Cold Electron Beam Ionization Source for Mass Spectrometer Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Time-of-flight mass spectrometers face challenges in achieving high accuracy and miniaturization while maintaining low power consumption, as existing systems struggle with minimizing ionization time differences and efficient ion detection.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a cold electron supply part using a microchannel plate and channeltron electron multiplier, driven by ultraviolet rays, to generate and focus electron beams for ionization, with an ion separation part having a straight tube shape and vacuum environment, enabling precise ion detection and miniaturization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional electron beam ionization is used, then ionization capability is achieved, but ionization time differences increase reducing measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemass measurement accuracyVSAvoidionization time difference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the electron beam from conventional thermal electrons to cold electrons (near absolute zero), which fundamentally alters the electron energy distribution and reduces ionization time differences, thereby improving mass measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pulsed electron beam injection where electrons are injected in periodic pulses rather than continuously, allowing precise timing control and minimizing ionization time differences between ions of different masses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If traditional mass spectrometer design is used, then ion detection capability is achieved, but system size becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests multiple functional components within a compact vacuum chamber, including the microchannel plate, channeltron multiplier, and ion detection region, allowing high-performance ion detection in a minimized system volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a straight tube-shaped ion separation path instead of traditional curved or spiral paths, optimizing the spatial arrangement to achieve effective ion separation with minimal system volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If conventional electron multiplication is used, then electron beam intensity is sufficient, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectron beam intensityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional thermal electron generation and multiplication systems with a microchannel plate-based cold electron multiplication system that uses electric field acceleration instead of thermal processes, achieving high electron beam intensity with lower power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 configuration results in high accuracy and low power consumption, allowing for the miniaturization of time-of-flight mass spectrometers with reduced ionization time differences, enhancing detection precision and reducing system size.

Implementation Method 1

a microchannel plate receiving ultraviolet rays to thereby emit the electron beams

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a channeltron electron multiplier multiplying the electron beams emitted from the microchannel plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectron multiplication: Electron Avalanche

Implementation Method 3

Time-of-flight mass spectrometers can ionize molecules having masses different from each other in a sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectron impact ionization: Electron Impact Desorption

Implementation Method 4

Time-of-flight mass spectrometers can measure masses of ions by using time-of flight of the ions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS10388506B2Time-of-flight mass spectrometer using a cold electron beam as an ionization source

Publication Date: 2019.08.20 KOREA BASIC SCI INST

AI summary

Provided is a time-of-flight mass spectrometer including: an ionization part receiving electron beams to thereby emit ions; a cold electron supply part injecting the electron beams to the ionization part; an ion detection part detecting the ions emitted from the ionization part; and an ion separation part connecting the ionization part and the ion detection part, wherein the cold electron supply part includes a microchannel plate receiving ultraviolet rays to thereby emit the electron beams, the ions emitted from the ionization part pass through the ion separation part to thereby reach the ion detection part, and the ion separation part has a straight tube shape.