Ion Trap Electrode Switching With Dummy Capacitance Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

In ion trap devices, fluctuations in capacitance and induced magnetic fields due to changes in electrode connections cause inaccuracies in ion movement and phase shifting, particularly when multiple electrodes are driven by a single signal line, affecting the precision and control of ion movement.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a switching device with a capacitance arrangement and a dummy capacitance arrangement, connected to ground, that maintains a consistent capacitance and current flow by selectively connecting signal lines to either the electrode or dummy capacitance, reducing changes in capacitance and magnetic fields.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electrodes are selectively connected to signal lines to control ion movement, then ion positioning flexibility is improved, but capacitance fluctuations and induced magnetic fields cause phase shifting and reduce control precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion positioning flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A dummy capacitance arrangement is introduced as an intermediary element. When the switching arrangement disconnects an electrode from a signal line, the signal line remains connected to the dummy capacitance arrangement, which mimics the electrical characteristics of the disconnected electrode. This intermediary maintains consistent total capacitance and current flow patterns, preventing capacitance fluctuations and induced magnetic field changes that would otherwise cause phase shifting and reduce control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the electrical parameters (capacitance value) of the dummy capacitance arrangement to match those of the connected electrode. By adjusting the dummy capacitance to have substantially the same capacitance as the electrode it replaces, the system maintains identical electrical characteristics during switching operations, thereby eliminating capacitance fluctuations and their harmful effects on control precision while preserving ion positioning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If multiple electrodes are driven by a single signal line, then device complexity is reduced, but capacitance changes during switching cause magnetic field fluctuations and phase shifting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmagnetic field fluctuations
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy capacitance arrangement serves as an intermediary that maintains consistent electrical characteristics when electrodes are switched. By keeping the total capacitance constant during switching operations, it prevents current flow changes that would induce magnetic field fluctuations, thereby eliminating phase shifting while allowing multiple electrodes to be driven by a single signal line without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of electrode disconnection (capacitance change) into a beneficial outcome by introducing the dummy capacitance arrangement. This arrangement ensures that the capacitance change is compensated, transforming what would be a source of magnetic field fluctuations and phase shifting into a stable electrical environment that maintains control precision even when multiple electrodes share a single signal line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If electrodes are disconnected from signal lines to reconfigure ion trapping, then ion movement control is improved, but capacitance fluctuations cause voltage instability and E-field variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion movement controlVSAvoidvoltage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy capacitance arrangement acts as an intermediary that maintains voltage stability during electrode reconfiguration. When an electrode is disconnected from a signal line, the signal line remains connected to the dummy capacitance, which has been designed to match the electrical characteristics of the disconnected electrode. This intermediary connection prevents total capacitance fluctuations, thereby maintaining stable voltage application and consistent electric fields during ion movement reconfiguration operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the capacitance parameter of the dummy capacitance arrangement to match that of the disconnected electrode. By setting the dummy capacitance value equal to the electrode capacitance, the total capacitance seen by the signal line remains constant during switching, preventing voltage instability and electric field variations while still allowing flexible ion movement control through electrode reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ensures stable voltage application and consistent magnetic fields, enhancing the precision and accuracy of ion movement and control in ion trap devices, especially when handling large numbers of electrodes.

Implementation Method 1

fluctuations in capacitance and induced magnetic fields due to changes in electrode connections cause inaccuracies in ion movement and phase shifting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4597376B1Switching devices and arrangements for an electrode of an ion trap device
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 INFINEON TECH AUSTRIA AG
  • EP4597376B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4597376B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4597376B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A mechanism for maintaining a capacitance seen by one or more signal lines of an ion trap device. For each controllable connection between a signal line and an electrode of the ion trap device, a switching device or switching arrangement selectively couples the signal line to a capacitance for the electrode or to a dummy capacitance, to thereby maintain a similar output capacitance for the signal line.