Mobility Selective Attenuation for Ion Mobility Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mass spectrometry techniques face challenges with space charge and saturation effects due to high abundance ions, leading to non-optimum performance and loss of ions, particularly in ion mobility spectrometry, as they cannot control the transfer of high mobility ions effectively and suffer from low duty cycles.
Innovation Solution
A method involving selective attenuation of ions in specific ion mobility and/or drift time ranges using a varying attenuation factor, allowing control over the amount of high mobility ions transferred, and accumulation of attenuated ions to improve resolution and analysis, while avoiding distortion and saturation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high abundance ion species are transmitted to the ion mobility spectrometer, then the ion population is maintained, but saturation of the detector and space charge distortion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes high mobility ions that cause space charge effects and detector saturation from the ion population before they enter the ion mobility spectrometer. This is achieved through selective attenuation mechanisms that identify and eliminate problematic ion species while preserving the rest of the ion population for analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different treatment to different portions of the ion population based on their mobility characteristics. High mobility ions are selectively attenuated or removed, while other ions are transmitted normally. This localized quality control prevents saturation and space charge distortion without compromising the overall ion population.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If all ions above a certain mobility are lost to the system, then space charge effects are reduced, but control over the amount of high mobility ions transferred is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control mechanisms that allow adjustable attenuation of high mobility ions. The system can modulate the degree of attenuation based on experimental requirements, enabling flexible control over the amount of high mobility ions transferred while maintaining reduction of space charge effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters such as ion mobility thresholds and attenuation factors to optimize the balance between reducing space charge effects and maintaining control over ion transfer. By adjusting these parameters, the system can adapt to different experimental conditions and ion populations.
3Loss of substance
If ions are gated into the pre-concentrator for a very short period, then transmission losses are reduced, but radial diffusion causes ions to be lost to the walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary attenuation of high mobility ions before they enter the ion mobility spectrometer. This pre-processing step reduces the likelihood of space charge effects and detector saturation occurring during the subsequent analysis, allowing for more reliable ion retention without extended gating periods.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If numerous transmission losses occur in the pre-concentrator, then high mobility ions are depleted, but the duty cycle decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts high mobility ions causing harmful effects early in the process through selective attenuation, preventing them from causing space charge distortion and detector saturation. This approach achieves effective depletion without the numerous transmission losses associated with traditional pre-concentrator designs, thereby maintaining a higher duty cycle.
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 enhances ion mobility spectrometry performance by controlling ion transfer, reducing space charge issues, and improving resolution, enabling more accurate analysis and increased duty cycle efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
separating a first population of ions according to their ion mobility
Implementation Method 2
accumulation of attenuated ions to improve resolution and analysis
Data Source
AI summary
A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising separating a first population of ions according to their ion mobility and selectively attenuating ions in the first population of ions in one or more ion mobility and/or drift time ranges so as to form a second population of ions. The step of selectively attenuating ions comprises applying a varying, increasing or decreasing attenuation factor to ions in different ion mobility and/or drift time ranges. The method further comprises separating the second population of ions according to their ion mobility.