Ion Trap Force-Balanced Separation for Duty Cycle and Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass and ion mobility spectrometry techniques face challenges in achieving high resolution and efficient duty cycle due to limitations in ion filtering and mobility separation, particularly in handling ions with varying physicochemical properties.
Innovation Solution
The method involves trapping ions in an ion trap, spatially separating them based on physicochemical properties, and selectively ejecting ions from specific regions to improve filtering and mobility separation, enhancing resolution and duty cycle by using a combination of AC and DC potentials and gas flow to control ion distribution and ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ions are stored in an ion trap and then pulsed into a discontinuous ion analyser, then the duty cycle is improved, but the resolution of ion mobility measurements deteriorates due to temporal separation of ions with different charge states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary spatial separation of ions by charge state in the ion trap before pulsing them into the analyser. This pre-separation ensures that ions of the same charge state are grouped together spatially, so when they are pulsed into the discontinuous analyser, they maintain their charge state grouping and do not suffer from temporal separation effects, thus preserving resolution while improving duty cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from temporal separation (single dimension) to spatial separation (another dimension). By separating ions based on their charge state in space within the ion trap before analysis, the system avoids the resolution loss that occurs when ions are separated only in time, allowing both high duty cycle and high resolution to be achieved
2Measurement precision
If the electrical field or drift path length is increased to improve ion mobility separation resolution, then the resolution improves, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary spatial separation of ions by charge state in the ion trap before they enter the drift region. This pre-separation reduces the burden on the ion mobility separator, allowing it to operate at lower electrical fields and with simpler configurations while still achieving high resolution measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the ion analysis process into two segments: spatial separation by charge state in the ion trap, and then ion mobility separation in the drift region. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing the complexity requirements of the ion mobility separator while maintaining high overall resolution
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 allows for precise filtering and increased resolution in ion mobility measurements and improved duty cycle in mass spectrometry, minimizing space-charge effects and enabling the analysis of a broad range of physicochemical properties without degrading instrument performance.
Implementation Method 1
spatially separating the ions within the ion trap according to a physicochemical property
Implementation Method 2
applying AC or RF voltages to said electrodes so as to generate a pseudo-potential electric field that urges ions in a first direction
Implementation Method 3
applying DC voltages to said electrodes so as to generate a DC electric field that urges ions in a second direction opposite to the first direction
Implementation Method 4
pumping gas through the ion trap so as to urge ions in a second direction opposite to the first direction
Implementation Method 5
The first and second forces may be counterbalanced at different locations within the ion trap for ions having different physicochemical property values, such that different ions are trapped at said different regions
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed comprising: trapping ions in an ion trap (40); applying a first force on the ions within the ion trap in a first direction, said force having a magnitude that is dependent upon the value of a physicochemical property of the ions; applying a second force on these ions in the opposite direction so that the ions separate according to the physicochemical property value as a result of the first and second forces; and then pulsing or driving ions out of one or more regions of the ion trap.