Methods and apparatus for ion capture and accumulation

Abstract

To provide additional systems and methods for internal ion trapping and accumulation to enhance resolution and sensitivity within IMS and MS systems.SOLUTION: An apparatus for ion accumulation includes multiple regions. A first region receives and transfers ions to a second region using a first drive potential. The second region is switchable between a first state where it generates a first electric field preventing ions from further movement and entering a third region, and a second state where it generates a second electric field that guides the ions toward the third region. When in the first state, the ions are prevented from further movement by the first electric field, which causes the ions to accumulate in the second region. When in the second state, the ions are moved from the second region to the third region by the second electric field. A method of accumulating ions involves switching an electric field applied to a region between a trap state and a release state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 028,768, filed May 22, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to the fields of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and mass spectrometry (MS). More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for the capture and accumulation of ions to increase the resolution of ions in IMS and MS systems.

Background Art

[0003] IMS is a technique for separating and identifying ions in the gas phase based on their mobility. For example, using IMS, structural isomers and macromolecules with different mobilities can be separated. IMS relies on applying a constant or time - varying electric field to a mixture of ions in a static or dynamic background gas. Ions with a larger mobility (or a smaller collision cross - section [CCS]) move faster under the influence of the electric field compared to ions with a smaller mobility (or a larger CCS). By applying an electric field across the separation distance (e.g., inside a drift tube) of an IMS device, ions from an ion mixture can be separated temporally or spatially based on their mobility. Since ions with different mobilities reach the end of the drift tube at different times (temporal separation), these ions can be identified based on the detection times by a detector located at the end of the drift tube. The resolution of mobility separation can be changed by varying the separation distance.

[0004] Mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical technique that can separate mixtures of chemical species based on their mass-to-charge ratio. MS involves ionizing the mixture of chemical species, followed by accelerating the ionic mixture in the presence of an electric and / or magnetic field. In some mass spectrometers, ions with the same mass-to-charge ratio will receive the same deflection or time-dependent response. Ions with different mass-to-charge ratios may receive different deflections or time-dependent responses and can be identified based on their spatial or temporal position at detection by a detector (e.g., an electron multiplier tube).

[0005] Combining IMS and MS allows for the production of IMS-MS spectra that can be used in a wide range of applications, including metabolomics, glycobiology, and proteomics. IMS-MS ion separation can be performed by coupling an ion mobility analyzer to a mass spectrometer. For example, an ion mobility analyzer can first separate ions based on their mobility. Ions with different mobilities can reach the mass spectrometer at different times and are then separated based on their mass-to-charge ratio. An example of an IM analyzer is a structure for a lossless ion manipulation (SLIM) device that can produce IMS spectra with minimal ion loss. A SLIM device can use traveling wave separation as one technique for separating ions with different mobilities. However, with traveling wave separation, the peaks can broaden, especially when traveling wave separation is performed over long distances, compared to ion mobility separation.

[0006] Furthermore, the signal-to-noise ratio and resolution during detection are affected by the number of ions introduced into the IMS device. Accordingly, ion traps have been used to accumulate ions before implanting them for ion mobility separation, but such ion traps This is limited by space charge effects. In this regard, ion traps can accumulate a limited number of charges before reaching a space charge capacity that could cause ions to be lost from capture. In the past, these limitations have typically been addressed by increasing the path length, but this can result in devices becoming larger and / or more complex. In addition, systems and methods have been developed that provide intermittent or "segmented" traveling waves to classify, compress, or regroup ions into a reduced number of ion mobility bins, resulting in increased spatial compression of ions and ion packet resolution in IMS. For example, Patent Document 1, titled "Method and Apparatus for Spatial Compression and Increased Mobility Resolution of Ions," discloses compressing ion packets into narrower distribution peaks by changing the duty cycle of an intermittent traveling wave. However, the above methodologies are still limited by the space charge effects and parameters (e.g., velocity, amplitude, waveform, etc.) of the traveling wave used. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 10,018,592 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Accordingly, additional systems and methods are needed for internal ion capture and accumulation to increase resolution and sensitivity within IMS and MS systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for internal ion capture and accumulation to increase ion resolution within IMS and MS systems.

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an exemplary apparatus for ion storage. The apparatus for ion storage includes a first region and a second region. The first region is configured to receive ions and generate a first driving potential configured to guide the ions across the first region in a first direction. The second region is configured to receive ions from the first region and switch between a first state in which it can be in a trapping state and a second state in which it can be in a release state, generating a first electric field when in the first state and a second electric field when in the second state. The first electric field is configured to prevent ions from moving in a first direction and entering a third region, and the second electric field is configured to guide ions in the first direction toward the third region. Accordingly, a first electric field can be generated in the trapping state and a second electric field can be generated in the release state. When the second region is in the first state, the first driving potential and the first electric field prevent ions in the second region from leaving the second region and cause ions to accumulate in the second region. When the second region is in the second state, the second electric field moves the ions in the first direction toward the third region.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first driving potential can be a traveling wave. In another embodiment, the first electric field can be a DC voltage. In such an embodiment, the magnitude of the DC voltage can be greater than the voltage bias of the first driving potential. In addition, in such an embodiment, the second electric field can be a traveling wave, and the traveling wave can be configured to separate ions based on their mobility. In yet another embodiment, the magnitude of the DC voltage can be less than the voltage bias of the first driving potential, and the DC voltage can create a potential well. In such an embodiment, the second electric field can be a DC potential gradient or a traveling wave, which can be configured to separate ions based on their mobility.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first electric field can be a traveling wave propagating in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the second electric field can be a second traveling wave propagating in the first direction. In such embodiments, the second traveling wave can be configured to separate ions based on their mobility. In addition, in such embodiments, the first electric field can be generated during the trapping state and the second electric field can be generated during the release state.

[0013] In other embodiments, the third region may be configured to receive ions from the second region and generate a second driving potential configured to separate the ions based on their mobility.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, the first region may include a plurality of electrodes arranged on a first surface and aligned along a first direction and configured to generate a first driving potential, and the second region may include one or more electrodes arranged on the first surface and aligned along a first direction, and at least one of the one or more electrodes in the second region may be configured to generate a first electric field when in a first state and a second electric field when in a second state.

[0015] In such an embodiment, the device may include a controller configured to apply a first voltage signal to a plurality of electrodes in a first region, a second voltage signal to at least one electrode among one or more electrodes in a second region, and a third voltage signal to at least one electrode among one or more electrodes in the second region. In addition, the plurality of electrodes may be configured to generate a first drive potential based on the first voltage signal, at least one electrode may be configured to generate a first electric field based on a second voltage signal, and at least one electrode may be configured to generate a second electric field based on a third voltage signal. When the device is in a first operating mode, the controller applies a second voltage signal to a plurality of second electrodes to bring the second region to a first state, and when the device is in a second operating mode, the controller applies a third voltage signal to a plurality of second electrodes to bring the second region to a second state.

[0016] In some embodiments, a first portion of a second region can generate a first electric field when the second region is in a first state, a first portion of the second region can generate a second electric field when the second region is in a second state, and a second portion of the second region can generate a fourth electric field different from the first electric field.

[0017] In some other embodiments, the second region may include multiple rows of radio frequency (RF) electrodes and multiple traveling wave (TW) electrode arrays, each of which may include at least three individual electrodes. In such embodiments, the first electric field may be generated by at least one of the individual electrodes of each of the multiple TW electrode arrays when the second region is in the first state.

[0018] A method for ion storage involves introducing ions into an ion storage apparatus having a first region, a second region, and a third region. This method includes generating a driving potential in the first region to guide the ions across the first region in a first direction, and transferring the ions from the first region to the second region by the driving potential. This method also includes generating a first electric field in the second region to prevent the ions from moving in the first direction and entering the third region, and storing the ions in the second region. The first electric field can be applied during the trapping state. This method further includes switching the first electric field generated in the second region to a second electric field to guide the stored ions toward the third region in the first direction. The second electric field can be generated during the release state.

[0019] In some embodiments, the driving potential can be a traveling wave. In other embodiments, the first electric field can be a DC voltage. In such embodiments, the magnitude of the DC voltage can be greater than the voltage bias of the driving potential. In other such embodiments, the second electric field can be a traveling wave, and this method may involve separating ions based on their mobility by the traveling wave.

[0020] In other embodiments, the magnitude of the DC voltage can be less than the voltage bias of the first driving potential, and the DC voltage can create a potential well. In such embodiments, the second electric field can be a DC potential gradient or a traveling wave. When the second electric field is a traveling wave, this method can further involve separating ions based on their mobility by the traveling wave.

[0021] In yet another embodiment, the first electric field may be a first traveling wave propagating in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the second electric field may be a second traveling wave propagating in the first direction. In such embodiments, the method may further involve separating ions based on their mobility by the traveling waves. In addition, in such embodiments, the first electric field may be generated during the trapping state and the second electric field may be generated during the release state.

[0022] In one aspect, the method can also involve transferring ions accumulated in a second region to a third region, generating a second driving potential in the third region, and separating the ions based on mobility by the second driving potential.

[0023] In some aspects, a first portion of the second region can generate a first electric field and a second electric field, and a second portion of the second region can generate a fourth electric field different from the first electric field.

[0024] In some other aspects, the second region can include a plurality of rows of radio frequency (RF) electrodes and a plurality of traveling wave (TW) electrode arrays, and each of the plurality of TW electrode arrays can include at least three individual electrodes. In such aspects, the first electric field can be generated by at least one of the individual electrodes of each of the plurality of TW electrode arrays when the second region is in a first state.

