Multi-reflecting TOF Mass Analyser with Gridless Ion Mirrors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry systems face limitations in achieving high mass resolving power due to constraints on peak width reduction and mass range limitations in multi-reflecting systems, particularly with fixed injection angles and lens-based designs that restrict flexibility and ion beam divergence.
Innovation Solution
A multi-reflecting TOF mass analyser with gridless ion mirrors and an additional ion mirror in the drift direction for orthogonal energy focusing, allowing adjustable reflections and extended flight time without mass range limitations, using electrostatically controllable deflector means to manage ion trajectories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple reflections are used to extend flight path, then mass resolving power is improved, but mass range is limited due to overlapping of mass sub-ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The injection angle is made variable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of the number of reflections. This enables the system to adapt between high-resolution mode (more reflections) and wide mass range mode (fewer reflections), resolving the contradiction between mass resolving power and mass range coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the injection angle parameter to control ion trajectory and number of reflections. By adjusting this parameter, the system can optimize performance for different mass ranges while maintaining high resolving power, eliminating the fixed mass range limitation of prior art
2Stability of the object's composition
If lenses are used to focus ion beam in multi-reflecting systems, then beam stability is improved, but device complexity increases and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the lens components from the ion optical system entirely, replacing them with electrostatically controllable deflectors. This extraction of unnecessary components simplifies the device while maintaining beam stability through active control, directly resolving the contradiction between beam stability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Physical lens components are replaced with electrostatic field-based deflectors. This substitution eliminates mechanical complexity while achieving beam control through electrical fields, reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving beam stability and flexibility
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed injection angle is used in multi-reflecting systems, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The injection angle is designed to be variable rather than fixed, allowing the system to adapt to different analytical requirements. This dynamic capability is achieved through electrostatic control mechanisms that can adjust the angle without complex mechanical structures, maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The variable injection angle mechanism enables the single device to perform multiple functions: high-resolution analysis with many reflections, wide mass range analysis with fewer reflections, and adaptation to different ion beam conditions. This multi-functionality is achieved without requiring multiple specialized devices, maintaining manufacturing simplicity
4Ease of operation
If pulsed voltage is used to release ions from multi-reflecting system, then ion beam control is improved, but mass range is limited and operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ion release mechanism uses dynamic adjustment of injection angle rather than pulsed voltage release. This allows continuous control of ion trajectories and enables the entire mass range to be analyzed without the overlapping limitations of pulsed release methods, while maintaining ease of operation through electrostatic control
Solution Approach 2:
Ions are pre-deflected onto the folded trajectory at a controlled angle before entering the reflection region, rather than being released by pulsed voltage after accumulation. This preliminary action enables better mass range coverage and reduces operational complexity by eliminating the need for synchronized pulsed release timing
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 enhances mass resolving power by eliminating mass range limitations and reducing ion loss, enabling flexible adjustment of reflections and maintaining beam stability, thus improving the accuracy of mass analysis without the need for pulsed voltage manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
two, parallel, gridless ion mirrors each having an elongated structure in a drift direction, said ion mirrors providing a folded ion path formed by multiple reflections of ions
Implementation Method 2
a further gridless ion mirror for reflecting ions in said drift direction, whereby, in operation, ions are spatially separated according to mass-to-charge ratio
Implementation Method 3
ions are spatially separated according to mass-to-charge ratio due to their different flight times along the folded ion path
Implementation Method 4
ions having substantially the same mass-to-charge ratio are subjected to energy focusing with respect to said flight direction and said drift direction
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-reflecting TOF mass analyser has two parallel, gridless ion mirrors each having an elongated structure in a drift direction (Z). These ion mirrors provide a folded ion path formed by multiple reflections of ions in a flight direction (X), orthogonal to the drift direction (Z). The analyser also has a further gridless ion mirror for reflecting ions in the drift direction (Z). In operation ions are spatially separated according to mass-to-charge ratio due to their different flight times along the folded ion path and ions having substantially the same mass-to-charge ratio are subjected to energy focusing with respect to the flight and drift directions.