the particles from the output port that are not deflected to a path (downstream direction) along the concave ion deflector to pass through its inwardly curved surface.

[0056] Furthermore, according to the present invention, ions from the output port that are not correctly deflected to a path (in the downstream direction) along the concave ion deflector can also pass through the concave ion deflector together with any uncharged particles.

[0057] In various preferred embodiments of the present invention, one or more, preferably all, of the plurality of conductive electrodes (forming the inwardly curved surface) of the concave ion deflector are concave. Preferably, one or more, preferably all, of the plurality of conductive electrodes (forming the inwardly curved surface) of the concave ion deflector are C-shaped, U-shaped and / or horseshoe-shaped electrodes. Preferably, the thickness of each of the plurality of conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector is between 0.2 mm and 1 mm, more preferably between 0.45 mm and 0.65 mm.

[0058] In the context of the present invention, "a plurality of conductive electrodes" means two or more electrodes. Therefore, the term "a plurality of conductive electrodes" should be understood broadly in the present invention. Preferably, the concave ion deflector includes 5 to 40 electrodes, more preferably 18 to 20 electrodes.

[0059] Furthermore, in various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of conductive electrodes (at least partially) of the concave ion deflector are aligned along a common axis such that these electrodes form an ion guiding path. In such a preferred embodiment, the inwardly curved surface is generally formed by the arrangement of the plurality of (concave) conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector and generally extends through all the arranged electrodes.

[0060] The multiple conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector can be aligned along a common axis by, for example, a holder that keeps the electrodes aligned, and / or by using spacers between the electrodes to connect the electrodes together. The holder and / or the spacers preferably comprise an electrically insulating material or are made of an electrically insulating material. Accordingly, the holder and / or the spacers preferably have an electrically insulating effect. Obviously, if a spacer is located between adjacent conductive electrodes, the configuration and position of the spacer should be such that it does not substantially impede other particles and components (usually uncharged particles), unlike ions and charged molecules, from passing through the inwardly curved surface formed by the conductive electrodes.

[0061] Preferably, adjacent aligned electrodes of the multiple conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector are separated from each other by a spacing distance (also referred to as a gap), and more preferably, by a uniform spacing distance. Preferably, the spacing distance between adjacent aligned electrodes of the multiple conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector is between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm, and more preferably between 0.6 mm and 0.8 mm (measured from the end of one electrode to the start of the adjacent aligned electrode). A smaller open spacing distance between adjacent aligned electrodes results in a higher maximum repulsive field on the inwardly curved surface during operation (i.e., when applying a radio frequency voltage to the concave ion deflector), thus increasing the radio frequency pseudopotential barrier for ions moving from the output port towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector. The distance measured from the center to the center of adjacent aligned electrodes may be between 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably between 1.2 mm and 1.3 mm. The spacing distance between adjacent aligned electrodes of the multiple conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector can be completely or partially filled with a material having an electrically insulating effect.

[0062] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, adjacent aligned electrodes of the multiple conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector are separated from each other by a spacing distance, and one, more or all of these spacing distances form a flow-through path through which particles from the output port (particles not guided by the forces present in the concave ion deflector to move along the downstream path of the concave ion deflector) can exit the concave ion deflector.

[0063] According to the present invention, the output port can generally be of any type as long as it can emit a directed gas flow containing ions. However, in various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the output port can be a capillary or an orifice (the outlet), preferably the outlet of an electrospray ionization (ESI) capillary. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the capillary or the orifice is between 0.1 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 1.3 mm.

[0064] Another conceivable type of outlet is a matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionization (MALDI) device, where the device is designed and arranged such that, after desorption and ionization, the MALDI sample (at least in part) moves or is directed towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector. Additionally, the outlet can be configured to eject ions generated by multiple ionization techniques and / or ions from multiple ion sources simultaneously or successively towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector. For example, the outlet can include a means for ejecting ions generated by MALDI and a means for ejecting ions generated by ESI. The present invention also includes embodiments such as, for example, matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionization is performed behind the concave ion deflector, where, after desorption and ionization, the ions first move towards the front of the concave ion deflector and then are pushed towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector through the outlet, such as by an air stream from a capillary.

[0065] The concave ion deflector of the device of the present invention or the electrodes of the corresponding concave ion deflector can in principle be made of any material suitable for the purpose. Generally, the ion deflector or the electrodes of the corresponding concave ion deflector are made of one or more materials including beryllium copper, phosphor bronze, stainless steel, Inconel TM , Elgiloy TM and Hastelloy TM or consisting of them. Materials with excellent corrosion resistance, such as stainless steel, Inconel TM , Elgiloy TM and Hastelloy TM are preferred.