[0025] In another embodiment, the apparatus for ion storage includes an ion channel, a first region, a second region, a third region, and a controller. The ion channel is defined between a first surface and a second surface, extends along a first longitudinal direction and a first transverse direction, and is configured to receive an ion flow. The first region includes a plurality of electrodes located on the first surface and arranged along the first longitudinal direction. The second region includes one or more electrodes located on the first surface and arranged along the first longitudinal direction. The controller is configured to apply a first voltage signal to the plurality of electrodes in the first region, a second voltage signal to one or more electrodes in the second region, and a third voltage signal to one or more electrodes in the second region. The second voltage signal may be applied during the capture operation mode, and the third voltage signal may be applied during the release operation mode. The plurality of electrodes in the first region are configured to generate a first drive potential that propagates along the first longitudinal direction based on the first voltage signal. A first drive potential is configured to guide ions across the ion channel in a first longitudinal direction. One or more electrodes in the second region are configured to generate a first electric field based on a second voltage signal, preventing ions from moving along the first longitudinal direction into a third region. A first electric field can be generated during the capture operation mode. One or more electrodes in the second region are configured to generate a second electric field based on a third voltage signal, guiding ions along the first longitudinal direction toward the third region. A third voltage signal can be generated during the release operation mode. When the device is in a first operating mode, which can be set to a capture mode, the controller applies a second voltage signal to one or more electrodes in the second region, and the first drive potential and first electric field prevent ions in the second region from leaving the second region, thereby accumulating ions in the second region. When the device is in a second operating mode, which can be set to a release mode, the controller applies a third voltage signal to one or more electrodes in the second region, and the second electric field moves ions in the first direction toward the third region.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first voltage signal can be a traveling wave. In other embodiments, the second voltage signal can be a DC voltage. In such embodiments, the magnitude of the DC voltage can be made greater than the voltage bias of the first driving potential. Also in such embodiments, the third voltage signal can be a traveling wave, and the traveling wave can be configured to separate ions based on mobility.

[0027] In other embodiments, the second voltage signal can be applied to a single electrode in the second region.

[0028] In still other embodiments, the magnitude of the DC voltage can be made less than the voltage bias of the first driving potential, and the DC voltage can create a potential well. In such embodiments, the third voltage signal can be a DC potential gradient or a traveling wave configured to separate ions based on mobility. In such embodiments, the DC voltage can be applied to two or more electrodes in the second region.

[0029] In one embodiment, the second voltage signal can be a traveling wave traveling in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the third voltage signal can be a second traveling wave traveling in the first direction. In such embodiments, the second traveling wave can be configured to separate ions based on mobility. Additionally, in such embodiments, the second voltage signal can be applied during the capture operation mode, and the third voltage signal can be applied during the release operation mode.

[0030] In another embodiment, the third region can include a plurality of electrodes disposed on the first surface and arranged along the first longitudinal direction. The third region can be configured to receive ions from the second region and generate a second driving potential configured to separate the ions based on mobility.

[0031] A method for ion storage involves introducing a flow of ions into an ion channel of an ion storage device. The storage device includes a first surface, a second surface, a first region containing a plurality of electrodes located on the first surface and arranged along a first longitudinal direction, a second region containing one or more electrodes located on the first surface and arranged along a first longitudinal direction, and a third region. The first ion channel is defined between the first surface and the second surface and extends along a first longitudinal direction and a first transverse direction. The method also includes applying a first voltage signal to the plurality of electrodes in the first region by a controller, and generating a first driving potential that propagates along a first longitudinal direction by the plurality of electrodes in the first region. The first driving potential is also configured to guide ions in the ion channel along a first longitudinal direction. The method also includes transferring ions in the ion channel from the first region to the second region along a first longitudinal direction by the first driving potential. This method further includes applying a second voltage signal to one or more electrodes in a second region by a controller, and generating a first electric field based on the second voltage signal by one or more electrodes in the second region. During the trapping operation mode, a second voltage signal can be applied and a first electric field can be generated. This method also includes preventing ions from moving in a first direction and entering a third region by the first electric field, and accumulating ions in the second region. This method switches the second voltage signal applied to the second region by the controller to a third voltage signal to accumulate in the second region. The invention further includes guiding the ions in the ion channel in a first direction toward a third region. During the open operation mode, a third voltage signal can be applied to generate a second electric field.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first voltage signal can be a traveling wave. In other embodiments, the second voltage signal can be a DC voltage. In such embodiments, the magnitude of the DC voltage can be greater than the voltage bias of the first voltage signal. In other such embodiments, the third voltage signal can be a traveling wave, and this method may involve separating ions based on their mobility by the traveling wave. In yet another such embodiment, the second voltage signal can be applied to a single electrode in the second region.

[0033] In other embodiments, the magnitude of the DC voltage can be less than the voltage bias of the first voltage signal, and the DC voltage can create a potential well. In such embodiments, the third voltage signal can be a DC potential gradient or a traveling wave. When the third voltage signal is a traveling wave, this method can further involve separating ions based on their mobility by the traveling wave. In such embodiments, a DC voltage can be applied to two or more electrodes in the second region.

[0034] In yet another embodiment, the second voltage signal may be a traveling wave propagating in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the third voltage signal may be a second traveling wave propagating in the first direction. In such embodiments, the method may further involve separating ions based on their mobility by the traveling waves. In addition, in such embodiments, the second voltage signal may be applied during the capture operation mode, and the third voltage signal may be applied during the release operation mode.

[0035] In one embodiment, this method may also involve transferring ions accumulated in a second region to a third region. This method may also involve a controller applying a fourth voltage signal to a plurality of electrodes in the third region, the plurality of electrodes in the third region may be located on a first surface and may be located along a first longitudinal direction. This method may further involve the plurality of electrodes in the third region generating a second driving potential that propagates along the first longitudinal direction. The second driving potential may be configured to guide ions in the first longitudinal direction within an ion channel. This method may also involve separating ions based on their mobility using the second driving potential. In some embodiments, the fourth voltage signal and the third voltage signal may be the same. In other embodiments, the first voltage signal, the third voltage signal, and the fourth voltage signal may be the same.

[0036] The ion storage device includes an ion storage section, an outlet section, and an outlet transition section. The ion storage section has a first width and is configured to receive ions and switch between a first state and a second state, generating a first electric field when in the first state and a second electric field when in the second state. The outlet section has a second width smaller than the first width and is configured to generate a third electric field configured to guide ions across the outlet section. The outlet transition section extends between the ion storage section and the outlet section and has a tapered width that narrows from a first width adjacent to the ion storage section to a second width adjacent to the outlet section. The outlet transition section is also configured to generate a third electric field to guide ions across the outlet transition section to the outlet section. The first electric field is configured to prevent ions from moving in a first direction and entering the outlet transition section, and the second electric field is configured to guide ions in the first direction toward the outlet transition section. When the ion storage section is in the first state, the first electric field is such that ions in the ion storage section are ion-storing This prevents ions from leaving the product section and causes them to accumulate in the ion storage section. When the ion storage section is in the second state, the second electric field moves the ions in the first direction towards the outlet transfer section.

[0037] In some embodiments, the exit transition section may be configured to prevent ions from being released due to space charge effects. In some other embodiments, the third electric field may be the same as the second electric field or different from the second electric field.

[0038] In yet another embodiment, the ion storage device may also include an inlet section and an inlet transition section. The inlet section may have a third width smaller than a first width, and the inlet transition section may extend between the inlet section and the ion storage section. The inlet transition section may have a tapered width that increases from a third width adjacent to the inlet section to a first width adjacent to the ion storage section. In such embodiments, the inlet section and the outlet transition section may be configured to generate a fourth electric field to guide ions across the inlet section and the inlet transition section to the ion storage section.

[0039] In some other embodiments, the second electric field may be a traveling wave propagating in the first direction, and the ion storage section may be configured to switch from generating the second electric field to generating a fourth electric field, which is a traveling wave propagating in the second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0040] In other embodiments, the first electric field can be a DC voltage. In such embodiments, a first portion of the ion storage section can generate a first electric field, and a second portion of the ion storage section can generate a fourth electric field different from the first electric field.

[0041] In yet another embodiment, the ion storage section may include multiple rows of radio frequency (RF) electrodes and multiple traveling wave (TW) electrode arrays, each of which includes at least three individual electrodes. In such an embodiment, the first electric field may be generated by at least one of the individual electrodes of each of the multiple TW electrode arrays.

[0042] In other embodiments, the ion storage device may include an inlet section located laterally to the ion storage section, the inlet section being configured to supply ions to the ion storage section.

[0043] Other configurations will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings. However, it should be understood that these drawings are designed for illustrative purposes only and not to define any limitations of the present invention.

[0044] The above configuration of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention relating to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0045] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary ion mobility separation (IMS) system of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a portion of an exemplary SLIM device that can be used with the IMS system shown in Figure 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a first exemplary arrangement of electrodes on the surface of the SLIM device. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a second exemplary arrangement of electrodes on the surface of the SLIM device. [Figure 5] This block diagram shows an exemplary region of a SLIM device in Figure 2. [Figure 6] This schematic block diagram shows a first set of exemplary waveforms applied to the exemplary region of Figure 5, which includes a high DC potential waveform for ion accumulation. [Figure 7A]This is a schematic block diagram showing a second set of exemplary waveforms applied to the exemplary region of Figure 5, which includes a DC potential well for ion accumulation, and the first open-state waveform. [Figure 7B] Figure 7A is a schematic block diagram showing the second set of exemplary waveforms along with the second open-circuit waveform. [Figure 8] This schematic block diagram shows a third set of exemplary waveforms applied to the exemplary region of Figure 5, including an opposing traveling wave, to accumulate ions. [Figure 9] This block diagram shows an exemplary arrangement of regions within the IMS system of this disclosure for accumulating and separating ions. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary storage area in this disclosure. [Figure 11] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary storage area having a lateral entrance section. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0046] This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for the internal capture and accumulation of ions, which will be described in detail below in relation to Figures 1 to 11.

