Multi-channel ion router for directing ions between selectively operating ports

Abstract

An ion router, the ion router comprising: a pair of opposing surfaces; at least three ports, each port defining an opening between the pair of opposing surfaces; and a plurality of ion channels defined by an array of electrodes coupled to the pair of surfaces. At least one port is configured as an entry port through which ions are received into the ion router, and at least two ports are configured to selectively operate as either an exit port through which ions exit the ion router, or a shut-off port through which ions exit the ion router, ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router through the shutdown port. The plurality of ion channels converge toward a common location within the ion router and are configured to receive a voltage for directing ions from a port configured as an entry port to a port selectively operating as an exit port.

Description

Background of the Invention Mass spectrometry is often referred to as the "gold standard" tool for identifying and analyzing a wide range of compounds. To a large extent, the power of mass spectrometry lies in the ability of modern mass spectrometers to individually separate, store, and subsequently manipulate (via ion fragmentation or ion-ion chemistry) specific ion species of interest selected from a large number of ion species typically produced by ionization of any sample mixture. In many types of mass spectrometers, a quadrupole mass filter is commonly used to perform ion isolation. For example, in triple quadrupole or quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometers, the mass filter is positioned upstream of the mass analyzer. The mass filter can accommodate compounds with various mass-to-charge ratios (M / C). m / z An ion stream composed of multiple ion species. To isolate specific... m / z For specific ion species, a specific pair of direct current (DC) and oscillating radio frequency (RF) voltages can be applied to the rod electrodes of the filter. Applying appropriately sized DC and RF voltages allows only a narrow range of [ions / phases] to be transmitted. m / z The value passes through the filter, and this narrow range includes the specific values ​​of interest. m / z Under this operation, all other... m / z The ions of value are emitted from the device and neutralized. Therefore, this includes the specific [objects] of interest. m / z The ion species are transported through the mass filter without significant contamination from other ion species to other downstream mass spectrometer components where the isolated ion species can be manipulated and analyzed in various ways.

[0001] While mass filters perform important functions, they are inefficient because at any given time, they cause the elimination of all ions except those specific ions that are allowed to pass through the device through selective filtering of the filter band. Therefore, at any given time, typically more than ninety percent of potentially usable compositional information may be wasted by the mass filter.

[0002] To improve overall analytical efficiency, various types of pre-separation devices are commonly used upstream of the mass filter as a means of providing non-destructive initial coarse separation of ionic species. Once separated by the pre-separation device, the various coarsely separated ion groups can then be individually passed to the mass filter for narrow-band isolation of the ionic species of interest. Due to the earlier pre-separation, a smaller proportion of ions will be discarded by the mass filter during each such separation.

[0003] As an example of this pre-separation method, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is commonly used to separate ionized molecules based on their migration rate in a carrier buffer gas within the gas phase. See Kanu et al. (Kanu, Abu B., Prabha Dwivedi, Maggie Tam, Laura Matz, and Herbert H. Hill Jr., “Ion mobility–mass spectrometry”). Journal of mass spectrometry 43, no. 1 (2008): 1-22.) A general overview of coupling ion mobility spectrometry to mass spectrometry. According to another separation method known as Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry (TIMS), ions are trapped by an opposing gas flow along a non-uniform electric DC field (electric field gradient) or by an opposing gas flow with a non-uniform axial velocity distribution (gas velocity gradient) along a uniform electric DC field. The trapped ions are spatially separated according to their ion mobility and subsequently eluted (released) according to their mobility over time by adjusting either the gas velocity or the DC electric field. Details of the TIMS technique are described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 6,630,662 in the name of inventor Loboda; U.S. Patent No. 7,838,826 B1 in the name of inventor Park; and U.S. Patent No. 11,226,308 in the name of Rather and Michelmann. Additional descriptions are provided below: Michelmann et al. (Michelmann, Karsten, Joshua A. Silveira, Mark E. Ridgeway, and Melvin A. Park. "Fundamentals of trapped ion mobility spectrometry.") Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry 26, no. 1 (2014): 14-24.), and Silveira et al. (Silveira, Joshua A., Karsten Michelmann, Mark E. Ridgeway, and Melvin A. Park. “Fundamentals of trapped ion mobility spectrometry part II: fluid dynamics.” Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry 27, no. 4 (2016): 585-595.).

[0004] Both ion mobility spectrometry and trap ion mobility spectrometry utilize ion guides configured to provide an axial DC field along their length. Such an axial field can be provided by distributing a voltage applied between the inlet and outlet ends of the ion guide across multiple electrodes disposed between the inlet and outlet ends. As an example, the voltage can be distributed between segments of the rod electrodes of a quadrupole or multipole ion guide device. Alternatively, as discussed in more detail later in this document, the voltage can be distributed, for example, between multiple parallel electrode plates or between multiple fine electrode lines deposited on or otherwise attached to a substrate or wafer.

[0005] By providing appropriate power and electrical connections, the individual rod segments of a segmented quadrupole ion guide, the plate electrodes of a stacked plate or stacked ring ion guide, or the electrode lines of a printed circuit board can be equipped with a so-called “traveling wave” DC voltage (US Patent No. 6,812,453, in the name of inventors Bateman et al.). Typically, in this operation, a periodically varying DC voltage is applied to individual rod segment electrodes, plate electrodes, or wiring, with the periodic phase shifting between pairs of electrodes, causing the potential trap to migrate from the ion inlet end of the ion guide to its ion outlet end. Traveling DC voltage waves have been used to control ions in mass spectrometers, depending on several different configurations. The most common commercially available ion guide and mass spectrometer collision cell employing a traveling DC wave is the T-Wave, supplied by Waters Corporation of Milford, Massachusetts, USA. ™ System. T-Wave ™ The system employs stacked toroidal ion guides, providing radial confinement of ions via RF voltage and axial propulsion via a summed DC traveling wave. Other DC traveling wave configurations known by the acronym "SLIM" (Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulation) have been developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and are described below: Tolmachev et al. (Tolmachev, Aleksey V., Ian K. Webb, Yehia M. Ibrahim, Sandilya VB Garimella, Xinyu Zhang, Gordon A. Anderson, and Richard D. Smith. "Characterization of ion dynamics in structures for lossless ion manipulations.") Analytical chemistry 86, no. 18 (2014): 9162-9168.), and Ibrahim et al. (Ibrahim, Yehia M., Ahmed M. Hamid, Liulin Deng, Sandilya VB Garimella, Ian K. Webb, Erin S. Baker, and Richard D. Smith. “New frontiers for mass spectrometry based upon structures for lossless ion manipulations.” Analyst 142, no. 7 (2017): 1010-1021.). SLIM ion guides employ a similar traveling wave concept to capture and propel ions, but do so using a modified electrode configuration that conforms to the specific implementation of the printed circuit board. T-Wave ™ The SLIM traveling wave system is most commonly used at relatively high pressures (e.g., about 1 Torr), where the axial movement of ions is impeded by gas collisions, making separation partially based on the collision profile possible.

[0006] Recently, in descriptions of ion guides, traveling waves are not achieved via DC voltage, but rather by manipulating a main RF axial constraint waveform applied to a multi-pole rod segment or to a plate-shaped electrode of a stacked ring structure. According to these teachings, various electrodes of an electrode array (e.g., an array of plate electrodes, rod-shaped electrode segments, printed circuit board-shaped electrodes, etc.) can be logically grouped into consecutive electrode subgroups (e.g., each group comprising three or more electrodes), whereby, within each subgroup, a differently modulated RF waveform is applied to each electrode of the subgroup. Examples include RF traveling waves generated via amplitude modulation (U.S. Patent No. 9,799,503 in the name of inventors Williams et al.) and frequency modulation (U.S. Patent No. 10,692,710 in the name of inventors Prabhakaran et al.). Summary of the Invention

[0007] The following description presents a simplified overview of one or more aspects of the systems and methods described herein. This invention is not a comprehensive summary of all contemplated aspects, nor is it intended to identify key or decisive elements of all aspects, nor to define the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present one or more aspects of the systems and methods described herein as a prelude to the specific embodiments presented below.

[0008] In some exemplary examples, an ion router includes: a pair of opposing surfaces; at least three ports, each of which defines an opening between the pair of opposing surfaces, wherein at least one of the at least three ports is configured as an entry port through which ions are received into the ion router, and wherein at least two of the at least three ports are configured to selectively operate as either exit ports or shut-off ports through which ions exit the ion router, and through which ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router; and a plurality of ion channels defined by an array of electrodes coupled to the pair of surfaces and configured to receive one or more voltages for guiding ions from the port configured as an entry port to the port selectively operated as an exit port, wherein the plurality of ion channels converge toward a common location within the ion router.

[0009] In some exemplary examples, an ion router includes: a pair of opposing surfaces; at least three ports, each of which defines an opening between the pair of opposing surfaces, wherein at least one of the at least three ports is configured to selectively operate as an entry port, an exit port, or a shut-off port, through which ions are received into the ion router, through which ions exit the ion router, and through which ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router, through which ions are shut-off; and a plurality of ion channels defined by an array of electrodes coupled to the pair of surfaces and configured to receive one or more voltages for guiding ions from the port operating as an entry port to the port operating as an exit port.

[0010] In some exemplary examples, a system includes: an ion router comprising: a pair of opposing surfaces; at least three ports, each of the at least three ports defining an opening between the pair of opposing surfaces, wherein each of the at least three ports is configured to selectively operate as an entry port, an exit port, or a closed port, through which ions are received into the ion router, through which ions exit the ion router, and through which ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router, through which ions are closed; and a plurality of ion channels defined by an array of electrodes coupled to the pair of surfaces and configured to receive one or more voltages for guiding ions from the port operating as an entry port to the port operating as an exit port; and an ion sorter coupled to a first port of the at least three ports, wherein the ion router is configured to transfer ions to the ion sorter when the first port selectively operates as an exit port and to receive ions from the ion sorter when the first port selectively operates as an entry port.

[0011] In some exemplary examples, a method of operating an ion router includes: applying a first direct current (DC) voltage to a first port electrode associated with a first port to selectively operate the first port as an entry port, an exit port, or a closed port, through which ions are received into the ion router, through which ions leave the ion router, and through which ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router, via the closed port; and applying a second DC voltage to a second port electrode associated with a second port to selectively operate the second port as an entry port, an exit port, or a closed port, through which ions are received into the ion router. Ions leave the ion router through the exit port, and ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router through the shut-off port; a third DC voltage is applied to the third port electrode associated with the third port to selectively operate the third port as an entry port, exit port, or shut-off port, ions are received into the ion router through the entry port, ions leave the ion router through the exit port, and ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router through the shut-off port; and ions are introduced into the port operating as an entry port to guide the ions from the port operating as an entry port to the port operating as an exit port. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments and are part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements.

[0013] Figure 1A This is a schematic cross-sectional depiction of a known stacked ring-shaped ion guide ion transport device.

[0014] Figure 1B This is a schematic depiction of an exemplary plate-shaped electrode that can be used in a stacked ring-shaped ion guide ion transport device.

[0015] Figure 1C It is a schematic depiction of a known ion manipulation and ion guiding device that can be used as an ion transport device.

[0016] Figure 1D yes Figure 1C A schematic depiction of the electrode configuration on the surface of a known ion manipulation and ion guiding device.

[0017] Figure 2A This is a schematic cross-sectional depiction of an embodiment of an ion tunnel stacked annular ion guide according to the present teaching, wherein the direction of ion migration is determined for different mass-to-charge ratios by applying a static uniform DC axial field opposite to the downstream migration of the pseudopotential well generated by applying a traveling radio frequency (RF) wave. m / z )different.

[0018] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A Another schematic cross-section of an ion tunnel stacked ring ion guide is depicted, in which ions are directed according to their respective mass-to-charge ratios by applying a static non-uniform DC axial field opposite to the downstream migration of the pseudopotential trap. m / z They migrate to various stable regions and accumulate within these stable regions.

[0019] Figure 2C By applying to Figure 2A The RF voltage of the electrodes of the stacked ring ion guide device is sloping by one amplitude (or multiple amplitudes) according to the corresponding ion. m / z A schematic depiction of the order in which ions are extracted from the device.

[0020] Figure 3A This is a schematic cross-sectional depiction of a first embodiment of an ion funnel stacked annular ion guide according to the present teaching, wherein the direction of ion migration is adjusted for different mass-to-charge ratios by applying a static uniform DC axial field. m / z Unlike other methods, this static uniform DC axial field pulls ions toward the narrow downstream end of the funnel and migrates upstream of the pseudopotential trap generated by applying a traveling RF wave.

[0021] Figure 3B It is based on this teaching Figure 1C A modified version of the ion manipulation and ion guidance device.

[0022] Figure 4A Various ion-guided ion separator devices are used under the gradient of an applied DC axial field. m / z A set of simulated curves showing the equilibrium position of the ions, where the direction of the DC axial field is opposite to the direction of the traveling wave generated by the RF.

[0023] Figure 4B In the presence of a contrasting uniform DC axial field, various ion-guided ion separator devices are used under the condition of applying a gradient in the amplitude of a traveling wave-induced RF waveform. m / z A set of simulated curves showing the equilibrium position of the ions.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic depiction of a mass spectrometer apparatus according to the present teachings, which includes a quadrupole mass filter or other mass spectrometer components arranged in series with an ion optics device configured and operated.

[0025] Figure 6A yes Figure 2A The reproduction of the device and the schematic cross-section of the ion pack therein further illustrates a schematic example of how a DC voltage can be distributed among stacked electrodes to produce a static uniform DC axial field.

[0026] Figure 6B According to some embodiments of this teaching, the movement of ions is driven by a uniform axial electric field applied in opposition to the movement of a traveling pseudopotential well (pseudowave) generated by RF. A schematic curve illustrating the gradient of the magnitude.

[0027] Figure 6C It can be used to generate Figure 6B The axial electric field distribution is the DC voltage applied to a series of electrodes within an ion guide or ion separator device. V A schematic curve illustrating the distribution of amplitude.

[0028] Figure 6D According to some other embodiments of this teaching, an axial electric field is applied in opposition to the movement of ions driven by the traveling pseudowave generated by RF. The schematic curve shows that the amplitude of the electric field increases along the direction towards the ion outlet in the first part of the ion guide or ion separator device and remains constant in the second part of the ion guide or ion separator device. The curve also schematically depicts the first time... t 1. The positions of ions with different corresponding mass-to-charge ratios within the device, at which time the applied amplitude of the pseudopotential trap is at a first value.

[0029] Figure 6E It can be used to generate Figure 6D The axial electric field distribution is the DC voltage applied to a series of electrodes within an ion guide or ion separator device. V A schematic curve illustrating the distribution of amplitude.

[0030] Figure 6F It was at the second time t 2 Figure 6D A schematic depiction of the position of the ion pack, at this second time, the applied amplitude of the pseudopotential trap is at a second value greater than the first applied amplitude value.

[0031] Figure 6G It was at the third time t 3 Figure 6D and Figure 6F A schematic depiction of the position of the ion pack, at this third time, the applied amplitude of the pseudopotential trap is at a third value greater than the second applied amplitude value.

[0032] Figure 6H According to some embodiments of this teaching, an axial electric field is applied in opposition to the movement of ions driven by the traveling pseudowave generated by RF. The schematic curve shows that the amplitude of the electric field increases at a first rate in the direction toward the ion outlet in the first part of the ion guide or ion separator device and at a smaller second rate in the same direction in the second part of the ion guide or ion separator device.

[0033] Figure 7A This is a schematic curve illustrating the first method of the sloping change of the RF amplitude applied to the electrode of the ion guide according to this teaching.

[0034] Figure 7B This is a schematic curve illustrating the second method of the sloping change of the RF amplitude applied to the electrode of the ion guide according to this teaching.

[0035] Figure 8 It is a mass spectrometry resolution curve of ions emitted from an ion guide or ion separator device according to this teaching, wherein... Figure 6D The DC electric field distribution shown is of the type shown, while the amplitude of the opposite set of RF-generated pseudo-waves increases over time.

[0036] Figure 9 It is a curve of the mass-to-charge ratio, representing the change in the total time of the amplitude ramp of pseudowaves generated by an ion guide or ion separator device according to the mass spectrometry resolution of ions emitted from the ion guide or ion separator device according to this teaching, which is used to represent the change in the mass-to-charge ratio. Figure 6D The DC electric field distribution shown is of this type.

[0037] Figure 10A This is a flowchart of the first method for operating an ion guide according to this teaching.

[0038] Figure 10B This is a flowchart of a second method for operating an ion guide according to this teaching.

[0039] Figure 10C This is a flowchart of the third method for operating an ion guide according to this teaching.

[0040] Figure 11A This is a schematic depiction of an example voltage distribution and the resulting electric field vector amplitude that can be applied to an ion guide device according to an alternative method of this teaching.

[0041] Figure 11B It is an alternative method based on this teaching. Figure 7A A schematic depiction of a second example voltage distribution alternately applied to an ion guide device and the resulting electric field vector amplitude.

[0042] Figure 12 A perspective view of an illustrative ion router is shown.

[0043] Figure 13 It shows along Figure 12 The dotted line marked 13 in the middle is the cut-off point. Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of an ion router.

[0044] Figure 14A and Figure 14B It shows along Figure 12 The dotted line marked 14 in the middle is the cut-off point. Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of an ion router.

[0045] Figure 15 It shows along Figure 14A The dotted line marked 15 in the middle is the cut-off point. Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of an ion router and an exemplary ion trajectory within the ion router when the electrodes of the ion router receive voltage.

[0046] Figures 16 to 19 An alternative configuration of electrodes on the surface is shown.

[0047] Figure 20 A perspective view of another example of an ion router is shown.

[0048] Figure 21A and Figure 21B It shows along Figure 20 The dotted lines marked 21A and 21B are used to extract the area. Figure 20 A cross-sectional view of an ion router.

[0049] Figure 22 A perspective view of another example of an ion router is shown.

[0050] Figure 23A and Figure 23B They show the following along Figure 20 The dashed lines marked 23A and 23B in the middle are used to extract the area. Figure 22 A cross-sectional view of an ion router.

[0051] Figure 24 A mass spectrometry system incorporating an ion router, based on the principles described herein, is shown.

[0052] Figure 25 A flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for routing ions is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0053] This application relates to mass spectrometers and mass spectrometry methods. More specifically, this application relates to ion optical components used in mass spectrometers, including ion routers, ion guides, ion traps, and ion separation devices, and to methods of using such ion optical components within a mass spectrometer. All patents, patent application publications, and other public documents mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.

[0054] In some examples, the force derived from the pseudopotential for ion migration in a traveling-wave device driving RF modulation (traveling pseudopotential trap) m / z The result of dependency can be achieved by using the opposite. m / z Non-dependent forces (such as opposite DC fields) cancel each other out m / z Dependency in pseudo-forces is used to construct various ion sorting and / or ion storage devices. Such RF-DC ion sorting devices can be configured to provide initial coarse separation and temporary storage of ion species without dependence on gas flow. As disclosed herein, such RF-DC sorting devices can be deployed under both high and medium vacuum conditions, and are therefore more versatile than conventional ion sorting devices. While existing DC traveling-wave devices require an RF containment separate from the DC traveling-wave to move ions, the apparatus and methods described herein utilize RF voltage to both contain and move ions.

