Ion introduction channel and mass spectrometer

Abstract

The application discloses an ion introduction channel and a mass spectrometer. The ion introduction channel comprises a channel body and electrode pieces; the channel body is provided with an ion inlet and an ion outlet at two ends respectively, and the channel body is provided in a tapered spiral shape, the spiral diameter gradually decreases from the ion inlet to the ion outlet, and the spiral curvature is continuous; the number of the electrode pieces is multiple, the multiple electrode pieces are arranged on the inner wall of the channel body, and are used for forming a gradient electric field distributed in a spiral path in the channel body, and the strength of the gradient electric field gradually increases from the ion inlet to the ion outlet. The technical scheme of the application adopts the spiral channel body structure, prolongs the transmission path of ions, utilizes the combined action of the spiral centrifugal force and the gradient electric field, realizes the preliminary separation and focusing of different mass-to-charge ratio ions, reduces the mutual interference between the ions, and improves the accuracy of subsequent mass analysis. The mass spectrometer comprises the ion introduction channel, and is used for connecting an ion source and a mass analyzer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of mass spectrometry analysis technology, and in particular to an ion import channel and a mass spectrometer. Background Technology

[0002] In mass spectrometry analysis, the ion import channel is a key component connecting the ion source and the mass analyzer, and its performance directly affects the detection sensitivity and accuracy of the mass spectrometer.

[0003] Currently, commonly used ion import channels are mostly linear or simply curved structures. However, these structures have certain limitations. While linear channels are simple in structure, ions are easily affected by external interference during transport, resulting in significant ion loss. Furthermore, they cannot effectively perform preliminary screening of ions with different mass-to-charge ratios, affecting the accuracy of subsequent mass analysis. Simple curved channels reduce external interference to some extent, but due to inadequate design of the bending angle and path, ions still experience considerable collision losses during transport. They also struggle to achieve precise focusing and separation of ions, resulting in low ion import efficiency and failing to meet the requirements of high-precision mass spectrometry analysis. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides an ion import channel and a mass spectrometer, aiming to solve the problem that ion import channels in the prior art cannot effectively perform preliminary screening of ions.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application proposes an iontophoresis channel. The iontophoresis channel includes: The channel body has an ion inlet and an ion outlet at its two ends. The channel body is arranged in a conical spiral shape. From the ion inlet to the ion outlet, the spiral diameter of the channel body gradually decreases and has a continuous spiral curvature. Multiple electrode plates are disposed on the inner wall of the channel body to form a gradient electric field with a spiral path distribution within the channel body. The intensity of the gradient electric field gradually increases from the ion inlet to the ion outlet.

[0006] In some embodiments, the channel body is one of a quartz channel, a ceramic channel, or a metal channel, and the inner wall surface of the channel body is insulated from the electrode sheet.

[0007] In some embodiments, a ceramic gasket is disposed between the electrode sheet and the inner wall of the channel body; or, a polymer coating is formed on the surface of the electrode sheet to isolate the electrode sheet from the inner wall of the channel body.

[0008] In some embodiments, the channel body is in a vacuum state with a vacuum degree of 10. -5 Pa-10-3 Between Pa.

[0009] In some embodiments, the plurality of electrode plates form a ring electrode array, and the voltage difference between adjacent electrode plates increases linearly from the ion inlet to the ion outlet.

[0010] In some embodiments, an ion focusing element is further included, which is disposed at the ion inlet and the center of the ion focusing element is aligned with the center of the ion inlet; for initially focusing the ion beam entering the channel body.

[0011] In some embodiments, the ion focusing element is an ion focusing ring or an electrostatic lens.

[0012] In some embodiments, an ion guide is further included, which is disposed at the ion outlet for guiding and focusing the ion beam into the mass analyzer, wherein the ion guide is a multipole device.

[0013] In some embodiments, the outer side of the channel body is covered with an insulation layer.

[0014] A mass spectrometer includes an ion import channel as described above; the mass spectrometer further includes an ion source and a mass analyzer, the ion import channel connecting the ion source and the mass analyzer.

[0015] This application proposes an ion import channel. The ion import channel includes a channel body and electrode plates. An ion inlet and an ion outlet are respectively located at both ends of the channel body. The channel body is arranged in a conical spiral, with the spiral diameter gradually decreasing and exhibiting a continuous spiral curvature from the ion inlet to the ion outlet. Multiple electrode plates are disposed on the inner wall of the channel body to form a gradient electric field distributed along a spiral path within the channel body. The intensity of the gradient electric field gradually increases from the ion inlet to the ion outlet. This application's spiral channel structure extends the ion transport path and, through the combined effect of spiral centrifugal force and the gradient electric field, achieves preliminary separation and focusing of ions with different mass-to-charge ratios, reduces mutual interference between ions, and improves the accuracy of subsequent mass analysis. This application also provides a mass spectrometer incorporating the aforementioned ion import channel. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort, wherein: Figure 1 This is a simplified structural diagram of an iontophoresis channel after being flattened according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0018] It should be noted that, unless otherwise stated or limited, all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of this application are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0019] It should also be noted that, unless otherwise stated or limited, when an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element present. When an element is referred to as "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element present.

