Multichannel Ion Lens for Merging Hyperthermal Ion Beams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ion beam merging technologies face challenges in manipulating and focusing lower energy ion beams, such as those with hyperthermal energy ranges, especially when merging multiple ion beams of the same polarity, leading to low ion fluxes that limit the applications of ion soft landing in mass spectrometry.

Innovation Solution

A multichannel ion lens, particularly a multichannel ellipsoidal lens, is used to merge multiple hyperthermal ion beams by controlling their trajectories and minimizing defocusing, increasing ion flux through the application of DC and RF voltages to electrodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple hyperthermal ion beams of the same polarity are merged, then ion flux is increased, but ion beam manipulation and focusing becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion fluxVSAvoidion beam manipulation and focusing

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ion lens is divided into multiple independent channels, each capable of receiving and focusing ion beams from different directions. Each channel contains electrodes that can be independently controlled, allowing separate manipulation of ion beams while maintaining overall system integration for high flux merging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from manipulating ion beams in a single plane to three-dimensional ion beam convergence. Multiple ion beams are directed from different spatial angles and directions toward a common focal point, utilizing spatial dimensionality to achieve high flux merging while maintaining beam control through electrostatic fields.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple ion beams are merged to generate high flux, then ion flux increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion fluxVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple ion beam channels and their associated electrode systems are merged into a single integrated ion lens structure. The electrodes from different channels are combined in space, sharing common structural support and vacuum housing, which reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate independent beam systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ion lens structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for multiple channels, generates electrostatic fields for beam focusing in each channel, and enables three-dimensional beam convergence. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If hyperthermal ion beams are used for soft landing, then gentle deposition is achieved, but ion flux is substantially lower than neutral molecule flux

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegentle depositionVSAvoidion flux

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the energy parameter of ion beams from high energy (MeV range) to hyperthermal energy (1-100 eV range), which enables gentle deposition while maintaining ion integrity. This parameter change allows ions to retain their molecular structure during deposition, achieving soft landing conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Ion beams are pre-accelerated to hyperthermal energies before entering the ion lens system, and trajectory correction is performed in advance within each channel. This preliminary preparation ensures that ions arrive at the focal point with the desired low energy and proper alignment, enabling both gentle deposition and high flux merging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 multichannel lens enhances ion flux by aligning and focusing multiple ion beams along the instrument axis, overcoming space charge limitations and enabling higher fluxes of mass-selected ions for preparative and analytical mass spectrometry.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic lens: Electrostatic Lens

Implementation Method 2

The multichannel lens enhances ion flux by aligning and focusing multiple ion beams along the instrument axis, overcoming space charge limitations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS20260024737A1Apparatuses and methods for merging ion beams

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 PURDUE RES FOUND

AI summary

An ion beam lens and methods for combining ion beams are disclosed. Embodiments combine hyperthermal ion beams and can include layered three-dimensional electrodes with passageways through the electrodes, each electrode having a specified DC voltage and each passageway configured for passing an ion beam to an exit, the velocity vectors of the beams being primarily oriented along the lens' central axis upon exiting the passageways. Embodiments include nested electrode plates with curved ion beam passageways. In some embodiments each electrode plate has a charge different from the electrode plates adjacent to it, and in some embodiments every other electrode plate is charged with a first DC voltage and the remaining plates are charged with a second DC voltage different from the first DC voltage.