[0055] Because the traveling wave derived by RF has m / z Dependency force (i.e., at a lower level) m / z (to apply a greater force), therefore, it is possible to use a second m / zThe dependent force counteracts this force. For example, a static opposing DC axial electric field can be created by applying a simple DC potential gradient across multiple electrodes. Then, the combination of opposing forces can be advantageously used to spatially sort ions within an ion guide or ion trapping device. This pair of opposing applied forces will create three different ion behavior conditions, as follows: (1) First, in the presence of minimum m / z In the case of ions with the highest value, this is attributed to the fact that the force of the RF traveling wave is dominant compared to the DC field force, and the movement will be in the direction of the traveling wave; (2) in the case of ions with the highest value m / z In the case of ions with a specific critical value, the DC axial field dominates, and the movement will be opposite to the direction of the traveling wave; (3) Finally, for ions with a specific critical value m / z The forces derived from the RF and DC potential gradients will balance, preventing the ions from moving in either direction and trapping them within a specific region of the ion optics, the location of which depends on the specific... m / z Value and applied voltage.

[0056] In some implementations, by coordinating the application of an RF field and a static DC field, it is possible to configure the ion guide to achieve low... m / z Value ions and high m / z Value ions migrate in opposite directions, while simultaneously, a critical ion will be present. m / z The ion trapping value is located at the trapping site within the ion guide. According to some other embodiments, the gradient can be applied to the RF field, the DC field, or both the RF field and the DC field. In such cases, the trapping site becomes... m / z Dependent, and thus based on the corresponding ions. m / z The RF amplitude is used to both capture and spatially separate ions. Therefore, in such embodiments, ions can be spatially sorted along the length of the ion guide, similar to how ions move to a point in a pH gradient that neutralizes them in liquid-phase isoelectric focusing. The RF amplitude can be varied along the length of the device. V Or, more simply, an RF field gradient can be created by changing the electrode geometry by varying the axial spacing of the electrodes or by changing the diameter of the electrode apertures. A DC field gradient can be created most simply by modifying the resistors used to generate the gradient in a voltage divider network.

[0057] The spatial and temporal ion separation and sorting provided by the apparatus described herein are independent of gas flow. However, optimal operation of such apparatus can be achieved at ambient gas pressures ranging from 0.01 Torr to approximately 2 Torr. At lower pressures, gas collisions are insufficient to allow ions to settle into adjacent pseudopotential traps when ions are pulled out of the pseudopotential traps by a reverse DC field. In such low-pressure schemes, ions can be pulled across or across several traveling RF pseudopotential traps by a reverse DC field. This low-pressure behavior is detrimental to the final resolution of the separation. The strength of the contribution of ion mobility will depend on ion characteristics and various controllable parameters such as gas composition, gas temperature, etc. Unfortunately, this contribution of ion mobility is difficult to predict due to the time-varying RF field. Therefore, in some cases, it may be necessary to perform appropriate calibration of the apparatus response under various selected experimental conditions and various classes of ions. In many embodiments, even at pressures ranging from 0.01 Torr to 0.5 Torr, the contribution of the ion mobility effect between ions may be small or even negligible compared to the effects caused by differences in ion mass-to-charge ratio or charge.

[0058] In this description, it should be understood that, unless implied or expressly understood or stated otherwise, words appearing in the singular form encompass their plural counterparts, and words appearing in the plural form encompass their singular counterparts. Furthermore, it should be understood that, unless otherwise implied or expressly understood or stated, for any given component or embodiment described herein, any possible candidates or alternatives listed for that component may generally be used individually or in combination with each other. Furthermore, it should be understood that the figures shown herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and only some elements may be drawn for clarity of the invention. And, reference numerals may be repeated in the various figures to indicate corresponding or similar elements. Furthermore, it should be understood that, unless otherwise implied or expressly understood or stated, any list of candidates or alternatives is merely illustrative and not restrictive.

[0059] Unless otherwise defined, all other technical and scientific terms used herein have the meanings commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In case of conflict, this specification (including the definitions) shall prevail. It should be understood that any quantitative term mentioned in this description is preceded by an implied "about," such that minor and non-substantial deviations are within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the use of "comprising," "containing," and "including" is not intended to be restrictive. As used herein, "a" may also mean "at least one" or "one or more." Furthermore, the use of "or" is inclusive, such that the phrase "A or B" is true when "A" is true, "B" is true, or both "A" and "B" are true.

[0060] As used herein, when referring to a voltage applied to one or more electrodes of a mass spectrometer component, such as an ion tunnel or ion funnel, the term “DC” does not necessarily imply the imposition or presence of a current through those electrodes. Therefore, the term “DC” is used herein to distinguish the voltage referred to from an applied oscillating voltage that oscillates at radio frequency and is referred to itself as an “RF” voltage.

[0061] As used herein, when applied to DC electric fields (vector fields) or RF amplitudes, the term "static" refers to a DC field or RF amplitude that remains substantially constant over time during a period of time, possibly with negligible variations no greater than 10 percent of the average field strength or average RF amplitude. When applied to DC fields, the term "uniform" refers to a DC field maintained to have an amplitude and direction that remain substantially unchanged over a span covering a series of electrodes, except for negligible statistical variations; for example, over a series of electrodes spanning the length of an ion optics component from the ion entry end to the ion exit end. Conversely, when applied to DC fields, the terms "gradient" and "non-uniform" refer to spatial variations of at least one amplitude of the DC field across a series of electrodes and the DC field that causes such variations, respectively. It should be noted that a "static" DC field can be uniform or may have a gradient. When applied to RF amplitudes, the term "uniform" refers to an RF amplitude maintained to remain substantially constant over a span covering a series of electrodes. Conversely, when applied to RF amplitude, the terms "gradient" and "non-uniform" refer to the spatial variation of the applied amplitude across a series of electrodes.

[0062] As used herein, when applied to DC fields or RF amplitudes, the terms "dynamic" and "slope" refer to the DC field or RF amplitude that is caused to change monotonically or monotonically over a period of time. Slope of the amplitude of a DC field applied to a series of electrodes requires slope of the DC potential applied to a subgroup of those electrodes (i.e., one or more of those electrodes). Similarly, slope of the RF amplitude of an RF waveform applied to a series of electrodes requires slope of the RF amplitude applied to one or more of those electrodes.

[0063] A DC field or RF amplitude maintained in a static state during the first time period can be maintained in a dynamic or oblique state at other times before or after that time period, and vice versa. Similarly, a DC field or RF amplitude maintained in a homogeneous state during the first time period can be maintained in a non-homogeneous state at other times, and vice versa. As used herein, when referring to the effect of the direction of an applied force on one or more ions, the term "push" does not necessarily imply that one or more ions move in that direction in response to the force, because the direction of movement of any ion at the application of the force depends on its initial momentum vector and the vector sum of all these applied forces.

[0064] As noted above, so-called "stacked ring ion guides" are frequently used in mass spectrometry to guide or otherwise manipulate ions. In this document, the term "stacked ring ion guide" is used to refer to ion guides that comprise: a series of ring or annular electrodes or a stack of ring or annular electrodes; a series of plate-shaped or plate-shaped electrodes or a stack of plate-shaped or plate-shaped electrodes; or a series of printed circuit boards or a stack of printed circuit boards having electrode structures printed on their surfaces. Stacked ring ion guides are commonly used as so-called "ion tunnels" or "ion funnels." Figure 1A A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a stacked annular ion guide device 10, including both an ion tunnel section 12a and an ion funnel section 12b, is provided. However, it should be noted that many devices, simply referred to in the art as "ion funnels," have similar characteristics. Figure 1A Both the ion tunnel section and the ion funnel section are depicted.

[0065] Typically, the stacked ring ion guide device 10 includes a plurality of closely spaced ring electrodes or plate electrodes 2. Figure 1B A schematic diagram of a typical single ring or plate electrode 2 is provided. For clarity, Figure 1A Only a small number of electrodes 2 are depicted. It should be remembered that in practice, a typical ion funnel or ion tunneling device may include one hundred or more individual electrodes. Each annular or plate-shaped electrode 2 ( Figure 1B The annular electrode 2 has a hole 8, which is typically circular and defined by an annular inner surface 3. Each annular electrode 2 may include one or more tabs, such as tabs 9, for mounting to a support structure (not shown) and may provide electrical connections to one or more power sources (e.g., voltage sources and / or any other type of power supply).

[0066] Within an ion tunnel, such as ion tunnel section 12a, all the holes in the electrode of this section have a constant diameter. In contrast, within the ion funnel section 12b, the diameter of each pore... Typically, the diameter decreases along the direction away from the ion inlet end 13 of the device and towards the ion outlet end 18 of the device. As used in this document, the term "wide end" is used to designate the end of the ion funnel section where the variable orifice diameter... The term "narrow end" is used to denote the opposite end of the ion funnel section where the orifice diameter is smallest. In operation, an oscillating radio frequency (RF) voltage is applied to the electrodes in a prescribed phase relationship to radially confine ions to the interior of the device. According to a generally prescribed phase relationship, the phase of the RF voltage waveform of each stacked electrode is out of phase by π radians (180 degrees) with the phase of each adjacent electrode. The set of all orifices of all electrodes 2 defines an ion occupancy volume 11 within which ions typically travel from the ion inlet end 13 of the device 10 to the ion outlet end 18, as indicated by the arrow on the longitudinal axis 16. In general operation, a pseudopotential trap centered on axis 16 and generated by the applied RF configuration is used to confine ions within the ion occupancy volume 11. Relatively large electrode orifices are typically employed at the ion inlet end 13 and the ion tunnel section 12a of the device for the purpose of capturing dispersed or diffused ion clouds. In contrast, the reduction in the orientation of the electrode aperture of the ion funnel section 12b toward the ion outlet 18 compresses the ion cloud into a narrow beam, which can be transmitted into the high vacuum chamber through the narrow aperture. Ion migration in the direction from the ion inlet end toward the ion outlet can be facilitated by a gas flow entraining ions therein. Furthermore, ions can be propelled in the same direction by providing a DC axial field generated by differentially applying a DC voltage to electrode 2.

[0067] Figure 1C This is a schematic depiction of another known type of ion manipulation and ion guiding device 50, as taught in the previously mentioned U.S. Patent No. 10,692,710. As described in that patent, device 50 includes two parallel substrate plates or wafers 51 and 53 spaced apart from each other, each plate or wafer having a surface on which a plurality of electrodes are disposed. For example, plates or wafers 51 and 53 may be substrates of a printed circuit board. Electrode support surfaces may face each other across a gap between the two substrate plates or wafers, as shown. A central axis 57 defines device 50. Each electrode support surface has an inner electrode array 55 and also has outer protective electrodes 52a, 52b. The outer protective electrodes 52a, 52b are positioned on either side of the inner electrode array 55. The inner electrode array 55 and the outer electrodes 52a, 52b extend substantially along the length of the electrode support surfaces of the substrate plates or wafers 51, 53. In operation, ions can be confined within the gap between the electrode support surfaces and guided parallel to the central axis 57, as taught in U.S. Patent No. 10,692,710.

[0068] Figure 1D A portion of the electrode support surface of a separate substrate or wafer 53 of a known ion manipulation and ion guiding device 50 is schematically shown. Figure 1D In the illustrated example, each of the external protective electrodes 52a, 52b comprises a single elongated electrode extending parallel to the central axis 57. The electrode array 55 comprises a series of individual electrodes 7a, 7b, 7c, ..., 7m. Although twelve such individual electrodes are shown, the array 55 may include any number of electrodes. A voltage source (not shown) may individually apply a voltage to each electrode 7a through -7m. As noted above in the background section of this document, U.S. Patent No. 10,692,710, using an ion manipulation device 50 as an example, further teaches that the various electrodes of the internal electrode array 55 can be logically grouped into consecutive electrode subgroups (e.g., each group comprising three or more electrodes). This patent further teaches that by providing differently modulated RF waveforms to each electrode of each subgroup, a traveling wave tending to propel ions through the device 50 parallel to the central axis 57 can be generated.

[0069] Figure 2A This is a schematic cross-sectional depiction of a first embodiment of an ion tunnel stacked annular ion guide 100 according to the present teachings. While the stacked annular ion guide 100 is depicted as including only the ion tunnel portion, it alternatively includes any combination of ion funnels and ion tunnel portions. In general operation of the device 100, an ion stream 115 comprising an unseparated mixture of ion species is delivered to the ion-occupied volume 101 of the device through an ion inlet 113. With the aid of the operation of the device 100, the original ion species mixture can be separated into multiple packets, such as ion packets 117a, 117b, and 117c as shown, each of which comprises a different subgroup of the original set of ion species. These partially separated ion packets can then exit the device as an ion packet stream 119 through an ion outlet 118.

[0070] Device 100 ( Figure 2A The physical configuration of electrode 2 is similar to the physical configuration of the electrodes of the ion tunnel portion 12a of the stacked annular ion guide 10, wherein each electrode has a diameter The pores and the collection of pores define the ion-occupied volume 101. Despite this similarity, device 100 differs from device 10 ( Figure 1A The difference is: (a) The electrodes are logically grouped into a stacked sequence of electrode subgroups, where each subgroup includes (in this example) exactly four electrodes; (b) The RF voltage waveform applied to the electrodes varies over time within each electrode subgroup to generate multiple pseudopotential wells in which ions tend to concentrate, thereby causing the pseudopotential wells to migrate in a desired direction parallel to the axis of the device. This set of migrating pseudopotential wells is referred to herein as an RF traveling wave or equivalently as a “pseudowave”; and (c) An axial DC electric field is provided within the ion-occupied volume, which tends to push the ions in the opposite direction to the migration direction of the pseudopotential well. Figure 6A yes Figure 2A A reproduction of the device and a schematic cross-sectional depiction of the ion pack therein, further illustrating the DC voltage. V A schematic example of how to distribute the electric field across stacked electrodes to generate a static, uniform DC axial field. The axial electric field vector near the axis of the device. With the applied voltage (in) Figure 6A The gradient of the voltage (shown as curve 501) is related to this. In this example, V The gradient is substantially constant across the length of the ion tunneling device 100. This is reflected in the amplitude of the electric field near the axis. (exist Figure 6A The fact that curve 508 is constant is shown in the middle.

[0071] Specifically, regarding logically grouping the electrodes into subgroups, Figure 2A Two such groups (i.e., subgroups) are depicted, each group comprising a first electrode 2a, a second electrode 2b, a third electrode 2c, and a fourth electrode 2d. Although in Figure 2A Only two such groupings are marked, but it should be understood that in the illustrated embodiment, grouping into subgroups, each having four electrodes, is suitable for all electrodes 2 extending from ion inlet 113 to ion outlet 118 of the device. According to some alternative embodiments, some portions of the electrodes may not be organized into such groups. Although four electrodes per subgroup are illustrated, the number of electrodes per subgroup is... It is not necessary to limit each subgroup to four. More generally, Repeated distance along the axis of device 100 (parallel to arrows 115 and 119). It is defined as the distance between consecutive electrodes 2a (or consecutive electrodes 2b, etc.).

[0072] Within each electrode subgroup of device 100, the four electrodes of this subgroup differ in that, during operation, each electrode is provided with a correspondingly different RF voltage waveform, as discussed further below. All electrodes 2a are provided with a first RF voltage waveform, which, in an embodiment, is identical across all electrodes 2a. Similarly, all electrodes 2b are provided with a second RF voltage waveform, which, in an embodiment, is identical across all electrodes 2b. Likewise, a third voltage waveform is applied to all electrodes 2c, and a fourth voltage waveform is applied to all electrodes 2d. Generally speaking, A voltage waveform is selected such that a set of migrating pseudopotential traps is generated along the axis of the device (consistent with arrows 115 and 119), thereby forming a set of "traveling waves" that tend to push ions along the axis. According to Figure 2A In the example shown, the voltage waveform is configured such that a traveling wave propels ions parallel to lines 115, 119 in a direction from ion inlet 113 toward ion outlet 118. However, according to some other embodiments discussed further below, the voltage waveform can be configured to propel ions in the opposite direction.

[0073] According to some embodiments of this teaching, the RF voltage waveform applied to the electrodes of device 100 can be selected, as described in U.S. Patent No. 9,799,503. This patent provides an example of a subgroup of stacked annular ion guides having four electrodes, wherein corresponding RF voltage waveforms are provided to the four electrodes, causing multiple migrating pseudopotential traps to generate traveling waves within the ion guide. According to the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 9,799,503, four RF voltage waveforms can be provided according to the following first through fourth drive signals: First RF driving signal equation 1a Second RF driving signal equation 1b Third RF driving signal equation 1c Fourth RF driving signal equation 1d in It is time. to It is the amplitude from zero to peak. It is the imaginary unit, a function F It is a complex function of its independent variable, and it is periodic with a period of 2π, and its scalar value is... It is the first phase, scalar value. It is the second phase, shifted by 90 degrees (π / 2 radians) relative to the first phase, a scalar value. It is the third phase, shifted 180 degrees (π radians) relative to the first phase, a scalar value. It is the third phase, shifted 270 degrees (3π / 2 radians) relative to the first phase, and its scalar value... and It can be the angular frequency expressed in radians per second, where It should be understood that the applied voltage is described by the real part of any resulting complex expression. The same patent also provides specific examples of specific implementations of the expressions in equations 1a to 1d, wherein the applied voltage is as follows: First RF driving signal equation 2a Second RF driving signal equation 2b Third RF driving signal equation 2c Fourth RF drive signal Equation 2d As noted above, the number of electrodes in each subgroup is not limited to four electrodes and can include any integer. ,in In such cases, the individual electrodes R of each subgroup and the individual voltage waveforms supplied to the electrodes of each subgroup... V ( t ) Variables can be indexed starting from the electrode closest to the entrance. i Listed as and Then, it is represented as Each electrode will be provided with the same waveform. Similarly, it is represented as Each electrode will be provided with the same waveform. Etc. According to some implementations, the phase shift between any two consecutive electrodes in a subgroup... It is constant over this subgroup and is given by the following: Equation 3 However, according to some other implementations, the phase shift is not necessarily uniform across each subgroup.

[0074] According to some other embodiments of this teaching, the RF voltage waveform provided to the electrodes of device 100 can be selected, as described in U.S. Patent No. 10,692,710, which describes providing a frequency-modulated signal. The frequency-modulated waveform of the driven signal is used to generate a traveling wave, which is represented by the following... in It is the "carrier frequency" (i.e., the frequency of the unmodulated, conventional RF voltage waveform). It is the voltage amplitude of the RF waveform. It is the frequency modulation index, and It is frequency The frequency modulated periodic waveform, the frequency of which is more than... Lower frequencies. The latter patent provides an example where the electrodes of the stacked ring ion guide are organized into subgroups, each having eight electrodes, and the frequency modulates a periodic waveform. A specific example of how the phase changes by 2π / 8 radians (45 degrees) between each pair of electrodes.

