Ion Source with Funnel and Multiple Ionization Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ion sources for mass spectrometry face inefficiencies in ionization, particularly affecting analytes with varying polarity and species, and are prone to charge competition and ion suppression effects.
Innovation Solution
An ion source comprising an ion funnel and multiple ionization devices, such as photoionization or electron ionization devices, that ionize neutral analyte molecules within the funnel, utilizing electromagnetic radiation or electrons to achieve high ion capture and transfer efficiency, while minimizing charge-related issues through controlled electric fields and gas dynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional ionization systems are used, then ionization can be achieved, but ionization efficiency is poor and affected by analyte polarity and species
Solution Approach 1:
The ionization device is designed to provide universal ionization capability across different analyte types (polar and non-polar) through a single device configuration using electromagnetic radiation, eliminating the need for multiple ionization systems and achieving species-independent ionization efficiency
2Quantity of substance
If conventional ion sources are used, then ion production is achieved, but charge competition and ion suppression effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The ion funnel acts as an intermediary structure with controlled electric fields that guides ions from the ionization device to the detector while minimizing interactions that cause charge competition and ion suppression effects, thereby improving reliability of ion production across different analyte concentrations
3Productivity
If ion capture efficiency is increased, then more ions are detected, but ion suppression from solvent or buffer gas molecules may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ion funnel provides locally optimized electric field conditions within its structure that preferentially guide analyte ions while allowing solvent or buffer gas ions to be excluded or neutralized, achieving high ion capture efficiency for analytes without proportional increase in ion suppression effects
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 solution provides enhanced ionization efficiency, immune to charge competition, with improved ion capture and transfer, and preferential ionization of analytes over solvent or buffer gas molecules, resulting in higher quality mass spectral data.
Implementation Method 1
an ionization device configured to ionize the neutral analyte molecules in the ion funnel
Implementation Method 2
photoionization or electron ionization devices, that ionize neutral analyte molecules within the funnel, utilizing electromagnetic radiation or electrons
Implementation Method 3
guiding the analyte ions to a second end of the ion funnel
Data Source
AI summary
Ion sources for use in mass spectrometry (MS) systems are described. The ion sources each comprise an ion funnel and an ionization source configured to ionize neutral analyte molecules.