[0066] As described above, all shapes of the concave ion deflector share the common feature that they have an opening through which a directed gas flow containing ions can emerge from the outlet and move towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector, thus easily entering the concave ion deflector. According to the present invention, the size of the opening through which the directed gas flow containing ions emerges from the outlet and moves towards the inwardly curved surface to enter the concave ion deflector can vary, and can be determined specifically by the degree to which the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector at the opening or the components surround the internal region or cavity of the concave ion deflector. In various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector or the electrode of the concave ion deflector at the opening can surround the internal region or cavity of the concave ion deflector at a degree ranging from 45° to 315°, preferably from 120° to 240°, and more preferably 180°. For example, when the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector is semi-circular or "U"-shaped in a two-dimensional projection, the inwardly curved surface (and the electrode of the concave ion deflector forming the semi-circular or "U" shape) will surround the internal region or cavity of the concave ion deflector at a range of 180°. If the degree of surrounding the region by the inwardly curved surface is weaker, the value will be smaller, and vice versa.

[0067] A directed gas flow containing ions emerges from the outlet and moves towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector, and can enter the concave ion deflector through the opening. The size of this opening can also be determined by the distance between two opposite sides of the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector. Due to the curvature of the inwardly curved surface, these two sides are closer to each other (compared to a planar surface). In multiple preferred embodiments of the present invention, the shortest distance between two opposite sides of the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector that are closer to each other due to the curvature can be in the range of 10 to 50 mm, preferably in the range of 15 to 40 mm, more preferably in the range of 20 to 30 mm, especially 25 mm. Additionally or alternatively, a directed gas flow containing ions emerges from the outlet and moves towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector, and enters the concave ion deflector through the opening. The size of this opening is preferably at least in the range of 10 to 50 mm, preferably 15 to 35 mm, more preferably 20 to 30 mm, especially 25 mm.

[0068] As described above and defined in the claims, a directed ion-containing gas stream exits from an outlet and enters a concave ion deflector through an opening, the preferred dimensions of which jointly determine, to some extent, the type and degree of curvature of the concave ion deflector. The concave ion deflector needs to have a certain curvature to assist in deflecting and guiding the ions from the outlet. The preferred range of the above-mentioned opening dimensions represents an ideal balance, ensuring that the opening is large enough for the directed ion-containing gas stream from the outlet to enter the concave ion deflector easily and with substantially no interference, while also ensuring that there is sufficient concave curvature to receive, confine, and deflect the ions contained in the directed gas stream to the ion guiding path as required and move along the ion guiding path (in the downstream direction).

[0069] In various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the length of the concave ion deflector or the length of the ion guiding path (whether there are ion tunnels or ion funnels upstream and / or downstream of the concave ion deflector) may be in the range of 10 to 100 mm, preferably in the range of 10 to 50 mm, and more preferably in the range of 15 to 25 mm. It has been found that this length is sufficient and beneficial for efficient ion deflection, repositioning, and confinement, while effectively separating other (uncharged) particles and components from the ions from the outlet.

[0070] The angle at which the directed ion-containing gas stream exits from the outlet and moves to the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector or enters the concave ion deflector can in principle be freely selected. However, according to the present invention, it is preferred that the arrangement between the outlet and the concave ion deflector enables the directed ion-containing gas stream exiting from the outlet to move in a generally perpendicular direction towards the inwardly curved surface or towards the opening of the concave ion deflector. Such a direction of movement has a beneficial effect on the separation of ions from other particles also exiting from the outlet (the closer the incident direction of the directed ion-containing gas stream exiting from the outlet is to being perpendicular to the deflection direction applied to the ions in the concave ion deflector, the greater the difference in their directions, and the higher the efficiency of the separation of the ions from other particles in the concave ion deflector). In addition, the directed ion-containing gas stream exiting from the outlet moving in a generally perpendicular direction towards the inwardly curved surface or towards the opening of the concave ion deflector helps non-ion particles to be re-emitted from the concave ion deflector.

[0071] However, non-perpendicular angles of incidence are also conceivable and may have advantages, namely, an oblique angle of incidence of ions (e.g., 45° with respect to a common axis aligned with a plurality of conductive electrodes within a concave ion deflector), which requires less force to deflect ions exiting the output port along the ion guiding path (downstream) of the concave ion deflector. Additionally, such a design allows at least partial utilization of the initial kinetic energy of the ions exiting the output port to move them along the path of the concave ion deflector (at least in cases where the direction of motion of the ions exiting the output port already partially faces the downstream exit of the concave ion deflector).

[0072] Accordingly, in various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the output port and the concave ion deflector may be arranged relative to each other such that a directed stream of ions exiting the output port moves towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector at an angle of 35° to 145°, preferably at an angle of 45° to 90°, more preferably orthogonally. Additionally, in various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the output port and the concave ion deflector may be arranged relative to each other such that a directed stream of ions exiting the output port moves towards and / or into the concave ion deflector at an angle of 35° to 145° with respect to a common axis (at least partially) aligned with a plurality of conductive electrodes within the concave ion deflector, preferably at an angle of 45° to 90° with respect to a common axis (at least partially) aligned with a plurality of conductive electrodes within the concave ion deflector, more preferably orthogonally to a common axis (at least partially) aligned with a plurality of conductive electrodes within the concave ion deflector. As an addition or alternative to the foregoing preferred embodiments, in various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the output port and the concave ion deflector may be arranged relative to each other such that a directed stream of ions exiting the output port moves towards and / or into the concave ion deflector at an angle of 35° to 145° with respect to the direction of a force present in or applied to the concave ion deflector, particularly with respect to the direction of an electric (DC) field (preferably at an angle of 45° to 90°, more preferably orthogonally), so that the ions entering the concave ion deflector move or are deflected along the concave ion deflector (downstream).