[0075] Refer again Figure 2A Arrow 110 indicates the migration direction of the pseudopotential well (i.e., traveling wave) generated by the RF as described above. As indicated by arrow 110, the applied RF waveform can be configured such that the traveling wave exerts a force on the ions, which tends to push the ions in a "forward" direction, typically from ion inlet 113 toward ion outlet 118. However, in an alternative embodiment, the migration direction of the pseudopotential well can be reversed relative to the phase relationship of the applied drive waveform within each electrode subgroup. Figure 2A The indicated migration direction is reversed. Figure 2A It is also shown that, according to this teaching, a static uniform DC axial field is generated that exerts a force on the ions, which tends to be opposite to the force exerted by the migration of the pseudopotential well. A schematic example of the amplitude of the static uniform DC axial field is provided by... Figure 6A Curve 508 provides this information. Therefore, arrow 111 indicates the direction in which the same ion migration is propelled by an applied static uniform DC axial field. Therefore, according to... Figure 2A In the operation shown, a DC axial field is applied to tend to push ions from ion outlet 118 toward ion inlet 113 in the "opposite" direction. However, it should be noted that if the direction of pseudopotential well migration is opposite to... Figure 2A The direction shown is reversed, causing the traveling wave to tend to push ions towards ion inlet 113. Therefore, the direction of the DC axial field is also relative to... Figure 2A The direction shown is reversed, so that the DC axial field, which is thus reversed, pushes ions toward the ion outlet 118.

[0076] The DC axial field generated within the ion-occupied volume 101 can be generated in a known manner by including a series of resistors between the electrical connections to the respective electrodes 2 to divide the end-to-end voltage difference across the length of the device. Alternatively, the DC axial field can be generated by any of a variety of other known methods.

[0077] like Figure 2A The opposite pseudopotentials and DC axial field forces applied as shown produce three different ion behavior conditions, as follows: (1) First, under conditions with minimum m / z In the case of ions with a maximum value (e.g., ions of ion pack 117a), the movement will be in the direction of the traveling wave, as indicated by the motion vector 118a, due to the force of the RF traveling wave being dominant compared to the DC field force; (2) in the case of ions with a maximum value (e.g., ions of ion pack 117a), the movement will be in the direction of the traveling wave, as indicated by the motion vector 118a; m / z In the case of ions with a value (e.g., ions of ion pack 117c), the DC axial field dominates, and the movement will be opposite to the direction of the traveling wave, as indicated by the motion vector 118c; and (3) finally, for ions with a specific critical value depending on the applied voltage m / z For ions with a value (e.g., ions of ion pack 117b), the force derived by the RF gradient and the force derived by the DC gradient will be balanced, and such ions will not move in either direction. Therefore, when such... Figure 2A When instructed to operate, device 100 simultaneously functions as: (a) only permitting the use of relatively low... m / z Ions with a critical value (i.e., less than the critical value) are transported along the outlet stream 119 to a downstream device (such as a quadrupole mass filter and / or a collision cell and / or a mass analyzer); (b) for a mass filter with a critical value m / z (c) ion traps or ion accumulators for ions with a value greater than the critical value; and (d) elimination of ions with a value greater than the critical value. m / z A filter for all ions.

[0078] Figure 2B Another schematic cross-sectional depiction of the ion tunnel stacked annular ion guide 100, as shown... Figure 2A The method described above is configured and operated in an alternative mode, which causes differential migration of ions through the ion guide and according to the corresponding mass-to-charge ratio of the ion species. m / z The spatially separated capture of this ion species. According to Figure 2BThe indicated operating mode, where the applied static DC axial field, opposite to the traveling wave derived from the pseudopotential, is not uniform but rather its amplitude decreases generally in the direction from ion outlet 118 toward ion inlet 113. Specifically, as indicated by arrow 112, the DC axial field continues to generate a force that tends to push ions in the "upstream" direction, opposite to the "downstream" direction (as indicated by arrow 110) in which ions are pushed by the traveling wave. However, the amplitude of the DC axial field vector is non-uniform and decreases in the upstream direction. Under this operation, in m / z Various ion species within the range of values ​​will be trapped within the ion-occupied volume because each such ion species migrates to and accumulates at an axial position where the upstream-pointing DC axial field precisely balances the downstream-pointing pseudopotential-derived force applied to the ion with the mass-to-charge ratio of the species. For example, in Figure 2B In the middle, it indicates the mass-to-charge ratio. The first ion pack 117a has a mass-to-charge ratio The second ion pack 117b and having a mass-to-charge ratio The schematic axial equilibrium position of the third ion pack 117c, in which Although in Figure 2B Only those with specific details are shown in the text. m / z The equilibrium positions of the three ion packs are determined by their values, but in practice, for ions with specific values... m / z Within range m / z The ions with values ​​will typically exist at equilibrium positions within a virtually continuous range, where equilibrium... m / z The value decreases generally in the direction toward the ion outlet 118. Additionally, there are small values ​​outside this range. m / z Some ion species with values ​​can migrate toward the ion outlet and have large values ​​outside that range. m / z Some other ionic species can migrate toward the ion inlet. Therefore, in Figure 2B In the schematically illustrated operating mode, the device 100 is used as a multi-mass ion sorting and trapping device.

[0079] In order to extract ions trapped at various equilibrium positions, such as Figure 2B As shown above, the amplitude of the phase-shifted and / or frequency-modulated main RF voltage can slope upwards (i.e., gradually increase) over time, such that corresponding to all m / z The equilibrium position of the value migrates towards the ion outlet during the RF voltage amplitude ramp change, as shown by... Figure 2C The displacement vectors 118a, 118b, and 118c indicate this. Additionally or alternatively, the amplitude of the opposite DC field can be sloped downwards (i.e., gradually decreased). In this case, it has a minimum... m / z The captured ions (e.g., ion pack 117a) will exit the ion outlet first and have the maximum value. m / z The ions with the highest value (e.g., ion pack 117c) will be the last to leave.

[0080] It should be noted that, in an alternative implementation, the direction of the traveling wave's migration and the direction of the opposite DC field can be the same as... Figures 2A to 2C The direction shown is reversed. In this alternative implementation, it has the maximum m / z The ion species will leave the device first, provided that the "direction" of the ramp (i.e., the "upward" or "downward" ramp) of the RF amplitude (propelling the ions toward the ion inlet 113) and the "direction" of the ramp (propelling the ions toward the ion outlet 118) are also opposite. It should also be noted that while many of the basic examples discussed herein involve ramps of either the RF amplitude or the DC field, more generally, the RF amplitude and the DC field can ramp simultaneously, whereby during the simultaneous ramp, both the amplitudes of the RF amplitude and the DC field increase or both decrease. In other cases, simultaneous ramps can include an increase in the RF amplitude and a simultaneous decrease in the DC field amplitude. In still other cases, simultaneous ramps can include a decrease in the RF amplitude and a simultaneous increase in the DC field amplitude.

[0081] As described above, stacked ring-shaped ion guides in the form of ion tunnels can be used as: (a) elemental charged ion traps or ion accumulators (as referenced). Figure 2A This is achieved by providing a uniform DC axial field opposite to the traveling wave, applied evenly across the length of the device, or (b) a multi-mass-charge ion sorting trap, which is achieved when a longitudinal spatial gradient exists between the provided opposite DC field and / or the migration motive force of the pseudowave. For ion tunneling devices, generating a "longitudinal spatial gradient of the migration motive force of the pseudowave" requires providing different RF waveforms (e.g., different RF amplitudes) to the electrodes of the device at various locations between the ion inlet and ion outlet. In this case, the required electronics may be complex, expensive, and / or difficult to design or manufacture. However, in ion funnel ion guide devices such as Figure 3AIn the case of the depicted ion funnel device 200, the gradient of the pseudopotential trap depth and thus the gradient of the migration motive force are generated by the geometry of the device. Specifically, within the ion funnel device 200, the depths of the various pseudopotential traps increase in the converging direction of the ion funnel (e.g., see U.S. Patent No. 9,799,503 of FIG. 1), which is essentially due to the electrode edges getting closer and closer to the ion beam (whose center is near the device axis) in the same direction. Therefore, with the direction of the traveling wave generated by the RF directed (arrow 210) to push ions toward the ion inlet 213 and the DC field directed (arrow 211) to push ions toward the ion outlet 218, the device 200 can operate as a multi-mass-charge ion sorting ion trap without applying any field gradient. Figure 3A The configuration shown is relatively "light" (small) m / z Ions can be trapped in region 117a near ion inlet 213, while relatively "heavy" (large) ions can be trapped. m / z The ions are trapped in region 117c near the ion outlet 218. As previously stated, the intermediate... m / z Ions are trapped within region 117b. The trapped ions can be further captured by ramping up the amplitude of the DC field (i.e., ramping it to a larger value) and / or ramping down the applied RF amplitude (i.e., ramping it down to a smaller value). m / z The captured ions are released in reverse order of their relative density.

[0082] Figure 3B It is based on this teaching Figure 1C A modified version of the ion manipulation and ion guidance device. Compared to device 50 ( Figure 1C ), Figure 3B The depicted ion manipulation and ion guiding device 250 is designed to resemble the ion funnel 200. Figure 3A The operation is modified as discussed above. Compared to device 50, in which parallel plates or wafers 51 and 53 are configured to support the internal electrode array 55 and the respective sets of external protective electrodes 52a, 52b, the modified device 250 is configured such that plates or wafers 251 and 253 converge toward each other in a direction away from the ion inlet 313 and toward the ion outlet 318. For example, as Figure 3B As shown, plates / wafers 251 and 253 are separated from each other by a first separation distance at ion inlet 313. Furthermore, they are separated from each other at the second separation distance at the ion outlet 318. ,in Furthermore, there is a continuous convergence of plates / wafers 251 and 253 between the ion inlet 313 and the ion outlet 318.

[0083] In some examples, an RF traveling wave can be generated along the axis 57 of the device 50 by manipulating a series of individual electrodes 7a, 7b, 7c, ... of an array of mutually facing electrodes 55 to form a master RF axial constraint waveform (see [link to documentation]). Figure 1D Additionally, it is also possible to install device 50 ( Figure 1C ) or modified equipment 250 ( Figure 3B A DC field is generated within the device 50 that is opposite to the ion motion driven by the RF traveling wave. For example, a static uniform DC field can be generated within the device 50 or modified device 250 by distributing the DC potential difference imposed between the ion inlet 313 and the ion outlet 318 among a plurality of internal electrodes of each plate / wafer 251, 253. The distribution of the voltage difference can be achieved in a known manner by a voltage divider system. Additionally or alternatively, an axial DC field can be generated or supplemented by other methods of generating an axial DC field by providing protective electrodes 52a, 52b of resistive material (as opposed to conductive material such as metal) for each plate / wafer. For example, the resistive protective electrodes 52a, 52b can be formed of any of a variety of suitable materials having resistive properties (e.g., but not limited to, doped glass, cermet, polymer, etc.).

[0084] Because, within device 250, the electrodes of the two electrode arrays 55 (one electrode array supported on each of the plates / wafers 251, 253) progressively approach each other in a direction from ion inlet 313 toward ion outlet 318, a gradient exists in the depth of the pseudopotential well, where the well depth increases in the same direction. This increased well depth generates a gradient in the migration motive force provided by the traveling wave generated by the RF. Therefore, if the RF-generated traveling wave is configured to push ions within device 250 away from ion outlet 318 and toward ion inlet 313, and if the pushing of the traveling wave is opposite to the static uniform DC field pushing ions toward ion outlet 318, different corresponding effects will occur. m / z Different ion species with varying values ​​will establish different corresponding equilibrium positions within the device. In this case, the distribution of equilibrium positions will resemble... Figure 3A The depiction shows that ions 117a with a smaller mass-to-charge ratio are closer to the ion inlet than ions 117b and 117c with larger mass-to-charge ratios, and that ion 117c with the largest mass-to-charge ratio is closest to the ion outlet. The trapped ions can then be controlled by ramping up the amplitude of the DC field (i.e., ramping it to a larger value) and / or ramping down the applied RF amplitude (i.e., ramping it down to a smaller value). m / z The captured ions are released from device 250 in reverse order.

[0085] The following discussion involves Figures 6A to 6H, Figures 6A to 6H These are various schematic graphs of voltage and DC electric field within an ion guide operating according to this teaching. For each of these graphs, it is assumed that the ion inlet 113 at position 0 corresponds to the left-hand side of the corresponding curve, and at position... L Ion outlet 118 corresponds to the right-hand side of the curve. It is also assumed that a set of pseudowaves is applied to the electrodes of the corresponding ion guide to push ions away from the ion inlet and towards the ion outlet. Note that... Figure 6C and Figure 6E The absolute magnitude of the applied DC voltage is plotted in each of them. If positively charged ions are introduced into an ion guide or ion separator device operating as described herein, the applied DC voltage distribution has the following characteristics: Figure 6C and Figure 6E In the case of the general form of the distribution shown, the general movement of ions within the device will be as described. However, if negatively charged ions are introduced into the device, the distribution under the applied DC voltage will have... Figure 6C and Figure 6E The distribution shown is a mirror image (i.e., as reflected across the horizontal axis) in its general form, and the general movement of ions within the device will be as described.

[0086] As noted above, a uniform DC field can be applied in opposition to the motion of a set of traveling RF potential wells (i.e., a set of pseudowaves) in order to isolate specific [specific features] within the ion guide. m / z Range of ions (e.g., see Figure 2A ).For example, Figure 6A Curve 508 depicts a uniform axial DC field generated by applying a series of DC voltages to the individual electrodes of the ion guide, wherein the applied voltage increases linearly from the ion inlet toward the ion outlet (i.e., Figure 6A (Curve 501). Also, as mentioned above, a non-uniform axial DC field can be applied in opposition to the motion of the pseudowave to cause the ion guide to move in the direction of the pseudowave. m / z Ions are emitted from their ion outlet in an increasing or decreasing order of value (e.g., see [reference]). Figure 2C .

[0087] Figure 6B A schematic illustration of an applied non-uniform axial electric field that propels ions toward ion inlet 113. absolute magnitude The changes, including the absolute magnitude Oriented to the location L The ion outlet 118 at that location increases. For example... Figure 6C As schematically shown, a non-uniform axial field can be generated by applying a series of voltages to the individual electrodes of an ion guide, wherein the amplitude of the applied voltages is |V The distance from the ion inlet to the ion outlet increases according to a quadratic function, such as... Figure 6C As shown in curve 612. Although in Figure 6B The amplitude of the midfield is shown to increase linearly and Figure 6C The corresponding voltage distribution is described as a quadratic function, but the electric field amplitude can be nonlinear and the voltage distribution does not necessarily have to conform to a quadratic function.

[0088] Regarding the use of ion guides as ion-directed devices according to this teaching. m / z The order of values ​​of ions emitted from ion separation and sorting devices (e.g., Figure 2C ), can be achieved by utilizing such Figure 6D The non-uniform electric field distribution is schematically depicted to customize the mass spectrometry resolution of the device. R This non-uniform electric field distribution can be determined by... Figure 6E The voltage distribution shown in segments 504a and 504b is used to apply a DC voltage to the electrodes to generate the voltage. Specifically, this can be achieved by employing an electric field distribution including the first segment 503a and the second segment 503b. Figure 6D (The dashed line in the image) achieves good mass spectrometry resolution, where the amplitude of the DC axial field, opposite to the ion motion induced by the pseudowave, is... Increase to the maximum value within the first segment 503a E max And within the second paragraph, 503b remains constant. E max The curve corresponding to the DC voltage applied to the electrode (location). Figure 6E The solid line in the diagram includes the quadratic segment 504a and the linear segment 504b (for comparison, the dashed line 504 represents an extension of the pure quadratic distribution). Figure 6D The location of the junction between segments 503a and 503b is represented by point pc along the axial length of the device, and corresponds to the junction between the quadratic and linear segments of the voltage distribution. Figure 6E The line 505 in the diagram represents the boundary.

[0089] Ions are introduced into the ion guide device via ion inlet 113. This ion guide device can be configured with a traveling RF voltage and a static DC voltage, such as... Figure 6D and Figure 6E As shown. The location of ion inlet 113 is... Figure 6D and Figure 6E The position is indicated as 0. A radio frequency (RF) voltage waveform is applied to the electrodes of the device to generate a set of RF traveling waves, which create a pseudopotential well that pushes ions from ion inlet 113 through the device to the position. LThe outlet is 118. Simultaneously, a DC voltage is applied to the electrodes to generate an axial field, which has the characteristics of… Figure 6D The dashed lines 503a and 503b indicate the general form and push ions toward the ion inlet 113. After ion introduction, the amplitude of the applied RF voltage... A RF The slope changes (i.e., increases) over time. Under such conditions, as previously described, there are different corresponding... m / z The ion packets of different values ​​separate from each other and migrate through the device toward the ion outlet 118 at different rates. Figure 6D The diagram schematically depicts the mass-to-charge ratios of the various elements. , and The positions of the three ion packets 517a, 517b, and 517c within the device, wherein during the oblique transition period before any ion reaches the platform region 503b of the DC field distribution, at a specific time t 1, The instantaneous position of any such ion packet at any given time represents its axial position within the device, at which the instantaneous forward guidance of the ions in the packet by the pseudowave generated by the skewed RF amplitude at that given time slightly overcomes the backward guidance of the ions by the electrostatic field along field segment 503a. As previously discussed, these opposing forces result in minimal m / z Ions with the highest ion value (e.g., ions from packet 517a) migrate towards the ion outlet most rapidly, and therefore, these ions in time t 1. Reach point p1. Has the maximum m / z Ions with the highest value (e.g., those containing 517c) migrate the slowest, and therefore, over time... t 1. Only reaches point p3. Simultaneously, it has intermediate... m / z Ions of value (e.g., ions of packet 517b) reach point p2.

[0090] Figure 6F It is in time t The second time after 1 t 2 of Figure 6D A schematic depiction of the position of the ion packet, in which, at this second time, the applied RF amplitude has been obliquely varied to the point that the forward thrust pseudoforce of the ions in ion packet 517a is first equal to and then significantly exceeds that corresponding to the amplitude segment 503b along the field. E max The extent of the maximum backward electrostatic force. Therefore, multiple portions of the ions in packet 517a are collected by separate traveling pseudopotential traps and thus transported downstream from position pc in a conveyor belt manner to position pc.L Ion exit 118. This movement of ions along a flat field intensity distribution 503b is relatively faster than migration along a rising voltage distribution 503a because the corresponding increase in the DC field pushing backward does not satisfy the additional slack of the RF amplitude. Simulations of ion motion indicate that although a portion of the ions in each ion packet can migrate in the opposite direction (i.e., toward ion entrance 113) within the constant field region 503b, they do so at a lower frequency than within the variable field region 503a. Ions are able to escape efficiently from the region 503a near point pc because, on average, the traveling pseudopotential wells move them away from point pc and forward toward ion exit 118.

