Mass Spectrometer Using RF Field for Compact High-Resolution Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass spectrometers face limitations in mass resolution, particularly due to fluctuations in initial kinetic energy, which restrict the mass-to-charge ratio range and require larger instrument sizes, and struggle with simultaneous analysis of multiple ionic species in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A mass spectrometer design incorporating a one-dimensional high-frequency electric field that crosses the ion flight direction, allowing ions to travel in a separation space where the electric field acts at a predetermined angle, enabling precise mass separation based on mass-to-charge ratio without relying on initial kinetic energy fluctuations, and allowing for simultaneous analysis of multiple species.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acceleration voltage is increased to reduce the influence of initial kinetic energy fluctuation and attain higher mass resolution, then mass resolution is improved, but the flight length of ions becomes longer and the instrument size becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic electric fields (RF fields) to the quadrupole rods, transforming the static mass filtering mechanism into a dynamic one. By applying time-varying RF voltages, ions experience time-dependent forces that create stable oscillation regions in phase space, enabling mass separation without requiring long flight paths. This dynamic approach allows compact instrument design while maintaining high mass resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by applying RF voltages at specific frequencies and amplitudes to the quadrupole rods. By adjusting the RF frequency and amplitude parameters, the system can selectively transmit ions of specific mass-to-charge ratios while filtering out others. This parameter-based control enables mass resolution improvement without increasing instrument size.
2Productivity
If quadrupole mass analyzer is used for real-time measurement, then measurement speed is improved, but the operation becomes intermittent due to ion trapping and ejection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous ion transmission through the quadrupole mass analyzer by using RF fields to create continuous stable transmission regions. Instead of trapping and ejecting ions in discrete cycles, the system maintains continuous ion flow through the analyzer by adjusting RF parameters, enabling uninterrupted real-time measurement and improving operational continuity.
3Measurement precision
If ion trapping type mass analyzers are used, then mass analysis capability is improved, but the operation becomes complex with introduction, trapping and ejection steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential mass filtering function from the complex ion trapping cycle by using RF quadrupole fields to directly filter ions based on their mass-to-charge ratios. This eliminates the need for separate introduction, trapping, and ejection steps, simplifying the operational procedure while maintaining mass analysis capability.
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 design enhances mass resolution, reduces instrument size, and enables fast, simultaneous analysis of multiple ionic species across a wide mass-to-charge ratio range, improving accuracy and adaptability to changing compositions.
Implementation Method 1
a means to produce in said separation space a one-dimensional high-frequency electric field that acts in the direction (hereafter referred to as y-direction) crossing the incident direction of said crude ions at a predetermined angle, and makes the ionic species having different mass-to-charge ratios with each other travel on different flight paths through the action of said one-dimensional high-frequency electric field
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a mass spectrometer and a mass separator whose design and performance are less restricted by problems arising from the principle of operation, and which have in principle no limitation on the mass-to-charge ratio range to be able to deal with and are each capable of repeatedly analyzing or extracting plural ionic species of different mass-to-charge ratios in a short time.A mass spectrometer (10) is configured from an ion source (1), an ion introduction unit (2), a mass analyzer (3), an ion detection unit (4), and the like. Crude ions are introduced into a separation space (5) at a predetermined acceleration voltage as a pulse synchronized with the phase of a one-dimensional high-frequency electric field. In the separation space (5), each ion travels in an incident direction by inertia, and besides they are displaced by force received from the one-dimensional high-frequency electric field which acts in the y-direction crossing the incident direction. Ionic species having different mass-to-charge ratios with each other are separated by the difference in displacement magnitude. At this time, the acceleration voltage and the period of the one-dimensional high-frequency electric field are set in order that the measured ionic species may exit from the separation space (5) having received the action of the electric field for one period.