Mass Spectrometer Ion Frequency Control for High Mass Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mass spectrometry, high resolution and sensitivity are challenging to achieve, especially for high mass ions, as lower mass-to-charge ratio ions tend to have high separability, while higher mass ions' peaks overlap with adjacent ions, degrading resolution across a wide mass-to-charge ratio range.
Innovation Solution
A mass spectrometer system and method that control the ion frequency in proportion to the mass-to-charge ratio by adjusting direct current voltage, radio-frequency voltage, and angular frequency applied to multipole electrodes, increasing ion vibrations for higher mass ions to maintain resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mass spectrometry is performed in the wide mass-to-charge ratio range using conventional scanning methods, then the analysis covers a broad mass range, but the resolution degrades for high mass ions due to peak overlap with adjacent ions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the ion frequency variable rather than constant. The control unit dynamically adjusts the frequency of the radio-frequency voltage applied to the multipole electrode based on the mass-to-charge ratio being analyzed. This dynamic frequency adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal resolution across the entire mass range, preventing peak overlap for high mass ions while preserving the ability to analyze a broad mass-to-charge ratio range.
2Ease of operation
If the mass-to-charge ratio scanning is performed with fixed ion frequency, then the system operation is simple, but high mass ions exhibit peak overlap and reduced separability from adjacent ions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the ion frequency parameter in proportion to the mass-to-charge ratio. The control unit changes the frequency parameter dynamically during the scanning process, increasing the frequency as the mass-to-charge ratio increases. This parameter change ensures that high mass ions maintain adequate separability from adjacent ions, improving mass peak resolution without significantly complicating the overall system operation through automated control.
3Productivity
If conventional mass spectrometry methods are used for high mass ions, then the analysis is straightforward, but sensitivity and resolution are degraded due to overlapping mass peaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback through the control unit that monitors the mass-to-charge ratio being analyzed and automatically adjusts the ion frequency accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the optimal frequency is applied for each mass range, maintaining high resolution and sensitivity for high mass ions. The automated feedback control preserves analysis efficiency by eliminating the need for manual frequency adjustments while significantly improving measurement precision for high mass ions.
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 high-resolution mass spectrometry across a wide mass-to-charge ratio range by increasing ion frequency and vibrations as mass number increases, preventing peak overlap and enhancing sensitivity for high mass ions.
Implementation Method 1
applying a direct current voltage U and a radio-frequency voltage V cos Ωt to a multipole electrode to generate a multipole electric field
Implementation Method 2
performs mass selection and separation of an ion species having a specific mass-to-charge ratio m/z by applying a direct current voltage U and a radio-frequency voltage V cos Ωt to a multipole electrode
Implementation Method 3
an ion frequency of the ion species is increased in proportion to the value of the mass-to-charge ratio m/z of the ion species allowed to pass through the multipole electrode
Implementation Method 4
the control unit controls the mass spectrometry unit such that an ion frequency of the ion species is increased in proportion to the value of the mass-to-charge ratio m/z
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the invention is to provide a mass spectrometer system capable of obtaining a mass spectrum with high resolution as the mass number of an ion becomes higher. In the mass spectrometer system of the invention, a control unit 8 controls a mass spectrometry unit 4 so that a direct current voltage U, an amplitude V of a radio-frequency voltage, and a frequency F of the radio-frequency voltage, which are applied to a quadrupole electrode 13, are increased as a mass-to-charge ratio m/z of an ion of a target for mass spectrometry becomes larger. By controlling in this manner, the ion frequency when the ion passes through the inside of the mass spectrometry unit 4 is increased as the mass number of an ion becomes higher, and therefore, it is possible to obtain the mass spectrum with higher resolution.