[0091] While ions from packet 517a are transported from position pc to position L, ions from packets 517b and 517c remain at positions p1 and p2 upstream of position pc, a result of earlier spatial separation of the various ion packets. Since the forward-pushing pseudoforce at these positions is only slightly sufficient to approximately balance (i.e., slightly exceed) the backward-pushing DC force, ions from these two packets continue to migrate relatively slowly toward position pc as the RF amplitude further dilates, until a later time interval. t 3. At that time, package 517b arrived at location pc. (e.g.) Figure 6G As shown, a further skewing of the RF amplitude causes ions in packet 517b to be transported relatively quickly from position pc to position L. An additional skewing causes ions in packet 517c to be transported similarly (not shown).

[0092] The above text is for reference only. Figures 6G to 6H The method described above transports ions via an ion guide, causing ions to be emitted from the ion outlet 118 of the device with different corresponding ions. m / z The ion packets are time-separated by at least the flight time of the ions from position pc to ion outlet 118. The axial field distribution opposite to the forward motion of the ions does not need to be exactly as described. Figure 6D , Figure 6F and Figure 6G As shown. For example, it can also be usefully employed... Figure 6H The voltage distribution shown is of a general form, where the distribution along the second segment 503b is not constant. Simulations of ion movement and distribution show that the exact form of the electric field in the "constant" region (i.e., the region indicated by the voltage distribution segment 503b) is not critical. The simulations indicate that optimal voltage distribution is achieved when the field within the distribution segment 503b is constant. m / z Resolution, but small variations have only a minor impact on performance. In any case, any gradient of the DC field in distribution segment 503b should be less than that of the DC field in distribution region 503a, as determined by... m / zThe gradient for the initial spatial separation of ionic species.

[0093] In addition, the amplitude of the applied RF waveform can be selected depending on the requirements of the specific measurement. A RF The rate of the slope change. For example, if the ion guide device is used as a type of mass spectrometer operating in a general survey mode (where all ions are detected as they exit the ion outlet), then it can be used as follows: Figure 7A schematic depiction A RF Continuous oblique change. Although Figure 7A Examples A RF The change is linear over time, but it can alternatively be nonlinear, wherein during the slope transition, the slope is steeper (i.e., the amplitude increases more rapidly) at times when the ions expected to be emitted from the device do not require detection at the maximum achievable resolution, and at times when the expected emitted ions require a higher level of [missing information]. m / z The slopes at other distinguishable times are gentler (i.e., the rate of increase in amplitude is slower). For example, Figure 8 The expected achievable mass spectrometry resolution of ions as a function of m / z at a constant RF ramp rate is shown. Figure 9 The longer duration allocated to complete the slant transition is expected to result in higher resolution. Figure 7B An example is given by a longer residence time Δ, for example, during the time when ions of particular interest are expected to be emitted from the device. t and the variable amplitude jump Δ during the time when no ions of interest are expected. A RF The discontinuous, stepped, oblique variation. Specific m / z The expected emission time of the ions can be determined in advance by calibrating the transit time of known standard ions through the device under various conditions.

[0094] Figure 4A and Figure 4B This represents the simulated performance of an ion sorting apparatus configured and operated according to this teaching. The simulated apparatus is 160 mm wide and has 320 electrodes and 160 pseudopotential traps. The simulation assumes a typical separation / equilibration time of 40 ms and operation in the presence of 100 mTorr nitrogen. Figure 4A The curves in the figure represent various RF waveforms under the applied DC axial field gradient while the length across the device remains unchanged. m / z The equilibrium position of the ions within this device. In contrast, Figure 4BThe curve in the figure represents the equilibrium position of the same ion under the application of an RF amplitude gradient across the length of the device in the presence of a uniform DC axial field. Trace 301 ( Figure 4A ) and trace 351 ( Figure 4B Both represent assumptions. m / z An ion with a value of 500Th. Similarly, traces 302 and 352 represent... m / z Ions with a ratio of 600Th; traces 303 and 353 indicate m / z Ions with a ratio of 700Th; traces 304 and 354 indicate m / z Ions with a ratio of 800Th; traces 305 and 352 indicate m / z Ions with a ratio of 900Th; traces 306 and 356 indicate m / z Ions with a ratio of 1000Th.

[0095] Figure 5 This is a schematic depiction of a mass spectrometer apparatus, including an ion filter 400 or other mass spectrometer components arranged in series with an ion transport device 500 configured according to the teachings described above. The apparatus 500 may include any embodiment of the embodiments illustrated in the figures or may include any unillustrated device operating according to these teachings, including but not limited to: an ion guide (e.g., including a series of electrodes disposed on or otherwise attached to a parallel plate or wafer). Figure 1C , Figure 1D ), including an ion guide (e.g., a series of electrodes disposed on or otherwise attached to a non-parallel plate or wafer). Figure 3B ), ion tunnels (e.g., Figures 2A to 2C ), ion funnel (e.g., Figure 3A ), ion guides having any number of ion tunnel and ion funnel sections (e.g., Figures 1A to 1B The series of electrodes includes a series of segments of a quadrupole ion guide; and other ion guides capable of providing RF amplitude or some other RF parameter, including an axial field gradient (end-to-end or only a portion of the length across the device) and a longitudinal gradient (end-to-end or only a portion of the length across the device).

[0096] As shown in the figure, device 400 is a quadrupole mass filter, comprising four mutually parallel rod-shaped electrodes 401 maintained in alignment by a support structure 415, which also provides electrical connections to the rods. In other cases, the device may include, but is not limited to, a multipolar ion trap, a multipolar fragmentation cell, an ion guide, or any type of mass analyzer. Preferably, a controllable ion gate 410 is disposed between the ion outlet of device 500 and the ion inlet of device 400.

[0097] exist Figure 5 In the operation of the described system, device 500 provides an outlet ion stream 119, wherein, at any given time, the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions constituting the outlet stream 119 is (…). m / z The range of values ​​is relative to the range of the inlet ion flow 115 supplied to the inlet end of the device 500. m / z The wider range of values ​​decreases, and of which the components of the outlet flow 119 are ( m / z The range of values ​​changes to a larger extent over time. m / z Value or smaller m / z In practical terms, the operation of device 500 is therefore similar to that of a conventional mass filter in which the mass charge band of the mass filter is scanned over time, except that the band of device 500 is wider than that of a conventional mass filter, and ions within each band can accumulate and be temporarily stored within device 500 before being released from the device. Therefore, device 500 performs the function of ion accumulation and the function of partial pre-separation of ions before they are delivered to a conventional device 400. If the conventional device 400 includes a quadrupole mass filter, such a mass filter can isolate a narrower... m / z The scope, each isolated scope includes the ion species of particular interest for analysis.

[0098] The ion outlet stream 119 may be continuous or discontinuous in time. The continuity of the ion outlet stream delivery to device 400 can be controlled by the operation of ion gate 410, thereby limiting the amount of ions that can be delivered to downstream devices during any given time interval. m / z Range. During the period when ion gate 410 is closed (thus limiting transmission), new ion packets from the inlet ion stream 115 can accumulate within the upstream device 500 and be sorted, as described above. During such times, the applied RF waveform and DC voltage are coordinated to induce sorting (e.g., Figure 2B When ion gate 410 is open, the internal RF waveform and DC voltage are adjusted to allow the accumulated ions to...m / z The order of increasing values ​​(e.g., Figure 2C ) or descending order (e.g., Figure 3A It migrates out of the device.

[0099] Figure 10A This is a flowchart of a first method (method 800) for operating an ion guide according to this teaching. In the first step, i.e., step 801 of method 800, a range of mass-to-charge ratios will be included. m / z A pulse of ions is input to the first port of one of two separate ion ports of the ion guide. In step 802, ions are temporarily trapped and / or accumulated within the ion guide at the end of the ion guide adjacent to the first port. Ions can be trapped and / or accumulated there by applying a DC voltage to an electrode near the first port to temporarily create a temporary static potential well near that port. In the following step 803 (which may be performed before or concurrently with steps 801 and 802), a radio frequency (RF) voltage waveform that generates a plurality of pseudopotential wells is applied to a series of electrodes of the ion guide, these pseudopotential wells being configured to push ions in a first direction away from the first ion port and toward the second ion port or alternatively toward the first ion port. In step 805, which occurs concurrently with step 803, a DC potential is applied to each of two or more corresponding electrodes, which generates a DC field that pushes ions in the opposite direction to the pushing of ions by the pseudopotential wells. The DC field can be uniform across the length of the ion guide (i.e., a constant amplitude that does not change with position) or non-uniform (i.e., an amplitude that changes with position). In optional step 807, the applied RF amplitude and / or one or more applied DC potentials are progressively scaled up or down over time to facilitate differential migration of ions toward the second ion port. Finally, in step 809, the ion guide is extracted from the second port of the ion guide, including... m / z The range of the ratio relative to the initial input ions m / z The range of ratios decreases (i.e., it is a subgroup of the range of m / z ratios of the initial input ions). The extracted ions can be introduced into another component of the mass spectrometer device, such as a mass filter, collision cell, or mass analyzer.

[0100] Figure 10BThis is a flowchart of a second method (method 810) for operating an ion guide according to this teaching. In step 811 of method 810, a radio frequency (RF) voltage waveform is applied to a series of electrodes disposed between an ion inlet and an ion outlet of the ion guide, wherein the RF voltage waveform generates a plurality of pseudopotential wells configured to push ions away from the ion inlet and toward the ion outlet. In step 813, performed concurrently with step 811, a corresponding DC potential is applied to each of two or more electrodes, the DC potential generating a DC field configured to push ions away from the ion outlet and toward the ion inlet. The DC field may be uniform (i.e., a constant amplitude that does not change with position) or non-uniform (i.e., having an amplitude that changes with position) across the length of the ion guide. Subsequently, in step 815, a pulse of ions comprising a range of mass-to-charge ratios is introduced into the ion guide through the ion inlet. In step 817, (a) the amplitude of the applied RF waveform is increased and / or (b) the amplitude of the applied DC field is progressively decreased to differentially migrate ions through the ion guide and toward the ion outlet. In step 819, ions are extracted from the ion outlet in ascending order of their mass-to-charge ratio. The extracted ions may be introduced into another component of the mass spectrometer apparatus, such as a mass filter, collision cell, or mass analyzer. According to a variation of method 810, step 815 may be performed prior to steps 811 to 813, and additional steps of trapping ion pulses in a region of the ion guide adjacent to the ion inlet may be performed together with steps 811 to 813.

[0101] Figure 10C This is a flowchart of a third method (method 830) for operating an ion guide according to this teaching. In step 831, a radio frequency (RF) voltage waveform is applied to a plurality of electrodes of an ion funnel having an ion inlet end, an ion outlet end, and a plurality of plate-shaped or ring-shaped electrodes between the inlet and outlet ends, the plate-shaped or ring-shaped electrodes having corresponding holes with diameters decreasing from the inlet end to the outlet end, wherein the RF voltage waveform generates a plurality of pseudopotential wells configured to push ions toward the ion inlet and away from the ion outlet. In step 833, performed concurrently with step 831, a corresponding DC potential is applied to each of the electrodes, thereby generating a DC field configured to push ions away from the inlet end and toward the outlet end. Subsequently, in step 835, a pulse of ions comprising a range of mass-to-charge ratios is introduced into the ion funnel through the ion inlet end. In optional step 837, the amplitude (i.e., intensity) of the DC field toward the ion outlet end of the ion funnel can be increased by sloping the DC voltage applied to the electrode, thereby promoting ion migration toward the ion outlet end of the ion funnel. Finally, in step 839, according to the ion... m / zIons are extracted from the outlet end of the ion funnel in decreasing order of ratio. The extracted ions can then be introduced into another component of the mass spectrometer, such as a mass filter, collision cell, or mass analyzer.

[0102] The discussion included in this application is intended to serve as a basic description. The scope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, which are intended as individual illustrations of separate aspects of the invention. Functionally equivalent methods and components are within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Various other modifications to the invention, in addition to those shown and described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, a method for generating an axial DC field is described herein, wherein an end-to-end DC voltage is distributed across a series of electrodes or a stack of electrodes to which an RF voltage is applied (e.g., by using a voltage divider). However, many other means of generating an axial field within an ion guide have been described, many of which utilize separate sets of auxiliary electrodes to generate the axial field. Such auxiliary electrodes are typically separate from or attached to a series of main electrodes or a stack of main electrodes that receive the RF voltage waveform. Many alternative methods for generating axial or drag fields are described below: U.S. Patent No. 7,675,031 (Konicek et al.); U.S. Patent No. 5,847,386 (Thomson et al.); U.S. Patent No. 7,985,951 (Okumura et al.); U.S. Patent No. 7,064,322 (Crawford et al.); U.S. Patent No. 7,064,322 (Crawford et al.); and U.S. Patent No. 6,417,511 (Russ, IV et al.). It is contemplated that one or more of these known axial field generation techniques be adapted to the methods and apparatus described herein, and such adaptation will be within the capabilities of those skilled in the art.

[0103] As another example of a modification to the above teachings, in adjacent ring electrode 2 ( Figure 1A , Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 2C ) between or in an array 55 supported on a substrate Figure 1C Variations in the spacing between adjacent electrodes can be used as an additional method for generating the longitudinal spatial gradient that drives the migration of RF-derived traveling waves. For example, the electrode spacing can vary in a continuous or discontinuous manner along the length of the axis of the ion guide or ion separator device according to this teaching, and such variation will produce a corresponding variation in the depth of the pseudopotential well along the length of the device.

[0104] As another example of a modification to the above teachings, see now. Figures 11A to 11B When considered together, Figures 11A to 11BThe hypothetical voltage curves depicted provide an example of two separate DC voltage distributions 930 and 940, alternating with each other in time, applied to an ion guide device. The left end of each voltage distribution corresponds to the ion inlet or “upstream” end of the ion guide device, and the right end of each distribution corresponds to the ion outlet or “downstream” end of the device. In operation, each DC distribution is provided simultaneously with a traveling wave that provides RF modulation, generating an RF-induced pseudopotential well that pushes ions toward the downstream end of the device to which the DC distribution is provided. DC voltage distributions 930 and 940 are provided to provide a force to the ions opposite to the force derived by the pseudopotential, and thus push the ions toward the upstream end of the device. Therefore, the algebraic sign of the slopes of distributions 930 and 940 implicitly assumes that the ions are positively charged.

[0105] Figures 11A to 11B Each voltage distribution includes a series of steep slope segments 932 separated from each other by a series of gentle slope segments 933. The terms "steep slope" and "gentle slope" are used herein in a relative sense only and do not imply any specific numerical value of the slope or the applied voltage. The steep slope segments of the voltage distribution correspond to the electric field vector pointing upstream. Furthermore, the shallow slope segment corresponds to the second electric field vector pointing upstream. The vector magnitude makes Voltage distribution 930 in time period Apply on, where And the voltage distribution 940 is applied over a time period, where Whenever the voltage distribution changes, the section of the device that was previously configured with a steep slope distribution is subsequently configured with a gentle slope distribution, and vice versa.

[0106] It can be observed that from the voltage distribution 930 ( Figure 11A ) to voltage distribution 940 ( Figure 11BThe change in voltage distribution 940 and the change from voltage distribution 930 are equivalent to a simple leftward or rightward shift of a single distribution, where the shift is equal to the constant spatial width of the distribution segment. However, by distributing the voltage supplied to the individual electrode segments that generate the electric field and by appropriately finer control over the circulation of the voltage supplied to those electrodes, the shift can be made much smaller than the segment width. In such cases, the positional changes of the “peaks” 936 and “valleys” 937 of the voltage distribution and the electric field amplitude distribution can more closely approximate a continuous distribution shift, and the positional changes of the peaks 936 and valleys 937 can be referred to as “DC traveling waves.” Providing such an upstream DC traveling wave, along with simultaneously providing a downstream RF traveling wave, can facilitate the separation and concentration of certain target “heavy” ion species at the upstream end of the ion guide device if the rate of upstream migration of peak 936 is controlled to match the speed at which the target ions move along the length of the device. Typically, “light” ions will also migrate downstream under such conditions, but with less efficiency. Conversely, the downstream-migrating DC traveling wave can facilitate the separation of "light" ions and the concentration of those ions at the downstream end of the device and / or their elimination from the device at the ion outlet. Various operating parameters can be controlled as needed.

[0107] It should be noted that as the gas pressure gradually increases above 0.01 Torr, the performance of the ion guide device described above will gradually change. This change is expected to be due to the increased probability of collisions between ions and gas molecules as the gas pressure increases. As the pressure increases slightly above 0.01 Torr, the general characteristics of the device performance will continue as described above, but... m / z Resolution and the rate of ion species migration through the device will change. Generally, while greater gas pressure will offset the downstream and upstream thrust generated by the applied voltage, the pressure effect will be greatest for RF traveling waves because the pseudopotential well depth decreases with increasing gas pressure. Therefore, as internal pressure increases, the thrust exerted by the applied DC field on all ions will increase relative to the thrust exerted by the RF traveling wave. m / z The effects of force-independent processes become more pronounced. Therefore, at such gas pressures, the performance of the ion guide device described above can be advantageously modified by controlling the gas pressure, depending on the requirements of the specific measurement, experiment, or analytical procedure. m / z Resolution, ion residence time).

[0108] As the gas pressure inside the ion guide device increases further, the ion-molecule collision effect becomes increasingly significant relative to the applied DC and RF voltages, such that above a certain gas pressure depending on the device configuration (e.g., length, cross-sectional area, gas composition, etc.), the collision effect relative to the applied voltage becomes significantly greater. m / z The dependence effect is dominant, and the device performance tends to be similar to that of ion mobility separation devices whose performance is moderated by the applied DC and RF voltages. Depending on the requirements of a particular measurement, experiment, or analysis procedure, the performance of such ion mobility devices can be advantageously modified by controlling the amplitude of one or more applied RF voltage waveforms or by controlling one or more frequencies of the applied voltage waveforms.

[0109] Therefore, gas pressure can be considered as an additional parameter to be considered during the calibration of the performance of an apparatus operated as described in this teaching. More generally, gas pressure is one of many operating parameters (such as apparatus length, apparatus cross-sectional area, gas composition, RF frequency, etc.) that, when considered together, can affect mass spectrometry results (e.g., mass spectrometry resolution and measurement speed) but are difficult to model theoretically. Therefore, apparatus behavior should be calibrated for each specific apparatus prior to operation so that the effects of these parameters can be well understood in each case.

