Electrostatic Linear Ion Trap With Offset Trajectories for Multi-Ion CDMS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS) instruments are time-consuming, requiring several hours to analyze samples due to their single-particle analysis approach, which limits the efficiency of ion mass determination and sample analysis duration.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT) with a pair of coaxially aligned ion mirrors and an elongated charge detection cylinder, allowing for the simultaneous trapping and measurement of multiple ions by controlling their trajectories to minimize interactions and optimize oscillation trajectories, either planar or cylindrical, within the ELIT.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single-particle analysis approach is used in CDMS, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming sequential analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the ion beam into multiple spatial channels using a series of ion mirrors and electrostatic deflectors. Each channel can independently trap and analyze ions simultaneously, transforming a single-particle sequential analysis system into a multi-channel parallel analysis system while maintaining measurement precision in each channel
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces spatial dimensionality by creating multiple parallel ion analysis channels along the beam path. By using electrostatic mirrors and deflectors to create angularly separated trajectories, the system analyzes multiple ions simultaneously in different spatial dimensions rather than sequentially in time
2Productivity
If multiple ions are trapped simultaneously in the ELIT, then productivity is improved through parallel analysis, but ion interactions may affect measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates locally isolated analysis regions within the ELIT by using individual oscillation trajectories for each ion. Each ion occupies a distinct spatial region with its own oscillation plane or cylindrical trajectory, minimizing local interactions while enabling global parallel analysis of multiple ions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses angular and radial offset trajectories to separate ions in three-dimensional space. By controlling ions to oscillate in different planes or concentric cylindrical trajectories, the system maintains spatial separation that prevents harmful interactions while allowing simultaneous measurement of multiple ions
3Productivity
If ion trajectories are controlled to be angularly offset planar oscillations, then ion interactions are minimized, but device complexity increases due to trajectory control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a universal set of electrostatic mirrors and deflectors that can control multiple ion trajectories simultaneously. The same hardware components that trap ions also control their oscillation trajectories, eliminating the need for separate trajectory control mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The ELIT structure itself provides trajectory control through its inherent electric field configuration. The ion mirrors and charge detection cylinder automatically generate the electrostatic fields needed to create angularly offset planar or cylindrical oscillation trajectories, without requiring external active control elements
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 significantly reduces sample analysis times by enabling the simultaneous analysis of multiple ions, improving the accuracy and efficiency of ion mass-to-charge ratio and charge measurements, thereby accelerating the mass spectrometry process.
Implementation Method 1
at least one voltage source operatively coupled to the pair of ion mirrors and configured to produce voltages for selectively establishing electric fields therein configured to trap within the ELIT a plurality of ions in the entering beam of separated ions and to cause the plurality of trapped ions to oscillate back and forth between the pair of ion mirrors
Implementation Method 2
a pair of coaxially aligned ion mirrors and an elongated charge detection cylinder disposed therebetween... configured to cause the plurality of trapped ions to oscillate back and forth between the pair of ion mirrors each time passing through the charge detection cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A charge detection mass spectrometer may include an ion source to generate ions, a mass spectrometer to separate the generated ions as a function of ion mass-to-charge ratio to produce beam of separated ions, an electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT) including a charge detection cylinder disposed between a pair of coaxially aligned ion mirrors, and means for controlling a trajectory of the beam of separated ions entering the ELIT to cause the ions subsequently trapped in the ELIT to oscillate therein with different planar ion oscillation trajectories angularly offset from one another about the longitudinal axis with each extending along and crossing the longitudinal axis in each of the ion mirrors or with different cylindrical ion oscillation trajectories radially offset from one another about the longitudinal axis to form nested cylindrical trajectories each extending along the longitudinal axis.