Planar Ion Manipulation Device with Pseudopotential Confinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ion manipulation technologies face inefficiencies and impracticality in extended sequences of ion manipulations, particularly in high-pressure regions and complex ion mobility separations, due to limitations in instrument design and ion optics.
Innovation Solution
An ion manipulation device utilizing a pair of surfaces with arrays of electrodes, applying RF and DC potentials to create pseudopotentials that inhibit ions from approaching the surfaces, allowing for controlled ion movement and confinement, enabling lossless ion manipulation and complex sequences of ion separations and transfers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional ion optic approaches are used for extended sequences of ion manipulations, then ion transport and manipulation can be achieved, but the system becomes increasingly impractical, expensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the ion manipulation function into multiple independent electrode arrays (inner and outer arrays on each of two surfaces) that can be independently controlled. Each electrode array can be independently programmed with RF and DC potentials to perform specific manipulation tasks, allowing complex ion sequences to be broken down into simpler, modular operations that reduce overall system complexity while maintaining high efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional three-dimensional ion optics to a two-dimensional planar electrode surface architecture. By confining ion manipulation to two parallel surfaces with electrodes patterned on them, the system simplifies the geometric complexity while enabling extended manipulation sequences through the use of pseudopotential wells that guide ions across the electrode surfaces without requiring complex spatial arrangements
2Reliability
If conventional instrument designs are used for ion manipulations in high-pressure regions, then ion transport is possible, but ion loss increases and manipulation becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces conventional mechanical ion optics components with an electric field-based control system using RF and DC potentials applied to planar electrode arrays. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical ion guide structures that become impractical at high pressures, while the electric fields effectively confine and guide ions through the use of pseudopotential wells that maintain ion retention even in high-pressure environments
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts RF and DC potential parameters on the electrode arrays to create and manipulate pseudopotential wells that confine ions. By changing the amplitude and phase of these potentials, the device can adapt to different pressure conditions and ion types, maintaining reliable ion manipulation and retention across varying operational conditions without requiring physical reconfiguration
3Measurement precision
If extended sequences of ion manipulations are implemented, then complex ion mobility separations can be achieved, but ion loss and system impracticality increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device creates pseudopotential wells on the electrode surfaces that pre-confine ions before manipulation sequences begin. This preliminary confinement prevents ion loss during subsequent manipulations by establishing controlled potential landscapes that guide ions through the entire sequence, enabling extended manipulation operations while maintaining high ion retention and achieving precise mobility separations
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous ion confinement and guidance through the use of overlapping pseudopotential wells created by the electrode arrays. By ensuring that ions remain within controlled potential regions throughout the entire manipulation sequence without gaps or uncontrolled transitions, the device enables extended sequences of operations while minimizing ion loss and maintaining high measurement precision
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 device achieves efficient, lossless ion manipulation and high-resolution ion mobility separations over a broad range of pressures and mass-to-charge ratios, facilitating extended sequences of ion manipulations with minimal ion loss and improved resolution.
Implementation Method 1
a pseudopotential is formed that inhibits charged particles from approaching either of the surfaces
Implementation Method 2
the simultaneous application of DC potentials to control and restrict movement of ions between the surfaces
Implementation Method 3
The RF potentials, with a superimposed electric field, are applied to the array of inner electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
An ion manipulation method and device is disclosed. The device includes a pair of substantially parallel surfaces. An array of inner electrodes is contained within, and extends substantially along the length of, each parallel surface. The device includes a first outer array of electrodes and a second outer array of electrodes. Each outer array of electrodes is positioned on either side of the inner electrodes, and is contained within and extends substantially along the length of each parallel surface. A DC voltage is applied to the first and second outer array of electrodes. A RF voltage, with a superimposed electric field, is applied to the inner electrodes by applying the DC voltages to each electrode. Ions either move between the parallel surfaces within an ion confinement area or along paths in the direction of the electric field, or can be trapped in the ion confinement area.