Dual-Ceramic Ion Optical Element for Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ion optical elements in mass spectrometry face challenges in maintaining uniform temperature and electrical resistivity for efficient ion guidance and separation, particularly in high-pressure environments where collisions with background gas affect ion mobility and fragmentation processes.
Innovation Solution
The use of a dual-ceramic tube structure where a high thermal conductivity inner ceramic tube is in close contact with a high electrical resistivity outer ceramic tube, allowing for uniform heating and resistivity reduction, enabling efficient ion guidance and separation by maintaining a stable electric field within the ion optical element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single ceramic tube is used, then the structure is simple, but uniform temperature distribution and electrical resistivity control are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The single ceramic tube is segmented into two concentric ceramic tubes with different material properties. The inner tube provides thermal conduction for uniform heating, while the outer tube provides electrical insulation. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing different functions to different segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite ceramic materials with different properties for the inner and outer tubes. The inner ceramic material has high thermal conductivity for uniform temperature distribution, while the outer ceramic material has high electrical resistivity for electrical insulation. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of temperature uniformity and electrical control.
2Reliability
If high electrical resistivity material is used for the tube, then electrical insulation is improved, but thermal conductivity decreases affecting temperature uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The tube structure is segmented into inner and outer layers, each optimized for its specific function. The inner layer uses material with high thermal conductivity for temperature uniformity, while the outer layer uses material with high electrical resistivity for insulation. This functional segmentation resolves the material property contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tube structure are assigned different material qualities suited to their local function. The inner tube region requires high thermal conductivity, while the outer tube region requires high electrical resistivity. This local optimization allows each region to perform its specific function effectively.
3Temperature
If uniform heating is applied, then temperature distribution is improved, but electrical field stability is affected by resistivity variations
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is segmented into inner and outer ceramic tubes with specialized properties. The inner tube's high thermal conductivity ensures uniform temperature distribution from the heating element, while the outer tube's high electrical resistivity maintains stable electric field conditions by preventing current leakage and resistivity variations.
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 ensures uniform temperature distribution and resistivity reduction, enhancing ion mobility and fragmentation analysis by maintaining a stable electric field, improving the accuracy and efficiency of mass spectrometry processes.
Implementation Method 1
The first ceramic tube is in close thermal contact with the second ceramic tube, such that when the second ceramic tube is heated to an elevated temperature, the first ceramic tube is also heated to that elevated temperature, because both the first ceramic tube and the second tube are made of materials that are good thermal conductors.
Implementation Method 2
The room temperature electrical resistivity of the second ceramic material is at least two orders of magnitude higher than the room temperature electrical resistivity of the first ceramic material.
Data Source
AI summary
An ion optical element that may be used as an ion guide in a mass spectrometer, as a reflectron in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, as an ion mobility drift tube in an ion mobility spectrometer, or as a collision cell or reaction cell in a mass spectrometer. The ion optical element has an inner tube made of a first ceramic material within an outer ceramic tube made of a second ceramic material. The electrical resistivity of the second ceramic material is two orders of magnitude or more higher than the electrical resistivity of the first ceramic material. In certain embodiments, the thermal conductivity of the second ceramic material is at least about an order of magnitude higher than the thermal conductivity of the first ceramic material.