Microwave Resonator Ion Manipulation for Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturizing mass spectrometers and ion confinement devices while maintaining ion stability and reducing aberrations in ion beams is challenging due to the need for increased RF voltage frequency, which complicates mechanical construction and space charge capacity.
Innovation Solution
The use of a microwave resonator construction that supports transverse electromagnetic (TEM) modes and generates a high-frequency AC or RF voltage with a standing wave between electrodes, allowing for miniaturization and efficient ion manipulation by creating effective potential wells for ion confinement and guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the geometric scale of the device is reduced, then the device size is miniaturized, but the RF voltage frequency must be increased correspondingly to maintain ion stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using a microwave resonator to generate standing waves at frequencies of 1-100 GHz, allowing the device to operate at much higher frequencies than conventional RF ion guides while maintaining a compact size. This parameter change enables miniaturization without the proportional increase in frequency that would otherwise be required
2Stability of the object's composition
If the RF voltage frequency is increased to maintain ion stability in miniaturized devices, then ion confinement is maintained, but the effective potential generated decreases due to inverse proportionality to the square of frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by using standing waves generated in a microwave resonator, which create oscillating electric fields that periodically confine ions. The standing wave pattern establishes fixed nodes and antinodes that provide stable periodic confinement, allowing ions to be trapped in potential wells formed by the oscillating field
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions in the electromagnetic field by generating standing waves with specific phase relationships between forward and reflected waves. The phase coherence of the standing wave pattern creates stable potential wells that confine ions, effectively transitioning the field from a traveling wave to a stationary pattern with fixed confinement regions
3Volume of moving object
If conventional RF ion guides are miniaturized, then device size is reduced, but mechanical construction becomes complex due to the need for individual voltage connections to adjacent optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple electrode functions into a single resonator structure. Instead of requiring individual voltage connections to multiple discrete electrodes, the microwave resonator generates the confining fields through its standing wave pattern, eliminating the need for complex electrode arrays and individual voltage connections while maintaining effective ion confinement
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 enables the creation of smaller, more efficient ion manipulation devices with reduced phase space volume, improving resolution and stability of ion beams, and allowing for higher frequency operations without the inefficiencies of discrete components.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic standing wave is generated between said electrodes
Implementation Method 2
generate an electromagnetic field that couples to said electrodes in use
Implementation Method 3
an electric field from the standing wave penetrates and enters the ion receiving region, in use, for urging said ions away from the one or more apertures
Implementation Method 4
creates an array of effective potential barriers or wells corresponding to the pitch of the mesh
Data Source
AI summary
An ion manipulation device is disclosed comprising: an ion receiving region (30) for receiving ions; a pair of electrodes (14,16) adjacent the ion receiving region (30); and an AC or RF voltage supply (18) arranged to apply an AC or RF voltage to said electrodes (14,16), or arranged and configured to generate an electromagnetic field that couples to said electrodes (14,16) in use, such that an electromagnetic standing wave (24) is generated between said electrodes (14,16). A first of the electrodes (14) comprises one or more apertures through which an electric field from the standing wave (24) penetrates and enters the ion receiving region (30), in use, for urging said ions away from the one or more apertures.