Multipole Holding Surfaces for Precise Mass Spectrometer Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multipole electrode devices in mass spectrometers face challenges with precise positioning and alignment, leading to measurement inaccuracies and difficulties in installation and removal, due to the use of rotationally symmetrical contact surfaces that do not allow for high-precision mounting.
Innovation Solution
A multipole device with two electrode half-shells and a holding device featuring flat, rotationally asymmetric contact surfaces, manufactured with high precision, allows for precise geometric alignment and simplified installation and removal, using features like dowel pins and bores for accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rotationally symmetrical contact surfaces are used for mounting the multipole, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the positioning precision and alignment accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by replacing rotationally symmetrical contact surfaces with rotationally asymmetric flat contact surfaces. The asymmetric design includes specific geometric features such as non-circular patterns or unequal distribution of contact points, which eliminate rotational ambiguity and enable precise angular positioning of the multipole relative to the ion beam axis, thereby achieving high positioning precision without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If rotationally symmetrical contact surfaces are used, then the mounting structure is simple, but the installation and removal process is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric contact surfaces provide unique orientation features that guide the installation process. The asymmetric geometry allows the multipole to be correctly positioned in a single orientation, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures or multiple adjustment steps. This enables quick and easy installation and removal while maintaining precise positioning, directly addressing the contradiction between operational ease and time consumption
3Measurement precision
If rotationally symmetrical contact surfaces are used, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric contact surfaces ensure that the multipole is positioned with high precision relative to the ion beam axis by eliminating rotational ambiguity. The specific asymmetric geometric features provide unique orientation references that guarantee reproducible, high-accuracy measurements. This design achieves measurement precision comparable to complex alignment systems while maintaining relative structural simplicity
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a multipole (32) with a holding device (10) for holding the multipole (32), for example, a quadrupole in a mass spectrometer or on a mounting unit (40), wherein the holding device (10) is arranged on the multipole (32). For attaching the multipole (32) to a receiving device (36, 36a) for receiving the holding device (10), the holding device (10) has one or more flat contact surfaces (13, 15). The holding device (10) is arranged on surfaces (30) of the multipole (32) that are manufactured together with electrodes (26A, 26B) of the multipole in a single operation.Furthermore, the invention relates to a holding device (10) of such a multipole (32), a mass spectrometer with such a multipole (32), a mounting unit (40) with a receiving device (36, 36a) for positioning a holding device (10) relative to such a multipole (32) and a method for positioning a holding device (10) relative to the multipole (32).