Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer Segmented Electrode Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass spectrometers, such as FTICR MS and orbitraps, are complex, expensive, and have manufacturing inconsistencies that affect performance, and require elaborate ion optics for ion injection, making them impractical for many applications.
Innovation Solution
A mass spectrometer with an electric field source featuring concentric inner and outer electrodes with electrically-isolated conductive segments, allowing for dynamic control of voltages to generate a substantially quadro-logarithmic electrical potential, facilitating ion trapping and mass analysis without the need for complex ion optics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If FTICR MS uses large superconducting magnets to achieve high resolving power, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and capital costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/magnetic field system (superconducting magnets in FTICR) with an electric field system. The orbitrap uses electrostatic fields generated by electrodes to trap and analyze ions, eliminating the need for large superconducting magnets while achieving comparable or superior resolving power through electrostatic confinement and oscillation detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the complex magnetic field generation system (superconducting magnets, cooling equipment) from the mass spectrometer design. By using only electric fields generated by simple electrodes, the invention eliminates unnecessary complexity while maintaining high measurement precision through electrostatic ion trapping and oscillation frequency analysis
2Measurement precision
If FTICR MS uses superconducting magnets to achieve high resolving power, then measurement precision is improved, but operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the energy-intensive magnetic field system with a low-power electric field system. The orbitrap uses simple DC voltages applied to electrodes to create trapping fields, eliminating the continuous high energy consumption required by superconducting magnets for cooling and field maintenance, thereby dramatically reducing operating costs while preserving high resolving power
3Device complexity
If known orbitraps use machined components to generate electric fields, then device structure is simplified, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inconsistencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the outer conductor into electrically isolated conductive segments arranged in tandem. This segmentation allows independent voltage control of each segment, enabling precise electric field shaping and tuning after fabrication. The segmented structure provides manufacturing tolerance compensation and performance optimization capabilities that machined monolithic components cannot achieve
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic tunability by allowing different voltages to be applied to different conductive segments of the outer electrode. This dynamic control enables post-fabrication optimization of the electric field geometry, compensating for manufacturing variations and allowing the device to be tuned to optimal performance without requiring extremely precise machining
4Reliability
If known orbitraps apply large voltage to tapered outer conductor ends, then ion trapping is achieved, but ion injection becomes difficult due to ejection by large fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the outer conductor into electrically isolated conductive segments, allowing independent voltage control. This enables the creation of localized electric field minima at the injection regions while maintaining trapping fields elsewhere, facilitating easy ion injection without ejection by eliminating the large fields that cause ejection in conventional designs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different voltage conditions to different spatial regions of the outer electrode. By applying lower or zero voltage to segments near the injection points while maintaining trapping voltages elsewhere, the invention creates locally optimized electric field conditions that facilitate ion injection without compromising overall ion trapping, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing reliability
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 configuration enhances mass spectrometer performance by allowing for tunable electric fields, improved ion injection, and reduced complexity and cost, while maintaining high mass accuracy and sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
The voltage source is connected to the outer electrode and is operative to apply a pattern of voltages to the conductive segments
Data Source
AI summary
An electric field source for a mass spectrometer and a mass spectrometer are described.