Electrostatic Sector Field Ion Trap for CDMS Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charge detection mass spectrometers (CDMS) face limitations due to dependence on ion initial conditions, energy spreads, and low space charge capacity, leading to reduced throughput and accuracy in mass determination.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electrostatic sector field ion trap with an inductive charge detector, which eliminates the need for upstream energy filters and improves isochronicity by reducing dependency on ion initial conditions, allowing for multiple turns and increased space charge capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an upstream energy filter (dual HDA) is used to limit ion energy spread, then measurement precision improves, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the upstream energy filter (dual HDA) from the CDMS system, extracting this component that was previously necessary for energy selection. The electrostatic sector field ion trap is designed to function without this separate filtering stage, thereby eliminating the throughput bottleneck while maintaining measurement precision through its inherent isochronicity properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrostatic sector field ion trap serves multiple functions simultaneously: it traps ions, provides energy focusing, and enables isochronic oscillation without requiring a separate upstream energy filter. This multi-functionality consolidates the system architecture and improves throughput by eliminating the sequential filtering step.
2Device complexity
If conventional ion trap geometry is used, then device complexity remains low, but measurement precision deteriorates due to oscillation frequency dependence on ion energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the ion trap, transitioning from conventional spherical or cylindrical geometries to an electrostatic sector field configuration. This geometric transformation fundamentally alters the electric field distribution, creating isochronic oscillation conditions where oscillation frequency becomes independent of ion energy, thereby improving measurement precision without excessive complexity.
3Productivity
If multiple ions are analyzed simultaneously to increase productivity, then space charge effects increase, but measurement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrostatic sector field ion trap performs preliminary energy focusing and spatial confinement of multiple ions before charge detection. By pre-establishing isochronic oscillation conditions and confining ions to well-defined trajectories, the system prepares the ion ensemble for simultaneous detection while minimizing space charge interference, enabling higher productivity without sacrificing 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
This configuration enhances the accuracy and efficiency of mass determination by reducing uncertainties in mass measurements and increasing the number of ions that can be analyzed simultaneously, thereby improving the overall performance of CDMS.
Implementation Method 1
an electrostatic sector field ion trap...configured to define, at least in part, an ion path
Implementation Method 2
As a particular ion enters the inductive charge detection tube, the particular ion induces a small, measurable voltage, the amplitude of which is proportional to its charge
Data Source
AI summary
A charge detection mass spectrometer. CDMS, is described. The CDMS 4, comprises: an electrostatic sector field ion trap 40 and an inductive charge detector 400; wherein the electrostatic sector field ion trap 40 is configured to define, at least in part, an ion path via the inductive charge detector 400. A method is also described.