[0110] In some examples, an ion router can be used to selectively guide ions from one component of a mass spectrometry system to another. Such components of the mass spectrometry system may include, for example, ion guides (e.g., ion guide 100) as described above, accumulators, mass filters, mass analyzers, ion optics, detectors, and / or any other suitable components. This document describes an exemplary ion router comprising multiple channels for guiding ions between selectively operating ports. In some examples, the ion router includes: a pair of opposing surfaces; at least three ports, each defining an opening between the pair of opposing surfaces; and a plurality of ion channels defined by an array of electrodes coupled to the pair of surfaces. In some examples, at least one of the at least three ports is configured as an inlet port through which ions are received into the ion router, and at least two of the at least three ports are configured to selectively operate as either an exit port or a shut-off port through which ions exit the ion router, and through which ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router. In other examples, each of the at least three ports selectively operates as an ingress port, an egress port, or a closure port. In some examples, multiple ion channels converge toward a common location within the ion router and are configured to receive one or more voltages to direct ions from a port configured as an ingress port to a port selectively operating as an egress port. In some examples, multiple ports selectively operate as ingress ports, multiple ports selectively operate as egress ports, and / or multiple ports selectively operate as closure ports.

[0111] The ion router described herein offers several advantages over conventional ion guides. For example, selectively operating ports allow for greater flexibility in guiding ions, such as receiving and / or ejecting ions at any port included in the ion router, guiding ions from various sources to various destinations, and / or routing ions at various angles within the ion router. Furthermore, the ion router described herein has a simple construction because each port is selectively operated by applying a voltage to the port electrodes to guide ions from a port operating as an entry port to a port operating as an exit port. Therefore, the use of the same electronic drive circuitry to selectively operate each port and guide ions between ports simplifies the construction and operation of the ion guide.

[0112] Various examples will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The systems and methods described herein may provide one or more of the benefits described above, as well as various additional and / or alternative benefits that will become apparent herein.

[0113] Figures 12 to 15Various views of an illustrative ion router 1200 are shown. Figure 12 A perspective view of the Ion Router 1200 is shown. Figure 13 It shows along Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of the Ion Router 1200, taken by the dotted-dash line marked 13. Figure 14A and Figure 14B It shows along Figure 12 The cross-sectional view of the Ion Router 1200 is shown in the dotted-dash line marked 14. Figure 15 It shows along Figure 14A A cross-sectional view of the Ion Router 1200, taken by the dotted-dash line marked 15.

[0114] The ion router 1200 includes a pair of opposing surfaces 1202 (e.g., surfaces 1202-1 and 1202-2). As shown, the first surface 1202-1 and the second surface 1202-2 are flat surfaces positioned substantially parallel to each other and facing each other (with a gap between the first and second surfaces). The first surface 1202-1 and the second surface 1202-2 can each be implemented by any suitable flat structure such as a PCB or a solid substrate (e.g., a glass substrate, a ceramic substrate, a polymer substrate, etc.). In other examples, the first surface 1202-1 and the second surface 1202-2 are not flat, but have curved, wavy, concave, convex, or other non-flat shapes, as may be suitable for a particular implementation. Furthermore, surface 1202 is shown as having a square shape, but any other suitable shape that may be suitable for a particular implementation, such as a polygonal shape (e.g., a triangle, a rectangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, etc.), may be used.

[0115] The Ion Router 1200 also includes multiple ports 1204 (e.g., ports 1204-1 to 1204-4). Although Figure 12Four ports 1204 are shown, but the ion router 1200 may have any other suitable number of ports, such as at least three ports 1204 or more than four ports 1204. Each port 1204 is defined at an opening (e.g., a gap) between a pair of opposing surfaces 1202. In some examples, each port 1204 is configured to selectively operate as an entry port, an exit port, or a shut-off port through which ions are received into the ion router 1200, through which ions leave the ion router 1200, and through which ions are neither received into nor ejected by the ion router 1200. In some other examples, at least one port 1204 is configured as an entry port, while at least two ports 1204 are configured to selectively operate as either an exit port or a shut-off port. Ports 1204 may also be configured to switch between operation as an entry port, an exit port, and / or a shut-off port, for example, during operation of the ion router 1200. This selective operation of port 1204 allows the ion router 1200 to be customized to selectively receive ions from one or more sources (e.g., ion sources, ion builders, ion guides, ion sorters, etc.) and / or transfer ions to one or more destinations (e.g., ion builders, ion guides, ion sorters, mass spectrometers, etc.) from any one or more other ports 1204 at any one or more ports 1204.

[0116] In the illustrated example, each port 1204 includes one or more port electrodes 1206 (e.g., pairs of port electrodes 1206-1 to 1206-4) configured to receive one or more voltages (e.g., DC voltage and / or RF voltage) to selectively operate each port 1204 as an inlet port, an outlet port, or a closed port. For example, the port electrodes 1206 are formed of a conductive material (e.g., a metal) configured to receive one or more voltages. As will be explained in more detail below, the pairs of port electrodes 1206 on opposite surfaces 1202 at port 1204 can receive a DC voltage, thereby generating a force to confine ions within an ion router 1200 at port 1204 operating as a closed port, allowing ions to enter port 1204 operating as an inlet port, and / or allowing ions to leave port 1204 operating as an outlet port. Thus, the port electrodes 1206 at each port 1204 can be configured to receive different voltages to operate each port 1204 independently relative to the other ports 1204. Other suitable configurations may also be used to selectively operate port 1204. For example, port 1204 may include any other suitable components (e.g., one or more lenses, etc.) configured to receive one or more voltages for selectively operating port 1204, as a complement to or alternative to port electrode 1206.

[0117] The ion router 1200 also includes a plurality of ion channels 1208 (e.g., ion channels 1208-1 to 1208-4), defined by an electrode array 1210 coupled to a pair of opposing surfaces 1202, and configured to receive one or more voltages for guiding ions from one or more ports 1204 operating as ingress ports to one or more ports 1204 operating as egress ports. For illustration, each ion channel 1208 includes a plurality of first electrodes 1210-1 (shown in gray shading) and a plurality of second electrodes 1210-2 (not shown in gray shading) arranged in an alternating pattern on each surface 1202. As shown, the plurality of first electrodes 1210-1 and the plurality of second electrodes 1210-2 are arranged on the first surface 1202-1, and additional plurality of first electrodes 1210-1 and additional plurality of second electrodes 1210-2 are arranged on the second surface 1202-2 opposite to the first surface 1202-1. Figure 12 In the diagram, electrodes 1210 on the second surface 1202-2 are shown in dashed lines to indicate that the electrodes 1210 are positioned on the side of the second surface 1202-2 facing the first surface 1202-1. The second surface 1202-2 is spaced apart from the first surface 1202-1 to form an ion channel 1208 defined therebetween by the electrodes 1210. For each ion channel 1208, any suitable number of electrodes 1210 and / or groups of electrodes 1210 may be used, depending on the length of each ion channel 1208, as may be available for a particular specific implementation. For example, each electrode in a group of electrodes (e.g., electrodes 2a-2f) may receive the same RF voltage waveform, which may vary across the group of electrodes. In some examples, the ion channel 1208 may include the same number of electrodes 1210 and / or different numbers of electrodes 1210.

[0118] Electrode 1210 is formed of a conductive material (e.g., a metal) configured to receive one or more voltages (explained in more detail below) for guiding ions through ion channel 1208. In some examples, electrode 1210 on opposing surfaces 1202 within ion channel 1208 may receive transient voltages (e.g., DC gradient voltages and / or RF traveling wave voltages), thereby generating one or more forces to guide ions within ion channel 1208 (e.g., from one or more ports 1204 operating as entry ports to one or more ports 1204 operating as exit ports). In some examples, electrode 1210 is further configured to receive confinement voltages (e.g., RF trapping voltages and / or DC trapping voltages), thereby generating one or more confinement fields to prevent ions from colliding with first surface 1202-1 and second surface 1202-2. This confinement voltage may be superimposed on electrode 1210 along with the transient voltage. Ion channel 1208 may operate under vacuum, low pressure, or high pressure.

[0119] Therefore, ion channel 1208 includes a volume in the gap between the first surface 1202-1 and the second surface 1202-2, within which ions can be guided (e.g., driven, transported, propelled, etc.). Each ion channel 1208 is connected to a port 1204 to allow ions to flow from port 1204 to the corresponding ion channel 1208 and from ion channel 1208 to the corresponding port 1204. Although the illustrated example shows a single ion channel 1208 connected to a single port 1204, any suitable number of ion channels 1208 can be connected to any suitable number of ports 1204 for guiding ions through ion router 1200.

[0120] Although not shown, the ion router 1200 may include other components that may be suitable for a particular implementation, such as spacers maintaining the distance between the first surface 1202-1 and the second surface 1202-2, voltage sources and wiring for connecting the electrodes 1210 to a voltage source, electronics for controlling the voltage applied to the electrodes 1210, and / or protective electrodes positioned between the ion channels 1208 for confining ions within each ion channel 1208.

[0121] Now for reference Figure 13The electrode array 1210 of each of the multiple ion channels 1208 extends toward a common location 1302 within the ion router 1200. For illustration, a first ion channel 1208-1 extends from a first port 1204-1 to a common location 1302 (e.g., the first channel 1208-1 represented by the region between dashed lines 1304-1 and 1304-2), a second ion channel 1208-2 extends from a second port 1204-2 to a common location 1302 (e.g., the second channel 1208-2 represented by the region between dashed lines 1304-2 and 1304-3), a third ion channel 1208-3 extends from a third port 1204-3 to a common location 1302 (e.g., the third ion channel 1208-3 represented by the region between dashed lines 1304-3 and 1304-4), and a fourth ion channel 1208-4 extends from a fourth port 1204-4 to a common location 1302 (e.g., the fourth ion channel 1208-4 represented by the region between dashed lines 1304-4 and 1304-1). Therefore, multiple ion channels 1208 meet at a common location 1302 to allow ions to flow from any ion channel 1208 to any other ion channel 1208. As an illustrative example, ions can be configured to flow from a first port 1204-1 operating as an inlet port through a first ion channel 1208-1 toward the common location 1302, and toward a second port 1204-2 operating as an outlet port to a second ion channel 1208-2. In the illustrated example, the common location 1302 is located at the central portion of the ion router 1200 (e.g., at the center of surface 1202). However, the common location 1302 can be located at any other portion of the ion router 1200 (e.g., off-center, edge portions, corner portions, etc.), as may be used for a particular orientation.

[0122] Electrodes 1210 defining ion channels 1208 are arranged along the axis 1306 of each ion channel 1208 (e.g., axes 1306-1 to 1306-4) (e.g., extending from port 1204 to common location 1302). For example, the electrode 1210 of the first ion channel 1208-1 is arranged along the first axis 1306-1 of the first ion channel 1208-1, the electrode 1210 of the second ion channel 1208-2 is arranged along the second axis 1306-2 of the second ion channel 1208-2, the electrode 1210 of the third ion channel 1208-3 is arranged along the third axis 1306-3 of the third ion channel 1208-3, and the electrode 1210 of the fourth ion channel 1208-4 is arranged along the fourth axis 1306-4 of the fourth ion channel 1208-4. As shown in the figure, each axis 1306 of each ion channel 1208 is oriented at a different angle α (e.g., angles α1 to α4) relative to the axis 1306 of another adjacent ion channel 1208. For example, the first axis 1306-1 is oriented at a first angle α1 relative to the second axis 1306-2, the second axis 1306-2 is oriented at a second angle α2 relative to the third axis 1306-3, the third axis 1306-3 is oriented at a third angle α3 relative to the fourth axis 1306-4, and the fourth axis 1306-4 is oriented at a fourth angle α4 relative to the first axis 1306-1. Figure 13 In the example, each axis 1306 of each ion channel 1208 is oriented at the same angle α of approximately 90 degrees relative to the axis 1306 of each adjacent ion channel 1208. However, any other suitable configuration for the ion channels 1208 may be used, as may be applicable to a particular specific implementation. For example, various angles α may be used (e.g., approximately 30 degrees to approximately 180 degrees, approximately 60 degrees to approximately 120 degrees, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the angle α may be the same across any one or more axes 1306, or may vary across any one or more axes 1306.

[0123] In some examples, the axis 1306 of each ion channel 1208 forms an ion path along which ions travel through the ion channel 1208. For illustration, a plurality of first electrodes 1210-1 and a plurality of second electrodes 1210-2 are alternately arranged on a first surface 1202-1 along the axis 1306 of each ion channel 1208 to form an ion path whose central axis corresponds to the axis 1306 of the ion channel 1208. Thus, the ion path extends within each ion channel 1208, such as between port 1204 and common location 1302. Figure 13In the example, the central axis of the ion path corresponds to the axis 1306 of the ion channel 1208. However, the central axis of the ion path is not limited to this configuration and may have any other suitable shape (e.g., curved, wavy, or irregular) and / or orientation relative to the axis 1306 of the ion channel 1208. In some examples, the axis 1306 of each ion channel 1208 is the central axis, and the central axes of all ion channels 1208 intersect at a common location 1302.

[0124] As shown, each electrode 1210 has an elongated rectangular shape, the width of which extends outward from the axis 1306 of each ion channel 1208 toward each side edge of each ion channel 1208 (e.g., indicated by dashed line 1304). Additionally, the width of each electrode 1210 included in the electrode array 1210 forming each ion channel 1208 decreases sequentially along the ion channel 1208 (e.g., from the electrode 1210 located adjacent to port 1204 to the electrode 1210 located adjacent to common location 1302). The width of each ion channel 1208 thus decreases along the axis 1306 of the ion channel 1208 in the direction from port 1204 toward common location 1302, such that each ion channel 1208 converges from port 1204 toward common location 1302. This convergence of ion channels 1208 toward common location 1302 can facilitate the guidance of ions toward common location 1302 and into another ion channel 1208. In some examples, the convergence of ion channels 1208 can be achieved by guiding ions along the ion path along the central axis 1306 of ion channels 1208, such as by guiding ions inward toward the central axis 1306 and common location 1302 of ion channels 1208.

[0125] However, the electrode 1210 is not limited to this configuration and may have any other suitable shape (e.g., curved, elliptical, oval, wavy, mountain-shaped, L-shaped, U-shaped, V-shaped, or irregular), as may be suitable for a particular specific implementation. In some examples, the width of each electrode 1210 in the electrode array 1210 may be continuous without decreasing sequentially. For example, the width of the electrode 1210 may be continuous along the axis 1306 of the ion channel 1208, and / or the width of the electrode 1210 within the ion channel 1208 positioned toward port 1204 may be continuous, while the width of the electrode 1210 within the ion channel 1208 positioned toward a common location 1302 may decrease. Additionally or alternatively, gaps may be provided between the electrodes 1210 of the different ion channels 1208.

[0126] In some examples, multiple ion channels 1208 are positioned relative to each other to form polygonal shapes (e.g., triangles, squares, rectangles, pentagons, hexagons, etc.). As shown, four ion channels 1208 are oriented relative to each other to form a square shape. However, any other suitable number of ion channels 1208 can be used to form any other suitable polygonal shape, as may be applicable to a particular implementation. For illustration, three ion channels 1208 may be oriented relative to each other to form a triangular shape, four ion channels 1208 may be oriented relative to each other to form a rectangular shape, five ion channels 1208 may be oriented relative to each other to form a pentagonal shape, and / or six ion channels 1208 may be oriented relative to each other to form a hexagonal shape. Such polygonal shapes formed by the ion channels 1208 may correspond to the shape of the surface 1202 and / or combined polygonal shapes formed by the ion channels 1208, which may differ from the shape of the surface 1202. In some examples, the ion channels 1208 are oriented around a common location 1302 such that each ion channel 1208 forms a radial segment within the polygonal shape formed by the ion channels 1208.

[0127] Figure 13 Each port electrode 1206 of the port 1204 located at the edges 1308 (e.g., edges 1308-1 to 1308-4) of the surface 1202 is further illustrated. For example, each port electrode 1206 is positioned to extend along at least a portion of each edge 1308 defining the polygonal shape of the surface 1202. As shown, the surface 1202 is a square shape, comprising four edges 1308 forming a perimeter of the square shape and four port electrodes 1206 positioned around the perimeter at each edge 1308. While each port electrode 1206 is shown extending in a straight line along each edge 1308 of the surface 1202, the port electrodes 1206 and / or the edges 1308 may also be curved or wavy in shape. Additionally or alternatively, port electrodes 1206 may be spaced apart from edges 1308 of surface 1202, and / or any suitable number of port electrodes 1206 may be included at any suitable number of edges 1308 (e.g., to omit port 1204 from one or more edges 1308 and / or to form a plurality of ports 1204 at one or more edges 1308).

[0128] Figure 14A and Figure 14BA first surface 1202-1 and a second surface 1202-2 are shown positioned opposite each other to form one or more ports 1204 at one or more openings therebetween. As shown, each port 1204 includes a port electrode 1206 positioned on each opposing surface 1202. Each surface 1202 also includes a plurality of first electrodes 1210-1 and a plurality of second electrodes 1210-2 alternately arranged to define an ion channel 1208 therebetween. In some examples, the port electrodes 1206, the first electrodes 1210-1, and the second electrodes 1210-2 are directly attached (e.g., printed, mounted, fastened, glued, embedded, etc.) to the surface 1202 and / or spaced apart from the surface 1202 within the port 1204 or the ion channel 1208. Other suitable configurations of the port electrodes 1206 and / or electrodes 1210 may also be used. For example, the port electrodes 1206 and / or electrodes 1210 may additionally or alternatively be flush with the surface 1202.

[0129] As mentioned above, the port electrode 1206 on the opposing surface 1202 at port 1204 receives a DC voltage, thereby generating a force to confine ions within the ion router 1200 at port 1204, which operates as a closed port, allowing ions to enter port 1204, which operates as an entry port, and / or allowing ions to leave port 1204, which operates as an exit port. Therefore, the port electrode 1206 at each port 1204 can be configured to receive different voltages so that each port 1204 can operate independently relative to the other ports 1204. For example, the first port electrode 1206-1 may be connected to a first circuit (not shown) configured to supply a first DC voltage from a voltage source (not shown), the second port electrode 1206-2 may be connected to a second circuit (not shown) configured to supply a second DC voltage from the same voltage source or a different voltage source, the third port electrode 1206-3 may be connected to a third circuit (not shown) configured to supply a third DC voltage from the same voltage source or a different voltage source, and the fourth port electrode 1206-4 may be connected to a fourth circuit (not shown) configured to supply a fourth DC voltage from the same voltage source or a different voltage source.

[0130] The first, second, third, and / or fourth DC voltages can be adjusted to selectively operate each port 1204 as an entry port, an exit port, or a closed port. As an illustrative example, for positive ions, the port electrode 1206 of port 1204 to be operated as an exit port may receive a lower DC voltage than the port electrode of port 1204 to be operated as an entry port, and the port electrode 1206 of port 1204 to be operated as a closed port may receive the same or a higher DC voltage than the port electrode 1206 to be operated as an entry port. Alternatively, for negative ions, the exit port may receive a higher DC voltage than the closed port, which may receive a higher DC voltage than the entry port. In some examples, the DC voltage applied to the port electrode 1206 of the entry port and the DC voltage applied to the port electrode 1206 of the exit port create a DC gradient from the entry port to the exit port. To switch the operation of port 1204 from the entry port to the closed port, the DC voltage received by the port electrode 1206 may be increased. Alternatively, in order to switch the operation of port 1204 from an inlet port to an outlet port, the DC voltage received by port electrode 1206 can be reduced.

