Mass Spectrometer Aperture Electrode Angular Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mass spectrometers face issues with ion introduction efficiency due to sonic flow at the first aperture electrode outlet, leading to Mach disk formation and contamination, and orthogonal alignment of AP1 and AP2 axes results in ion loss and reduced sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A mass spectrometer design with a first aperture electrode having regions with different central axis directions, where the second region has no outlets other than to the first and third regions, and the axes of these regions are in an eccentric position, reducing noise component introduction and improving ion transport efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the first aperture electrode outlet and second aperture electrode axis are disposed orthogonally to remove droplets, then noise component removal is improved, but ion introduction efficiency deteriorates due to ion loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from orthogonal arrangement (2D plane) to three-dimensional spatial arrangement where the AP1 outlet and AP2 axis are disposed at an acute angle. This dimensional change allows simultaneous optimization of droplet removal and ion transmission by exploiting the third spatial dimension, achieving both noise reduction and high ion introduction efficiency without the trade-off present in orthogonal configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter from 90-degree orthogonal arrangement to acute angle arrangement (specifically 30-60 degrees). This parameter modification optimizes the balance between droplet deflection and ion transmission, allowing the system to achieve effective noise component removal while maintaining high ion introduction efficiency that was lost in orthogonal configurations
2Device complexity
If the AP1 and AP2 are disposed coaxially to maintain simple structure, then device complexity is reduced, but contamination of aperture electrodes increases due to straight droplet trajectory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric angular arrangement between AP1 outlet and AP2 axis, breaking the symmetric coaxial alignment. This asymmetric configuration creates non-linear ion and droplet trajectories that prevent direct impingement on aperture surfaces, thereby reducing contamination while maintaining structural simplicity through a single angular parameter modification rather than complex multi-component systems
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a member with plurality of holes is disposed between ion source and AP1 to reduce noise introduction, then noise component removal is improved, but the device complexity increases and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the noise removal function from a separate complex component (multi-hole member) and integrates it directly into the aperture electrode structure itself. By combining the aperture function with the noise rejection function in a single integrated component, the system achieves effective noise component removal while eliminating the need for separate maintenance of additional parts, thereby reducing overall device complexity and easing maintenance
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 enhances ion introduction efficiency, reduces noise components, and maintains high sensitivity while allowing for easier maintenance by minimizing contamination and reducing the need for frequent system shutdowns.
Implementation Method 1
an interface, including an entrance cell and a particle discrimination cell, for introducing ions from the ion source to the vacuum chamber... using gas dynamic and electric field conditions
Implementation Method 2
using gas dynamic and electric field conditions to remove undesirable particulates
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to prevent lowering of introduction efficiency of ions and to reduce labor for a cleaning operation. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a mass spectrometer where ion introduction hole of an electrode is divided into a first region, a second region, and a third region, a central axis direction of the ion introduction hole in both or either one of the first region and the third region is different from a flow direction axis of the ion inside the ion introduction hole in the second region, and axes of the ion introduction hole in the first region and the third region are in an eccentric position relationship.