Mass Spectrometer Ion Introduction Opening Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional small mass spectrometers face issues with reduced detection sensitivity and maintainability due to the small ion introduction opening, which leads to ion loss and clogging, necessitating frequent maintenance and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
Increasing the area of the ion introduction opening while optimizing the pressure in the first intermediate vacuum chamber to maximize ion intensity, using a larger opening area and adjusting the evacuation speed of the vacuum pump to maintain performance and reduce the size of the mass spectrometer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the ion introduction opening is made small in diameter to reduce vacuum pump capacity, then the device size is reduced, but ion introduction efficiency decreases and ions are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the ion introduction opening by increasing its area to 0.071 mm² or more (conventional is 0.3 mm φ or less), and optimizes the pressure in the first intermediate vacuum chamber to within 15-40 mm²·Pa (product of opening area and pressure). This parameter optimization allows efficient ion introduction while maintaining compact device size and reduced vacuum pump capacity.
2Volume of moving object
If the ion introduction opening is made small in diameter to reduce device size, then the vacuum pump capacity is reduced, but the opening becomes clogged by sample droplets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the opening area to 0.071 mm² or more and controls the pressure product within 15-40 mm²·Pa, which prevents sample droplet clogging while maintaining compact device size. This parameter optimization ensures reliable operation and reduced maintenance frequency.
3Productivity
If the opening area is increased to improve ion introduction, then the vacuum pump capacity must be increased, but this increases device size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the pressure in the first intermediate vacuum chamber to control the product of opening area and pressure within 15-40 mm²·Pa. This allows using a larger opening area (0.071 mm² or more) for efficient ion introduction while maintaining a compact device with reduced vacuum pump capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the pressure in the first intermediate vacuum chamber to optimize the product of opening area and pressure. This dynamic pressure control enables the system to maintain efficient ion introduction through a larger opening while keeping the vacuum pump capacity and device size reduced.
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 downsizing of the mass spectrometer while maintaining high ion intensity and detection sensitivity, reducing the risk of clogging, and improving maintainability, enabling efficient use of smaller vacuum pumps and compact device installation.
Implementation Method 1
an atmospheric pressure ion source utilizing an ionization method such as electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), or atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) in order to ionize a component in a liquid sample
Implementation Method 2
an atmospheric pressure ion source utilizing an ionization method such as electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), or atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) in order to ionize a component in a liquid sample
Implementation Method 3
an atmospheric pressure ion source utilizing an ionization method such as electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), or atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) in order to ionize a component in a liquid sample
Implementation Method 4
an ion guide disposed in the first intermediate vacuum chamber and configured to transport ions while converging them by an action of a high-frequency electric field
Implementation Method 5
a mass separator disposed in the analysis chamber and configured to separate an ion in accordance with its mass-to-charge ratio
Implementation Method 6
a first intermediate vacuum chamber disposed in a next stage of the atmospheric pressure ion source and evacuated by a first vacuum pump
Data Source
AI summary
A single type quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an ion source by the ESI method, which is a small device including a vacuum pump having a relatively small evacuation speed. The internal diameter of a desolvation tube for introducing ions from an ionization chamber into a first intermediate vacuum chamber is set to 0.4 mm φ, which is large for a small mass spectrometer. The evacuation speed of a rotary pump is determined so that the product of the cross-sectional opening area of the desolvation tube and the pressure in the first intermediate vacuum chamber falls within a range of 15 to 40 mm2·Pa. This can ensure high detection sensitivity and reduce clogging of the desolvation tube due to droplets. Since the pressure in the first intermediate vacuum chamber does not need to be increased more than necessary, a small rotary pump having a small evacuation speed can be used.