[0073] In various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the output port and the concave ion deflector can be arranged relative to each other such that the directed ion-containing gas stream emitted from the output port moves towards one end of the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector. Additionally or alternatively, the output port and the concave ion deflector can be arranged relative to each other such that the directed ion-containing gas stream emitted from the output port enters the concave ion deflector from this end of the concave ion deflector. This realization of the entry position of the directed ion-containing gas stream emitted from the output port into the concave ion deflector can advantageously ensure the full utilization of the length of the concave ion deflector in order to deflect and manipulate the ions entering the concave ion deflector along their path through the concave ion deflector to the other end of the concave ion deflector.

[0074] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the output port and the concave ion deflector can be arranged relative to each other such that the directed ion-containing gas stream emitted from the output port moves towards a position on the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector near the driving element, preferably near the position of the reflecting electrode. This proximity of the ions entering the concave ion deflector with the driving element can ensure that the force exerted by the driving element on the ions during operation has a strong effect, thereby enabling the efficient deflection of the ions passing through the concave ion deflector and their movement.

[0075] In various preferred embodiments, the device according to the present invention can further include a shield, wherein the shield at least partially surrounds the output port (of course, in a manner that does not block the initial flight path of the directed ion-containing gas stream emitted from the output port). As described above, the ion deflector is concave in shape and not completely enclosed, and the characteristics that the ion deflector and the output port are located outside the concave ion deflector have the effect (among other effects) of keeping the adverse interactions of the ions from the output port at a low level and minimizing them until the ions approach or enter the ion deflector. The main function of the shield is to further reduce the adverse interactions that may still occur in the path of the ions from the output port to the concave ion deflector. The shield can comprise any electrically conductive material or electrically insulating material or be made thereof that can reduce the adverse interactions that may occur in the path of the ions from the output port to the concave ion deflector.

[0076] The shield can extend into the concave ion deflector, that is, into the region or cavity surrounded or enclosed by the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shield is directly in front of the concave ion deflector, that is, directly in front of the region or cavity surrounded or enclosed by the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector, and thus preferably does not extend into the concave ion deflector.

[0077] Preferably, the shield is tubular in shape and the output port extends into the tube. A further advantage of the shield being tubular is that the output port, which extends at least partially into the tube, can be shielded from any interfering effects at a possible angle of up to 360° and at the same time remain free.

[0078] According to the present invention, one, two, more than two or all of the plurality of conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector can be applied with a radio frequency voltage. In various preferred embodiments of the present invention, each of the plurality of conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector can be connected to a radio frequency potential.

[0079] As previously mentioned, the applied radio frequency voltage can not only prevent ions moving from the output port and towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector from reaching the inwardly curved surface, thus avoiding their collision with the inner wall of the concave ion deflector or escaping from the ion deflector when passing through the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector. The radio frequency voltage can also be additionally used in some embodiments to guide the ions along a path downstream of the concave ion deflector (i.e., the ion guiding path).

[0080] In various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the radio frequency voltage applied to the concave ion deflector can include two or more phases, preferably two phases (0°, 180°), which are alternately applied to adjacent electrodes of the plurality of conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector. In addition, the radio frequency potential on any electrode of the plurality of conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector connected to the radio frequency potential can be 180 degrees out of phase with the radio frequency potential on the adjacent electrode. Applying the radio frequency potential in this way can reduce the formation of pseudo potential wells, thus preventing or at least minimizing the trapping of ions.

[0081] The device according to the present invention may further include at least one pumping port, wherein the concave ion deflector is preferably located between the output port and the at least one pumping port. This preferred arrangement of the concave ion deflector, the output port and the pumping port has the advantage that the particles passing through the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector in the directed gas flow emitted from the output port can be immediately and efficiently removed.

[0082] According to the present invention, it is not excluded that other devices facilitating ion transport can be connected to or be part of the concave ion deflector. In various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the concave ion deflector can include (e.g., be operatively coupled to) at least one ion channel or ion funnel. In the context of the present invention, the main difference between an ion funnel and an ion channel is that the inner diameter of the ion funnel gradually decreases or increases along its longitudinal extension or the direction of ion movement. The ion channel or ion funnel can be located upstream or downstream of the concave ion deflector.

[0083] In various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the concave ion deflector includes at least one ion channel or ion funnel located downstream of the concave ion deflector, i.e., downstream of the region where ions are deflected along the ion guiding path of the concave ion deflector and other (especially uncharged) particles are separated.

[0084] The ion channel or ion funnel located downstream of the concave ion deflector is preferably formed by a plurality of annular electrodes. The ion channel or ion funnel located downstream generally directly follows the plurality of conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector. In these preferred embodiments, the ion channel or ion funnel forms an extension of the ion guiding path and helps to further guide and confine the ions. An ion funnel whose inner diameter gradually decreases along the direction of ion movement is preferred when it is located downstream of the concave ion deflector.