[0131] Electrodes 1210 within ion channel 1208 are configured to receive one or more voltages for guiding ions through ion channel 1208. In a first voltage scheme, electrodes 1210 may receive a DC gradient voltage, thereby generating one or more forces to guide ions within ion channel 1208. For example, a voltage divider may be included in the voltage supply circuit to connect electrodes 1210 to each other and / or to port electrode 1206. When a DC voltage is applied to port electrode 1206, the voltage divider provides a DC gradient voltage across electrode 1210 (e.g., the voltage divider reduces the DC potential generated at each successive electrode 1210 in the ion flow direction, thereby generating a DC gradient). Figure 14B As shown, this DC gradient can guide ions 1400 through ion channel 1208, which allows the ion router 1200 to be operated by applying a single DC voltage only at port electrode 1206.

[0132] In a second voltage scheme, electrode 1210 is further configured to receive a trapping voltage (e.g., an RF trapping voltage) to superimpose a trapping potential on a DC gradient, thereby confining ions 1400 between the first surface 1202-1 and the second surface 1202-2. In a third voltage scheme, electrode 1210 is configured to receive a trapping voltage (e.g., a DC trapping voltage) to generate a trapping potential to confine ions 1400 between the first surface 1202-1 and the second surface 1202-2, and to receive an RF traveling-wave voltage (e.g., instead of a DC gradient voltage) to superimpose an RF traveling-wave potential on the trapping potential to guide ions through ion channel 1208. For illustration, the RF traveling-wave voltage may include a transient RF voltage applied to certain electrodes 1210 such that a pseudopotential well is formed between these electrodes 1210 to form a trapping region within ion channel 1208. A transient RF voltage is then progressively applied to the subsequent electrode 1210 along the ion path in the direction of ion flow, causing the trapping region to move along the ion channel 1208; this can be referred to as a "traveling wave potential." When electrode 1210 receives the RF traveling wave voltage to generate a traveling wave potential, the traveling wave potential is applied along the ion path (e.g., axis 1306) to guide ions along the ion path. The amplitude and / or frequency of the traveling wave can be varied, for example, based on the size of the ion channel 1208.

[0133] In a configuration where electrode 1210 is configured to receive RF voltages (e.g., RF capture voltage and / or RF traveling wave voltage), first electrode 1210-1 is configured to receive a first RF voltage, and second electrode 1210-2 is configured to receive a second RF voltage that is phase-shifted relative to the first RF voltage. In the figure, the first-phase electrode 1210 (e.g., first electrode 1210-1) is shaded in gray, and the second-phase electrode 1210 (e.g., second electrode 1210-2) is not shaded. In some examples, the RF voltage received by first electrode 1210-1 is out of phase with the RF voltage received by second electrode 1210-2.

[0134] In a configuration where the electrodes are configured to receive RF voltage, a first electrode 1210-1 is connected to a fifth circuit (not shown) configured to supply a first RF voltage from a voltage source (not shown), and a second electrode 1210-2 is connected to a sixth circuit (not shown) configured to supply a second RF voltage from the same or a different voltage source. In examples where the voltage source is the same for both the fifth and sixth circuits, the fifth or sixth circuit may include any suitable phase-shifting circuit or phase-shifting module. Alternatively, the first electrode 1210-1 may receive the first RF voltage, while the second electrode 1210-2 may receive a DC voltage and / or be grounded. When the electrodes 1210 are configured to receive RF traveling wave voltage, the ion channel 1208 may include at least three sets of electrodes 1210 to impart traveling wave directionality. For example, a third set of electrodes may be alternately positioned between the first electrode 1210-1 and the second electrode 1210-2 and configured to receive a third RF voltage. The waveform amplitudes of the first RF voltage, the second RF voltage, and the third RF voltage are modulated, wherein the modulated phase is changed between the electrode groups to generate a traveling wave pseudopotential that guides ions along the axis of each ion channel 1208.

[0135] Figure 15Exemplary ion trajectories 1500 (e.g., ion trajectories 1500-1 to 1500-3) are depicted, illustrating the flow of ions 1400 along the ion paths of one or more ion channels 1208 corresponding to an axis (e.g., axis 1306) of the ion channel 1208. For illustration, the first ion trajectory 1500-1 includes routing ions 1400 from a first port 1204-1 operating as an inlet port to a second port 1204-2 operating as an outlet port, while the third port 1204-3 and the fourth port 1204-4 operate as closed ports. Therefore, the first port electrode 1206-1 on each opposing surface 1202 receives a first DC voltage to allow ions 1400 to flow within the first port 1204-1 and into the first ion channel 1208-1. Electrode 1210 of the first ion channel 1208-1 receives a DC gradient voltage or an RF traveling wave voltage to guide ions 1400 through the first ion channel 1208-1 toward a common location 1302 (e.g., along the first axis 1306-1). Electrode 1210 of the second ion channel 1208-2 receives a DC gradient voltage or an RF traveling wave voltage to route ions 1400 to the second ion channel 1208-2 and guide ions 1400 from the common location 1302 through the second ion channel 1208-2 toward a second port 1204-2 (e.g., along the second axis 1306-2). Since the second axis 1306-2 of the second ion channel 1208-2 is oriented at an angle (e.g., a first angle α1) relative to the first axis 1306-1 of the first ion channel 1208-1, the flow of ions 1400 along the first ion trajectory 1500-1 is diverted from the first ion channel 1208-1 to the second ion channel 1208-2 at that angle. The second port electrode 1206-2 on each opposing surface 1202 receives a second DC voltage, which is lower than the first DC voltage applied to the first port electrode 1206-1, to allow ion ejection 1400 from the second port 1204-2. Simultaneously, the third port electrode 1206-3 receives a third DC voltage, and the fourth port electrode 1206-4 receives a fourth DC voltage, both equal to or higher than the first DC voltage, to operate the third port 1204-3 and the fourth port 1204-4 as closed ports.

[0136] As another example, the second ion trajectory 1500-2 includes switching the second port 1204-2 from an exit port to a closed port and the third port 1204-3 from a closed port to an exit port to route ions 1400 from the first port 1204-1 to the third port 1204-3, while the second port 1204-2 and the fourth port 1204-4 operate as closed ports. Therefore, the first port electrode 1206-1 on each opposing surface 1202 continues to receive the same first DC voltage to allow ions 1400 to flow within the first port 1204-1 and into the first ion channel 1208-1. The electrode 1210 of the first ion channel 1208-1 receives a DC gradient voltage or an RF traveling wave voltage to guide ions 1400 through the first ion channel 1208-1 toward a common location 1302 (e.g., along the first axis 1306-1). Electrode 1210 of the third ion channel 1208-3 receives a DC gradient voltage or an RF traveling wave voltage to route ions 1400 to the third ion channel 1208-3 and guide ions 1400 from the common location 1302 through the third ion channel 1208-3 toward the third port 1204-3 (e.g., along the third axis 1306-3). Since the third axis 1306-3 of the third ion channel 1208-3 is aligned with the first axis 1306-1 of the first ion channel 1208-1 (e.g., a combination of a first angle α1 and a second angle α2), the flow of ions 1400 along the second ion trajectory 1500-2 continues directly from the first ion channel 1208-1 to the third ion channel 1208-3. The third DC voltage received by the third port electrode 1206-3 on each opposing surface 1202 is adjusted (e.g., reduced) to an amount lower than the first DC voltage to allow ions 1400 to be ejected from the third port 1204-3. Simultaneously, the second DC voltage received by the second port electrode 1206-2 and the fourth DC voltage received by the fourth port electrode 1206-4 are adjusted to be equal to or higher than the first DC voltage, so that the second port 1204-2 and the fourth port 1204-4 are operated as closed ports.

[0137] As another example, the third ion trajectory 1500-3 includes switching the third port 1204-3 to operate as a closed port and switching the fourth port 1204-4 to operate as an exit port to route ions 1400 from the first port 1204-1 to the fourth port 1204-4, while the second port 1204-2 and the third port 1204-3 operate as closed ports. Therefore, the first port electrode 1206-1 on each opposing surface 1202 continues to receive the same first DC voltage to allow ions 1400 to flow within the first port 1204-1 and into the first ion channel 1208-1. The electrode 1210 of the first ion channel 1208-1 receives a DC gradient voltage or an RF traveling wave voltage to guide ions 1400 through the first ion channel 1208-1 toward a common location 1302 (e.g., along the first axis 1306-1). Electrode 1210 of the fourth ion channel 1208-4 receives a DC gradient voltage or an RF traveling wave voltage to guide ions 1400 into the fourth ion channel 1208-4 and guide ions 1400 from the common location 1302 through the fourth ion channel 1208-4 toward the fourth port 1204-4 (e.g., along the fourth axis 1306-4). Since the fourth axis 1306-4 of the fourth ion channel 1208-4 is oriented at an angle (e.g., a fourth angle α4) relative to the first axis 1306-1 of the first ion channel 1208-1, the flow of ions 1400 along the third ion trajectory 1500-3 is diverted from the first ion channel 1208-1 to the fourth ion channel 1208-4 along this angle. The fourth DC voltage received by the fourth port electrode 1206-4 on each opposing surface 1202 is adjusted to an amount lower than the first DC voltage to allow ions 1400 to be ejected from the fourth port 1204-4. Simultaneously, the second DC voltage received by the second port electrode 1206-2 and the third DC voltage received by the third port electrode 1206-3 are adjusted to be equal to or higher than the first DC voltage, so that the second port 1204-2 and the third port 1204-3 are operated as closed ports.

[0138] While the exemplary example shows a first port 1204-1 designated as an inlet port, where ions 1400 flow from the first port 1204-1 to a common location 1302 and from the common location to another port 1204, in some other examples, any of the other ports 1204 may also operate as an inlet port, supplementing or replacing the first port 1204-1. In some examples, multiple ports 1204 may simultaneously and selectively operate as inlet ports. Additionally or alternatively, any port 1204 (e.g., not operating as an inlet port) may operate as an exit port, such that in some examples, multiple ports 1204 may simultaneously and selectively operate as exit ports. Other suitable configurations for selectively operating ports 1204 may be used, as may be applicable to a particular implementation. For example, ports 1204 may be configured to simultaneously guide ions in the same direction (e.g., toward or away from common location 1302). Alternatively, each port 1204 may operate selectively and independently of the other ports 1204 (e.g., the voltage received by each port 1204 may be different from the voltage received by the other ports 1204).

[0139] During operation of the ion router 1200, a voltage, such as the average voltage of the voltage applied at port 1204, may be provided at common location 1302. Therefore, the voltage provided at common location 1302 is less than the voltage applied at port 1204 operating as an inlet port, and greater than the voltage applied at port 1204 operating as an exit port. In some examples, common location 1302 also includes an electrode configured to receive a fifth DC voltage to simultaneously generate a DC field at common location 1302, which facilitates the guidance of ions 1400 from ion channel 1208 associated with port 1204, which operates selectively as an inlet port, to another ion channel 1208 associated with port 1204, which operates selectively as an exit port. Such an electrode may operate independently of port electrode 1206 and / or electrode 1210.

[0140] In the example above, ion routing within the ion router 1200 is achieved by using ion channels 1208 with a triangular shape, such that multiple ion channels 1208 form a square shape. However, ion routing can be achieved by using other ion channel shapes. Reference will now be made to... Figures 16 to 18 Examples describing alternative ion channel shapes.

[0141] Figure 16A triangular configuration 1600 of electrodes 1210 on surface 1602 is shown. Surface 1602 may realize a first surface 1202-1 and / or a second surface 1202-2 of the ion router 1200. For example, port electrodes 1206 and 1210 on surface 1602 may be aligned with port electrodes 1206 and 1210 on another opposing surface 1602 to form a port 1204 and a channel 1208 therebetween. Figure 16 In this configuration, surface 1602 includes three edges 1308 forming a triangular shape. Port electrodes 1206 extend along each edge 1308 to form three ports 1204 when surface 1602 is positioned relative to an opposing surface 1602. Additionally, when surface 1602 is positioned relative to an opposing surface 1602, an array of three electrodes 1210 extends from each port electrode 1206 toward a common location 1302 to form three ion channels 1208. Electrodes 1210 defining ion channels 1208 are arranged along axes 1306 of ion channels 1208. Each axis 1306 of each ion channel 1208 is oriented at a different angle α relative to the axis 1306 of another adjacent ion channel 1208. As shown, the three axes 1306 of the ion channels 1208 are positioned around the common location 1302 at equal angles α, such that each angle α is approximately 120 degrees.

[0142] Furthermore, the width of each electrode 1210 included in the electrode array 1210 forming each ion channel 1208 decreases sequentially along the ion channel 1208 (e.g., from the electrode 1210 located near the port 1204 to the electrode 1210 located near the common location 1302). Therefore, the width of each ion channel 1208 (e.g., between the dashed lines 1304) decreases along the axis 1306 of the ion channel 1208 in the direction from the port 1204 toward the common location 1302. However, the electrodes 1210 are not limited to this configuration. For example, the width of the electrode 1210 (e.g., orthogonal to the axis 1306) may be continuous along the axis 1306 of the ion channel 1208, and / or the width of the electrode 1210 within the ion channel 1208 located toward the port 1204 may be continuous, while the width of the electrode 1210 within the ion channel 1208 located toward the common location 1302 may decrease. Alternatively or additionally, gaps may be provided between the electrodes 1210 of the different ion channels 1208. In some examples, the electrode array 1210 may form T-shaped or Y-shaped ion channels 1208.

[0143] While the triangular shape of ion channel 1208 corresponds to the triangular shape of surface 1602, in some other examples, ion channel 1208 may be formed in a triangular shape on surface 1602 having another shape (e.g., square, rectangle, etc.). The electrode array 1210 of ion channel 1208 is oriented around a common location 1302 such that each ion channel 1208 forms a radial segment within the triangular shape formed by the ion channel 1208.

[0144] The illustrated example also shows each port electrode 1206 positioned in a triangular configuration at the edge 1308 of surface 1602. When surface 1602 is positioned relative to another opposing surface 1602, the port electrodes 1206 can receive a DC voltage to selectively operate each port 1204 as an inlet port, an outlet port, or a closed port, and the electrodes 1210 of the ion channel 1208 can receive a voltage to guide ions from the port 1204 operating as an inlet port to the port 1204 operating as an outlet port. Thus, the ion router 1200, combined with a pair of opposing surfaces 1602, can receive and / or eject ions at any of the three ports 1204.

[0145] As another example, Figure 17 A hexagonal configuration 1700 of electrodes 1210 on surface 1702 is shown. Surface 1702 may realize a first surface 1202-1 and / or a second surface 1202-2 of the ion router 1200. For example, port electrodes 1206 and 1210 on surface 1702 may be aligned with port electrodes 1206 and 1210 on another opposing surface 1702 to form a port 1204 and a channel 1208 therebetween. Figure 17 In this configuration, surface 1702 includes six edges 1308 forming a hexagonal shape. Port electrodes 1206 extend along each edge 1308 to form six ports 1204 when surface 1702 is positioned relative to an opposing surface 1702. Additionally, when surface 1702 is positioned relative to an opposing surface 1702, an array of six electrodes 1210 extends from each port electrode 1206 toward a common location 1302 to form six ion channels 1208. The electrodes 1210 defining the ion channels 1208 are arranged along the axis 1306 of the ion channel 1208. Each axis 1306 of each ion channel 1208 is oriented at a different angle α relative to the axis 1306 of another adjacent ion channel 1208. As shown, the axes 1306 of the ion channels 1208 are positioned around the common location 1302 at equal angles α, such that each angle α is approximately 60 degrees.

[0146] Furthermore, the width of each electrode 1210 included in the electrode array 1210 forming each ion channel 1208 decreases sequentially along the ion channel 1208 (e.g., from the electrode 1210 located near the port 1204 to the electrode 1210 located near the common location 1302). Therefore, the width of each ion channel 1208 (e.g., between the dashed lines 1304) decreases along the axis 1306 of the ion channel 1208 in the direction from the port 1204 toward the common location 1302. However, the electrodes 1210 are not limited to this configuration. For example, the width of the electrodes 1210 may be continuous along the axis 1306 of the ion channel 1208, and / or the width of the electrodes 1210 within the ion channel 1208 located toward the port 1204 may be continuous, while the width of the electrodes 1210 within the ion channel 1208 located toward the common location 1302 may decrease. Additionally or alternatively, gaps may be provided between the electrodes 1210 of the different ion channels 1208.

[0147] The electrode array 1210 is further positioned such that the plurality of ion channels 1208 are positioned relative to each other to form a hexagonal shape. While the hexagonal shape formed by the ion channels 1208 corresponds to the hexagonal shape of the surface 1702, in some other examples, the ion channels 1208 may be formed in a hexagonal shape on the surface 1702 having another shape (e.g., a square, a rectangle, etc.). The electrode array 1210 of the ion channels 1208 is oriented around a common location 1302 such that each ion channel 1208 forms a radial segment within the hexagonal shape formed by the ion channels 1208.

[0148] The illustrated example also shows each port electrode 1206 positioned in a hexagonal configuration at the edge 1308 of surface 1702. When surface 1702 is positioned relative to another opposing surface 1702, the port electrodes 1206 can receive a DC voltage to selectively operate each port 1204 as an inlet port, an outlet port, or a closed port, and the electrodes 1210 of the ion channel 1208 can receive a voltage to guide ions from the port 1204 operating as an inlet port to the port 1204 operating as an outlet port. Thus, the ion router 1200, incorporating a pair of opposing surfaces 1702, can receive and / or eject ions at any of the six ports 1204.

[0149] As another example, Figure 18A rectangular configuration 1800 of electrodes 1210 on surface 1802 is shown. Surface 1802 may realize a first surface 1202-1 and / or a second surface 1202-2 of the ion router 1200. For example, port electrodes 1206 and 1210 on surface 1802 may be aligned with port electrodes 1206 and 1210 on another opposing surface 1802 to form a port 1204 and a channel 1208 therebetween. Figure 18 In this configuration, surface 1802 includes four edges 1308 forming a rectangular shape. Port electrodes 1206 extend along three edges 1308 to form three ports 1204 when surface 1802 is positioned relative to an opposing surface 1802. Additionally, when surface 1802 is positioned relative to an opposing surface 1802, an array of three electrodes 1210 extends from each port electrode 1206 toward a common location 1302 to form three ion channels 1208.

