Interdigitated Faraday Collector Grid for Ion Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ion mobility spectrometers face inefficiencies in detecting both positive and negative ions simultaneously, requiring large electric fields that complicate other components of the detector system.
Innovation Solution
A Faraday collector with interdigitated wires, charged with positive and negative potentials, separates charged particles into distinct streams for simultaneous detection, utilizing a grid of fine wires to attract or repel ions based on charge, allowing for efficient separation and collection of both ion types without impacting upstream or downstream system components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large electric fields are used to detect both positive and negative ions simultaneously, then detection efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collector is segmented into multiple interdigitated wires with alternating positive and negative potentials, creating distinct collection regions for positive and negative ions. This segmentation allows simultaneous detection of both ion types while using moderate electric fields, avoiding the need for large electric fields that would complicate the overall detector system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the collector have different electric field polarities (positive and negative), creating local quality variations that enable selective attraction of positive and negative ions to different wire sets. This local differentiation allows efficient simultaneous detection without requiring uniformly large electric fields throughout the entire system.
2Manufacturing precision
If micro machined fine electrode grids are used for gating devices, then gating precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The micro machined fine wire grid structure serves multiple functions: it acts as both the gating device for ion selection and the Faraday collector for ion detection. By making the grid multi-functional, the patent achieves high gating precision and effective ion collection without requiring separate complex manufacturing processes for different components.
Solution Approach 2:
The fine wire grid structure automatically provides both gating and collection functions through its inherent geometric and electrical properties. The interdigitated configuration self-organizes to create the necessary electric field patterns for both ion gating and subsequent collection, reducing the need for additional complex manufacturing steps.
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
Enables efficient detection of both positive and negative ions using a moderate electric field, simplifying the detector system and reducing complexity, while maintaining sensitivity and manufacturability through micro-machined silicon construction.
Implementation Method 1
a first plurality of wires charged with a positive potential and a second plurality of wires charged with a negative potential to separate particles in the gas stream into the positive and negative streams
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting particles in a gas stream comprises a Faraday collector separating charged particles into positive and negative streams to be detected. The Faraday collector includes a plurality of interdigitated wires, with a first plurality of wires charged with a positive potential and a second plurality of wires charged with a negative potential to separate particles in the gas stream into the positive and negative streams.