[0085] As mentioned above, the ion tunnel or ion funnel can be located upstream of the concave ion deflector as an additional or alternative option. In various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the directed gas flow containing ions emitted from the output port enters the concave ion deflector through the ion tunnel or ion funnel, where the ion tunnel or ion funnel is designed and configured to focus (at least partially) the ions from the output port while these ions move towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector. In particular, the directed gas flow containing ions emitted from the output port enters the concave ion deflector through the ion tunnel or ion funnel, and the ion tunnel or ion funnel can focus the ions from the output port (these ions may arrive and enter the corresponding ion tunnel or ion funnel as an ion cloud, and at this time the ions are scattered in a relatively wide area) into an ion beam, and then separate the uncharged particles by deflecting the ion beam along the ion guiding path in the downstream direction. By focusing the ions into an ion beam before deflection, the mass bandwidth and sensitivity of the ion spectroscopy system can be improved.

[0086] The directed gas flow containing ions emitted from the output port preferably enters the concave ion deflector through the ion tunnel or ion funnel, and the ion tunnel or ion funnel can be formed by extending at least a part of the plurality of conductive (concave) electrodes of the concave ion deflector, and preferably also changing the notch size of the corresponding extended part to form an ion funnel or ion tunnel. For example, some or all of the plurality of conductive electrodes (concave electrodes) of the concave ion deflector can be extended according to the electrode number, and the notch size changes to form an ion tunnel or ion funnel. Alternatively, the directed gas flow containing ions emitted from the output port enters the concave ion deflector through the ion tunnel or ion funnel, and the ion tunnel or ion funnel can be composed of independent electrodes, such as a plurality of annular electrodes, and these electrodes can have an inner diameter that gradually increases or decreases along the direction of movement (i.e., along the downstream direction) or not.

[0087] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the directed ion-containing gas flow emitted from the outlet enters the concave ion deflector through an ion tunnel or an ion funnel, and the ion tunnel or the ion funnel preferably has a constriction portion in its moving direction (i.e., the downstream direction). The ions from the outlet are guided and focused onto this constriction portion during their movement towards the inner curved surface. The guiding of the ions into the constriction portion of the ion tunnel or the ion funnel can be achieved by a force, preferably an electric field (DC electric field), which pushes the ions into the constriction portion, while the RF voltage applied to the electrodes of the ion tunnel or the ion funnel and the corresponding RF pseudo-barrier generated prevent the ions pushed into the constriction portion from colliding with the internal components of the ion tunnel or the ion funnel, or from escaping from the ion tunnel or the ion funnel through the holes or gaps between the electrodes. The force that pushes the ions into the constriction portion of the ion tunnel or the ion funnel can be provided by the same pushing element that deflects the ions. Through this pushing element, the ions entering or approaching the concave ion deflector have already received a driving force that pushes them (in the downstream direction) along the concave ion deflector. In an embodiment where the pushing element is a reflecting electrode, the corresponding reflecting electrode can, for example, extend along the length of the ion tunnel or the ion funnel in order to perform the additional task of pushing the ions into the constriction portion of the ion tunnel or the ion funnel. In this case, the reflecting electrode usually also represents the termination at one side of the ion tunnel or the ion funnel.

[0088] The constriction portion of the aforementioned ion tunnel or ion funnel can be designed and implemented in various ways. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the directed ion-containing gas flow emitted from the outlet can enter the concave ion deflector through the ion tunnel or the ion funnel, and the ion tunnel or the ion funnel can be designed such that the inner cavity of the ion tunnel or the ion funnel has a teardrop shape in cross-section (i.e., perpendicular to the moving direction). Such a teardrop shape has proven to be particularly efficient and practical for focusing ions within the ion tunnel or the ion funnel.

[0089] The directed ion-containing gas stream emitted from the outlet enters the concave ion deflector through an ion tunnel or an ion funnel. In particular, in embodiments where the ion funnel or the ion channel passes through a plurality of conductive (concave) electrodes that extend at least a portion of the concave ion deflector and the notch size varies accordingly, the specific shape of the inner region of the ion funnel or the ion tunnel in cross-section (i.e., perpendicular to the direction of motion) is determined by the type and extent of the selected different notch sizes of the respective electrodes. The variation in the notch size of each electrode (e.g., to make the cross-section of the inner region of the ion funnel or the ion tunnel circular or drop-shaped) typically results in steps or edges at the transitions between the electrode extensions of different notch sizes (visible in the cross-section of the ion funnel or the ion tunnel). Since these steps or edges may increase the risk of ion trapping, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the inner region of the ion funnel or the ion tunnel (i.e., perpendicular to the direction of motion) (usually) does not show steps or edges, and / or its edges are rounded, and the directed ion-containing gas stream emitted from the outlet enters the concave ion deflector through the ion tunnel or the ion funnel. Taking these measures can reduce the risk of ion trapping.

