Ion Guiding Device with Tapered Electrodes for Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ion guiding devices have complex electrode structures and circuit connections, making them difficult to machine and assemble, and they often suffer from low ion transmission efficiency and long ion dwell times due to the absence of an axial driving electric field.
Innovation Solution
An ion guiding device with two sets of electrodes extending along a space axis, featuring a gradually reduced cross-sectional area in a direction perpendicular to the axis, utilizing a voltage gradient applied perpendicular to the axis to create an axial voltage gradient for ion transmission, and employing radio-frequency and DC voltages to control ion movement, with a simple structure that can be conveniently machined and expanded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a quadrupole rod is used for ion guiding, then ion beam compression effect is improved, but ion acceptance area and ion transmission efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ion guiding device is divided into multiple functional sections: a quadrupole rod section for ion beam compression and a multipole rod section for ion acceptance and transmission. This segmentation allows each section to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between compression effect and transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the quadrupole rod structure and multipole rod structure into a single integrated ion guiding device. The quadrupole section provides beam compression while the multipole section provides large acceptance area and high transmission efficiency, merging the advantages of both structures to simultaneously achieve compression and high transmission
2Productivity
If a multipole rod is used for ion guiding, then ion acceptance area and ion transmission efficiency are improved, but ion beam compression effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ion guiding device is segmented into distinct functional zones: the quadrupole rod portion handles beam compression while the multipole rod portion handles ion acceptance and transmission. This spatial segmentation allows the multipole section to maximize transmission efficiency without sacrificing compression capability in the quadrupole section
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges quadrupole and multipole rod structures in series within a single ion guiding device, allowing the system to achieve both high ion acceptance area and strong ion beam compression effect simultaneously, rather than having to choose one structure type
3Reliability
If no axial driving electric field is applied, then ion guiding stability is improved, but ion transmission speed is reduced due to longer dwell time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different voltage conditions to different sections of the ion guiding device: RF voltages are applied to maintain stability and confinement in the guiding sections, while a specific voltage gradient is applied in the transmission section to accelerate ions. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of stability and speed
Solution Approach 2:
The ion guiding device dynamically adjusts voltage conditions along its length, transitioning from pure RF confinement fields to fields with axial voltage gradients. This dynamic voltage distribution allows ions to be confined stably during guiding while being accelerated during transmission, resolving the contradiction between stability and speed
4Productivity
If ring electrodes with tapered opening are stacked axially to form ion funnel, then ion acceptance area and ion transmission efficiency are improved, but device complexity and machining difficulty are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple rod electrodes into a single integrated ion guiding device with unified structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate stacked ring electrodes and complex axial voltage dividing circuits, reducing device complexity while maintaining high ion transmission efficiency through the combined quadrupole-multipole structure
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated ion guiding device performs multiple functions simultaneously: ion acceptance, radial confinement, axial guiding, and ion beam compression. This multi-functionality in a single structure eliminates the need for separate components like stacked ring electrodes, simplifying the overall device while achieving high transmission efficiency
5Speed
If rod electrodes with changed cross section area are used to establish axial driving electric field, then ion transmission speed is improved, but device complexity is increased due to auxiliary electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the axial driving function into the main rod electrode structure itself by applying voltage gradients along the length of the quadrupole and multipole rods. This eliminates the need for separate auxiliary electrodes, achieving ion acceleration while maintaining structural simplicity
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 solution enables efficient ion transmission and compression, simplifies the electrode shape and structure, and reduces the instrument's volume while improving the signal-to-noise ratio and resolution in mass spectrometry applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first power supply device for applying radio-frequency voltages on at least a part of electrodes in the two sets of electrodes to confine ions in the ion transmission channel in at least one direction perpendicular to the space axis
Implementation Method 2
a second power supply device for applying voltage signals on at least a part of electrodes in the two sets of electrodes to form a voltage distribution in a direction of the space axis to realize ion transmission along the space axis
Implementation Method 3
the ion channel has a cross sectional area gradually reduced axially in a plane perpendicular to the axis... a radial multipole field and a axial electric field are formed in the ion funnel structure to achieve axial transmission and radial compression of ions
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an ion guiding device, including two sets of electrodes extending along a certain space axis, a first power supply device and a second power supply device. The electrodes are expandably arranged along a direction perpendicular to the space axis, at least one surface of each electrode in each set of electrodes is substantially on the same space plane, and the space planes for each set of electrodes are not same and not parallel, thereby forming an ion transmission channel having the cross sectional area gradually reduced in a direction perpendicular to the space axis; the first power supply device is used for applying radio-frequency voltages on at least a part of electrodes in the two sets of electrodes; and the second power supply device is used for applying voltage signals on at least a part of electrodes in the two sets of electrodes.