Planar Ion Trap with Magnetic Shim Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Penning traps are complex and expensive due to the need for spatially homogeneous magnetic fields and hyperboloid electrostatic fields, with superconducting solenoids being unscalable and unstable, limiting their precision in mass spectrometry and quantum computation applications.
Innovation Solution
A planar ion trap design with a magnetic field generated by a primary element and compensating shim-pairs, combined with a planar array of electrodes to create a homogeneous electrostatic field, allowing for easier fabrication and integration of magnetic and electrostatic components, eliminating the need for large superconducting coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional Penning traps use superconducting solenoids to generate magnetic fields, then magnetic field strength is improved, but device size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the magnetic field generation into multiple independent planar elements arranged in an array, replacing the monolithic superconducting solenoid. Each element contributes to the overall magnetic field, allowing the system to achieve high field strength through coordinated action of multiple smaller, manageable components rather than one large complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional superconducting solenoids to two-dimensional planar magnetic elements. This dimensional reduction simplifies the overall device structure, making it more compact and easier to integrate while maintaining the necessary magnetic field characteristics through careful arrangement of the planar elements in arrays.
2Measurement precision
If conventional Penning traps use hyperboloid electrodes to create electrostatic potential wells, then trapping precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex three-dimensional hyperboloid electrodes with two-dimensional planar electrodes. This dimensional simplification makes the electrodes much easier to fabricate using standard planar fabrication techniques while maintaining the necessary electrostatic field characteristics through careful design of the planar electrode geometry and arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The planar electrode design serves multiple functions: it creates the electrostatic potential well for trapping, provides a planar surface compatible with integrated circuit fabrication, and allows for easy integration with the planar magnetic elements. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining trapping precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If room-size superconducting solenoid systems are used, then magnetic field homogeneity is improved, but temperature stability control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the magnetic field generation into multiple small planar elements rather than one large solenoid. This segmentation allows each element to be independently controlled and positioned, enabling better overall field homogeneity through precise arrangement while reducing the total system size to a scale where temperature can be more effectively controlled and stabilized.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical scale parameter of the magnetic field generation system from room-size to miniaturized planar dimensions. This parameter change fundamentally improves temperature stability control because smaller systems require less thermal mass and are easier to thermally isolate and regulate, while field homogeneity is maintained through careful design of the planar element geometry and spacing.
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 planar ion trap design simplifies fabrication, reduces costs, and achieves high magnetic field homogeneity, enabling precise trapping and manipulation of charged particles for mass spectrometry and quantum circuit applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first array of magnetic elements arranged to generate a first magnetic field with a degree of homogeneity; and an array of electrodes arranged to generate an electrostatic field including a turning point in electrical potential at a location where the magnetic field has a substantially maximum degree of homogeneity
Implementation Method 2
an array of electrodes arranged to generate an electrostatic field including a turning point in electrical potential at a location where the magnetic field has a substantially maximum degree of homogeneity
Implementation Method 3
In general a Penning trap uses a magnetic field and an electrostatic field together to trap charged particles. The magnetic field causes the charged particles to perform a rotational movement with the direction of the magnetic field being the axis of the rotation.
Data Source
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AI summary
An ion trap comprising: a first array of magnetic elements arranged to generate a first magnetic field with a degree of homogeneity; and an array of electrodes arranged to generate an electrostatic field including a turning point in electrical potential at a location where the magnetic field has a substantially maximum degree of homogeneity; wherein the array of electrodes is planar and parallel to the direction of the magnetic field at the location; and wherein a primary first magnetic element is arranged to generate a first component of the first magnetic field and other first magnetic elements are arranged to generate compensating components of the first magnetic field that reduce the gradient, the curvature and higher order derivatives of the first component of the first magnetic field at the location where the first magnetic field has the substantially maximum degree of homogeneity.