[0020] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated or limited, the descriptions involving "first," "second," etc., in this application are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only on the basis of being achievable by those skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, such a combination of technical solutions should be considered non-existent and not within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0021] See Figure 1 As shown, this application proposes an ion-importing channel. The ion-importing channel includes a channel body 10 and electrode plates 20. An ion inlet and an ion outlet are respectively provided at both ends of the channel body 10. The channel body 10 is arranged in a conical spiral configuration, with the spiral diameter gradually decreasing and having a continuous spiral curvature from the ion inlet to the ion outlet. Multiple electrode plates 20 are disposed on the inner wall of the channel body 10 to form a gradient electric field with a spiral path distribution within the channel body 10. The intensity of the gradient electric field gradually increases from the ion inlet to the ion outlet.

[0022] Based on the technical solution proposed in this application, on the one hand, when ions move in the spiral channel, they are subjected to centrifugal force. Among them, heavy ions have a larger centrifugal force and tend to deflect outwards, while light ions are closer to the spiral axis. As the spiral diameter decreases, the centrifugal force increases, further enhancing the mass-to-charge ratio separation effect. The electrode plate 20 applies a progressively increasing voltage, forming an electric field gradient along the spiral path. The electric field force drives the ions to accelerate along the spiral path, and the focusing effect is generated by the curvature of the electric field to compensate for ion divergence. Therefore, heavy ions, due to their large mass, have a smaller acceleration under the same electric field and a lower transmission speed than light ions, resulting in a difference in path offset and achieving preliminary separation.

[0023] Furthermore, the helical centrifugal force provides radial separation, while the gradient electric field provides axial acceleration and focusing. The combined effect of these two forces enables ions to be transported in stratified layers according to their mass-to-charge ratio, achieving initial ion separation and focusing, reducing mutual interference between ions, and improving the accuracy of subsequent mass analysis. Specifically, the longer ion channel allows ions to undergo multiple centrifugal force-electric field balance adjustments within the helical channel, ultimately forming a stable mass-to-charge ratio dependent trajectory distribution; and the continuous helical curvature setting contributes to smooth ion transport.

[0024] In some embodiments, the channel body 10 is one of a quartz channel, a ceramic channel, or a metal channel. The inner wall surface of the channel body 10 is insulated from the electrode sheet 20 to prevent short circuits in the electric field, maintain the uniformity of the electric field, and ensure the stability of ion transport.

[0025] In one embodiment, as an insulation method, a ceramic gasket can be placed between the electrode sheet 20 and the inner wall of the channel body 10. The ceramic gasket is heat-resistant, chemically stable, suitable for high vacuum environments, and has a high dielectric constant, which can reduce electric field distortion. Alternatively, in another insulation method, a polymer coating is formed on the surface of the electrode sheet 20 to isolate the electrode sheet 20 from the inner wall of the channel body 10. This polymer coating is formed by spraying or deposition processes and can be a heat-resistant, low-exhaust polymer such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), with a thickness typically between 10 and 50 μm.

[0026] In addition, the main body of the channel 10 is in a vacuum state, with a vacuum degree of 10. -5 Pa-10 -3 Between Pa.

[0027] In this vacuum environment, the gas molecule density is significantly reduced, and the collision rate between ions and background gas molecules decreases substantially, thus meeting the requirements for long-distance ion separation. Furthermore, in this vacuum environment, the electric field distribution of the plasma generated by the ionization of fog gas is determined solely by the electrode geometry, avoiding localized electric field distortion.

[0028] In some embodiments, a plurality of electrode plates 20 form a ring electrode array, and the voltage difference between adjacent electrode plates 20 increases linearly from the ion inlet to the ion outlet.

[0029] In this embodiment, the ring electrode array can generate an axisymmetric electric field, eliminate the edge effect of traditional parallel plate electrodes, and ensure that the ions are subjected to uniform force in the radial direction. The electric fields generated by each electrode plate 20 are superimposed in the axial direction to form a continuous potential gradient.

[0030] Each electrode 20 is connected to an external high-voltage power supply. By adjusting the output voltage of the high-voltage power supply, the intensity distribution of the gradient electric field can be adjusted, thereby precisely controlling the acceleration and focusing effect of ions.