[0090] In an embodiment where the directed ion-containing gas stream emitted from the outlet enters the concave ion deflector through an ion funnel, the ion funnel can be preferably designed such that the inner diameter of the ion funnel gradually increases along its direction of motion (i.e., diverges in the downstream direction). In other words, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the directed ion-containing gas stream emitted from the outlet enters the concave ion deflector through an ion funnel having an inner diameter that gradually increases along its direction of motion. The inner diameter of the ion funnel gradually increases (and gradually decreases) along its direction of motion, for example, by gradually changing the cutting size of the electrode extension portions that form the ion funnel along the direction of motion. The gradually diverging diameter along the direction of motion has the additional advantage that the radio frequency potential applied to the respective ion funnel helps, through the diverging geometry of the funnel, to more strongly push the ions towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector (and thus also towards the region where the ions are deflected and separated from other particles from the outlet). In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the directed ion-containing gas stream from the outlet can enter the concave ion deflector through an ion funnel having an inner diameter that gradually decreases along the direction of motion.

[0091] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the present invention also relates to a method for facilitating the transport of ions in an ion spectroscopy system, preferably in a mass spectrometry and / or ion mobility spectrometry system, the method comprising the following steps:

[0092] a) providing a device, preferably providing the device as defined above or a preferred embodiment thereof, comprising a concave ion deflector, said concave ion deflector comprising

[0093] a plurality of conductive electrodes forming an inwardly curved surface, and

[0094] Propelling element for deflecting ions;

[0095] A radio frequency voltage source for applying a radio frequency voltage to a concave ion deflector, in particular to at least a part of a plurality of conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector; and

[0096] An outlet located outside the concave ion deflector and designed to emit a directed gas stream containing ions;

[0097] b) emitting a directed gas stream including ions from the outlet towards the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector;

[0098] c) retaining and deflecting (at least in part) ions entering or approaching the concave ion deflector while allowing other particles from the outlet to pass through the inwardly curved surface.

[0099] For a further explanation of the method according to the invention and the apparatus used therein, reference is made to the above discussion of the apparatus, which is equally applicable to the method BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0100] The present invention can be better understood by reference to the following drawings. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but merely to illustrate and demonstrate the present invention. The elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but are rather focused on illustrating the principles of the present invention (usually schematic).

[0101] Figure 1A Shows an exemplary arrangement of an outlet (capillary), a (tubular) shield, and a concave ion deflector in an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] Figure 1B is Figure 1A A top view of the embodiment schematically shown in

[0103] Figure 2 Schematically shows in a cross-sectional view an exemplary arrangement of an outlet (capillary), a (tubular) shield, a concave ion deflector, and a pumping port in an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] Figure 3A Shows in a cross-sectional view an exemplary arrangement of a tubular shield and a concave ion deflector in a mass spectrometry setting in an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] Figure 3B Schematically shows in a cross-sectional view another exemplary arrangement of an outlet (capillary), a (tubular) shield, and a concave ion deflector in a mass spectrometry setting in an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] Figure 4A The layout of multiple U-shaped electrodes is exemplarily shown in an oblique view, where multiple U-shaped electrodes are aligned along a common axis, such that these electrodes form an ion guiding path.

[0107] Figure 4B is Figure 4A the rear view of.

[0108] Figure 4C is Figure 4A the side view of.

[0109] Figure 5A Another multiple U-shaped electrode is exemplarily shown in an oblique view, where multiple U-shaped electrodes are aligned along a common axis, such that these electrodes form an ion guiding path.

[0110] Figure 5B is Figure 5A the rear view of.

[0111] Figure 5C is Figure 5A the side view of.

[0112] Figure 6A Shows a preferred embodiment of a concave ion deflector, including an ion tunnel upstream of the concave ion deflector and an ion funnel downstream.

[0113] Figure 6B Shows Figure 6A the sectional oblique view of the embodiment in.

[0114] Figure 7A A preferred embodiment of a concave ion deflector is shown in a cross-sectional top view, including an ion tunnel upstream of the concave ion deflector and an ion funnel downstream.

[0115] Figure 7B Shows Figure 7A the oblique view of the cross-sectional view.

[0116] Figure 8A Shows the sectional oblique view of a preferred embodiment of a concave ion deflector, which includes an ion funnel through which a directed gas flow containing ions enters the concave ion deflector from an outlet.

[0117] Figure 8B Shows Figure 8A the side view of.

[0118] Figure 9A The concave ion deflector is schematically shown in a cross-sectional view, and its inwardly curved surface includes a protrusion.

[0119] Figure 9B Is schematically shown in a cross-sectional viewFigure 9A a concave ion deflector, and shows how the protrusions act as pseudo-jet disruptors. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0120] Figure 1A shows an exemplary arrangement of an output port (capillary) 40, a (tubular) shield 30, and a concave ion deflector 10 in a device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The concave ion deflector 10 includes a plurality of concave (U-shaped) electrodes 11, a reflecting electrode 12, and an ion tunnel 14 located downstream of the concave ion deflector, which are aligned along a common axis and form an inwardly curved surface 13. The ion tunnel is constituted by a plurality of annular electrodes aligned along the same axis as the concave electrodes 11. The concave ion deflector 10 in the illustrated example includes fourteen U-shaped electrodes and ten annular electrodes along its entire length, to which a two-phase RF voltage (0° - 180

[0121] ° - 0° - 180°) can be alternately applied to generate an electric field, slow down the ions emitted from the capillary 40, and prevent the ions from contacting the inwardly curved surface 13 of the concave ion deflector, thereby preventing the ions from passing through the gap between the electrodes through the inwardly curved surface 13 of the concave ion deflector 10.

