Microengineered Multipole Ion Guide Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multipole ion guides face challenges in secure and accurate mounting with independent electrical connections, especially as the field radius decreases or the number of rods increases, affecting ion confinement and transmission efficiency in mass spectrometer systems.
Innovation Solution
A microengineered multipole rod assembly is fabricated using microengineering principles, with rods mounted on precision substrates and connected via conductive tracks, allowing for accurate alignment and electrical isolation, enabling the use of hexapole and octupole configurations that require reduced rf amplitudes and can operate at higher pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional machining techniques are used to construct multipole ion guides with drilled and tapped rods held against ceramic supports, then the mounting arrangement can be securely assembled, but the alignment accuracy and electrical connection reliability deteriorate as the field radius decreases and the number of rods increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical machining techniques with microfabrication processes. The rods are precisely positioned using microengineered mounting structures fabricated through semiconductor-style processes, eliminating the need for drilled and tapped holes and retaining screws. This substitution enables accurate alignment and reliable electrical connections even as the field radius decreases and rod count increases.
2Volume of moving object
If the field radius is decreased to reduce the size of mass spectrometer components, then the overall system size is reduced, but the ability to provide secure mounting and accurate alignment with independent electrical connections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ion guide into modular components - individual rods mounted on separate microfabricated supports with independent electrical connections. Each rod can be precisely positioned and electrically connected independently, allowing the overall structure to be miniaturized while maintaining manufacturing precision. The segmented approach enables scalable configurations (quadrupole, hexapole, octupole) without compromising alignment accuracy.
3Reliability
If conventional wire loop electrical connections are used straddling alternate rods, then electrical connections can be made between rods, but the reliability of independent electrical connections deteriorates as the number of rods increases and field radius decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wire loop electrical connections with direct microfabricated electrical contacts. Each rod is electrically connected through integrated contact structures formed during the microfabrication process, providing reliable independent electrical connections without the mechanical complexity of wire loops. This substitution ensures consistent electrical connectivity even as the number of rods increases and the field radius decreases.
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 microengineered ion guide system reduces the overall size of mass spectrometer components, increases the range of accessible pressures, and allows for smaller pumps, enhancing ion confinement and transmission efficiency while minimizing electrical discharge risks.
Implementation Method 1
a microengineered multipole rod assembly (145) comprising a plurality of rods (530) arranged circumferentially about an ion beam axis (535)... the rods collectively generating an electric field that confines the trajectories of the ions
Implementation Method 2
Ions created at atmospheric pressure are generally transferred to high vacuum for mass analysis using one or more stages of differential pumping. These intermediate stages are used to pump away most of the gas load.
Data Source
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AI summary
A microengineered multipole rod assembly for use as an ion guide for use in miniature mass spectrometer systems is described. Exemplary methods of mounting rods in hexapole, octupole, and other multipole geometries are described. The rods forming the ion guide are supported by etched silicon structures provided on first and second substrates.