Ion Trap Switching Section Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The drift in ion-ejection time due to temperature changes in the switching element of digital ion traps affects the accuracy of mass spectrometric analysis, requiring cumbersome mass calibration for different measurement modes.
Innovation Solution
An ion trap device with a temperature controller for the switching section, using a ceramic heatsink and silicon carbide semiconductor switching elements, maintains the switching section at a constant temperature, reducing temperature fluctuations and eliminating the need for mass calibration across varying analysis conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the frequency of rectangular voltage is increased from standby state to analysis state, then ion capture capability is improved, but temperature of switching element increases causing drift in ion-ejection time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the switching element during standby state to reach a target temperature before analysis begins. This preliminary action prevents temperature drift when analysis starts, ensuring stable ion-ejection timing without sacrificing the high frequency needed for proper ion capture.
Solution Approach 2:
A temperature sensor monitors the switching element temperature and feeds this information back to a controller that adjusts the heating power. This feedback loop maintains the switching element at a stable target temperature, preventing the temperature-induced drift in ion-ejection time that would otherwise occur when transitioning from standby to analysis state.
2Productivity
If high frequency rectangular voltage is applied during analysis, then mass spectrometric analysis capability is improved, but temperature fluctuation causes need for mass calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates a heating mechanism during standby state to pre-heat the switching element to a target temperature before analysis begins. This preliminary heating action ensures that when high-frequency voltage is applied for analysis, the switching element temperature remains stable, eliminating the need for mass calibration across different measurement modes.
Solution Approach 2:
A temperature sensor continuously monitors the switching element temperature and provides feedback to a controller that adjusts heating power accordingly. This feedback control maintains constant temperature during analysis, preventing the temperature fluctuations that would otherwise require cumbersome mass calibration procedures for different analysis conditions.
3Force
If rectangular voltage amplitude is increased, then ion confinement capability is improved, but electric discharge between electrodes occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the conventional sinusoidal radio-frequency voltage with a digitally generated rectangular voltage. This substitution allows precise control of voltage amplitude and frequency through digital means, enabling strong ion confinement forces while avoiding the voltage amplitude conditions that would cause electric discharge between electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the waveform parameter from sinusoidal to rectangular and independently controls the amplitude and frequency parameters. This parameter change enables the application of high voltage amplitudes for effective ion confinement while maintaining frequency levels that prevent electric discharge, a capability not available with conventional sinusoidal waveforms where amplitude and frequency are coupled.
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 stabilizes the ion-ejection time and maintains high mass resolution and accuracy without the need for mass calibration, even under different analysis conditions, enhancing the precision of mass spectrometric analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a ring electrode (21) about which a rectangular voltage is applied at a predetermined frequency so as to generate, within a space surrounded by the ring electrode (21) and the end-cap electrodes (22, 24), a radio-frequency electric field for confining ions by the radio-frequency electric field while oscillating the ions
Implementation Method 2
a first heatsink (93a) connected to the first switching element (45) and a second heatsink (93b) connected to the second switching element (46)
Implementation Method 3
a first heater (94a) and a first temperature sensor (95a) provided in the first heatsink (93a) and a second heater (94b) and a second temperature sensor (95b) provided in the second heatsink (93b)
Data Source
AI summary
An ion trap includes: an ion trap including a plurality of electrodes; a rectangular voltage generator including a voltage source for generating a direct voltage and a switching section, the rectangular voltage generator configured to operate the switching section to generate a rectangular voltage by switching the direct voltage generated by the voltage source and to apply the rectangular voltage to at least one of the plurality of electrodes; and a switching section temperature controller configured to control a temperature of the switching section so as to maintain the temperature of the switching section at a target temperature which is higher than a highest reaching temperature of the switching section.