[0047] Ions can be separated based on their mobility via ion mobility analysis (IMS). Mobility separation can be achieved, for example, by applying one or more potential waveforms (e.g., traveling potential waveforms, DC gradients, or both) to a group of ions. Mobility separation based on IMS can be achieved by structures for lossless ion manipulation (SLIM) that can systematically apply traveling and / or DC potential waveforms to a group of ions, such as devices disclosed and described in U.S. Patent No. 8,835,839, “Method and Apparatus for Ion Mobility Separations Utilizing Alternating Current Waveforms,” and U.S. Patent No. 10,317,364, “Ion Manipulation Device,” both of which are incorporated herein by reference. As a result, a continuous flow of ions can be separated temporally and spatially based on their mobility. In some implementations, it is desirable to select ions with a predetermined mobility range from a group of ions. This can be achieved by filtering ions based on their mobility within the SLIM device ("SLIM filter"). SLIM filters (e.g., low-pass filters, high-pass filters, band-pass filters, etc.) can superimpose multiple potential waveforms that are induced (e.g., propagating) in different directions (e.g., two-dimensional). The characteristics of the potential waveforms (e.g., amplitude, shape, frequency, etc.) can be used to determine the characteristics of the SLIM filter (e.g., bandwidth, cutoff mobility value, etc.).

[0048] This disclosure utilizes the SLIM devices described above to not only transfer and separate ions of different mobilities, but also to accumulate ions within each SLIM device for subsequent separation and analysis. In this regard, as will be discussed in more detail below, ions can be trapped within the accumulation region by applying different waveforms to different regions of the SLIM device, for example, one or more electrodes grouped together, until the space charge limit is reached or a sufficient number of ions are accumulated.

[0049] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary ion mobility separation (IMS) system 100 according to the present disclosure. The IMS system 100 includes an ionization source 102, a SLIM device 104, a mass spectrometer 106, a controller 108, a computing device 110, a power supply 112, and The system includes a vacuum system 114. The ionization source 102 generates ions (e.g., ions with fluctuating mobility and mass-to-charge ratio) and injects the ions into the SLIM device 104 (discussed in more detail in relation to Figures 2-4). The SLIM device 104 can be configured to transfer ions, accumulate ions, store ions, and / or separate ions, depending on the desired function and applied waveform. In this regard, the SLIM device 104 can be used to select ions having one or more predetermined mobility ranges and guide the selected ion band (or multiple ion bands) to a detector, such as a mass spectrometer 106. The vacuum system 114 can fluidly communicate with the SLIM device 104 to regulate the gas pressure within the SLIM device 104. Specifically, the vacuum system 114 can maintain a consistent pressure within the SLIM device 104 while supplying nitrogen to the SLIM device 104.

[0050] The SLIM device 104 may include one or more surfaces 114a, 114b (e.g., printed circuit board surfaces), and multiple electrodes may be placed on one or more surfaces 114a, 114b. These electrodes may receive voltage signals, voltage waveforms, and / or current waveforms (e.g., DC voltage or current, RF voltage or current, or AC voltage or current, or a superposition thereof), as will be discussed in more detail below, and may generate potentials (e.g., potential gradients) to confine ions within the SLIM device 104, accumulate ions within the SLIM device 104, and guide ions through the SLIM device 104, thereby allowing ions to be accumulated and separated based on their mobility.

[0051] The controller 108 can control the operation of the ionization source 102, the SLIM device 104, the mass spectrometer 106, and the vacuum system 114. For example, the controller 108 can control the ion implantation rate into the SLIM device 104 by the ionization source 102, the threshold mobility of the SLIM device 104, and ion detection by the mass spectrometer 106. The controller 108 can also control the characteristics and motion of the potential waveform generated by the SLIM device 104 for ion transfer, accumulation, and / or separation (for example, by applying RF / AC / DC potentials to the electrodes of the SLIM device 104).

[0052] The controller 108 can control the characteristics of the potential waveform (e.g., amplitude, shape, frequency, etc.) by varying the characteristics of the applied RF / AC / DC potential (or current). In this regard, the controller 108 can vary the characteristics of the potential waveform for different regions of the SLIM device 104, for example, different groups of electrodes, to capture / accumulate ions and then separate them. This can be done to increase ion peak resolution, narrow the ion peak, increase the signal-to-noise ratio, and achieve sharp separation before and after the target mobility.

[0053] The controller 108 can receive power from a power supply 112, which can be a DC power supply providing a DC voltage to the controller 108, for example. The controller 108 may include multiple power supply modules (e.g., current and / or voltage supply circuits) that generate various voltage (or current) signals to drive the electrodes of the SLIM device 104. For example, the controller 108 may include an RF control circuit that generates an RF voltage signal, a traveling wave control circuit that generates a traveling wave voltage signal, and a DC control circuit that generates a DC voltage signal. The RF voltage signal, traveling wave voltage signal, and DC voltage signal can be applied to the electrodes of the SLIM device 104. The controller 108 may also include a master control circuit that can control the operation of the RF / traveling wave / DC control circuits. For example, the master control circuit may control the voltage (or current) signals generated by the RF / traveling wave / DC control circuits to achieve the desired operation of the mobility filter system 100. The width and / or phase can be controlled.

[0054] As discussed above, the SLIM device 104 can generate DC / traveling potential waveforms (e.g., due to potentials generated by multiple electrodes within the SLIM device 104) and DC potentials, thereby performing mobility-based separation and inducing ion accumulation. The traveling potential waveform can travel at a predetermined speed, for example, based on the frequency of a voltage signal applied to the electrodes. In some implementations, the traveling potential waveform can have spatial periodicity, which can depend on the phase difference between voltage signals applied to adjacent electrode pairs. In some implementations, the phase difference determines the direction of propagation of the potential waveform. In some implementations, the accumulation of ions within the SLIM device 104 can be controlled by the waveform applied to the accumulation / capture / gate electrode. The master control circuit can control the frequency and / or phase of the voltage output of the RF / traveling wave / DC control circuit so that the traveling potential waveform has a desired (e.g., predetermined) spatial periodicity and / or speed, and the accumulation waveform / potential sufficiently restricts ion motion, thus accumulating ions.

[0055] In some implementations, the controller 108 can be communicatively connected to a computing device 110. For example, the computing device 110 can provide operating parameters of the IMS system 100 to the master control circuit via control signals. In some implementations, a user can provide operating parameters to the computing device 110 (for example, via a user interface). Based on the operating parameters received via control signals, the master control circuit can control the operation of the RF / AC / DC control circuit, and the RF / AC / DC control circuit can determine the operation of the connected SLIM device 104. In some implementations, the RF / AC / DC control circuits can be physically distributed across the IMS system 100. For example, one or more of the RF / AC / DC control circuits can be located within the IMS system 100, and the various RF / AC / DC control circuits can operate based on power from the power supply 112.

[0056] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an exemplary SLIM device 104 (for example, a SLIM device for ion transfer, ion accumulation, ion storage, and / or ion separation) that can be used with the IMS system 100 of Figure 1. The SLIM device 104 includes a first surface 114a and a second surface 114b. The first and second surfaces 114a, 114b can be arranged (for example, parallel to each other) to define one or more ion channels between the first and second surfaces 114a, 114b. The first surface 114a and the second surface 114b can include electrodes 116, 118a~f, 120a~e, 122a~x (see Figures 3 and 4), which are arranged as an array of electrodes on a surface facing, for example, the ion channels. Electrodes 116, 118a-118f, 120a-e, 122a-x on the first surface 114a and the second surface 114b can be electrically connected to the controller 108 and can receive voltage (or current) signals or waveforms from the controller 108. In some implementations, the back surfaces of the first surface 114a and the second surface 114b may include multiple conductive channels that enable electrical connections between the controller 108 and the electrodes 116, 118a-f, 120a-e, 122a-x on the first surface 114a and the second surface 114b. In some implementations, the number of conductive channels may be less than the number of electrodes 116, 118a-f, 120a-e, 122a-x. In other words, multiple electrodes 116, 118a-f, 120a-e, 122a-x can be connected to a single electrical channel. As a result, a given voltage (or current) signal can be simultaneously transmitted to multiple electrodes 116, 118a~f, 120a~e, and 122a~x. Based on the received voltage (or current) signal, electrodes 116, 118a~f, 120a~e, and 122a~x move along the propagation axis. It is possible to generate one or more potentials (e.g., a superposition of various potentials) that can confine, drive, and / or separate ions along (e.g., the z-axis).

[0057] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a first exemplary arrangement of electrodes 116, 118a-f, 120a-e, and 122a-h on the first and second surfaces 114a and 114b of the SLIM device 104. The first and second surfaces 114a and 114b can be substantially mirror images of each other with respect to parallel planes, and therefore the description of the first surface 114a applies equally to the second surface 114b, and thus the second surface 114b can also contain electrodes having an electrode arrangement similar to that of the first surface 114a.

[0058] The first surface 114a includes a guard electrode 116, a plurality of continuous electrodes 118a-f, and a plurality of segmented electrode arrays 120a-e. Each of the plurality of continuous electrodes 118a-f can receive a voltage (or current) signal or be connected to a ground potential and can generate a pseudopotential that can prevent or suppress ions from approaching the first surface 114a. The plurality of continuous electrodes 118a-f can be rectangular in shape, and the longer sides of the rectangles, arranged along the direction of ion propagation, undergo mobility separation along a propagation axis parallel to the z-axis, for example, as shown in Figure 3. The plurality of continuous electrodes 118a-f can be separated from each other along a lateral direction that can be perpendicular to the propagation direction, for example, the z-axis, for example, along the y-axis.

