Electrostatic Linear Ion Trap Layout for Lower CDMS Measurement Uncertainty
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT) detectors in charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS) face limitations in reducing uncertainties in both ion charge and mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) measurements.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an instrument design for analyzing ions, which includes an ion source, ion processing instruments, and an electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT) with first and second ion mirrors and a charge detection cylinder. The ELIT is configured to trap ions and establish electric fields that reflect ions back through the charge detection cylinder, allowing them to oscillate with a duty cycle of approximately 50%, thereby improving measurement precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the duty cycle of oscillating ions is optimized to approximately 50%, then measurement uncertainties in ion charge and mass-to-charge ratio are reduced, but this requires precise control of ion oscillation parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by optimizing the duty cycle of ion oscillation to approximately 50%. This specific parameter value balances the time ions spend in the detection region versus the time spent traveling between mirrors. By tuning this parameter, the system maximizes measurement precision while maintaining stable oscillation conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamics by allowing ions to oscillate with variable amplitudes and frequencies while maintaining a target duty cycle. The ion mirrors and detection system are designed to accommodate dynamic ion trajectories, where ions can be trapped and released on demand. This dynamic operation enables flexible control over measurement timing and duration.
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 effectively reduces measurement uncertainties in ion charge and mass-to-charge ratio by optimizing the duty cycle of the oscillating ions, leading to more accurate ion mass and charge determinations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one voltage source coupled to the first and second ion mirrors, the at least one voltage source configured to establish electric fields in each of the first and second ion mirrors configured to reflect the trapped at least one ion entering a respective one of the first and second ion mirrors from the charge detection cylinder back through the charge detection cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument for analyzing ions may include an ion source to generate ions, at least one ion processing instrument to process the generated ions by one or both of filtering the ions according to a molecular characteristic and dissociating the ions, and an electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT) to receive and trap ions exiting the at least one ion processing instrument. The ELIT has first and second ion mirrors separated by a charge detection cylinder, and is configured such that trapped ions oscillate back and forth through the charge detection cylinder between the first and second ion mirrors with a duty cycle, corresponding to a ratio of time spent by the trapped ions traversing the charge detection cylinder and total time spent by the trapped ions traversing a combination of the first and second ion mirrors and the charge detection cylinder during one complete oscillation cycle, of approximately 50%.