Micro Discharge Device With Dielectric Barrier For Low Voltage Ionization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional micro discharge devices have high dead-volume issues, are not durable due to the lack of barriers between discharge and electrodes, and produce low-intensity emissions in helium or air carrier gases at low voltages, making them inefficient for high-efficiency chromatography.
Innovation Solution
A micro discharge device with a sample introduction capillary and a high dielectric constant cylinder, featuring a thin dielectric barrier between electrodes, allows for low voltage discharges in various carrier gases, with an optical emission collector aligned to maximize emission capture and reduce dead volume, creating a self-contained discharge region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a minimum discharge region is used in prior art MDD detectors, then the device structure is simplified, but the dead-volume before the emission region becomes unacceptably large, reducing chromatography efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge region is nested within the emission region, with the discharge occurring inside a cylindrical chamber that is itself part of the emission path. This nested configuration allows the discharge volume to be contained within the emission region, eliminating dead-volume while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a linear discharge path to a three-dimensional cylindrical discharge region. By utilizing the vertical dimension with the cylindrical chamber configuration, the discharge occurs in a volumetric space that overlaps with the emission path, eliminating the linear dead-volume problem while keeping the device structurally simple.
2Device complexity
If no barrier is provided between discharge and electrodes in prior art devices, then the device structure is simplified, but the electrodes suffer from degradation, reducing device durability
Solution Approach 1:
A thin dielectric film or coating is applied to the electrode surfaces to provide a protective barrier. This thin film layer prevents direct contact between the discharge plasma and the electrode material, reducing electrode degradation while adding minimal structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure is made composite by combining a conductive base material with a dielectric coating layer. This composite structure maintains the electrical conductivity needed for discharge while the dielectric layer provides protection against plasma-induced degradation, enhancing durability without significantly increasing complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If low voltage is used in prior art MDD detectors with helium or air carrier gases, then energy consumption is reduced, but the emission intensity becomes moderate to low, reducing detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The electric field is concentrated locally at the discharge point within the cylindrical chamber, creating a high-intensity discharge zone. This localized field concentration allows low overall operating voltage while maintaining high emission intensity at the discharge region, improving detection sensitivity without increasing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the discharge region, specifically using a cylindrical chamber configuration with optimized dimensions. This parameter change increases the electric field strength at the discharge point, enabling high emission intensity at low operating voltages for helium and air carrier gases.
4Illumination intensity
If high electric field strength is achieved in prior art devices, then discharge intensity is improved, but very high operating voltages are required, causing durability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the discharge region, specifically using a cylindrical chamber with optimized radius and length. This parameter change increases the electric field strength at the discharge point for a given voltage, allowing high discharge signal intensity without requiring very high operating voltages, thus improving device durability.
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
The solution enables high-intensity discharges at low operating voltages, reducing electrode degradation and increasing emission capture efficiency, allowing for sensitive detection of gases with minimal noise interference, enhancing the performance of gas chromatography systems.
Implementation Method 1
A micro discharge device with a sample introduction capillary and a high dielectric constant cylinder, featuring a thin dielectric barrier between electrodes
Implementation Method 2
An optical emission collector, which can be provided in the form of a fiber optic cable, can be located through the flow manifold to a receiving location near the high voltage electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A micro discharge device (MDD) capable of low voltage discharges in a variety of carrier gases for detection and/or ionization includes a sample introduction capillary having a first open end connected to a gas system and a second open end connected to a cylinder comprising a high dielectric constant material. A high voltage electrode can be placed in close proximity to the outer diameter of the cylinder and at a close linear distance to the second open end of the sample introduction capillary. A region can be formed inside the cylinder between the second end of the sample introduction capillary and the high voltage electrode wherein discharge can be located. An optical emission collector can be located through the flow manifold to a receiving location near the high voltage electrode within a region from inside the cylinder between the high voltage electrode and the manifold.