Ion Mobility Separation Device with Uniform Field Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ion mobility detectors, achieving high sensitivity, accuracy, and throughput is hindered by the conflict between increasing ion separation capability and throughput, particularly in asymmetric field application-type detectors, where fine tuning of the compensation field increases scan time and decreases measurement efficiency, and parallel electrode arrangements lead to non-uniform ion supply and varying sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves maintaining a constant potential difference between separation electrodes orthogonal to the ion travel and asymmetric field directions, using a voltage control unit to generate equal fields at multiple points, and correcting signal strength through total transmission measurements to ensure uniform ion detection across the detector array.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the compensation field is finely tuned to increase ion separation capability, then ion separation capability is improved, but scan time increases resulting in decreased throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is divided into multiple detection electrodes arranged in the direction orthogonal to both the ion travel direction and the asymmetric field applied direction. Each detection electrode can independently detect ions, allowing parallel measurement of ion signals at different positions. This segmentation enables simultaneous acquisition of separation data without requiring sequential scanning, thereby resolving the contradiction between separation capability and throughput.
2Productivity
If parallel electrode arrangement is used to increase throughput, then throughput is improved, but non-uniform ion supply occurs resulting in varying sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different compensation field values to different detection electrodes based on their positions. By locally adjusting the compensation field at each detection electrode, the system compensates for position-dependent variations in ion supply and sensitivity. This local quality adjustment ensures uniform detection performance across all electrodes while maintaining high throughput through parallel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures ion signals at multiple detection electrodes and uses this feedback information to adjust compensation field values for each electrode. This feedback mechanism enables real-time optimization of sensitivity uniformity across the detector array, resolving the non-uniformity problem while maintaining high throughput.
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 approach enables high accuracy and high throughput in ion mobility separation by maintaining consistent signal strength across detectors, reducing measurement time, and enhancing ion separation capability without compromising sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage control unit that applies an asymmetric time-varying voltage and a direct-current voltage to the pair of flat-plate electrodes; the voltage control unit performs a total transmission measurement involving application of the voltages to the pair of flat-plate electrodes so as to generate equal fields at least at two different points
Implementation Method 2
a pump that causes the ion introduced from the introduction opening of the pair of flat-plate electrodes to travel toward the discharge opening
Data Source
AI summary
An ion mobility separation device includes: an ion source that generates an ion; a pair of flat-plate electrodes having an introduction opening and a discharge opening for the ion generated by the ion source; a pump for causing the ion introduced via the introduction opening of the pair of flat-plate electrodes to travel toward the discharge opening; a voltage control unit that applies an asymmetric time-varying voltage and a direct-current voltage to the pair of flat-plate electrodes; a plurality of detectors disposed in a direction orthogonal to both an ion travel direction due to the pump and an applied direction of the asymmetric time-varying voltage; and a signal processing unit that processes a signal detected by the plurality of detectors. The voltage control unit performs a total transmission measurement involving application of the voltages to the pair of flat-plate electrodes so as to generate equal fields at least at two different points in the direction orthogonal to both the ion travel direction due to the pump and the applied direction of the asymmetric time-varying voltage. Compared to conventional technology, both high accuracy and high throughput are achieved in an asymmetric field application-type ion mobility separation device.