[0059] Each of the multiple segmented electrode arrays 120a-e can be positioned between two continuous electrodes 118a-f and include multiple individual electrodes 122a-h, for example, 8 electrodes, 16 electrodes, 24 electrodes, etc., positioned along the propagation direction (parallel to the propagation direction), for example, along the z-axis. Each segmented electrode array 120a-e may include 9 or more or 7 or fewer electrodes, but it should be understood that it should include at least 3 electrodes. For example, as shown in Figure 4, each of the segmented electrode arrays 120a-e includes 24 electrodes 122a-x. In addition, the individual electrodes 122a-x can be separated into individual groups that receive specific signals from the controller 108, as will be discussed in more detail below. The multiple segmented electrode arrays 120a-e can receive a second voltage signal and generate a drive potential that can drive ions along the propagation axis, or a DC voltage signal that can capture ions, as will be discussed in more detail below. In other words, the first and second surfaces 114a, 114b, and their electrode arrangements can be implemented for different purposes and therefore can have different functions based on the voltage settings applied to the continuous electrodes 118a-f, the segmented electrode arrays 120a-e, and the multiple individual electrodes 122a-h.

[0060] Multiple continuous electrodes 118a-f and multiple segmented electrode arrays 120a-e can be arranged alternately on the first surface 114a between the DC guard electrodes 116. The segmented electrode arrays 120a-e can be traveling wave (TW) electrodes, so that each of the individual electrodes 122a-h of each segmented electrode array 120a-e receives a voltage signal that is applied simultaneously to all individual electrodes 122a-h, but there is a phase difference between adjacent electrodes 122a-h along the z-axis. However, the same individual electrode in the segmented electrode array 120a-e, for example, the first individual electrode 122a, receives the same voltage signal without a phase difference.

[0061] The voltage signals applied to individual electrodes 122a~h can be sinusoidal (e.g., AC voltage waveform), square waveform, DC square waveform, sawtooth waveform, bias sinusoidal waveform, pulse current waveform, etc., and the amplitude of the signal provided to individual electrodes 122a~h can be determined based on the applied voltage waveform, taking into account the phase shift described above, for example. If a single wavelength of the C voltage waveform extends across eight electrodes (e.g., individual electrodes 122a-h), the amplitude of the voltage signal applied to the individual electrodes 122a-h can be determined by selecting a value from the AC waveform relating to the phase shift corresponding to the total number of electrodes associated with the single wavelength (e.g., eight electrodes). For example, the phase shift between adjacent electrodes of the individual electrodes 122a-h is 45 degrees (360 degrees of a single wavelength cycle divided by 8). This can be achieved by electrically connecting the individual electrodes 122a-h to different traveling wave control circuits, such as an AC control circuit, a DC (square wave) control circuit, or a pulsed current control circuit, which generate voltage signals that are out of phase with each other. Alternatively, the controller 108 can be a single traveling wave control circuit capable of generating voltage signals that can be applied simultaneously to electrodes 122a-h. It should be understood that the voltage or current waveform can take various forms, such as square, triangular, rectangular, or sawtooth, and can be periodic or aperiodic. For example, the controller 108 can be a traveling wave control circuit and may include one or more DC (square wave) control circuits that generate a DC voltage signal and an AC control circuit that generates a sine wave signal.

[0062] As described above, the controller 108 may include one or more pulse voltage or current control circuits that can generate pulse voltage (or current) waveforms, such as square, triangular, rectangular, or sawtooth shapes. The pulse voltage (or current) waveforms may have periodicity without polarity reversal. The pulse voltage (or current) control circuit may include multiple outputs electrically connected to individual electrodes 122a~h. In some implementation examples, the controller 108 may be a pulse voltage (or current) control circuit that can simultaneously apply multiple voltage signals (e.g., constituting pulse waveforms) to each of the individual electrodes 122a~h. By superimposing DC voltage signals and sinusoidal signals, various pulse shapes of voltage (or current) waveforms can be generated. The controller 108 can determine the phase difference between voltage signals generated by various traveling wave control circuits. The shape / periodicity of the traveling potential waveform may be based on the phase difference between voltage signals applied to adjacent electrodes 122a~h. The controller 108 can determine the amplitude of the DC voltage signal generated by the DC control circuit and the amplitude and / or frequency of the AC signal generated by the traveling wave control circuit.

[0063] The frequency of a voltage signal (e.g., an AC signal) can be used to determine the speed of a leading potential waveform. An alternative method for generating an AC signal that is out of phase for the voltage (or current) waveform that generates the leading potential waveform is to use a multiphase transformer. This method can provide control over the phase relationships between multiple voltage output signals based on the connection scheme of the transformer's multiple secondary windings. In this way, multiple phase-dependent outputs can be generated using only analog circuits by using one or more input drive voltage signals. The main difference between this method and the digital generation method described above is that the phase dependence can be determined by the physical wiring of the transformer, and this phase dependence cannot be changed without making physical changes to the wiring. The phase relationships between digitally generated waveforms can be dynamically varied without hardware changes.

[0064] As time progresses, the potential waveform (e.g., generated by the AC waveform, sinusoidal voltage waveform, pulsed voltage [or current] waveform applied to the electrodes) can propagate along the direction of propagation, for example, along the z-axis. This can result in a change in the amplitude of the voltage applied to individual electrodes 122a~h. For example, the voltage applied to the first individual electrode 122a during the first time step may be applied to the adjacent individual electrode 122b during the next time step. The controller 108 may include one or more traveling wave control circuits that can generate pulsed voltage / current waveforms, AC waveforms, etc. In some implementation examples, the controller may include one or more RF control circuits that can generate RF voltage waveforms, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0065] The controller 108 can control the speed of the traveling potential waveform by controlling the frequency and / or phase of the AC / RF / pulse voltage (or current) waveforms applied to the individual electrodes 122a~h. If desired, as the potential waveform propagates, ions introduced into the SLIM device 104 can be pushed along the propagation direction and, if necessary, separated along the z-axis based on their mobility. In this regard, the traveling waveform applied by the controller 108 can be used to transport ions without separating them, or to transport ions and separate them based on their mobility during transport.

[0066] As described above, multiple continuous electrodes 118a~f can be connected to one or more voltage control circuits, such as the voltage control circuit in the controller 108, from which they can receive an RF signal. The RF voltage applied to the continuous electrodes 118a~f can be phase-shifted relative to adjacent continuous electrodes 118a~f. That is, adjacent continuous electrodes 118a~f can receive the same RF signal, but with a 180-degree phase shift. Accordingly, in the first state, the first, third, and fifth electrodes 118a, 118c, and 118e can have positive polarity (indicated as RF+), and the second, fourth, and sixth continuous electrodes 118b, 118d, and 118f can have negative polarity (indicated as RF-). As time and the signal advance, the polarity of each of the continuous electrodes 118a~f switches. The above function holds ions between the first and second surfaces 114a and 114b and prevents ions from coming into contact with the first and second surfaces 114a and 114b.

[0067] As described above, the SLIM device 104 may have nine or more or seven or fewer individual electrodes 122a to h in each of the segmented electrode arrays 120a to e, and may include six or more or four or fewer segmented electrode arrays 120a to e and six continuous electrodes 118a to f, depending on the desired function of the SLIM device 104. For example, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing second and third exemplary arrangements of electrodes 116, 118a to f, 120a to e, and 122a to x on the first and second surfaces 114a and 114b of the SLIM device 104. More specifically, the arrangement of electrodes 116, 118a-f, 120a-e, and 122a-x shown in Figure 4 is substantially the same as the arrangement shown in Figure 3, but each of the segmented electrode arrays 120a-e has 24 individual electrodes 122a-x, the six continuous electrodes 118a-f are divided into three sets, and the guard electrode 116 is divided into three sets.

[0068] In this configuration, the eight individual electrodes 122a to h of the first set can be used for a first function, for example, to transfer ions with or without ion separation; the eight individual electrodes 122i to p of the second set can be used for a second function, for example, to capture and store ions; and the eight individual electrodes 122q to x of the third set can be used for a third function, for example, to transfer ions while separating them. For example, the controller 108 can provide a first waveform to the eight individual electrodes 122a to h of the first set, a second waveform to the eight individual electrodes 122i to p of the second set, and a third waveform to the eight individual electrodes 122q to x of the third set. In addition, depending on the desired function, each of the individual electrodes 122a to x can be individually controlled by the controller 108 to provide a waveform or voltage (e.g., a DC voltage value), or can be switched between different waveforms or voltages. Accordingly, if necessary, the individual electrodes 122a~x can be divided into groups according to design considerations.

[0069] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing exemplary regions of the SLIM device 104 of Figure 2, and as shown in Figure 5, individual electrodes 122a~x can be grouped into different regions based on their desired function. For example, the SLIM device 104 has a transmission region 124, The system may include a storage region 126 and a separation region 128. A traveling wave can be applied to the transfer region 124 to transfer ions to the storage region 126. The storage region 126 can capture and store ions, for example, by implementing one or more switching / gate electrodes. The separation region 128 can separate and transfer ions released from the storage region 126. The electrode arrangement shown in Figure 3 can be implemented as a transfer region, storage region, and separation region 124, 126, or 128, with the voltage applied to each electrode determining its function. For example, the eight individual electrodes 122a~h of the first set in Figure 4 can be implemented as a transfer region 124, the eight individual electrodes 122i~p of the second set in Figure 4 can be implemented as a storage region 126, and the eight individual electrodes 122q~x of the third set in Figure 4 can be implemented as a separation region 128.

[0070] In addition, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the storage region 126 can be provided with separate sets of continuous electrodes 118a-f and separate sets of guard electrodes 116, which can be controlled individually and to which different voltages can be applied by the controller 108. This configuration makes it possible to apply different RF and DC voltages to the storage region 126. For example, the amplitude of the RF voltage applied to the continuous electrodes 118a-f in the storage region 126 can be reduced to avoid ion excitation, and the RF voltage applied to the continuous electrodes 118a-f in the storage region 126 and the DC guard voltage applied to the guard electrodes 116 in the storage region 126 can be adjusted to match the voltages applied to the second set of individual electrodes 122i-p in the storage region 126.

