Bent PCB Ion Guide for Contamination and Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ion guides in mass spectrometers are expensive and require complex alignment, and they fail to effectively remove neutral species and large ion clusters, leading to contamination and noise in downstream components.
Innovation Solution
An ion guide comprising bent printed circuit boards (PCBs) with conductive electrodes and an orifice, generating an electromagnetic field to guide target ions while allowing neutral species and large ion clusters to exit through the orifice, using RF and DC voltages to manage ion trajectories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional ion guides (stacked ion rings or ion funnels) are used to remove neutral species and large ion clusters, then contamination and noise are reduced, but device complexity and cost increase due to complex holding and alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with a simplified structure where the ion guide is directly coupled to the orifice plate, eliminating the need for complex holding and alignment jigs while maintaining effective removal of neutral species and large ion clusters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the ion guide and orifice plate into a single integrated assembly, where the ion guide is directly coupled to the orifice plate, simplifying the overall structure and reducing alignment complexity while maintaining contamination removal effectiveness
2Productivity
If conventional ion guides are used to guide ions, then ion transmission is achieved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical holding and alignment systems with a simplified direct-coupling design, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining ion transmission efficiency through the ion guide and orifice plate assembly
3Ease of manufacture
If the ion guide structure is simplified to reduce cost and complexity, then manufacturing becomes easier, but the ability to remove neutral species and large ion clusters may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful neutral species and large ion clusters from the ion beam through a strategically positioned orifice in the orifice plate, allowing the simplified ion guide structure to effectively remove contaminants while maintaining ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice plate acts as an intermediary element between the ion guide and downstream components, enabling the simplified ion guide structure to remove neutral species and large ion clusters effectively while maintaining ease of manufacture
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively separates target ions from neutral species and large ion clusters, reducing contamination and noise in downstream components, and simplifies the alignment process, potentially lowering costs.
Implementation Method 1
said first and second plurality of electrodes being configured for application of RF and/or DC voltages thereto for generating an electromagnetic field within the passageway
Implementation Method 2
The two surfaces are shaped such that the passageway comprises an upstream section having an inlet for receiving an ion beam and a downstream section that is offset relative to the upstream section such that one or more target ions in the ion beam travel from the upstream section to the downstream section
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, an ion guide for use in a mass spectrometer is disclosed, which comprises a first plurality of conductive electrodes disposed on a first surface, a second plurality of conductive electrodes disposed on a second surface, wherein the two surfaces are positioned relative to one another and shaped so as to provide a passageway having an inlet for receiving an ion beam and an outlet through which target ions of interest exit the passageway. The ion guide further includes an orifice formed in at least one of those surfaces through which neutral species and/or large ion clusters, when present in the ion beam, exit the ion guide.