Ion Trap Analyzer Electrode Segmentation for Mass Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ion traps face challenges in achieving simultaneous and efficient ion ejection with high mass resolution due to negative high-order fields near the ejection outlet, which detune resonance frequencies and cause random ejection delays.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves limiting the applying range of the alternating excitation voltage to the area near the ion ejection outlet, applying in-phase alternating voltages only on specific electrode parts closest to the outlet, and using inverted or different phase voltages on other parts to enhance the orientation of the alternating electric field, thereby preventing resonance detuning and improving mass resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If alternating excitation voltage is applied on all confining electrode parts, then ion ejection efficiency is improved, but resonance detuning occurs due to negative high-order fields near the ejection outlet causing random ejection delays
Solution Approach 1:
The confining electrode is divided into multiple electrode parts along the ion ejection direction. The patent applies alternating excitation voltage only to electrode parts away from the ejection outlet, while excluding the electrode part near the outlet to avoid resonance detuning caused by negative high-order fields, thus resolving the contradiction between ejection efficiency and mass resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
Different electrode parts are treated differently regarding voltage application. The patent selectively applies alternating excitation voltage to specific electrode parts (those away from the ejection outlet) while excluding others (those near the outlet), creating local differentiation in excitation to prevent resonance detuning while maintaining overall ejection efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If high-voltage adjustments are made to correct field patterns, then mass resolution is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic electrode part near the ejection outlet from the alternating excitation voltage application zone. This eliminates the source of resonance detuning without requiring complex high-voltage adjustments or additional correction circuits, thereby improving mass resolution while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple structural modification (excluding certain electrode parts from voltage application) rather than complex high-voltage adjustment systems. This approach achieves field pattern correction through straightforward electrode configuration changes, reducing both circuit complexity and power consumption compared to high-voltage adjustment methods.
3Speed
If alternating excitation voltage is applied on electrode parts near the ejection outlet, then ion acceleration is enhanced, but resonance frequency detuning occurs causing random ejection delays
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode structure is segmented into multiple parts along the ejection direction, with distinct voltage application strategies for different segments. Electrode parts away from the outlet receive alternating excitation voltage for ion acceleration, while the electrode part near the outlet is excluded to prevent resonance detuning, thus achieving both acceleration and timely ejection without random delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent preemptively excludes the electrode part near the ejection outlet from alternating excitation voltage application to prevent resonance detuning before it can cause random ejection delays. This preliminary protective measure ensures that ions maintain consistent resonance frequency throughout the ejection process, eliminating timing variations while still allowing adequate acceleration from other electrode parts.
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 reduces circuit complexity, power consumption, and ion loss by directly accelerating ions near the ejection outlet, maintaining high vibration amplitudes, and enhancing mass resolution performance without requiring high-voltage adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
resonant excitation of ions by an alternating voltage signal
Implementation Method 2
an alternating electric field is generated in a direction of the ion ejection outlet
Implementation Method 3
a trapping voltage is applied on at least one confining electrode of the multiple confining electrodes, so as to generate a trapping electric field in the ion trap
Implementation Method 4
the multiple confining electrodes enclose an ion trapping space that serves as an ion trap, where a trapping voltage is applied on at least one confining electrode
Data Source
AI summary
An ion trap analyzer, an ion trap mass spectrometry analysis method, and an ion fragmentation method are provided. The ion trap analyzer includes an ion trapping space enclosed by multiple electrodes (101, 102, 103, 11, 12, 214), where a high-frequency voltage is applied on at least a part of the electrodes, so as to generate, within the trapping space, a trapping electric field dominated by a quadratic field. The apparatus is provided with an ion ejection outlet (200) in at least one direction away from the center of the trap; an alternating voltage signal used for resonant excitation of ion motions is overlaid on an electrode part that is on a side of the ion ejection outlet and closest to the ejection outlet, while no voltage signal that is identical in range and phase with the alternating voltage is applied on at least one remaining electrode part in said direction. With the method, or by further applying, to the remaining electrode part in said direction, a voltage signal that is inverted to the alternating voltage, the orientation of an alternating electric field induced by the excitation alternating voltage signal can be limited, thereby improving the resonance ejection efficiency of the ion trap, reducing, in ion motions, motion coupling between an ejection direction and a non-ejection direction, and improving the viability of selecting the ion trap as a mass analyzer.