Electrostatic Linear Ion Trap Array for Parallel Ion Charge Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT) designs for charge detection mass spectrometry are limited by the speed at which ion mass-to-charge and charge measurements can be obtained, necessitating improvements to increase measurement rate and reduce total ion measurement time.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electrostatic linear ion trap array with multiple ELIT regions arranged in series or parallel, where ion mirrors are controlled to trap ions and cause them to oscillate back and forth through charge detection cylinders, allowing for simultaneous measurement of mass-to-charge ratios and charges across multiple regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple charge measurements are performed using a single ELIT detector, then measurement precision improves, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single ELIT detector into multiple independent ELIT regions (first ELIT region, second ELIT region, third ELIT region) that can simultaneously trap and measure different ions. Each region has its own charge detection cylinder and ion mirrors, enabling parallel measurements. This segmentation allows multiple ions to be measured at the same time, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining the precision benefits of multiple charge measurements for each ion.
2Measurement precision
If ions oscillate back and forth through a charge detection cylinder multiple times, then measurement precision improves, but the time required for measurements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous measurement by having multiple ELIT regions operating in parallel. While one ion is oscillating and being measured in the first ELIT region, another ion can simultaneously oscillate and be measured in the second or third ELIT region. This eliminates the sequential waiting time between measurements, maintaining high measurement precision through multiple oscillations while reducing the total time required to measure multiple ions.
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 the rate of ion measurement by a factor of two or more compared to single ELIT systems, resulting in a corresponding reduction in total ion measurement time.
Implementation Method 1
electrostatic linear ion trap array with multiple ELIT regions arranged in series or parallel, where ion mirrors are controlled to trap ions and cause them to oscillate back and forth through charge detection cylinders
Implementation Method 2
charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS), ion mass is determined as a function of measured ion mass-to-charge ratio, typically referred to as 'm/z,' and measured ion charge
Data Source
AI summary
An electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT) array includes a plurality of ion mirrors and a plurality of elongated charge detection cylinders each defining an axial passageway centrally therethrough, the ion mirrors and the charge detection cylinders arranged relative to one another such that each charge detection cylinder is positioned between a different respective pair of the ion mirrors with the respective axial passageways of each coaxial with one another, wherein the axial passageways of the ELITs are not coaxial with one another, means for selectively directing at least one ion into each of the plurality of ELITs, and means for controlling each of the ion mirrors in a manner which causes the at least one ion in at least two of the ELITs to become trapped therein and to simultaneously oscillate back and forth between the respective ion mirrors each time passing through the respective charge detection cylinder.