[0071] Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram showing a first set of exemplary waveforms applied to regions 124, 126, and 128 of the SLIM device 104, and exemplary ion motion through regions 124, 126, and 128. A first traveling wave 130 is applied to the transfer region 124 to transfer ions 132a-c to the storage region 126 along the propagation axis, e.g., the z-axis. The first traveling wave 130 can be generated by the controller 108 and can be customized to transfer ions 132a-c, with or without separating them based on mobility. The transfer region 124 may contain multiple individual electrodes 122a-x from each segmented electrode array 120a-e. For example, the first to eighth individual electrodes 122a-h for all segmented electrode arrays 120a-e can receive the first traveling wave 130 and transfer ions 132a-c to the storage region 126. Since the first traveling wave 130 extends into the storage region 126, the storage region 126 can partially overlap with the transmission region 124.

[0072] The storage region 126 can have two different states / operating modes, such as a capture state and a release state, i.e., it can operate over different periods of time. When in the capture state / operating mode, the first traveling wave 130 can extend into the storage region 126 and switch the signal applied to a single gate electrode 131, for example, the first individual electrode 122a of each segmented electrode array 120a-e in the isolation region 128 (e.g., the 17th individual electrode 122q in Figure 4), or the eighth individual electrode 122h of each segmented electrode array 120a-e in the storage region 126 (e.g., the 16th individual electrode 122p in Figure 4), from the first traveling wave 130 to a signal configured to capture ions 132a-c or to prevent ions 132a-c from continuing to propagate. More specifically, the gate electrode receives a high DC potential voltage signal 134 from the controller 108, which is at a potential greater than the voltage bias of the first traveling wave 130. The voltage bias of the first traveling wave 130 is generally a fixed DC voltage applied to the first traveling wave 130 to shift the waveform. Thus, the first traveling wave 130 continuously transmits ions 132a-c supplied to the SLIM device 104, for example, along the propagation axis from the ionization source 102, until the ions 132a-c reach the gate electrode 131, where they are stopped, for example, repelled by the high DC potential voltage signal 134. Nevertheless, the continuously circulating first traveling wave 130 prevents ions 132a~c from propagating in the opposite direction, for example, in the negative z-axis direction, and instead captures ions 132a~c from the high DC potential voltage signal 134 by continuously pushing ions 132a~c in the propagation direction, for example, in the positive z-axis direction, thereby allowing ions 132a~c to accumulate in the accumulation region 126. This effectively packets out the ions 132a~c, and therefore can be separated collectively in the separation region 128.

[0073] Accordingly, during operation, when in the trapping state / operating mode, ions 132a-c can be continuously sent to the SLIM device 104 until a sufficient number of ions have accumulated, and whether a sufficient number of ions have accumulated can be determined by whether the space charge limit has been reached. More specifically, the space charge effect limits the maximum number of charges that can be accommodated in a given length before the ions are released. Generally, the space charge limit is about 1 million charges per millimeter of path length in the SLIM device 104. Accordingly, an electrode segment illustrated and described in relation to Figure 3, including a single traveling wave segment, for example, six RF electrodes 118a-f and five segmented electrode arrays 120a-e having eight individual electrodes 122a-h, is used to accumulate ions, where the segment is, for example, 9 millimeters in length, and the space charge limit (e.g., storage capacity) is about 9 million charges. That is, 9 million charges can be accumulated before the space charge limit is exceeded, at which point the ions may be lost from the trap. It should be noted that the space charge limit is based on the total charge value of all accumulated ions, not the number of ions. For example, some ions may have larger charge values, e.g., +40 or +50, and in such a situation, fewer ions should be accumulated than if ions with a charge of +10 were accumulated. Furthermore, while the above assumes a single traveling wave segment with six RF electrodes 118a-118f and five segmented electrode arrays 120a-e, additional rows can be added to increase the accumulation capacity per unit length if additional capacity is required, for example, to increase the sensitivity of the analysis. For example, a sixth segmented electrode array and an eighth continuous RF electrode could be added to the electrode configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4, which should provide additional space for ion accumulation.

[0074] The gate electrode 131 can be a switchable electrode and can therefore operate in a trapping state for a first period until a sufficient number of ions are accumulated, and then the signal applied to the gate electrode 131 can be switched to an open state, allowing the gate electrode 131 to operate in the open state for a second period. For example, the signal can be switched from a high DC potential voltage signal 134 to a second traveling wave 136, and thus the accumulated ions 132a~c are released into the separation region 128 in synchronization with the second traveling wave 136 applied to the separation region 128. The second traveling wave 136 can be generated by the controller 108 and applied to the electrodes of the separation region 128, separating the ions 132a~c along the z-axis based on their mobility and pushing the ions 132a~c toward the mass spectrometer 106 in the direction of propagation, for example, along the z-axis, for analysis. The separation region 128 can contain a plurality of individual electrodes 122a~x from each segmented electrode array 120a~e. For example, the 17th to 24th individual electrodes 122q to x (see Figure 4) for all segmented electrode arrays 120a to e can receive the second traveling wave 136. Note that the transmission region 124 can also function as a separation region, and therefore the first traveling wave 130 is the same as the second traveling wave 136, thereby helping to synchronize the first and second traveling waves 130, 136 when switching between the capture state / operation mode and the release state / operation mode.

[0075] Figure 7A shows a second set of exemplary waveforms applied to regions 124, 126, and 128 of the SLIM device 104, including the first open state waveforms (open states 1A and 1B), and regions Figure 7B is a schematic block diagram showing exemplary ion motion through 124, 126, and 128. Figure 7B is a schematic block diagram showing a second set of exemplary waveforms, as shown in Figure 7A, with a second open-state waveform.

[0076] As described above, a first traveling wave 130 is applied to the transfer region 124 to transfer ions 132a-c along the propagation axis, for example, the z-axis, to the storage region 126. The first traveling wave 130 can be generated by the controller 108 and can be customized to transfer ions 132a-c, with or without separating them based on their mobility. The transfer region 124 can contain multiple individual electrodes 122a-x from each segmented electrode array 120a-e. For example, the first to eighth individual electrodes 122a-h for all segmented electrode arrays 120a-e can receive the first traveling wave 130 and transfer ions 132a-c to the storage region 126. Since the first traveling wave 130 extends into the storage region 126, the storage region 126 can partially overlap with the transfer region.

[0077] The storage region 126 can have two different states / operating modes, for example, a capture state / operating mode and a release state / operating mode, i.e., it can operate over different periods of time. When in the capture state / operating mode, the first traveling wave 130 can extend into the storage region 126, and the signals applied to the multiple gate / capture electrodes can be switched from the first traveling wave 130 to signals configured to capture ions 132a-c or to prevent ions 132a-c from continuing to propagate. For example, two electrodes can be implemented as gate / capture electrodes, such as the first and second individual electrodes 122a, 122b of each segmented electrode array 120a~e (see Figure 3) in the storage region 126 (for example, the ninth and tenth individual electrodes 122i, 122j in Figure 4), or the seventh and eighth individual electrodes 122g, 122h of each segmented electrode array 120a~e (see Figure 3) in the storage region 126 (for example, the fifteenth and sixteenth individual electrodes 122o, 122p in Figure 4), or the entire array of individual electrodes 122a~h of each segmented electrode array 120a~e (see Figure 3) in the storage region 126 (for example, the ninth to sixteenth individual electrodes 122i~p in Figure 4), which can be implemented as gate / capture electrodes.

[0078] More specifically, the gate / capture electrodes (e.g., the seventh and eighth electrodes 122g, 122h) receive a low DC potential voltage signal 140 from the controller 108 over a first period, thereby creating a potential well (e.g., a DC potential well) with a potential lower than the voltage bias of the first traveling wave 130 and the second traveling wave 142 in the isolation region 128. Thus, the first traveling wave 130 continuously propagates ions 132a-c along the propagation axis, for example, ions supplied from the ionization source 102 to the SLIM device 104, until ions 132a-c reach the gate / capture electrodes 122g, 122h, where ions 132a-c are captured because they can no longer overcome the potential of the second traveling wave 142 in the isolation region 128. Similarly, the continuously circulating first traveling wave 130 prevents ions 132a-c from propagating in the opposite direction, for example, in the negative z-axis direction, and captures ions 132a-c in the low-potential well 140, thereby accumulating ions 132a-c in the accumulation region 126, for example, in the low-potential well 140. This effectively packets out the ions 132a-c, and therefore allows them to be separated collectively in the separation region 128.

[0079] Accordingly, during operation, when in the capture state / operation mode, ions 132a~c can be continuously supplied to the SLIM device 104 until a sufficient number of ions have accumulated in the low-potential well 140 and the storage region 126. As discussed above, whether a sufficient number of ions have accumulated can be determined by whether the space charge limit has been reached. However, since the storage region 126, for example, the low-potential well 140, extends across multiple electrodes, it is possible to create low-potential wells using three or more electrodes and store a larger number of ion charges, thus controlling the trap capacity. Furthermore, if additional capacity is required, for example to increase the sensitivity of the analysis, additional rows can be added to increase the storage capacity per unit length. For example, a sixth segmented electrode array and an eighth continuous RF electrode could be added to the electrode configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4, which should provide additional space for ion storage.

[0080] The gate / capture electrodes 122g and 122h can be switchable electrodes, and therefore, after a sufficient number of ions have accumulated, the signal applied to the gate / capture electrodes 122g and 122h can be switched to an open state. For example, as shown by the open state 1A in Figure 7A, the signal applied to the gate / capture electrodes 122g and 122h can be switched from a low DC potential voltage signal 140 to a gradient DC potential voltage signal 144 (e.g., a DC potential gradient) that travels across the gate / capture electrodes 122g and 122h while decreasing the potential, thereby pushing the accumulated / captured ions 132a-c toward the separation region 128, and thereby releasing the accumulated ions 132a-c into the separation region 128. A second traveling wave 142 can be generated by the controller 108 and applied to the separation region 128, configured to propagate ions 132a-c from the storage region 126 to the separation region 128 for propagation and separation, in conjunction with or synchronous with the gradient DC potential voltage signal 144. The second traveling wave 142 separates ions 132a-c along the z-axis based on their mobility and pushes ions 132a-c in the propagation direction, for example, along the z-axis towards the mass spectrometer 106, for analysis. The separation region 128 can contain multiple individual electrodes 122a-x from each segmented electrode array 120a-e. For example, the 17th-24th individual electrodes 122q-x for all segmented electrode arrays 120a-e (see Figure 4) can receive the second traveling wave 142. Note that the transfer region 124 can also function as a separation region, and therefore the first traveling wave 130 is the same as the second traveling wave 136.