[0150] The guard electrode 1804 is further positioned to extend along the fourth edge 1802-4 of the surface 1308 and is configured to receive voltage (e.g., DC trapping voltage and / or RF trapping voltage) to induce ions away from the fourth edge 1308-4. In the illustrated example, the guard electrode 1804 extends along one side of the first port 1204-1, the first ion channel 1208-1, the common location 1302, the third ion channel 1208-3, and the third port 1204-3. Thus, the guard electrode 1804 forms the lateral boundaries of the first port 1204-1, the first ion channel 1208-1, the common location 1302, the third ion channel 1208-3, and the third port 1204-3 to help confine ions within the first port 1204-1, the first ion channel 1208-1, the common location 1302, the third ion channel 1208-3, and the third port 1204-3.

[0151] Furthermore, the width of each electrode 1210 included in the electrode array 1210 forming each ion channel 1208 decreases sequentially along the ion channel 1208 (e.g., from the electrode 1210 located near the port 1204 to the electrode 1210 located near the common location 1302). Therefore, the width of each ion channel 1208 (e.g., between the dashed lines 1304) decreases along the axis 1306 of the ion channel 1208 in the direction from the port 1204 toward the common location 1302. However, the electrodes 1210 are not limited to this configuration. For example, the width of the electrodes 1210 may be continuous along the axis 1306 of the ion channel 1208, and / or the width of the electrodes 1210 within the ion channel 1208 located toward the port 1204 may be continuous, while the width of the electrodes 1210 within the ion channel 1208 located toward the common location 1302 may decrease. Additionally or alternatively, gaps may be provided between the electrodes 1210 of the different ion channels 1208.

[0152] The electrode array 1210 is further positioned such that the plurality of ion channels 1208 are positioned relative to each other to form a rectangular shape. While the rectangular shape formed by the ion channels 1208 corresponds to the rectangular shape of the surface 1802, in some other examples, the ion channels 1208 may be formed in a rectangular shape on the surface 1802 having another shape (e.g., a square, etc.). The electrode array 1210 of the ion channels 1208 is further oriented around a common location 1302 such that each ion channel 1208 forms a radial segment within the rectangular shape formed by the ion channels 1208. In the illustrated example, the common location 1302 is located at the edge 1802-4 of the surface 1308, rather than at the center portion. In this configuration, the second port 1204-2 is wider than the first port 1204-1 and the third port 1204-3, and the second ion channel 1208-2 is wider than the first ion channel 1208-1 and the third ion channel 1208-3.

[0153] The illustrated example also shows each port electrode 1206 positioned in a rectangular configuration at the edge 1308 of surface 1802. When surface 1802 is positioned relative to another opposing surface 1802, the port electrodes 1206 can receive a DC voltage to selectively operate each port 1204 as an inlet port, an outlet port, or a closed port, and the electrodes 1210 of the ion channel 1208 can receive a voltage to guide ions from the port 1204 operating as an inlet port to the port 1204 operating as an outlet port. Thus, the ion router 1200, combined with a pair of opposing surfaces 1802, can receive and / or eject ions at any of the three ports 1204.

[0154] Figure 19Another exemplary configuration 1900 of port electrodes 1206 and electrodes 1210 on the first surface 1202-1 is shown, which further includes supplementary guard electrodes 1902 (e.g., guard electrodes 1902-1 to 1902-2) extending at the first port 1204-1 and along a portion of the associated first ion channel 1208-1. As shown, each guard electrode 1902 is positioned on each side of the first port 1204-1 on the first surface 1202-1 (e.g., opposite to axis 1306-1) and within the ion channel 1208-1 toward a common location 1302. Each guard electrode 1902 is configured to receive a voltage (e.g., a DC trapping voltage and / or an RF trapping voltage) to generate a force to confine ions within the first port 1204-1 and the first ion channel 1208-1 (e.g., toward axis 1306-1 of the ion channel 1208-1). Therefore, the protective electrode 1902 can prevent the ion flow in the ion channel 1208 from expanding outward away from the axis 1306-1 of the first ion channel 1208-1.

[0155] Although Figure 19 A protective electrode 1902 is shown positioned along the first port 1204-1 and the first ion channel 1208-1, but the protective electrode 1902 can be positioned within any suitable number and / or configuration of ports 1204 and / or ion channels 1208. For example, the protective electrode 1902 can be positioned along any port 1204 to be selectively operated as an inlet or outlet port and / or any ion channel 1208 associated with a port 1204 to be selectively operated as an inlet or outlet port. This placement of the protective electrode 1902 prevents the ion flow from expanding near the inlet or outlet port, which allows the width of the ion flow (e.g., transverse to the axis 1306 of the ion channel 1208) to correspond to the width of another optical element configured to receive ions and / or transfer ions to the ion router 1200 (e.g., without the need for an ion funnel). Additionally or alternatively, the protection electrode 1902 may be positioned between each ion channel in the ion channel 1208 and along the length of each ion channel 1208 from port 1204 to common location 1302 in order to confine ions within each ion channel 1208 and prevent ions from flowing between ion channels 1208 before common location 1302.

[0156] Figures 20 to 21B Another exemplary configuration 2000 of the ion router 1200 is shown, which further includes a plurality of supports 2002 (e.g., supports 2002-1 to 2002-4). The supports 2002 are configured to extend between a pair of opposing surfaces (e.g., surface 1202) on which port electrodes 1206 and 1210 are positioned, to maintain space between the pair of opposing surfaces. For illustrative purposes, Figures 20 to 21B A pair of opposing surfaces are omitted in the illustrated ion router 2000. As shown, a support 2002 is positioned at the corner of a polygonal shape formed by ion channels 1208 between each port 1204 (e.g., between each port electrode 1206). In some examples, the support 2002 is configured to receive one or more voltages (e.g., DC trapping voltage and / or RF trapping voltage) to generate a force that confines ions within the ports 1204 and prevents ion flow from leaving between the ports 1204. For illustration, for positive ions, the support 2002 may receive a DC voltage greater than the voltage provided at the port inlet. In some examples, the support 2002 is configured to receive voltages independently of the port electrodes 1206 and 1210. Furthermore, the support 2002 may be configured to receive the same voltage, or the support 2002 may be configured to receive voltages independently of the other supports 2002. The ion router 2000 also includes an electrode 2004 located at a common location 1302, which can independently receive a voltage (e.g., a DC voltage) to provide additional flexibility in providing a DC gradient between ports 1204 for guiding ions from port 1204 operating as an inlet port to port 1204 operating as an outlet port.

[0157] As an illustrative example, for positive ions, the first port electrode 1206-1 can be configured to receive a first DC voltage (e.g., 2 volts (V)) to operate the first port 1204-1 as an inlet port. The second port electrode 1206-2 can be configured to receive a second DC voltage (e.g., -2V) less than the first DC voltage to operate the second port 1204-2 as an outlet port. The third port electrode 1206-3 can be configured to receive a third DC voltage (e.g., 2V), and the fourth port electrode 1206-4 can be configured to receive a fourth DC voltage (e.g., 2V) equal to or greater than the first DC voltage (e.g., the voltage applied to the inlet port) to operate the third port 1204-3 and the fourth port 1204-4 as outlet ports. When the third DC voltage and / or the fourth DC voltage are equal to the first DC voltage, the ion router 2000 can be configured to further receive ions in the third port 1204-3 and / or the fourth port 1204-4. Alternatively, when the third DC voltage and / or the fourth DC voltage are equal to the second DC voltage, the ion router 2000 can be configured to further spray ions at the third port 1204-3 and / or the fourth port 1204-4.

[0158] In some examples, electrode 2004 at common location 1302 may be configured to receive a fifth DC voltage (e.g., less than the voltage applied to the inlet port and greater than the voltage applied to the outlet port) to guide ions from the inlet port to the outlet port. In some examples, support 2002 may be configured to receive a sixth DC voltage (e.g., 2V) equal to or greater than the first DC voltage (e.g., the voltage applied to the inlet port) to prevent ions from leaving the ion router 2000 at support 2002.

[0159] Figures 22 to 23B Another exemplary configuration 2200 of the ion router 1200 is shown, which also includes lenses 2202 (e.g., lenses 2202-1 to 2202-4) positioned at each port 1204 and outside each ion channel 1208. As shown, each lens 2202 forms a lens opening 2204 (e.g., lens openings 2204-1 to 2204-4) aligned with each opening of the port 1204 to allow ions to flow through each lens 2202 and into the corresponding port 1204. Each lens 2202 is configured to receive one or more DC voltages to selectively operate each port 1204 as an inlet port, an outlet port, or a closed port, as a complement to or replacement of the port electrode 1206. For example, for positive ions, a lens 2202 associated with port 1204 operating as an inlet port may receive a first DC voltage (e.g., configured to allow ions to flow through lens opening 2204 and into the inlet port), another lens 2202 associated with port 1204 operating as an outlet port may receive a second DC voltage lower than the first DC voltage (e.g., configured to allow ions to flow out of the outlet port and through lens opening 2204), and / or another lens 2202 associated with port 1204 operating as a shut-off port may receive a third DC voltage higher than the first DC voltage (e.g., to prevent ions from flowing through the shut-off port and lens opening 2204). Therefore, each lens 2202 may be configured to receive a DC voltage independently, allowing each lens 2202 to operate individually relative to the other lenses 2202. In some examples, the voltage applied to the lens 2202 may be adjusted to focus or defocus the ion beam flowing through lens opening 2204, such as to decrease or increase the size of the ion beam delivered to the ion router 2200. Additionally, a lens 2202 may be included as a supplement to or replacement for the port electrode 1206. In some examples, the lens 2202 is disposed at a used port 1204 of the ion router 2200 (e.g., port 1204 connected to another device), rather than at an unused port 1204 of the ion router 2200 (e.g., port 1204 not connected to another device).

[0160] Figure 24An exemplary configuration 2400 of a mass spectrometry system incorporating an ion router (e.g., ion router 1200, 2000, or 2200) according to the principles described herein is shown. As shown, the mass spectrometry system 2400 is configured to receive ions (e.g., from an ion source) at an ion funnel 2402, which is configured to guide ions inward toward the central axis of the ion funnel 2402 as they flow through it toward an ion guide 2404. Figure 24 In the example, ion funnel 2402 is depicted as a funnel. However, the funnel is merely optional, as any one or more additional and / or alternative devices and / or ion optics may be used to guide ions to ion guide 2404.

[0161] Ion guide 2404 can be implemented using any suitable ion guide and is configured to guide ions from funnel 2402 to aggregator 2406. In some examples, ion guide 2404 is configured to filter ions received from funnel 2402 (e.g., based on m / z). Aggregator 2406 is configured to aggregate and store ions received from ion guide 2404. The exit of aggregator 2406 is aligned with a first port 1204-1 of ion router 2000. Therefore, first port 1204-1 can receive a first DC voltage (e.g., at first port electrode 1206-1) to operate first port 1204-1 as an inlet port, thereby receiving ions from aggregator 2406 through first port 1204-1.

[0162] When ions are received from the aggregator 2406 into the first port 1204-1, the ion router 2000 can be configured to route ions from the first port 1204-1 to a second port 1204-2 operating as an exit port. For example, for positive ions, the second port 1204-2 can be configured to receive a second DC voltage (e.g., at the second port electrode 1206-2) to operate the second port 1204-2 as an exit port (e.g., when the first DC voltage is applied to the first port 1204-1 and the second DC voltage is applied to the second port 1204-2, the ion router 2000 is configured to guide ions from the first port 1204-1 through the first ion channel 1208-1 toward the common location 1302, and through the second ion channel 1208-2 to the second port 1204-2). Figure 24In the example, the second port 1204-2 is oriented at approximately 90 degrees relative to the first port 1204-1, such that ions routed from the first port 1204-1 to the second port 1204-2 are turned approximately 90 degrees to the second port 1204-2 within the ion router 2000, as shown in the first ion trajectory 2408-1. When ions are routed by the ion router 2000 from the first port 1204-1 to the second port 1204-2, the third port 1204-3 and the fourth port 1204-4 are configured to receive DC voltage to operate as closed ports.

[0163] exist Figure 24 In the example, ion sorter 2410 is positioned at second port 1204-2 such that ions exiting ion router 2000 at second port 1204-2 enter ion sorter 2410. Ion sorter 2410 can be implemented by an ion guide (e.g., ion guide 100) as described above, which is configured to spatially separate ions (e.g., according to m / z). After ions are sorted within ion sorter 2410, second port 1204-2 of ion router 2000 can be selectively switched from operating as an exit port to operating as an entry port, for example by adjusting (e.g., increasing) the DC voltage received by second port 1204-2. Therefore, second port 1204-2 can then be configured to receive ions separated by ion sorter 2410. Furthermore, the third port 1204-3 can be selectively switched from a closed port to an exit port, for example, by adjusting (e.g., reducing) the DC voltage received by the third port 1204-3, to operate the third port 1204-3 as an exit port (e.g., the ion router 2000 is configured to guide ions from the second port 1204-2 through the second ion channel 1208-2 toward the common location 1302 and through the third ion channel 1208-3 to reach the third port 1204-3). Figure 24 In the example, the third port 1204-3 is oriented at approximately 90 degrees relative to the second port 1204-2, such that ions routed from the second port 1204-2 to the third port 1204-3 are turned approximately 90 degrees to the third port 1204-3 within the ion router 2000, as shown in the second ion trajectory 2408-2.

[0164] Ions exiting the ion router 2000 at the third port 1204-3 can be guided to the mass analyzer 2412 for mass analysis. For example, ions exiting the third port 1204-3 can be guided to the mass analyzer 2412 via another ion funnel 2414 and / or ion guide 2416 positioned at the third port 1204-3, such that ions exiting the ion router 2000 at the third port 1204-3 can enter the ion funnel 2414 and / or ion guide 2416 to guide the ions to the mass analyzer 2412. However, the ion funnel 2414 and / or ion guide 2416 are merely optional, as any one or more additional and / or alternative devices and / or ion optics can be used to guide ions to the mass analyzer 2412.

[0165] Mass analyzer 2412 can be configured to separate ions based on m / z and / or perform mass analysis on ions received from ion router 2000. In some examples, mass analyzer 2412 can be implemented by any suitable mass analyzer, such as a quadrupole mass filter, an ion trap (e.g., a three-dimensional quadrupole ion trap, a cylindrical ion trap, a linear quadrupole ion trap, a toroidal ion trap, etc.), a time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyzer, an electrostatic trap mass analyzer (e.g., an orbital electrostatic trap, such as an orbitrap mass analyzer, a Kingdon trap, an electrostatic linear ion trap, etc.), a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass analyzer, a sector mass analyzer, etc. Mass analyzer 2412 can be included in a mass spectrometer (not shown), which may also include any additional or alternative components (not shown) that may be suitable for a particular implementation (e.g., ion optics, filters, lenses, ion storage devices, autosamplers, detectors, collision cells, etc.).

[0166] When the Ion router 2000 routes the DC voltage from the second port 1204-2 to the third port 1204-3, the fourth port 1204-4 can continue to receive DC voltage to operate as a closed port. The first port 1204-1 can also continue to receive a first DC voltage to operate as an incoming port. Alternatively, the DC voltage received by the first port 1204-1 can be adjusted (e.g., increased) to operate as a closed port. When the first port 1204-1 continuously operates as an incoming port, the first port 1204-1 can be configured to continuously receive DC voltage to operate as an incoming port without selectively switching the first port 1204-1 to a closed port and / or an outgoing port.

[0167] Alternatively, the ion router 2000 can be configured to bypass the ion sorter 2410 and route ions from the aggregator 2406 to the quality analyzer 2412. In this configuration, the first port 1204-1 may receive a first DC voltage (e.g., at the first port electrode 1206-1) to operate the first port 1204-1 as an ingress port, thereby receiving ions from the aggregator 2406 through the first port 1204-1. When ions are received from the aggregator 2406 into the first port 1204-1, the ion router 2000 can be configured to route ions from the first port 1204-1 to a third port 1204-3, which operates as an egress port. For example, for positive ions, the third port 1204-3 can be configured to receive a DC voltage (e.g., at the third port electrode 1206-3) to operate the third port 1204-3 as an exit port (e.g., when a first DC voltage is applied to the first port 1204-1 and a second DC voltage is applied to the third port 1204-3, the ion router 2000 is configured to guide ions from the first port 1204-1 through the first ion channel 1208-1 toward the common location 1302, and through the third ion channel 1208-3 to the third port 1204-3). Figure 24 In the example, the third port 1204-3 is oriented at approximately 180 degrees relative to the first port 1204-1, such that ions routed from the first port 1204-1 to the third port 1204-3 flow directly through the ion router 2000 to the third port 1204-3, as shown in the third ion trajectory 2408-3. When ions are routed by the ion router 2000 from the first port 1204-1 to the third port 1204-3, the second port 1204-2 and the fourth port 1204-4 can be configured to receive a DC voltage to operate the second port 1204-2 and the fourth port 1204-4 as closed ports.

[0168] In some examples, the ion router 2000 may be configured to receive ions contained in a first sample from the aggregator 2406 at a first port 1204-1, and route the ions from the first port 1204-1 to a second port 1204-2 along a first ion trajectory 2408-1 to eject the ions into the ion sorter 2410. The ion router 2000 may then be configured to receive ions contained in the first sample from the ion sorter 2410 at the second port 1204-2, and route the ions from the second port 1204-2 to a third port 1204-3 along a second ion trajectory 2408-2 to direct the ions toward the mass analyzer 2412 for mass analysis. The ion router 2000 can be further configured to receive ions contained in the second sample from the accumulator 2406 at the first port 1204-1, and route the ions from the first port 1204-1 to the third port 1204-3 along the third ion trajectory 2408-3, bypassing the ion sorter 2410, to direct the ions toward the mass analyzer 2412 for mass analysis. In some examples, ions of the second sample may be transferred from the first port 1204-1 to the third port 1204-3 while ions of the first sample are being sorted in the ion sorter 2410. This arrangement can increase the duty cycle of the analysis by enabling continuous operation of the mass analyzer 2412 (i.e., analyzing ions of the second sample while sorting ions of the first sample), while also achieving the resolution and scheduling improvements provided by the ion sorter 2410. Other suitable configurations for the mass spectrometry system 2400 may be used, as may be suitable for a particular implementation. For example, any suitable component of the mass spectrometry system 2400 may be located at any port 1204 of the ion router 2000 to route ions from any component of the mass spectrometry system 2400 to any other component of the mass spectrometry system 2400. Furthermore, any other suitable ion router described herein may be used in place of the ion router 2000.

[0169] Various modifications can be made to the apparatus described herein. In some examples, the port electrodes 1206 and / or 1210 arranged on the first surface 1202-1 have a different configuration than the port electrodes 1206 and / or 1210 arranged on the second surface 1202-2.

[0170] In some examples, the port electrodes 1206 and / or electrodes 1210 disposed on the first surface 1202-1 and / or the second surface 1202-2 include combinations of different electrode shapes or configurations. For example, the port electrodes 1206 and / or electrodes 1210 disposed on the first surface 1202-1 and / or the second surface 1202-2 may include any combination of V-shaped electrodes or U-shaped electrodes.