[0122] Figure 1A The illustrated concave ion deflector 10 includes an opening through which a directed ion-containing gas stream emitted from the capillary 40 and moving towards the inwardly curved surface 13 of the concave ion deflector 10 can easily enter the concave ion deflector 10. The opening of the concave ion deflector 10 extends along the length of the coaxial arrangement of the plurality of concave (U-shaped) electrodes 11. By Figure 1A the coaxial arrangement of the plurality of concave (U-shaped) electrodes 11 shown in (and the resulting inwardly curved surface 13), the inner region or cavity of the concave ion deflector is surrounded by 180°. Nevertheless, the opening of the concave ion deflector 10 is large enough for a directed ion-containing gas stream emitted from the capillary 40 and moving towards the inwardly curved surface 13 of the concave ion deflector 10 to enter the concave ion deflector via the opening, ensuring that the ions can enter the concave ion deflector 10 with substantially no influence from any disturbing fields.

[0123] As previously described, Figure 1AThe capillary 40 therein is designed and configured to emit a directed gas flow containing ions. The capillary 40 is arranged such that the directed gas flow containing ions emitted from the capillary 40 moves orthogonally towards the inwardly curved surface 13 of the concave ion deflector 10, or enters the concave ion deflector 10 orthogonally to the common axis aligned with the U-shaped electrode 11. In the illustrated example, ions can be formed at substantially atmospheric pressure by an electrospray process, which is well known to those skilled in the art. In this case, the spray mist emitted from the capillary 40 mainly contains gas, droplets (charged or uncharged), and ions of one or more analytes of interest, and the pressure is substantially atmospheric pressure. The atmospheric pressure here refers to a pressure of at least about 10 3 Pascals, for example about 10 5 Pascals of the actual ambient pressure. Subsequently, the spray from the capillary 40 is pushed towards the inwardly curved surface 13 of the concave ion deflector 10. The concave ion deflector 10 itself may operate at a pressure of about 6 mbar. As the ions approach and enter the concave ion deflector 10, the ions in the spray mist interact with the RF field in the concave ion deflector 10 and are blocked by this electric field from continuing along their initial flight path as predetermined when emitted from the capillary 40. Other components in the spray mist that are not blocked by the electric field in the concave ion deflector 10 will continue to move towards the inwardly curved surface 13 of the concave ion deflector 10 and pass through the gap between the U-shaped electrodes 11, or collide with the U-shaped electrodes 11 or other parts of the concave ion deflector 10.

[0124] The capillary 40 extends partially (starting from the outlet) into a tubular shield 30 located immediately in front of the opening of the concave ion deflector 10, through which the directed gas flow containing ions emitted from the capillary 40 enters the concave ion deflector 10. Both the tubular shield 30 and the capillary 40 are entirely located outside the concave ion deflector 10. Due to the extension of the capillary 40, especially its outlet entering the tubular shield 30, the ions emitted from the capillary 40 are additionally shielded on their way into the concave ion deflector 10 from any interfering fields that may occur in front of the concave ion deflector 10.

[0125] The concave ion deflector 10 includes a reflecting electrode 12 at one of its ends. A DC voltage can be applied to the reflecting electrode 12, thereby establishing a DC gradient on the concave ion deflector 10 such that the ions entering the concave ion deflector 10 are guided in the downstream direction along the ion guiding path of the concave ion deflector 10 to the other end of the concave ion deflector 10.

[0126] The electrospray process is carried out at Figure 1Ais briefly outlined only as an example in the context and presented in a very schematic way. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that there are many different embodiments available for the capillary for electrospray ionization, and they can choose the most practical solution. Embodiments may include some additional lateral gas flows that act by heating the gas to increase the desolvation ability of the capillary. In addition, the ion source should in no way be limited to those sources that use the electrospray principle. Other ways can also be used to ionize the sample. For example, an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source can ionize gaseous neutral molecules atomized from a liquid, and these molecules are ionized by charge transfer reactions with certain reagent ions, as is well known to persons skilled in the art.

[0127] Figure 1B shows a Figure 1A top view. From this top view, the gap between the U-shaped electrodes 11 can be seen more clearly. As described above, the main purpose of these gaps is to allow those particles emitted from the capillary 40 that are not retained and deflected in the downstream direction along the ion guiding path by the existing electric field in the concave ion deflector 10 to leave the concave ion deflector 10 quickly and easily.

[0128] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary arrangement of a capillary 40, a tubular shield 30, a concave ion deflector 10, and a pumping port 50 in a device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. From Figure 2 the shown schematic cross-sectional view, it can be seen particularly clearly that the capillary 40 is located outside the concave ion deflector 10. In addition, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown here, the tubular shield 30 does not extend into the concave ion deflector 10 but terminates before its opening through which ions and other particles from the capillary 40 can enter the concave ion deflector 10. In addition, the pumping port 50 located behind the concave ion deflector 10 allows those particles that pass through the inwardly curved surface 13 of the concave ion deflector 10 and the gap between the concave electrodes to be quickly discharged from the system.