[0081] Alternatively, as shown by the open state 1B in Figure 7A, the second traveling wave 142 can be shifted from the first traveling wave 130, for example, by applying a lower voltage bias to the second traveling wave 142 than that applied to the first traveling wave 130. In this configuration, the DC potential voltage signal 140 can be configured to transition from the voltage bias of the first traveling wave 130 to the voltage bias of the second traveling wave 142, pushing ions 132a to 132c from the accumulation region 126 to the separation region 128 for propagation and separation.

[0082] Instead of implementing a gradient DC potential voltage signal 144 during the open state / mode, the controller 108 can provide a third traveling wave 146 to the gate / capture electrodes 122g, 122h when in the open state / mode, as shown in Figure 7B which shows the second open state waveform. That is, the signal provided to the gate / capture electrodes 122g, 122h can be switched from a low DC potential voltage signal 140 to a third traveling wave 146, which can be configured to cooperate with or synchronize with the first traveling wave 130 and / or the second traveling wave 142, so that when the second traveling wave 142 is applied, it pushes the accumulated / captured ions 132a~c toward the separation region 128 and into the separation region 128. As discussed above, the second traveling wave 142 can be generated by the controller 108 and configured to cooperate with or synchronize with the third traveling wave 146 to transmit ions 132a-c from the storage region 126 to the separation region 128 for propagation and separation.

[0083] In addition, as described in relation to Figure 4, the storage region 126 can be provided with separate sets of continuous electrodes 118a-f and separate sets of guard electrodes 116, which can be controlled individually, and different voltages can be applied to these electrodes by the controller 108. This configuration allows different RF and DC voltages to be applied to the storage region 126. This becomes possible. For example, when the storage region 126 is in a trapping state and therefore receives a low DC potential voltage signal 140, the amplitude of the RF voltage applied to the continuous electrodes 118a~f in the storage region 126 can be reduced to avoid ion excitation, and the DC guard voltage applied to the guard electrode 116 in the storage region 126 can be reduced to match the voltage applied to the individual electrodes 122i~p of the storage region 126, while maintaining a level that ensures ions do not escape from these sides. In addition, when the storage region 126 is switched to an open state, the RF voltage applied to the continuous electrodes 118a~f and the DC guard voltage applied to the guard electrode 116 can be adjusted, which involves changing the voltage signals applied to the individual electrodes 122i~p. For example, if the voltage signals applied to the individual electrodes 122i~p are increased during the open state, the DC guard voltage applied to the guard electrode 116 can be increased to ensure that ions do not escape from the SLIM device 104 side.

[0084] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram showing a third set of exemplary waveforms applied to exemplary regions 124, 126, and 128 of the SLIM device 104, and exemplary ion motion through regions 124, 126, and 128. In particular, Figure 8 demonstrates an implementation example in which opposite traveling waves are used to capture and store ions. As described above, a first traveling wave 130 is applied to the transfer region 124 to transfer ions 132a-c along the propagation axis, e.g., the z-axis, to the storage region 126. The first traveling wave 130 can be generated by the controller 108 and can be customized to transfer ions 132a-c, with or without separating them based on mobility. The transfer region 124 may contain multiple individual electrodes 122a-x from each segmented electrode array 120a-e. For example, the first to eighth individual electrodes 122a to h for all segmented electrode arrays 120a to e can receive the first traveling wave 130 and transmit ions 132a to c to the storage region 126.

[0085] Similarly, a second traveling wave 142 can be applied to the isolation region 128, and the second traveling wave 142 can be generated by the controller 108. The isolation region 128 can contain multiple individual electrodes 122a to x of each segmented electrode array 120a to e. For example, the 17th to 24th individual electrodes 122q to x for all segmented electrode arrays 120a to e (see Figure 4) can receive the second traveling wave 142. Thus, when the first traveling wave 130 ends, the second traveling wave 142 can begin. In this regard, the second traveling wave 142 can have the same waveform as the first traveling wave 130, and therefore these waveforms essentially form a single continuous wave.

[0086] However, the SLIM device 104 can have two different states / operating modes, for example, a capture state / operating mode and a release state / operating mode, i.e., operating over different periods of time. When in the capture state / operating mode, the controller 108 can apply a third traveling wave 148 to the isolation region, for example, the 17th to 24th individual electrodes 122q to x, for a period of time, which travels in the opposite direction to the first traveling wave 130, for example, along the negative z-axis towards the first traveling wave 130. Accordingly, the first traveling wave 130 and the third traveling wave 148 can be opposite waves that intersect in the accumulation region 126. In addition, the third traveling wave 148 can have the same frequency and magnitude as the first traveling wave 130, but propagate in the opposite direction. In this configuration, the individual electrodes 122q~x in the separation region can be switched, and therefore the controller 108 applies a third traveling wave 148 to the individual electrodes 122q~x during the capture state / operation mode and a second traveling wave 142 during the release state / operation mode.

[0087] Therefore, when the SLIM device 104 operates in capture state / operation mode, the first traveling wave 130 causes ions 132a-c to accumulate in the accumulation region 126, for example, the eighth electrode 122h and Ions 132a-c supplied to the SLIM device 104 are continuously transmitted, for example, from the ionization source 102 along the propagation axis until they reach a point between the 9th electrode 122i and the 132a-c storage region 126. Upon reaching this point, the ions 132a-c are stopped by opposing first and third traveling waves 130, 148. Specifically, the first traveling wave 130 pushes the ions 132a-c along the positive z-axis, and the second traveling wave 142 pushes the ions 132a-c in the opposite direction, which is the negative z-axis. Thus, the continuously circulating third traveling wave 148 prevents the ions 132a-c from further propagating across the SLIM device 104 along the z-axis, and the continuously circulating first traveling wave 130 transmits the ions 132a-c to the storage region 126 and then prevents the ions 132a-c from propagating in the opposite direction, for example, the negative z-axis. The opposing first and third traveling waves 130 and 148 prevent ions 132a-c located within the storage region 126 from traveling long distances along the z-axis, thus capturing ions 132a-c and allowing them to accumulate within the storage region 126. This effectively packets the ions 132a-c, allowing them to be separated collectively within the separation region 128.

[0088] Accordingly, during operation, when in capture state / operation mode, ions 132a~c can be continuously fed to the SLIM device 104 until a sufficient number of ions have accumulated in the accumulation region 126, and as discussed above, whether a sufficient number of ions have accumulated can be determined by whether the space charge limit has been reached. Furthermore, if additional capacity is required, for example to increase the sensitivity of the analysis, additional rows can be added to increase the accumulation capacity per unit length. For example, a sixth segmented electrode array and an eighth continuous RF electrode can be added to the electrode configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4, which should provide additional space for ion accumulation.

[0089] As described above, the electrodes 122q~x in the separation region can be switchable electrodes, and therefore, after a sufficient number of ions have accumulated, the signal applied to electrodes 122q~x can be switched to a release state. For example, this signal can be switched from a third traveling wave 148 to a second traveling wave 142 and synchronized with the first traveling wave 130 applied to the transmission region, thereby releasing the accumulated ions 132a~c into the separation region 128. The second traveling wave 136 can be generated by the controller 108 and applied to the separation region 128, separating the ions 132a~c along the z-axis based on their mobility and pushing the ions 132a~c in the propagation direction, for example, towards the mass spectrometer 106 along the z-axis, for detection. It should be noted that the transmission region 124 can also function as a separation region, and therefore the first traveling wave 130 is the same as the second traveling wave 136, thereby helping to synchronize the first and second traveling waves 130 and 136 when switching between the capture state / operation mode and the release state / operation mode.

[0090] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing an exemplary arrangement of transfer regions, storage regions, and separation regions 124, 126, and 128 within the IMS system 100 of the present disclosure for accumulating and separating ions. As shown in Figure 9, the IMS system 100 may include multiple transfer regions 124, storage regions 126, and separation regions 128 to further increase the resolution. Note that alternative arrangements and configurations are also contemplated by the present disclosure. In this regard, note that the different regions 124, 126, and 128 do not need to be arranged linearly. Instead, for example, the transfer region 124 may be arranged orthogonally to the storage regions or separation regions 126, and 128. In addition, gates may be implemented by the present disclosure to control the flow of ions, for example, from the transfer region 124 to the storage region 126 or from the separation region 128 to a second storage region 126.

[0091] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary storage region 150 of the present disclosure, which can be implemented as a storage region 126, for example, in relation to Figures 5 to 9. Please understand that the description of the storage region 126 and its function, including the applied waveform, capture state, and release state, is equally applicable to the storage region 150 shown in Figure 10.

[0092] The storage region 150 includes an inlet section 152, an inlet transition section 154, an ion storage section 156, an outlet transition section 158, and an outlet section 160. As will be discussed in more detail below, each of the sections 150-160 generally includes multiple rows of continuous electrodes 162 and multiple segmented electrode arrays 164, the number of these electrodes may vary between sections 150-160. In this regard, as shown in Figure 10, some of the rows of continuous electrodes 162 and segmented electrode arrays 164 may extend through two or more sections 150-160, and some may extend through all sections 150-160 of the storage region 150. The continuous electrodes 162 may be substantially similar to the continuous electrodes 118a-f illustrated and described in relation to Figures 3 and 4, and the segmented electrode arrays 164 may be substantially similar to the multiple segmented electrode arrays 120a-e illustrated and described in relation to Figures 3 and 4. Similar to the segmented electrode arrays 120a-e, the segmented electrode array 164 may include multiple individual electrodes 122a-h. Note that, for the sake of simplicity, in Figure 10, not all continuous electrodes 162, segmented electrode arrays 164, and individual electrodes 122a-h are indicated by signs; instead, a suitable representative number of elements are indicated by signs.

