Mass Spectrometer Electrode Radius Gradient for Ion Trajectory Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mass spectrometry, ion loss occurs due to unstable ion trajectories caused by peak-shaped electrical potential barriers at the entrances of the ion guide and mass spectrometry parts, leading to decreased detection sensitivity, especially for minor components.
Innovation Solution
The mass spectrometer design features rod-shaped electrodes with a larger inscribed circle radius at one end than the other, and tapered electrode shapes to reduce electric field distortion, ensuring stable ion trajectories and improved sensitivity by adjusting voltage applications and electrode configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If rod-shaped electrodes with uniform inscribed circle radius are used in the mass spectrometry part, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but electric field distortion occurs at the entrance causing unstable ion trajectories and ion loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the inscribed circle radius of the rod-shaped electrodes non-uniform along the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the entrance end portion has a different inscribed circle radius than the central portion, creating a gradual transition in the electric field that eliminates the peak-shaped potential barrier at the entrance. This local structural variation stabilizes ion trajectories without significantly complicating the overall electrode fabrication process.
2Reliability
If the inscribed circle radius of electrodes is increased at the entrance portion, then electric field distortion is reduced and ion trajectory stability is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by creating a continuous gradient in the inscribed circle radius along the longitudinal direction of the electrodes. The radius gradually changes from the entrance end portion to the central portion, providing a smooth transition of the electric field that effectively stabilizes ion trajectories. This gradual variation approach balances structural complexity with performance improvement, avoiding abrupt geometric changes while achieving the desired electric field distribution.
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 significantly reduces electric field distortion and ion loss, enhancing ionic permeability and detection sensitivity, enabling high-sensitivity mass spectrometry.
Implementation Method 1
peak-shaped electrical potential barriers are formed at the entrance to an ion guide part and at the entrance to a mass spectrometry part. As electrical potential distributes, distortion of the electric field is generated, the ion trajectory becomes unstable
Implementation Method 2
a mass spectrometer that uses a quadrupole type mass spectrometer is formed from at least four rod-shaped electrodes, in which a DC voltage U and a high-frequency voltage Vqcos (Ωqt+φ0) are applied to the rod-shaped electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
The objective of the presently disclosed subject matter is to provide a mass spectrometer that improves the ionic permeability ratio at the entrance to an ion transport part or the entrance to a mass spectrometry part, and to acquire a high-sensitivity mass spectrum. To reduce the electric-field distortion that is caused by ion loss, electrodes are arranged so that the radius of a circle inscribed within the electrodes of the ion transport part is larger than the radius of a circle inscribed within the electrodes of the mass spectrometry part. The entrance to the electrodes of the mass spectrometry part also can have a tapered, inclined, folded-over, or rounded configuration. Together, these reduce the sharply fluctuating (peak-shaped) distribution of electric potential generated near the entrance to the ion transport part and the entrance to the mass spectrometry part.