[0129] Figure 3A shows a cross-sectional view illustrating how the tubular shield 30, the capillary 40, and the concave ion deflector 10 in a device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention are embedded in a mass spectrometry setup. In Figure 3A the shown arrangement, the capillary 40 extends partially into the tubular shield 30, but the capillary 40 is surrounded by the corresponding shield 30 and other components in the mass spectrometry setup and is thus not visible.

[0130] Figure 3BIt also schematically shows how a tubular shield 30, a capillary 40, and a concave ion deflector 10 in a device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention are embedded in a mass spectrometry device. In Figure 3B the shown mass spectrometry device, the concave ion deflector 10 includes an ion funnel 18, which is located downstream of the concave ion deflector 10 and is used to further guide and confine the ions from the capillary 40. In Figure 3B the shown embodiment, the ions are then transported to a drift tube or a TIMS tunnel 19 connected to the ion funnel 18 to separate the ions according to their ion mobilities, and after coming out of the drift tube or the TIMS tunnel 19 through a further ion funnel 20, the ions are transported to a mass analyzer of the mass spectrometry device.

[0131] Figure 4A 、 4B Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C show examples of a plurality of U-shaped electrodes 11 arranged along a common axis from different angles ( Figure 4A : perspective view, Figure 4B : rear view, Figure 4C : side view). According to Figure 4A 、 4B Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C, the U-shaped electrodes 11 are placed in a bracket 60, and the alignment of the U-shaped electrodes 11 is maintained through this bracket.

[0132] Figure 5A 、 5B Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C show another example of a plurality of U-shaped electrodes 11 arranged along a common axis from different angles ( Figure 5A : perspective view, Figure 5B : rear view, Figure 5C : side view). Through the circular holes on the electrodes in Figure 5, the overlapping electrode area of adjacent electrodes is reduced, thereby reducing the load on the RF generator and the capacitance.

[0133] Figure 6A Figure 6 shows an example of a concave ion deflector 10 including an upstream ion tunnel 15, through which a directed ion-containing gas flow from an output port 40 ( Figure 6A not shown in Figure 6B and moving towards the inwardly curved surface 13 (visible in the cross-sectional perspective view of Figure 6B ) can enter. The ion tunnel 15 is formed by an extension of the concave electrodes 11, and these concave electrodes change in the cutting manner to form the ion tunnel 15. The internal region of the ion tunnel 15 is in a teardrop shape 151 in a cross-sectional view (i.e., a view perpendicular to the direction of movement). In addition, in Figure 6AIn the preferred embodiment shown, the reflective electrode 12 extends along the entire length of the ion tunnel 15, so that a DC electric field can be applied in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the ion tunnel 15. Ions entering the concave ion deflector 10 through the ion tunnel 15 are pushed by the DC electric field applied to the ion tunnel 15 towards the narrow part in the teardrop shape (i.e., the constricted part of the ion tunnel 15), while continuing to move towards the inwardly curved surface 13 of the concave ion deflector 10. The pseudo-potential barrier created by the RF voltage applied to the electrodes forming the ion tunnel 15 prevents the ions from hitting the electrodes when focused to the constricted part. Through the ion tunnel 15, ions contained in the directed gas flow from the outlet 40 can enter the concave ion deflector 10. The presence of this ion tunnel, combined with the RF field applied to the ion tunnel 15 to prevent ion loss, allows a lower DC gradient to be used because the residence time in the concave ion deflector is longer than in the case without this ion tunnel 15. According to Figure 6A and 6B , the concave ion deflector 10 further includes an ion tunnel 14 located downstream of the concave ion deflector 10, in which ions from the outlet (capillary) 40 are deflected, and this ion tunnel is further used to guide and confine these ions.

[0134] Figure 7A and 7B shows a concave ion deflector 10, which also includes an upstream ion tunnel 15. Through this ion tunnel, a directed gas flow containing ions from the outlet 40 and moving towards the inwardly curved surface 13 can enter the concave ion deflector 10. According to Figure 7A and 7B , the concave ion deflector 10 further includes a downstream ion funnel 18, into which ions from the outlet (capillary) 40 are deflected, and this ion funnel is used to further guide and restrict these ions.

[0135] Figure 8A An example of a concave ion deflector 10 is shown in a sectional perspective view, including an ion funnel 16. Through this ion funnel, a directed gas flow containing ions from the outlet 40 ( Figure 8A not shown in) and moving towards the inwardly curved surface 13 can enter the concave ion deflector 10. Figure 8B shows Figure 8A a side view of. In Figure 8A and 8B , due to the selected cutting direction passing through the concave ion deflector 10, the reflective electrode 12 of the concave ion deflector 10 is not visible. Figure 8A and 8B The concave ion deflector 10 shown is the same as Figure 6A and 6BThe main difference of the concave ion deflector 10 shown is that in Figure 8A and 8B in the concave ion deflector shown, the extension of the concave electrode 11 forms an ion funnel 16, where the inner diameter diverges in the downstream direction. The inner region of the ion funnel 16 also has a constriction 161 in a cross-sectional view (i.e., a view perpendicular to the direction of motion), where the ions entering the concave ion deflector 10 can be focused as they move towards the inwardly curved surface 13 of the concave ion deflector 10.