[0093] The inlet section 152 and the outlet section 160 can each include, for example, six rows of continuous electrodes 118a-f and five segmented electrode arrays 164. However, it should be understood that they can also include more or fewer rows and segmented electrode arrays. The inlet section 152 can be configured to receive ions from another section of the SLIM device 104, and the outlet section 160 can be configured to supply ions to another section of the SLIM device 104. For example, the inlet and outlet sections 152 and 160 can be located adjacent to the transfer region 124, the separation region 128, different storage regions 126, 150, or any other region of the SLIM device 104 to receive ions from or supply ions to that region. Accordingly, the voltage signals applied to the individual electrodes 122a-h of the segmented electrode arrays 164 of the inlet section 152 and the outlet section 160, for example, traveling wave voltage signals, can be coordinated with the voltage signals applied to adjacent sections of the SLIM device 104 to fully integrate and adapt these signals. It is also understood that this disclosure intends to describe at least one embodiment in which, additionally and / or alternatively, the inlet section 152 can also be implemented as an outlet, and additionally and / or alternatively, the outlet section 160 can also be implemented as an inlet. For example, the ion storage section 156 can be implemented not only for storing ions but also as a switching region for selectively guiding ions to the inlet section 152 (used as an outlet) or the outlet section 160.

[0094] The inlet transition section 154 extends from the inlet section 152 to the ion storage section 156, and its width increases as it progresses along the z-axis from the inlet section 152 to the ion storage section 156. Accordingly, the width of the inlet transition section 154 along the y-axis is greater at the position adjacent to the ion storage section 156 than at the position adjacent to the inlet section 152. In addition, the number of rows of continuous electrodes 162 and segmented electrode arrays 164 gradually increases as the width of the inlet transition section 154 widens. Conversely, the outlet transition section 158 tapers and its width decreases as it progresses along the z-axis from the ion storage section 156 to the outlet section 160. Accordingly, the width of the outlet transition section 158 along the y-axis is greater at the position adjacent to the ion storage section 156 than at the position adjacent to the outlet section 160. In addition, the number of rows and segments of continuous electrodes 162 The number of ionized electrode arrays 164 gradually decreases as the width of the exit transition section 158 decreases.

[0095] The storage region 150 is designed such that the ion storage section 156 is wider than the inlet section 152, the outlet section 160, and / or the rest of the path through the SLIM device 104, for example, along the y-axis perpendicular to the ion propagation axis (z-axis in Figure 10). The storage region 150 is also designed so that the inlet transition section 154 and the outlet transition section 158 provide a stepwise transition between the inlet and outlet sections 152, 160 and the storage section 156. Accordingly, the storage section 156 includes more rows of electrodes than the rest of the path through the SLIM device 104, for example, rows of continuous electrodes 162 and segmented electrode arrays 164. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the storage section 156 may include 16 rows of continuous electrodes 162 and 15 segmented electrode arrays 164, while the inlet section 152 and outlet section 160, designed to work in conjunction with the rest of the path through the SLIM device 104, may include 6 rows of continuous electrodes 162 and 5 segmented electrode arrays 164.

[0096] In addition, as explained in relation to Figure 5, the segmented electrode array 164 of the storage section 156 can be divided into multiple groups or segments. For example, each segmented electrode array 164 of the storage section 156 may contain three groups or segments of eight individual electrodes 122a-h (e.g., 24 electrodes). The number of segmented electrode array groups and / or the number of individual electrodes 122a-h per segmented electrode array group can be increased or decreased as needed for the implementation example and experiment. In addition, the individual electrodes 122a-h of the segmented electrode array 164 of the storage section 156 can receive the traveling wave signal independently of the transition sections 154, 158, inlet section 152, and outlet section 160, thereby allowing the traveling wave direction, and therefore the direction of ion travel through the storage section 156, to be switched as needed. It should also be understood that the storage region 150 can operate as illustrated and explained in relation to Figures 6-8.

[0097] Furthermore, each segmented electrode array 164 of the storage section 156 may have one or more gate electrodes 166, for example, an eighth electrode 122h of a third segmented electrode array group, and a signal can be applied to one or more gate electrodes 166 to capture ions 132a-c or prevent ions 132a-c from continuing to propagate in the storage region 150. More specifically, the gate electrodes 166 may receive a high DC voltage signal from the controller 108 and generate a high DC electric field (V / m) to capture ions within the storage section 156 when ions are supplied to the storage section 156 by the inlet section 152, the inlet transition section 154, and the individual electrodes 122a-h preceding the gate electrodes 166. The stored ions are also held laterally, for example, along the y-axis, by DC guard electrodes 168, which are located on the sides of sections 152-160 of the storage region 150 and function according to the guard electrodes 116 illustrated and described in relation to Figures 3 and 4. By increasing the width of the storage section 156, it becomes possible to hold more ions before encountering space charge issues compared to a narrower storage section, such as a storage section 156 that is the same width as the rest of the path through the inlet section 152 or the SLIM device 104.

[0098] After a desired number of ions have been accumulated in the storage section 156, the high DC voltage signal can be removed, and a traveling wave signal can be applied that cooperates with the traveling wave signals applied to the other individual electrodes 122a-h in the storage section 156, as well as the traveling wave signal applied to the outlet transition section 158. After the high DC voltage signal is removed and the traveling wave signal is applied, the ions are energized into the outlet transition section 158.

[0099] As mentioned above, the exit transition section 158 tapers from the ion storage section 156 to the exit section 160. For example, the exit transition section 158 shown in Figure 10 narrows from 31 rows to 11 rows. This taper allows ions to be transferred from the storage section 156 to the exit section 160 while largely avoiding ions reaching the space charge limit and being released due to the space charge effect. In this regard, faster ions, such as those with higher ion mobility, leave the storage section 156 more quickly than slower ions, and are therefore separated as they traverse the exit transition section 158. Accordingly, a larger area is required immediately near the gate electrode 166 to accommodate the accumulated charge of released ions that have not yet been separated at the beginning of the exit transition section 158 and to prevent ions from reaching the space charge limit. However, as ions are separated, the accumulated charge of released ions at a given position along the length of the exit transition section 158 decreases, and thus it becomes possible to gradually reduce the width of the exit transition section 158 to match the width of the exit section 160. In addition, ions are held within the outlet transition section 158 by the DC guard electrode 168, preventing them from exiting laterally, for example, along the y-axis. It should be understood that the length of the outlet transition section 158 and the slope of its tapering can be adjusted according to the number of charges accumulated in the ion storage section 156. For example, the outlet transition section 158 shown in Figure 10 has the length of 16 individual electrodes 122a-h, or two groups of 8 individual electrodes 122a-h, but can also be provided as 8 individual electrodes 122a-h if it is determined that this is sufficient. The outlet section 160 receives ions from the outlet transition section 158 and transfers the ions to another section of the SLIM device 104.

[0100] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary storage region 150 of Figure 10, to which a lateral inlet section 170 is connected. Specifically, in some aspects of the present disclosure, the ion storage section 156 may have an opening on one or both lateral sides, and the lateral inlet section 170 is located adjacent to that opening. The lateral inlet section 170 may be substantially similar to the inlet section 152 and may include a plurality of rows of continuous electrodes 162 containing a plurality of individual electrodes 122a-h and a plurality of segmented electrode arrays 164 (oriented vertically along the y-axis rather than horizontally along the z-axis, as in the inlet section 152). The lateral inlet section 170 is configured to deliver ions directly into the ion storage section 156.

[0101] The ion storage section 156 can be used to store ions and can function according to the above description provided in relation to Figure 10. In particular, the gate electrodes 166a and 166b can receive a high DC voltage signal from the controller 108 and generate a high DC electric field (V / m) to trap ions within the storage section 156 when ions are supplied to the storage section 156 by the lateral inlet section 170. In this regard, the ion storage section 156 may include two sets of gate electrodes 166a and 166b on either side of the ion storage section 156 and can provide a confinement section between the two sets of gate electrodes 166a and 166b.

[0102] After the desired number of ions have been stored in the storage section 156, the ions can be transferred to the exit section 160 or the inlet section 152, and the inlet section 152 can also function as an exit section, provided that a suitable traveling wave is applied to the inlet section 152 and the inlet transition section 154. In particular, when ions are sent to the exit section 160, a high DC voltage signal is removed from the right gate electrode 166b, and a traveling wave signal traveling in the positive direction along the z axis is applied to the individual electrodes 122a~h in the storage section 156, pushing the ions to the exit transition section 158 and then to the exit section 160, where the ions are directed to another path section of the SLIM device 104. Alternatively, when ions are sent to the inlet section 152, the high DC voltage signal is removed from the left gate electrode 166a, and a traveling wave signal propagating in the negative direction along the z axis is applied to individual electrodes 122a~h in the storage section 156, the inlet transition section 154 (functioning similarly to the outlet transition section 158), and the inlet section 152 (functioning similarly to the outlet section 160), pushing the ions to the inlet transition section 154 and then to the inlet section 152, where the ions can be provided to another path section of the SLIM device 104. Accordingly, the ion storage section 156 is independently controllable and can be used to guide ions in different directions. Thus, the storage region 150 can be used not only for storing ions but also as a direction switch. It should also be understood that the storage region 150 can be used as a direction switch that does not initially store ions.

[0103] In addition, it should be understood that the transition sections 154 and 158 can be configured and sized substantially similarly, for example, having the same length and / or slope, or they can have different configurations and / or shapes as shown in Figure 11. For example, the design of the transition sections 154 and 158 can be adjusted specifically based on a desired implementation example, after which the routing section of the SLIM device 104 can be placed.

