Continuous Helical Ion Guide for Mass Spectrometers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mass spectrometers face challenges in efficiently transmitting ions through ion guides due to discontinuities in RF fields and geometric mismatches, leading to ion loss and reduced gas conductance.
Innovation Solution
A mass spectrometer design featuring a continuous ion guide with helically wound electrodes, transitioning from a section with variable radial diameter to one with constant radial diameter, ensuring uninterrupted RF confining fields and enhanced gas conductance, produced using methods such as winding or extrusion techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If discontinuous RF fields are used in ion guides, then device complexity is reduced, but ion transmission efficiency deteriorates due to ion loss at discontinuities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuous helically wound electrodes that generate uninterrupted RF fields along the ion guide axis. This eliminates discontinuities in the confining field that would otherwise cause ion loss, while the helical configuration maintains relatively simple device construction. The continuous nature of the electrodes ensures consistent ion confinement throughout the transition section.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical winding of electrodes creates a curved, three-dimensional configuration that provides continuous radial confinement of ions. The helical shape allows the electrodes to wrap around the ion beam path, maintaining confining fields in all radial directions while progressing continuously along the axial direction, thus eliminating field discontinuities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ion guide transitions between different pressure regimes, then mass spectrometer functionality is improved, but gas conductance deteriorates due to geometric mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a transition section with specifically tailored variable radial diameter that is optimized for the pressure transition zone. This local modification allows the ion guide to adapt to different pressure regimes at the transition point while maintaining optimal gas conductance, without requiring changes to the entire ion guide structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial diameter of the ion guide is varied continuously along the transition section to optimize gas conductance during pressure regime changes. By adjusting this geometric parameter locally in the transition zone, the system maintains efficient gas flow and ion transmission across different pressure conditions.
3Manufacturing precision
If helically wound electrodes with variable radial diameter are used, then ion beam collimation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helical winding provides a natural three-dimensional curve that achieves ion beam collimation through continuous radial confinement. The helical geometry inherently creates the desired field distribution for collimation while being manufacturable using standard winding techniques, avoiding the need for complex precision machining of variable diameter components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs winding or extrusion techniques that are analogous to pneumatic and hydraulic forming methods. These techniques allow the electrodes to be shaped into the desired helical configuration with variable radial diameter through controlled material deposition or forming processes, simplifying manufacturing while achieving precise geometric requirements for ion beam collimation.
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 design facilitates unhindered ion propagation and increased gas conductance, reducing ion losses and enabling efficient transmission across different pressure regimes without detectable losses, while maintaining geometric acceptance and collimation of the ion beam.
Implementation Method 1
an ion guide with a plurality of electrodes that are supplied with a radio frequency voltage to radially confine ions
Implementation Method 2
the electrodes extend from the first section to the second section continuously, ensuring uninterrupted RF confining fields
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mass spectrometer, comprising an ion guide having a plurality of electrodes that are supplied with a radio frequency voltage to facilitate radial confinement of ions in an internal volume defined by inward facing surfaces of the electrodes, the internal volume including a first section having a variable radial diameter along a longitudinal axis of the ion guide, in which the electrodes are helically wound, and an adjacent second section having a substantially constant radial diameter along the longitudinal axis, wherein the electrodes extend from the first section to the second section continuously. The continuous nature of the ion guide electrodes facilitates in particular unhindered axial propagation of ions through the assembly and prevents ion losses during their transmission through different compartments of the mass spectrometer.