[0136] Figure 9A The concave ion deflector 10 is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view, with a protrusion 17 on its inwardly curved surface 13. Figure 9B The arrows visible therein indicate Figure 9A how the protrusion 17 shown acts as a pseudo-jet spoiler to interrupt the directed gas flow emitted from the capillary 40 and disperse it to both sides of the protrusion 17.

[0137] The present invention has been shown and described through multiple different embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that various aspects or details of the present invention can be changed without departing from the scope of the invention, or various aspects or details of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, provided that these combinations are feasible. Generally speaking, the above description is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the scope of the present invention, which is only defined by the appended claims, including any equivalent embodiments.

Claims

1. An apparatus for an ion spectrometry system, the apparatus facilitating the transmission of ions, the apparatus comprising: - a concave ion deflector, the concave ion deflector comprising: - a plurality of conductive electrodes forming an inwardly curved surface; - a push element for deflecting ions; - a radio frequency voltage source for applying a radio frequency voltage to the concave ion deflector, in particular to at least part of the conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector; - an output port designed and arranged to emit a directed gas flow containing ions; in - the output port and the concave ion deflector are arranged with respect to each other in such a way that a directed gas flow containing ions is directed towards an inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector; - the output port is located outside the concave ion deflector; - The concave ion deflector is designed and configured to retain and deflect ions from the output port while allowing other particles from the output port to pass through the inwardly curved surface.

2. The device according to claim 1 further comprises a DC voltage source for applying a DC voltage to the concave ion deflector, in particular for applying a DC voltage to at least a portion of the multiple conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector and / or to a driving element of the concave ion deflector.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pushing element comprises a reflective electrode.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one or more of the plurality of conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector are concave.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein one or more of the plurality of conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector are C-shaped, U-shaped and / or horseshoe-shaped electrodes.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a plurality of conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector are aligned along a common axis such that the electrodes form an ion guiding path.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein adjacent aligned electrodes of the multiple conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector are spaced apart from each other, and one, more than one or all of these spacing distances form flow paths through which particles from the output port can exit the concave ion deflector.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the output port and the concave ion deflector are arranged relative to each other so that a directional gas flow containing ions from the output port moves toward and / or enters the concave ion deflector at an angle of 35 to 145 degrees relative to a common axis aligned with multiple conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the output port and the concave ion deflector are arranged with respect to each other so that a directional gas flow containing ions emitted from the output port moves toward and / or enters the concave ion deflector in a manner orthogonal to a common axis along which multiple conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector are aligned.

10. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the output port is a capillary or an orifice.

11. The device of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a shield at least partially surrounding the output port.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the shield is located immediately in front of the concave ion deflector, and / or wherein the shield is tubular and the output port extends into the tube.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector is connected to a radio frequency potential.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the radio frequency potential of any electrode of the plurality of conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector connected to a radio frequency potential is 180 degrees out of phase with the radio frequency potential on an adjacent electrode.

15. The device of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising at least one air extraction port.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the concave ion deflector is located between the output port and at least one of the pumping ports.

17. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the concave ion deflector comprises at least one ion tunnel or ion funnel.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a directional gas flow containing ions from the output port enters the concave ion deflector through an ion tunnel or ion funnel, wherein the ion tunnel or ion funnel is designed and configured to focus the ions from the output port as they move toward the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the ion tunnel or ion funnel has a constriction along its direction of motion, into which ions from the output port are guided and focused on their way towards the inwardly curved surface.

20. An apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the directional gas flow containing ions from the output port enters the concave ion deflector through an ion funnel whose inner diameter gradually increases along its direction of movement.

21. An apparatus for an ion spectrometry system, the apparatus facilitating the transmission of ions, the apparatus comprising: - a concave ion deflector, the concave ion deflector comprising: - a plurality of conductive electrodes forming an inwardly curved surface; - a push element for deflecting ions; - a radio frequency voltage source for applying a radio frequency voltage to the concave ion deflector, in particular to at least part of the conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector; - an output port designed and arranged to emit a directed gas flow containing ions; in: - the output port is arranged so that the axis along which the directional gas flow containing the ions moves intersects the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector; - the output port is located outside the concave ion deflector; - The concave ion deflector is designed and configured to retain and deflect ions from the output port while allowing other particles from the output port to pass through the inwardly curved surface.

22. A method for facilitating ion transport in an ion spectrometry system, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a device, comprising A concave ion deflector, the concave ion deflector comprising a plurality of conductive electrodes forming an inwardly curved surface, and a propulsion element for deflecting ions; A radio frequency voltage source for applying a radio frequency voltage to the concave ion deflector, in particular, applying a radio frequency voltage to at least a portion of a plurality of conductive electrodes of the concave ion deflector; and an output port located external to the concave ion deflector and designed to emit a directed gas flow containing ions; b) emitting a directed gas flow including ions from the output port and toward the inwardly curved surface of the concave ion deflector; c) Retaining and deflecting ions entering or approaching the concave ion deflector, while allowing other particles from the output port to pass through the inwardly curved surface.

Images