[0104] Other embodiments are within the scope and spirit of the subject matter disclosed. One or more examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the systems, devices, and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are exemplary embodiments, not limiting, and the scope of this disclosure is defined solely by the claims. Configurations illustrated or described in relation to one exemplary embodiment may also be combined with configurations of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, in this disclosure, components with similar names in embodiments generally have similar configurations and are therefore within the scope of a particular embodiment in which each configuration of such a component is not necessarily fully detailed.

[0105] The subject matter described herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuits, computer software, firmware, or hardware, or combinations thereof, including structural means disclosed herein and its structural equivalents. The subject matter described herein can be implemented as one or more computer program products, such as one or more computer programs tangibly implemented within an information carrier (e.g., a machine-readable storage device), or in propagated signals executed by or for controlling the operation of data processing devices (e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers). A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and can be implemented in any form, including standalone programs or modules, components, subroutines, or other units suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file. A program can be stored in part of a file that holds other programs or data, in a single file dedicated to the program, or in multiple coordinating files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, subprograms, or code portions). Computer programs can be deployed to run on one computer or multiple computers in one location, or they can be deployed to be distributed across multiple locations and interconnected by a communication network.

[0106] The processes and logic flows described herein, including the subject matter method steps described herein, can be executed by one or more programmable processors that execute one or more computer programs to perform the functions of the subject matter described herein by acting on input data and producing outputs. The processes and logic flows can also be executed by special-purpose logic circuits, such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) or ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits), and the devices of the subject matter described herein can be implemented as such special-purpose logic circuits.

[0107] Processors suitable for executing computer programs include, for example, both general-purpose and special-purpose microprocessors, as well as any one or more processors in any type of digital computer. Generally, a processor can receive instructions and data from read-only memory, random-access memory, or both. The basic elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions, and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer may also include one or more mass storage devices for storing data, such as magnetic, magneto-optical, or optical disks, or may be operablely linked to receive data from or transmit data to such storage devices, or both. Information carriers suitable for executing computer program instructions and data include, for example, non-volatile memory, including semiconductor memory devices (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices); magnetic disks (e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks); magneto-optical disks; and all forms of optical disks (e.g., CDs and DVDs). Processors and memory can be supplemented by or incorporated into special-purpose logic circuits.

[0108] To provide user interaction, the subjects described herein can be implemented on a computer having a display device for displaying information to the user, such as a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, and a keyboard and pointing device (e.g., mouse or trackball) on which the user can provide input to the computer. User interaction can also be provided using other types of devices. For example, the feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback), and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, vocal, or tactile input.

[0109] The techniques described herein can be implemented using one or more modules. Herein, the term “module” refers to computing software, firmware, hardware, and / or various combinations thereof. However, at the very least, a module should not be interpreted as hardware, software not implemented on firmware or recorded on non-temporary processor-readable recordable storage media (i.e., a module is not software in itself). In practice, a “module” should always be interpreted as including at least some physical non-temporary hardware, such as a processor or part of a computer. Two different modules may share the same physical hardware (for example, two different modules may use the same processor and network interface). The modules described herein can be integrated, combined, separated, and / or duplicated to accommodate various applications. Furthermore, the functions described herein that are performed in a particular module may be performed in place of, or in addition to, the functions performed in a particular module. Furthermore, a module can be executed in one or more other modules and / or by one or more other devices. Additionally, a module can be implemented across multiple devices and / or other components, local or remote to each other. Moreover, a module can be moved from one device to another and / or contained within both devices.

[0110] The subject matter described herein can be implemented within a computing system that includes backend components (e.g., data servers), middleware components (e.g., application servers), or frontend components (e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or web browser that allows a user to interact with an implementation example of the subject matter described herein), or any combination of such backend, middleware, and frontend components. The components of the system can be interconnected by digital data communications of any form or medium, such as communication networks. Examples of communication networks include local area networks ("LANs") and wide area networks ("WANs"), such as the Internet.

[0111] Throughout the specification and claims, approximate language may be applied to modify quantitative expressions that may vary within acceptable limits without altering the underlying function. Accordingly, values ​​modified by one or more terms such as “approximately” and “substantial” should not be limited to the exact values ​​stated. In at least some cases, approximate language may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure the value. Throughout the specification and claims, limits of range may be combined and / or replaced, and unless otherwise indicated by context or language, such range identifies and includes all subranges contained therein.

Claims

1. A device for ion storage: A first region configured to receive ions and generate a first driving potential configured to guide ions across the first region; It includes a second region which receives ions from the first region and switches between a first state and a second state, generating a first electric field when in the first state and a second electric field when in the second state; Here, the first electric field is configured to accumulate ions in the second region and prevent ions from entering the third region. The second electric field is configured to guide the ions toward the third region, and to separate the ions based on their mobility as they are guided toward the third region. The first electric field is generated, at least in part, by a DC voltage. The first electric field includes a potential well that is at least partly generated by a DC voltage. The first electric field further includes a second driving potential, and the magnitude of the DC voltage is smaller than the DC bias of the second driving potential, thereby creating a potential well. The apparatus comprising a second region including a segmented electrode array extending along the second region, wherein a DC voltage is applied to a first portion of the segmented electrode array, the first portion of the segmented electrode array generating a potential well, and the second portion of the segmented electrode array generating a second driving potential.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first electric field includes a potential well generated by a second drive potential and a DC voltage, the potential well having an effective potential greater than the maximum effective potential of the second drive potential.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second electric field includes a second driving potential, the second driving potential is configured to guide ions toward a third region and separate the ions on a mobility basis as they are guided toward the third region.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second electric field includes at least one traveling wave and a DC potential gradient.

5. The second electric field is the first traveling wave, The third region is configured to receive ions from the second region and generate a second driving potential configured to separate ions based on mobility. The second driving potential is the second traveling wave, The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second traveling wave is synchronized with the first traveling wave when the second region is in the second state.

6. The first region includes a plurality of electrodes that extend across the first region and are configured to generate a first driving potential. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second region includes a segmented electrode array that extends along the second region and generates a first electric field when in a first state and a second electric field when in a second state.

7. Includes controller: The controller is configured to apply a first voltage signal to a plurality of electrodes in a first region, and the plurality of electrodes are configured to generate a first drive potential based on the first voltage signal. The controller is configured to apply a second voltage signal to at least one electrode segment of a segmented electrode array in a second region, and the at least one electrode segment is configured to generate a gate potential of a first electric field based on the second voltage signal. The controller is configured to apply a third voltage signal to at least one electrode segment of a segmented electrode array in a second region, and the at least one electrode segment is configured to generate a second driving potential of a second electric field based on the third voltage signal. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the apparatus is in a first operating mode, the controller applies a second voltage signal to at least one electrode segment of the segmented electrode array to bring a second region to a first state, and when the apparatus is in a second operating mode, the controller applies a third voltage signal to at least one electrode segment of the segmented electrode array to bring a second region to a second state.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second region includes a plurality of rows of radio frequency (RF) electrodes and a plurality of traveling wave (TW) electrode arrays, each of which includes at least three individual electrodes.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first region includes an inlet transition section having a width that increases in the direction of ion propagation.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third region includes an outlet transition section having a width that decreases in the direction of ion propagation.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second region has an opening formed on at least one lateral side, a lateral inlet region connected to the opening, and the lateral inlet region is configured to receive ions and guide the ions across the lateral inlet region to the second region.

12. A method for ion accumulation: Introducing ions into an ion storage apparatus having a first region, a second region, and a third region; To generate a first driving potential within a first region and guide ions across the first region; Transferring ions from the first region to the second region by the driving potential; To generate a first electric field within the second region, thereby accumulating ions in the second region and preventing ions from entering the third region; By utilizing the first electric field, ions are accumulated within the second region; Switching the first electric field generated within the second region to a second electric field; By using the second electric field, the accumulated ions are guided towards the third region; This includes separating ions based on their mobility when they are guided towards a third region using a second electric field, Here, the first electric field is generated at least in part by a DC voltage. The first electric field includes a potential well that is at least partly generated by a DC voltage. The first electric field further includes a second driving potential, and the magnitude of the DC voltage is smaller than the DC bias of the second driving potential, thereby creating a potential well. The method wherein the second region includes a segmented electrode array extending along the second region, and generating a first electric field includes applying a DC voltage to a first portion of the segmented electrode array, the first portion of the segmented electrode array generating a potential well, and the second portion of the segmented electrode array generating a second driving potential.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first electric field includes a potential well generated by a second drive potential and a DC voltage, the potential well having an effective potential greater than the maximum effective potential of the second drive potential.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the second electric field includes a second driving potential, the second driving potential is configured to guide ions toward a third region and separate ions on a mobility basis as they are guided toward the third region.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the second electric field includes at least one traveling wave and a DC potential gradient.

16. Transferring ions from the second region to the third region; To generate a second driving potential within the third region and Includes, The method according to claim 12, wherein the second electric field is a first traveling wave, and the second driving potential is a second traveling wave configured to separate ions based on mobility, and the second traveling wave is synchronized with the first traveling wave.

17. The first region includes a plurality of electrodes that extend across the first region and generate a first driving potential. The method according to claim 12, comprising a segmented electrode array, the second region extending across the second region, generating a first electric field when the second region is in a first state, and generating a second electric field when the second region is in a second state.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the second region comprises a plurality of rows of radio frequency (RF) electrodes and a plurality of traveling wave (TW) electrode arrays, each of the plurality of TW electrode arrays comprising at least three individual electrodes.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein a first region of the apparatus for ion storage includes an inlet transition section having a width that increases in the direction of ion propagation.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein a third region of the apparatus for ion storage includes an outlet transition section having a width that decreases in the direction of ion propagation.

21. The method according to claim 12, wherein a second region of the apparatus for ion storage has an opening formed on at least one lateral side, a lateral inlet region connected to the opening, the lateral inlet region receiving ions and guiding the ions across the lateral inlet region to the second region.

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