Ion Mobility Spectrometer Field Switching Ion Gate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ion mobility spectrometers face limitations in resolution capability and sensitivity due to the absence of additional electrodes, leading to inefficiencies in ion transfer and potential field interference, which complicates the analysis of samples.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a first additional electrode between the ion gate and the drift chamber to enable extended field switching methods, such as double field switching and extended double field switching, which improves ion packet compression and shielding, thereby enhancing resolution and sensitivity without increasing the device's length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional electrodes are added to improve resolution and sensitivity, then analytical capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A field switching ion gate is introduced as an intermediary component between the ionization chamber and drift chamber. This ion gate uses electric field switching to control ion transfer, replacing what would otherwise require complex additional electrodes for ion packet compression and shielding, thus improving resolution without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically switching electric field parameters (voltage, timing) to achieve different functional states. The field switching ion gate uses controlled voltage changes to compress ion packets and shield against field interference, enhancing measurement precision through parameter optimization rather than structural complexity
2Measurement precision
If drift chamber length is increased to improve resolution, then resolution capability is improved, but device length increases
Solution Approach 1:
Ion packet compression is performed preliminarily in the field switching ion gate before ions enter the drift chamber. By compressing the ion packets in advance using electric field switching, the required drift chamber length for achieving high resolution is reduced, thus improving resolution capability without increasing overall device length
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical extension of the drift chamber with an electric field-based compression mechanism. Instead of lengthening the drift chamber mechanically to improve resolution, electric field switching is used to compress ion packets, achieving high resolution in a more compact configuration
3Ease of manufacture
If field switching ion gate is used to reduce device complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but ion transfer control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The field switching ion gate implements dynamic control of ion transfer through time-dependent voltage switching. The ion gate can dynamically adjust its state (open/closed, compression/shielding) by changing electric field parameters in real-time, maintaining versatile ion transfer control capability while using a simpler structure that is easier to manufacture compared to static multi-electrode systems
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
The additional electrode allows for increased resolution and sensitivity in ion mobility spectrometry by efficiently compressing and shielding ions, allowing for compact and cost-effective construction of the spectrometer while maintaining high analytical performance.
Implementation Method 1
the first ion gate is embodied as a field switching ion gate comprising at least a first counter electrode and a first injection electrode
Implementation Method 2
ions to be transferred into the first drift chamber by means of the first ion gate additionally being able to be influenced by said first additional electrode
Implementation Method 3
ions to be transferred into the first drift chamber by means of the first ion gate additionally being able to be influenced by said first additional electrode
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an ion mobility spectrometer which has at least a first drift chamber and a first switchable ion gate for the controlled transfer of ions into the first drift chamber, wherein: —the first ion gate is designed as a field switching ion gate having at least a first counter electrode and a first injection electrode; wherein—a first ionization chamber is formed between the first counter electrode and the first injection electrode, into which first ionization chamber ions to be analyzed by ion mobility spectrometry can be fed from an ionization source. The invention also relates to an ion mobility spectrometer which has at least a first drift chamber and a first switchable ion gate for the controlled transfer of ions into the first drift chamber and a second drift chamber separated from the first drift chamber and a second switchable ion gate for the controlled transfer of ions into the second drift chamber. The invention also relates to a method for analyzing samples by ion mobility spectrometry by means of an ion mobility spectrometer, e.g. an ion mobility spectrometer of the aforementioned type, wherein by means of an ionization source ions to be analyzed are produced from the sample and are provided in an ionization chamber of the ion mobility spectrometer.