Multi-Turn Time-of-Flight Mass Analyzer with Orthogonal Sectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Time of Flight mass analyzers have limited mass resolving power due to practical difficulties in lengthening the flight path without increasing the instrument's size and cost, and they struggle with maintaining ion packet focus and preventing ions with different mass-to-charge ratios from overtaking each other, leading to poor mass spectrum determination.
Innovation Solution
A compact Time of Flight mass analyzer with a long flight path is designed using two orthogonal 180° electric sectors, which are subdivided into segments to maintain ion focus and prevent radial divergence, allowing for multiple orbits while using quadrupole rod sets for higher-order focusing and minimizing peak width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the flight path is lengthened to increase mass resolution, then the mass resolving power is improved, but the instrument size and cost increase prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of another dimension by folding the flight path into a two-dimensional plane using orthogonal electric sectors. Instead of extending the flight path linearly in one dimension, the ion beam is guided through multiple 180-degree deflections in perpendicular planes, effectively packing a long flight path into a compact three-dimensional space. This resolves the contradiction by achieving long flight path length without proportional increase in instrument footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by having ions complete multiple orbits within the same physical space. The ion beam traverses the same flight path region repeatedly, with each orbit contributing to the total flight time and mass resolution. This allows the effective flight path length to be many times longer than the physical dimensions of the instrument, resolving the contradiction between resolution and size.
2Measurement precision
If the flight path is lengthened to increase mass resolution, then the mass resolving power is improved, but the instrument cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by having the same flight path and detector serve multiple orbits of multiple ion packets. The instrument processes ions in batches across several orbits rather than requiring separate detection systems for each orbit. This multi-functional use of components reduces the overall instrument cost while achieving high mass resolution through extended flight time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by having ions repeatedly traverse the same flight path geometry multiple times. Rather than creating physically distinct flight paths for different measurement cycles, the system uses the same spatial configuration repeatedly, with ions completing multiple circuits. This reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while accumulating sufficient flight time for high resolution.
3Measurement precision
If ions are allowed to complete multiple orbits to increase resolution, then the mass resolving power is improved, but ion packet divergence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback through quadrupole rod sets positioned at strategic locations within the flight path. These quadrupoles provide dynamic focusing corrections that respond to ion packet divergence, adjusting the electric fields to refocus ions that would otherwise spread out during multiple orbits. This active feedback mechanism maintains ion packet stability throughout multiple circulation cycles, enabling high resolution without sacrificing focus.
4Volume of stationary object
If conventional electric sector geometry is used, then the instrument is compact, but ions diverge spatially and mass resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by transitioning from a planar to a three-dimensional ion optical path using orthogonal electric sectors. The first electric sector deflects ions through 180 degrees in one plane, while the second sector deflects them through 180 degrees in a perpendicular plane. This dimensional change allows the ion beam to traverse a long effective flight path while returning to its origin point in compact space, simultaneously achieving high resolution and compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved ion trajectories through 180-degree electric sectors rather than linear flight paths. The orthogonal arrangement of curved sectors in three-dimensional space allows the ion beam to follow a folded path that maintains spatial compactness while accumulating sufficient flight time for high mass resolution, resolving the contradiction between size and resolution.
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 design achieves high mass resolution with minimal ion transmission loss and prevents ions from overtaking, enabling accurate mass determination even after multiple orbits, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective instrument.
Implementation Method 1
a first electric sector; and a second electric sector, wherein the second electric sector is arranged orthogonal to the first electric sector
Implementation Method 2
The mass resolving power R of a Time of Flight mass analyser is defined as: R=m/Δm=t/2Δt wherein t is the total time of flight and Δt is the peak width measured at Full Width Half Maximum
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-turn Time of Plight mass analyzer is disclosed comprising a first electric sector (5) and a second electric sector (8). The second electric sector (8) is arranged orthogonal to the first electric sector (5). Ions may make multiple loops or circuits of the mass analyzer before being detected and mass analyzed enabling a high resolution mass analyzer to be provided. According to another embodiment the mass analyzer may have an open-loop geometry wherein the first electric sector is elongated and further electric sectors are arranged in a staggered manner along the length of the first electric sector. The first and second electric sectors (5,8) may be sub-divided into a plurality of electric sector segments.