Charge Detection Mass Spectrometry With Real-Time Single-Ion Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS) systems face challenges with high uncertainty in mass-to-charge and charge measurements, and conventional single-particle approaches require offline analysis, making it difficult to determine whether ion trapping events are empty or contain multiple ions in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A CDMS system with an electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT) that allows for real-time control and measurement of ion charge, mass-to-charge, and mass, using ion mirrors and a charge detection cylinder to trap and oscillate ions, enabling multiple measurements and real-time analysis of ion measurement events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional single-particle CDMS approach is used, then each ion can be measured individually, but it requires offline analysis and cannot determine in real-time whether ion trapping events are empty or contain multiple ions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by implementing real-time analysis of ion measurement events as they occur during ion trapping. The processor analyzes charge detection signals immediately when ions pass through the detection region, rather than waiting for offline processing. This allows the system to determine whether trapping events are empty or contain multiple ions during the measurement process itself, eliminating the time delay between measurement and analysis.
2Productivity
If ion signal intensity is increased to reduce empty trapping events, then more ions are detected, but multiple ions may be trapped simultaneously increasing measurement uncertainty
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by using real-time analysis of charge detection signals to determine the number of ions in each trapping event. When multiple ions are detected in a single trapping event, the system can identify this condition immediately and take corrective actions, such as adjusting ion source parameters or excluding multiple-ion events from analysis. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain high ion detection rates while preserving measurement precision by identifying and managing multiple-ion trapping events.
3Measurement precision
If multiple passes through charge detection cylinder are implemented, then measurement precision improves with n1/2, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrostatic linear ion trap structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it confines ions in the radial direction using electric fields from cylindrical electrodes, allows ions to oscillate along the axial direction between end caps, and enables repeated passes through the charge detection region. This multi-functional design achieves the benefit of multiple measurements per ion without requiring separate components for each function, thereby improving measurement precision while limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
This approach reduces uncertainty in charge measurements and allows for real-time analysis of ion events, improving the efficiency and accuracy of mass spectrometry by determining whether single or multiple ions are trapped, thereby optimizing ion trapping events.
Implementation Method 1
ions are made to oscillate back and forth through a charge detection cylinder
Implementation Method 2
electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT) detector in which ions are made to oscillate
Implementation Method 3
Multiple passes of ions through such a charge detection cylinder provides for multiple measurements for each ion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4C
AI summary
A charge detection mass spectrometer may include an electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT) or an orbitrap, an ion source to supply ions thereto, at least one amplifier operatively coupled to the ELIT or orbitrap, a processor coupled to ELIT or orbitrap and to the amplifier(s), and processor programmed to control the ELIT or orbitrap as part of a trapping event to attempt to trap therein a single ion supplied by the ion source, to record ion measurement information based on output signals produced by the amplifier(s) over a duration of the trapping event, to determine, based on the measurement information, whether the control of the ELIT or orbitrap resulted in trapping of a single ion, no ion or multiple ions, and to compute an ion mass or mass-to-charge ratio from the measurement information only if a single ion was trapped during the trapping event.