Time of Flight Mass Analyser Electrode Gap Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mass spectrometers require complex electronics and many different electrical potentials to achieve desired potential profiles, making it difficult to accurately manufacture and control the electric fields, especially for higher order functions and pulsed electric fields.
Innovation Solution
A time of flight mass analyser design featuring a continuous outer electrode and inner electrodes spaced with varying gaps along the length, allowing for the generation of a desired axial electric field by adjusting the positions and lengths of the gaps, thereby simplifying the control of the electrical potential profile without needing many different electrical potentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional devices use multiple discrete electrodes with different voltages to achieve desired potential profiles, then the electric field manipulation capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous electrode is segmented into multiple sections along its length, with each section having a different gap width. This segmentation allows different voltage regions to be created along the electrode, enabling complex potential profiles while maintaining a single continuous electrode structure rather than multiple discrete electrodes
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the continuous electrode have different local properties (gap widths) that are optimized for specific functions. The gap width varies along the length of the electrode to create different electric field strengths in different regions, allowing the electrode to perform multiple functions along its length
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple capacitors with different capacitances are used to maintain desired potential profiles, then the electric field control is improved, but the manufacturing accuracy and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple capacitors with different capacitance values, the invention changes the geometric parameter (gap width) of a single capacitor structure. The gap width between the continuous electrode and the opposing electrode is varied along the length to create different electric field strengths, eliminating the need for multiple capacitors with precisely controlled different capacitances
3Reliability
If electrodes are spaced closely to support bulk electric fields, then the field support capability is improved, but the number of electrodes and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple discrete electrodes are merged into a single continuous electrode structure. The continuous electrode spans the entire length and maintains the electric field through its continuous presence, eliminating the need for multiple separate electrodes while still providing adequate field support
4Manufacturing precision
If discrete electrodes with precise voltage control are used for pulsed fields, then the field control accuracy is improved, but the electronics complexity and tolerance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor structure is made dynamically adjustable through the variable gap width. By changing the gap width along the electrode length, the electric field distribution can be dynamically optimized for different operating conditions including pulsed operations, without requiring complex electronic control circuits for multiple discrete electrodes
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 design simplifies the manufacturing and control of electric fields, enabling the creation of non-linear axial potential profiles and efficient ion manipulation, reducing the complexity of electronics and improving the accuracy of the electric field, particularly suitable for pulsed operations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one outer electrode that extends continuously along at least a portion of the length of the time of flight region; a first voltage supply connected to said outer electrode for supplying a first voltage to the outer electrode in use; at least one set of a plurality of inner electrodes or inner electrode portions arranged between the outer electrode and said longitudinal axis along which the ions travel in use
Data Source
AI summary
A device for manipulating charged particles using an axial electric field as they travel along a longitudinal axis of the device is disclosed. The method comprises providing an outer electrode for generating an electric field and providing a plurality of inner electrodes that are separated by gaps of different lengths. The electric field generated by the outer electrode penetrates the gaps between the inner electrodes and the gaps are selected such that the desired potential profile is arranged along the longitudinal axis in order to manipulate the charged particles in the desired manner.