[0171] In the example above, port electrode 1206 and / or electrode 1210 are rectangular. However, port electrode 1206 and / or electrode 1210 may have any other shape (e.g., circular, oval, irregular, etc.), as may be suitable for a particular specific implementation.

[0172] In the above example, electrode 1210 is arranged to form a linear (straight) ion path and / or ion channel 1208. In other examples, electrode 1210 is arranged to form a nonlinear ion path and / or ion channel 1208. For example, the ion path and / or ion channel 1208 may include one or more bends, turns, curves, and / or angles. Furthermore, the ion router described herein may include multiple ion paths and one or more common locations 1302 with other ion paths.

[0173] In the example above, electrode 1210 is arranged on a flat surface 1202. In other examples, electrode 1210 is arranged on a non-flat surface (e.g., surface 1202 may be angled or tilted), such that ion channels 1208 converge toward a common location 1302 in two dimensions. For illustration, the depth of one or more ion channels 1208 may increase and / or decrease along axis 1306 to common location 1302. In some examples, ion channels 1208 associated with inlet and / or outlet ports have a depth increasing from port electrode 1206 to common location 1302 (e.g., common location 1302 is positioned below port electrode 1206), and ion channels 1208 associated with outlet ports have a depth further increasing from common location 1302 to port electrode 1206 (e.g., port electrode 1206 is positioned below common location 1302).

[0174] In some examples, one or more of port 1204 and / or ion channel 1208 are formed by stacked ring ion guides.

[0175] Figure 25 A flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 2500 for guiding ions is shown. Although Figure 25 An exemplary operation based on one example is shown, but other examples may be applicable. Figure 25 One or more operations of method 2500 described herein may be omitted, added, reordered, and / or modified. These operations may be performed in any of the ways described herein. Figure 25 The method described in the text is for each of the 2500 operations.

[0176] At operation 2502, a first DC voltage is applied to a first port electrode 1206-1 associated with a first port 1204-1 included in an ion router (e.g., ion router 1200, ion router 2000, or ion router 2200) configured as described herein. The ion router includes a pair of opposing surfaces 1202, at least three ports 1204, and a plurality of ion channels 1208. The first DC voltage applied to the first port electrode 1206-1 is configured to selectively operate the first port 1204-1 as an entry port, an exit port, or a closed port through which ions are received into the ion router, through which ions exit the ion router, and through which ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router through the closed port. The plurality of ion channels are defined by an electrode array 1210 coupled to a pair of opposing surfaces and are configured to receive one or more voltages for guiding ions from a port selectively operating as an entry port to a port selectively operating as an exit port. In some examples, multiple ion channels converge toward a common location 1302 within the ion router and / or form a polygonal shape, such that each ion channel is a radial segment within the polygonal shape.

[0177] At operation 2504, a second DC voltage is applied to the second port electrode 1206-2 associated with the second port 1204-2 of the ion router to selectively operate the second port as an inlet port, an outlet port, or a shut-off port.

[0178] At operation 2506, a third DC voltage is applied to the third port electrode 1206-3 associated with the third port 1204-3 of the ion router to selectively operate the third port as an inlet port, an outlet port, or a shut-off port.

[0179] At operation 2508, ions are introduced into the ion router to guide ions from a port operating as an inlet port to a port operating as an outlet port. As an illustrative example, a first DC voltage can be applied to the first port electrode 1206-1 to operate the first port 1204-1 as an inlet port, a second DC voltage can be applied to the second port electrode 1206-2 to operate the second port 1204-2 as an outlet port, and a third DC voltage can be applied to the third port electrode 1206-3 to operate the third port 1204-3 as a shut-off port. In this configuration, when ions are introduced into the ion router, the ion router can guide ions received at the first port 1204-1 to the second port 1204-2, where ions can be ejected. For illustration, ions can be guided from the first port 1204-1 to the second port 1204-2 via multiple ion channels 1208.

[0180] In some examples, one or more of a first DC voltage, a second DC voltage, or a third DC voltage can be adjusted to switch one or more of a first port, a second port, or a third port to another of an ingress port, an egress port, or a deactivation port. In some examples, the first DC voltage, the second DC voltage, and the third DC voltage can be applied to selectively operate multiple ports of the ion router as ingress ports, to selectively operate multiple ports of the ion router as egress ports, and / or to selectively operate multiple ports of the ion router as deactivation ports. In some examples, at least one port of the ion router is designated as an ingress port, and at least two other ports are configured to selectively operate as egress ports or deactivation ports.

[0181] In the preceding description, various exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and alterations can be made thereto, and additional embodiments can be implemented, without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, certain features of one embodiment described herein may be combined with or substituted for features of another embodiment described herein. Therefore, this description and the accompanying drawings should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0182] The advantages and features of this disclosure are further described through the following embodiments: Example 1. An ion router comprising: a pair of opposing surfaces; at least three ports, each of the at least three ports defining an opening between the pair of opposing surfaces, wherein at least one of the at least three ports is configured as an entry port through which ions are received into the ion router, and wherein at least two of the at least three ports are configured to selectively operate as either exit ports or shut-off ports, through which ions exit the ion router and through which ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router; and a plurality of ion channels defined by an array of electrodes coupled to the pair of surfaces and configured to receive one or more voltages for guiding ions from the port configured as an entry port to the port selectively operating as an exit port, wherein the plurality of ion channels converge toward a common location within the ion router.

[0183] Example 2. The ion router according to Example 1 further includes an electrode located at the common location and configured to receive one or more DC voltages for guiding ions from an ion channel associated with a port configured as an inlet port to another ion channel associated with a port selectively operating as an exit port.

[0184] Example 3. The ion router according to Example 1, wherein the plurality of ion channels are positioned relative to each other to form a polygonal shape.

[0185] Example 4. The ion router according to Example 3, wherein the polygonal shape includes one of a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, or a hexagon.

[0186] Example 5. The ion router according to Example 3, wherein each of the plurality of ion channels forms a radial segment within the polygonal shape.

[0187] Example 6. An ion router according to Example 1, wherein each of the plurality of ion channels is connected to a port included in the at least three ports to allow ions to flow from the ion channel to the port or from the port to the ion channel.

[0188] Example 7. An ion router according to Example 6, wherein each of the plurality of ion channels has a width that decreases from the port along the axis of the ion channel.

[0189] Example 8. The ion router according to Example 1, wherein each of the at least three ports is located at the edge of the pair of opposing surfaces.

[0190] Example 9. An ion router according to Example 1, wherein the at least two ports are configured to be selectively operated during operation of the ion router to switch between the leave port and the shut-off port.

[0191] Example 10. The Ion router according to Example 1, wherein each of the at least three ports is configured to selectively operate as an inbound port, an outbound port, or a shut-off port.

[0192] Example 11. An ion router according to Example 10, wherein each of the at least three ports includes a port electrode configured to receive one or more direct current (DC) voltages to selectively operate each port as the ingress port, the egress port, or the deactivation port.

[0193] Example 12. The ion router according to Example 11, wherein: a first port includes a first port electrode configured to receive a first DC voltage to selectively operate the first port as the closed port; a second port includes a second port electrode configured to receive a second DC voltage lower than the first DC voltage to selectively operate the second port as the in port; and a third port includes a third port electrode configured to receive a third DC voltage lower than the second DC voltage to selectively operate the third port as the out port.

[0194] Example 13. The ion router according to Example 11, wherein the plurality of ion channels further includes one or more voltage dividers configured to provide a DC gradient from the at least three ports to a common location of the plurality of ion channels.

[0195] Example 14. The ion router according to Example 10, wherein each of the at least three ports includes a lens configured to receive one or more DC voltages to selectively operate each port as the inlet port, the outlet port, or the shut-off port.

[0196] Example 15. An ion router according to Example 14, wherein the lens is positioned at the opening of each port and includes a lens opening aligned with the opening of each port.

[0197] Example 16. The Ion router according to Example 10, wherein multiple ports of the at least three ports simultaneously and selectively operate as inbound ports.

[0198] Example 17. An ion router according to Example 1, wherein each of the plurality of ion channels is connected to a port included in the at least three ports to allow ions to flow from the ion channel to the port or from the port to the ion channel.

[0199] Example 18. An ion router according to Example 1, wherein the electrode array of the plurality of ion channels includes: a first plurality of electrodes arranged along the axis of each ion channel and configured to receive a first RF voltage; a second plurality of electrodes arranged in an alternating pattern with the first plurality of electrodes along the axis of each ion channel and configured to receive a second RF voltage; and a third plurality of electrodes arranged in an alternating pattern with the first plurality of electrodes and the second plurality of electrodes along the axis of each ion channel and configured to receive a third RF voltage; wherein, when the first plurality of electrodes receive the first RF voltage, the second plurality of electrodes receive the second RF voltage, and the third plurality of electrodes receive the third RF voltage, the first plurality of electrodes, the second plurality of electrodes, and the third plurality of electrodes apply a traveling wave pseudopotential along the axis of each channel to guide the ion along the axis.

[0200] Example 19. An ion router according to Example 1, wherein the plurality of ion channels includes, and is associated with, a port configured as an inlet or outlet port, one or more protection electrodes positioned along the axis of the ion channel, wherein the one or more protection electrodes are configured to receive one or more DC voltages to prevent the ion flow from spreading outward along the axis of the ion channel.

[0201] Example 20. The ion router according to Example 1 further includes a protection electrode extending longitudinally along the edge of one or more ion channels included in the plurality of ion channels, wherein the protection electrode is configured to receive one or more DC voltages to prevent ions from laterally leaving the one or more ion channels.

[0202] Example 21. The ion router according to Example 1 further includes a plurality of supports for maintaining the space between the pair of opposing surfaces, each support being positioned between each of the at least three ports and extending between the pair of opposing surfaces.

[0203] Example 22. An ion router according to Example 21, wherein each support is configured to receive one or more DC voltages to prevent the ion flow from leaving between the at least three ports.

[0204] Example 23. An ion router comprising: a pair of opposing surfaces; at least three ports, each of the at least three ports defining an opening between the pair of opposing surfaces, wherein at least one of the at least three ports is configured to selectively operate as an entry port, an exit port, or a shut-off port, through which ions are received into the ion router, through which ions exit the ion router, and through which ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router, through which ions are shut-off; and a plurality of ion channels defined by an array of electrodes coupled to the pair of surfaces and configured to receive one or more voltages for guiding ions from the port operating as an entry port to the port operating as an exit port.

[0205] Example 24. A system comprising: an ion router including: a pair of opposing surfaces; at least three ports, each of the at least three ports defining an opening between the pair of opposing surfaces, wherein each of the at least three ports is configured to selectively operate as an entry port, an exit port, or a closed port, through which ions are received into the ion router, through which ions exit the ion router, and through which ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router through the closed port; and a plurality of ion channels defined by an array of electrodes coupled to the pair of surfaces and configured to receive one or more voltages for guiding ions from the port operating as an entry port to the port operating as an exit port; and an ion sorter coupled to a first port of the at least three ports, wherein the ion router is configured to transfer ions to the ion sorter when the first port selectively operates as an exit port and to receive ions from the ion sorter when the first port selectively operates as an entry port.

[0206] Example 25. The system according to Example 24, wherein after ions have been transferred to the ion sorter, the first port selectively switches from operating as the exit port to operating as the entry port.

[0207] Example 26. The system according to Example 24, wherein a second port, including the at least three ports, is coupled to a mass spectrometer for performing mass analysis of the ion, wherein the ion router is configured to transmit ions to the mass spectrometer when the second port selectively operates as the exit port.

[0208] Example 27. The system according to Example 26, wherein when the first port is selectively operated as an outgoing port, the second port is selectively operated as a closed port.

[0209] Example 28. The system according to Example 26 further includes: an aggregator configured to store ions and coupled to a third port included in the at least three ports, wherein the ion router is configured to receive ions from the aggregator when the third port selectively operates as an ingress port.

[0210] Example 29. The system according to Example 28, wherein the ion router is configured such that when the first port is selectively operated as a closed port, the second port is selectively operated as an exit port and the third port is selectively operated as an entry port, ions bypass the ion sorter.

[0211] Example 30. A method of operating an ion router, the method comprising: applying a first direct current (DC) voltage to a first port electrode associated with a first port to selectively operate the first port as an entry port, an exit port, or a closed port, wherein ions are received into the ion router through the entry port, ions leave the ion router through the exit port, and ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router through the closed port; applying a second DC voltage to a second port electrode associated with a second port to selectively operate the second port as an entry port, an exit port, or a closed port, wherein ions are received into the ion router through the entry port. Ions leave the ion router through the exit port, and ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router through the shut-off port; a third DC voltage is applied to the third port electrode associated with the third port to selectively operate the third port as an entry port, exit port, or shut-off port, ions are received into the ion router through the entry port, ions leave the ion router through the exit port, and ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router through the shut-off port; and ions are introduced into the port operating as an entry port to guide the ions from the port operating as an entry port to the port operating as an exit port.

[0212] Example 31. The method according to Example 30, further comprising adjusting one or more of the first DC voltage, the second DC voltage, or the third DC voltage to switch one or more of the first port, the second port, or the third port to another of the inlet port, the outlet port, or the shut-off port.

[0213] Example 32. The method according to Example 30, further comprising applying a voltage to a plurality of ion channels defined by an electrode array to guide ions from the port operating as the entry port to the port operating as the exit port.

[0214] Example 33. The ion router according to Example 11, wherein: a first port includes a first port electrode configured to receive a first DC voltage to selectively operate the first port as the closed port; a second port includes a second port electrode configured to receive a second DC voltage higher than the first DC voltage to selectively operate the second port as the inlet port; and a third port includes a third port electrode configured to receive a third DC voltage higher than the second DC voltage to selectively operate the third port as the outlet port.

Claims

1. An ion router, the ion router comprising: A pair of opposing surfaces; At least three ports, each of the at least three ports defining an opening between the pair of opposing surfaces, wherein at least one of the at least three ports is configured as an entry port through which ions are received into the ion router, and wherein at least two of the at least three ports are configured to selectively operate as either exit ports or shut-off ports through which ions exit the ion router, and through which ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router; and Multiple ion channels, defined by an array of electrodes coupled to the pair of surfaces, and configured to receive one or more voltages for directing ions from a port configured as an inlet port to a port selectively operating as an exit port, wherein the multiple ion channels converge toward a common location within the ion router.

2. The ion router of claim 1, further comprising electrodes positioned at the common location and configured to receive one or more DC voltages for directing ions from an ion channel associated with a port configured as an inlet port to another ion channel associated with a port selectively operating as an exit port.

3. The ion router of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ion channels are positioned relative to each other to form a polygonal shape.

4. The ion router according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of ion channels forms a radial segment within the polygonal shape.

5. The ion router of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of ion channels has a width that decreases from the port included in the at least three ports toward the common location.

6. The ion router of claim 1, wherein the at least two ports are configured to be selectively operated during operation of the ion router to switch between the leave port and the shut-off port.

7. The Ion router of claim 1, wherein each of the at least three ports is configured to selectively operate as an ingress port, an egress port, or a closure port.

8. The ion router of claim 7, wherein each of the at least three ports includes a port electrode configured to receive one or more direct current (DC) voltages to selectively operate each port as the inlet port, the outlet port, or the shut-off port.

9. The ion router according to claim 8, wherein: The first port includes a first port electrode, which is configured to receive a first DC voltage to selectively operate the first port as the shut-off port. The second port includes a second port electrode, which is configured to receive a second DC voltage lower than the first DC voltage to selectively operate the second port as the inlet port. and The third port includes a third port electrode configured to receive a third DC voltage lower than the second DC voltage to selectively operate the third port as the exit port.

10. The ion router of claim 8, wherein the plurality of ion channels further comprises one or more voltage dividers configured to provide a DC gradient from the at least three ports to a common location of the plurality of ion channels.

11. The ion router of claim 8, wherein each of the at least three ports includes a lens configured to receive the one or more DC voltages to selectively operate each port as the inlet port, the outlet port, or the shut-off port.

12. The ion router of claim 11, wherein the lens is positioned at the opening of each port and includes a lens opening aligned with the opening of each port.

13. The Ion router of claim 7, wherein multiple ports of the at least three ports simultaneously and selectively operate as ingress ports.

14. The ion router of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of ion channels is connected to a port included in the at least three ports to allow ions to flow from the ion channel to the port or from the port to the ion channel.

15. The ion router of claim 1, wherein the electrode array of the plurality of ion channels comprises: The first plurality of electrodes are arranged along the axis of each ion channel and configured to receive a first RF voltage; The second plurality of electrodes are arranged in an alternating pattern with the first plurality of electrodes along the axis of each ion channel and are configured to receive a second RF voltage; and A third plurality of electrodes, which are arranged in an alternating pattern with the first plurality of electrodes and the second plurality of electrodes along the axis of each ion channel and are configured to receive a third RF voltage; When the first plurality of electrodes receive the first RF voltage, the second plurality of electrodes receive the second RF voltage, and the third plurality of electrodes receive the third RF voltage, the first plurality of electrodes, the second plurality of electrodes, and the third plurality of electrodes apply a traveling wave pseudopotential along the axis of each channel to guide the ions along the axis.

16. The ion router of claim 1, wherein the ion channel included in and associated with a port configured as an inlet port or an outlet port further includes one or more protection electrodes positioned along the axis of the ion channel, wherein the one or more protection electrodes are configured to receive one or more DC voltages to prevent the ion flow from spreading outward along the axis of the ion channel.

17. The ion router of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of supports for maintaining space between the pair of opposing surfaces, each support being positioned between each of the at least three ports and extending between the pair of opposing surfaces.

18. The ion router of claim 17, wherein each support is configured to receive one or more DC voltages to prevent the ion flow from leaving between the at least three ports.

19. An ion router, the ion router comprising: A pair of opposing surfaces; At least three ports, each of the at least three ports defining an opening between the pair of opposing surfaces, wherein at least one of the at least three ports is configured to selectively operate as an entry port, an exit port, or a shut-off port, through which ions are received into the ion router, through which ions exit the ion router, and through which ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router, through which ions are shut-off. and Multiple ion channels, defined by an array of electrodes coupled to the pair of surfaces and configured to receive one or more voltages for guiding ions from a port operating as an inlet port to a port operating as an outlet port.

20. A system comprising: An ion router, the ion router comprising: A pair of opposing surfaces; At least three ports, each of which defines an opening between the pair of opposing surfaces, wherein each of the at least three ports is configured to selectively operate as an entry port, an exit port, or a shut-off port, through which ions are received into the ion router, through which ions exit the ion router, and through which ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router, via the shut-off port; and Multiple ion channels, defined by an array of electrodes coupled to the pair of surfaces and configured to receive one or more voltages for guiding ions from a port operating as an entry port to a port operating as an exit port; and An ion sorter coupled to a first port, which is one of the at least three ports, wherein the ion router is configured to transmit ions to the ion sorter when the first port selectively operates as an outgoing port, and to receive ions from the ion sorter when the first port selectively operates as an incoming port.

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