Ion Reflector Rectangular Opening Isochronism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ion reflectors with non-uniform electric fields face challenges in achieving high isochronism due to non-ideal potential distributions for ions off the central axis, leading to reduced mass-resolving power, especially when combined with linear ion traps that eject ions orthogonally, causing significant spatial spread and deterioration of isochronism.
Innovation Solution
A time-of-flight mass spectrometer design featuring a linear ion trap, a time-of-flight mass analyzer with a non-uniform electric field ion reflector, and a detector arrangement where the ion reflector's rectangular or slit-like openings are aligned with the direction of ion spread, ensuring that ejected ions follow paths within an area of ideal potential distribution, thereby improving isochronism and mass-resolving power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a non-uniform electric field ion reflector is used to improve isochronism for ions on the central axis, then mass-resolving power is improved, but isochronism deteriorates for ions off the central axis due to non-ideal potential distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different electric field characteristics in different spatial regions. The ion reflector has a non-uniform electric field optimized for ions on the central axis (improving their isochronism) while the curved flight path configuration ensures ions off-axis also experience favorable potential distributions at critical points, achieving local optimization for different ion trajectories
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from considering only one-dimensional motion along the central axis to three-dimensional ion trajectories. By accounting for ions ejected in multiple directions from the linear ion trap and their curved flight paths through the reflector, the design optimizes the potential distribution in three-dimensional space rather than just along a single axis
2Productivity
If ions are ejected orthogonally from a linear ion trap, then analysis sensitivity is improved by analyzing a large amount of ions, but spatial spread increases causing deterioration of isochronism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the spatial spread problem by moving from one-dimensional linear flight paths to three-dimensional curved trajectories. The ion reflector configuration creates curved flight paths that allow ions ejected in different directions to converge or pass through regions of ideal potential distribution, effectively utilizing spatial dimensions to maintain isochronism despite initial spread
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies equipotentiality by designing the ion reflector to create regions of ideal potential distribution that ions can pass through during their curved flight. By ensuring ions experience favorable potential conditions at critical points in their trajectories, the system maintains isochronism for ions that started with different positions and velocities
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 allows for high analysis sensitivity and mass-resolving power by ensuring a large amount of ions are analyzed with improved isochronism, even when spatially spread, resulting in enhanced mass spectrometric analysis capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an ion reflector which reflects ions
Implementation Method 2
the reflecting field is formed by two stages of uniform electric fields
Implementation Method 3
a time-of-flight mass analyzer which separates ions ejected from the ion trap according to their mass-to-charge ratios
Implementation Method 4
Ion traps which employ radiofrequency electric fields can be divided into two major types: a three-dimensional quadrupole ion trap and a linear ion trap
Data Source
AI summary
An ion reflector has a configuration in which multiple plate electrodes having a rectangular opening are arranged. The components are arranged so that a central axial line extending in the longitudinal direction of the opening lies on a plane which contains a straight line (Y-axis) connecting the centroidal position of an ion distribution in an ion trap and a central position on the detection surface of a detector, and a central axial line (X-axis) of an ion-ejecting direction. If the potential distribution along the central axis of the ion reflector is modified so that a portion of the reflecting field becomes a non-uniform electric field intended for improving isochronism for a group of ions to be detected, an area having an ideal potential distribution for realizing the isochronism is spread in the Y-axis direction.