Gridless TOF Mass Reflector for Higher Mass Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Time-of-flight mass spectrometers with two-stage grid reflectors face limitations in mass resolution due to ion scattering and losses at the grids, which restricts their performance and practicality.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an additional reflector with a two-dimensional logarithmic potential component and an octopole potential component, which allows for higher-order energy focusing and improved mass resolution without increasing ion flight times or device dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a two-stage grid reflector is used to achieve energy focusing and improve mass resolution, then mass resolution is improved, but ion scattering and losses at the grids increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the grids from the reflector structure entirely, extracting the problematic component that causes ion scattering and losses. The gridless reflector uses only electrode surfaces to generate the necessary electric fields for energy focusing, eliminating the physical obstacles that ions must pass through while maintaining the mass resolution improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical grid structure with an electric field-based system. Instead of using physical grids to create field regions, the invention uses carefully positioned electrodes that generate the required electric fields without requiring ions to physically pass through grid openings, thereby eliminating scattering losses while preserving energy focusing capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If the number of reflector stages is increased to improve energy focusing, then mass resolution is improved, but ion scattering and losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the grids that cause ion losses while retaining the multi-stage reflector configuration. By removing the physical barriers (grids) from each stage, the system can maintain multiple reflection stages for improved energy focusing without the penalty of increased ion scattering and losses that would occur at additional grid interfaces.
3Volume of moving object
If grid reflectors are used to achieve compact design, then device dimensions are reduced, but ion scattering at grids increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the grids that cause ion scattering while preserving the compact reflector design. The gridless structure eliminates the harmful scattering effect at grid surfaces while maintaining the space-efficient configuration through careful electrode positioning and field shaping.
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 achieves higher mass resolution at the same accelerating voltage, enabling a more compact design while maintaining or improving ion transmission and focusing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an additional reflector (230), whose potential has, at least in a subregion, a two-dimensional logarithmic potential component and a two-dimensional octopole potential component
Implementation Method 2
The electric field of the first stage of a two-stage grid reflector typically has a higher field strength than the electric field of the second stage. The ions pass through the first stage and are decelerated there
Implementation Method 3
a pulsed acceleration region
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides (a) a time-of-flight mass spectrometer with an acceleration region, a single-stage or multi-stage reflector, and an ion detector, further comprising an additional reflector whose potential has, at least in a subregion, a two-dimensional logarithmic potential component and a two-dimensional octopole potential component, and (b) methods for operating the time-of-flight mass spectrometer.