Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer Dynamic Settling Time Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional quadrupole mass spectrometers experience prolonged settling times during scan and SIM measurements, leading to reduced time resolution and sensitivity due to overshoot and ringing, which necessitate longer cycle durations and decreased ion detection efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A quadrupole mass spectrometer with control means that adjusts the waiting time-period based on the mass-value difference and post-change mass value, allowing for shorter settling times by minimizing voltage changes and stabilizing the electric field more quickly, thereby reducing unnecessary waiting time and enhancing ion detection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a waiting time-period (settling time) is provided after voltage change to allow voltage to stabilize, then voltage stability is improved, but time resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the settling time variable rather than fixed. The control means dynamically adjusts the settling time based on the voltage change amount between consecutive SIM cycles. When voltage changes are small, a shorter settling time is used; when voltage changes are large, a longer settling time is allocated. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing the balance between voltage stability and time resolution in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of settling time based on voltage change conditions. By monitoring the voltage change amount and adjusting the settling time parameter accordingly, the system achieves optimal performance across different operating conditions. This parameter change strategy allows the system to maintain voltage stability when needed while minimizing time loss during rapid scanning.
2Measurement precision
If the settling time-period is increased to ensure voltage stability, then measurement accuracy is improved, but sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts settling time based on actual voltage change conditions rather than using a conservative fixed value. This allows the system to minimize unnecessary waiting time while ensuring voltage stability is achieved, thereby maximizing the time available for ion detection and improving sensitivity without compromising measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The control means automatically determines the appropriate settling time based on monitored voltage changes, eliminating the need for manual optimization or overly conservative fixed settings. The system self-adjusts to achieve the minimum necessary settling time for accurate measurements, thereby maximizing ion detection time and sensitivity.
3Loss of time
If the duration of repetitive cycle is shortened to enhance time resolution, then time resolution is improved, but ion detection time-period decreases leading to reduced sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shortens the repetitive cycle duration by dynamically reducing settling time based on actual voltage change needs. By eliminating excessive waiting time, the system can complete more measurement cycles within the same period, improving time resolution while maintaining adequate ion detection time through intelligent settling time optimization.
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 significantly reduces the settling time, improving time resolution and sensitivity by allowing for shorter repetitive cycles and increased ion detection time, thus enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and overall analytical performance.
Implementation Method 1
A quadrupole mass spectrometer is designed to apply a voltage formed by superimposing a high-frequency (radio-frequency) voltage on a direct-current (DC) voltage, to four rod electrodes constituting a quadrupole mass filter, to allow only an ion having a mass corresponding to the applied voltage to selectively pass through the quadrupole mass filter
Implementation Method 2
the above overshoot (or undershoot) and ringing in voltage inevitably occur, as with the scan measurement. Thus, it is necessary to provide a settling time-period just after a voltage change
Data Source
AI summary
A quadruple mass spectrometer capable of reducing a settling time-period necessary in a process of changing, in a pulsed or step-like pattern, a voltage to be applied to a quadruple mass filter in a scan or SIM measurement. In the SIM measurement, an optimal settling-time calculation sub-section sets a length of the settling time-period according to a difference ΔM between a next-measurement mass value and a mass value used in an adjacent measurement, and the next-measurement mass value. This makes it possible to shorten a duration of a repetitive cycle in the SIM measurement or increase a time-period assignable to a measurement operation, while ensuring a voltage stabilization time-period sufficient to detect ions having the next-measurement mass value.