[0031] In some embodiments, the ion introduction channel further includes an ion focusing element 30, which is disposed at the ion inlet and the center of the ion focusing element 30 is aligned with the center of the ion inlet; for initially focusing the ion beam entering the channel body 10.

[0032] Understandably, the ion beam generated by the ion source is usually divergent. If it directly enters the channel body 10, it will cause the ion distribution range in the radial direction to expand, reducing the transmission efficiency. The ion focusing element 30 can apply a radial focusing electric field to initially focus the ion beam entering the channel, making the ion beam enter the channel body 10 more concentratedly and improving the initial ion introduction efficiency.

[0033] Furthermore, center alignment can prevent the introduction of aberrations that could lead to distortion of the ion beam cross-section shape.

[0034] The ion focusing element 30 is either an ion focusing ring or an electrostatic lens. The ion focusing ring generates a radial electric field, subjecting ions to a focusing force towards the center during transmission, thus maintaining a tight ion beam. The electrostatic lens consists of two or more concentric metal discs or cylinders with a central aperture; its function is similar to that of a glass lens in optics, serving to transmit and focus ions. By controlling the voltage of each electrode, the focusing point of the electrostatic lens can be controlled, achieving precise focusing of ions.

[0035] In addition, the ion introduction channel also includes an ion guide 40, which is disposed at the ion outlet and used to guide and focus the ion beam into the mass analyzer. The ion guide 40 is a multipole device. The multipole device applies a confining force to the ions through a radial electric field, restricting the ion beam within the axial channel. For example, a quadrupole causes the ions to undergo simple harmonic motion in the radial direction.

[0036] In some embodiments, the outer side of the channel body 10 is covered with an insulation layer 50. This layer is used to maintain a stable temperature inside the channel and prevent temperature changes from affecting ion transport. In an exemplary embodiment, the insulation layer 50 may be a 10 mm thick polyurethane foam, with an outer layer of aluminum foil to reflect radiant heat, so that the internal temperature fluctuation is less than ±1°C.

[0037] This application also provides a mass spectrometer, which includes an ion import channel as described above. The mass spectrometer further includes an ion source and a mass analyzer, with the ion import channel connecting the ion source and the mass analyzer. The ion source ionizes sample molecules into ions, the ion import channel transports the ions from the ion source to the mass analyzer, and then the mass analyzer separates and analyzes the ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m / z).

[0038] This mass spectrometer also adopts all the technical solutions of all the above-mentioned ion import channel embodiments, and therefore has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0039] The above description is only a part or preferred embodiment of this application. Neither the text nor the drawings should limit the scope of protection of this application. All equivalent structural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings under the overall concept of this application, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An iontophoresis channel, characterized in that, include: The channel body has an ion inlet and an ion outlet at its two ends. The channel body is arranged in a conical spiral shape. From the ion inlet to the ion outlet, the spiral diameter of the channel body gradually decreases and has a continuous spiral curvature. Multiple electrode plates are disposed on the inner wall of the channel body to form a gradient electric field with a spiral path distribution within the channel body. The intensity of the gradient electric field gradually increases from the ion inlet to the ion outlet.

2. The iontophoresis channel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The channel body is one of a quartz channel, a ceramic channel, or a metal channel, and the inner wall surface of the channel body is insulated from the electrode sheet.

3. The iontophoresis channel according to claim 2, characterized in that, A ceramic gasket is disposed between the electrode sheet and the inner wall of the channel body; or, a polymer coating is formed on the surface of the electrode sheet to isolate the electrode sheet from the inner wall of the channel body.

4. The iontophoresis channel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The main body of the channel is under vacuum, with a vacuum level between 10⁻⁵ Pa and 10⁻³ Pa.

5. The iontophoresis channel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The plurality of electrode plates form a ring electrode array, and the voltage difference between adjacent electrode plates increases linearly from the ion inlet to the ion outlet.

6. The iontophoresis channel according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an ion focusing element, which is disposed at the ion inlet and whose center is aligned with the center of the ion inlet; used to initially focus the ion beam entering the channel body.

7. The iontophoresis channel according to claim 6, characterized in that, The ion focusing element is an ion focusing ring or an electrostatic lens.

8. The iontophoresis channel according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an ion guide, which is disposed at the ion outlet and is used to guide and focus the ion beam into the mass analyzer. The ion guide is a multipole device.

9. The iontophoresis channel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer side of the main body of the channel is covered with an insulation layer.

10. A mass spectrometer, characterized in that, The mass spectrometer includes an ion import channel as described in any one of claims 1-9; the mass spectrometer further includes an ion source and a mass analyzer, wherein the ion import channel is connected to the ion source and the mass analyzer.

Images