Photo-fragmentation Ion Analysis Spectral Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ion fragmentation methods, such as low energy collision-induced dissociation, produce unwanted metastable fragmentation patterns that complicate spectra and are insufficient for deciphering ion composition, leading to ion interference issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for photo-fragmentation that generates a beam of ions from a sample, filters them, and then photo-fragments them in a region with higher pressure to predominantly produce prompt fragmentation, using a photon source capable of emitting light in the UV or visible range, with the option to further fragment ions and analyze them using techniques like collision-induced dissociation or electron capture dissociation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If low energy collision induced dissociation is used for ion fragmentation, then the method is simple and widely applicable, but metastable fragmentation patterns are generated that complicate spectra and interfere with ion composition analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of fragmentation mechanism from collision-induced (metastable) to photo-induced (prompt). By using photons with specific wavelengths (UV or visible range) to directly excite ions, the fragmentation occurs immediately on the femto-second to nano-second timescale, eliminating the delayed metastable fragmentation that complicates CID spectra. This parameter change from collisional to photonic excitation resolves the spectral interference problem.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional fragmentation methods are used, then the process is straightforward, but the fragmentation patterns are insufficient for deciphering ion composition and avoiding ion interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical collision process (ions colliding with neutral gas molecules in CID) with a photonic excitation process (ions absorbing photons). This substitution fundamentally changes the energy transfer mechanism and fragmentation pathways, producing distinct fragmentation patterns that provide better information for ion composition analysis while maintaining operational simplicity through automated photon source control.
3Speed
If photons with high energy in the UV or visible range are used to excite electronic states, then bond breaking occurs rapidly with prompt fragmentation, but the setup complexity increases compared to conventional CID
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces photons as an intermediary energy carrier between the light source and the ions. Instead of directly colliding ions with high-energy particles or using complex electron bombardment systems, the photonic intermediary enables rapid electronic excitation and prompt fragmentation. This intermediary approach achieves femto-second to nano-second fragmentation speeds while using relatively simple UV or visible light sources that can be integrated into existing mass spectrometry systems.
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 approach provides distinct fragmentation patterns that are free from metastable interference, allowing for clearer ion composition analysis and improved spectral resolution by predominantly generating prompt fragmentation ions.
Implementation Method 1
Photo-fragmentation is an ion fragmentation technique in which ions can be fragmented via excitation with photons. Photons with high energy, such as those in the ultra-violet (UV) or visible (vis) range can excite electronic states such that even one photon is often sufficient to break a chemical bond.
Implementation Method 2
The trapping can comprise providing an RF ion guide for confining the ions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of photo-fragmentation is provided generating a beam of ions from a sample with an ion source, filtering the beam of ions in a filtering region to select desired ions, and photo-fragmenting the desired ions in a photo-fragmentation region having a higher pressure than the filtering region to generate fragment ions predominantly by prompt fragmentation. An apparatus for photo-fragmentation is provided having an ion source configured to generate a beam of ions from a sample, a filtering region for selecting desired ions, a photo-fragmentation region having a higher pressure than the filtering region to generate predominantly prompt fragmentation of the selected desired ions, an inlet for providing gas to the photo-fragmentation region to maintain a pressure in the photo-fragmentation region that is higher than the pressure in the filtering region, and a photon source emitting a beam of light for photo-fragmenting the selected ions in the photo-fragmentation region.