Segmented Ion Guide for Mass Range and Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ion guides, such as quadrupole rod sets, have restricted stable mass range and poor acceptance, limiting their use as ion transport devices, while ion tunnel guides have a wide mass range but poor transmission characteristics.
Innovation Solution
An ion guide comprising a plurality of axial groupings of electrodes, where each grouping is radially segmented into electrode segments, allowing for both non-quadrupolar and quadrupolar radial pseudo-potential wells to confine ions, with adjustable RF voltage phases to switch between modes of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If quadrupole rod sets are used for ion guidance, then analytical device performance is improved, but stable mass range is restricted and acceptance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The ring electrodes are radially segmented into multiple electrode segments (e.g., 4, 6, or 8 segments), allowing independent voltage control of each segment. This segmentation enables the creation of different field configurations (quadrupolar, hexapolar, octopolar, or non-quadrupolar) from a single physical structure, thereby expanding the stable mass range and acceptance while maintaining analytical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The ion guide allows dynamic switching between different operational modes by changing the voltage phase relationships between electrode segments. The system can transition between quadrupolar confinement (for resonant excitation and ejection), non-quadrupolar flat-bottomed wells (for improved acceptance and transmission), and intermediate configurations, adapting to different analytical requirements in real-time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ion tunnel guides are used, then mass range is widened, but transmission characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the pseudo-potential well profile by changing RF voltage phases applied to segmented electrodes. When wide mass range transmission is needed, the system switches to non-quadrupolar flat-bottomed well configurations for improved acceptance. When ion ejection or resonant excitation is required, it transitions to quadrupolar configurations, thereby maintaining high transmission characteristics across different operational modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical parameters (voltage phases and amplitudes) applied to the electrode segments to transform the shape of the pseudo-potential well. By adjusting these parameters, the system can create flat-bottomed wells for improved ion acceptance and transmission, or steep-sided wells for resonant excitation, optimizing transmission characteristics for different analytical objectives.
3Adaptability or versatility
If non-quadrupolar pseudo-potential wells are used, then ion acceptance is improved, but resonant excitation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The ion guide system dynamically switches between non-quadrupolar and quadrupolar field configurations by changing the phase relationships between electrode segments. During ion injection, it operates in non-quadrupolar mode for improved acceptance. During analysis, it transitions to quadrupolar mode to enable resonant excitation and ejection of specific ions, thereby providing both capabilities at different operational stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic switching between different field configurations corresponding to different analytical requirements. The segmented electrodes allow the system to create different pseudo-potential well profiles in a periodic manner, alternating between acceptance-optimized and excitation-optimized configurations as ions progress through the guide.
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 ion transmission characteristics by allowing switching between different pseudo-potential well profiles, improving the ion guide's ability to confine and transport ions across a wider mass range with optimized transmission.
Implementation Method 1
the time averaged force on a charged particle or ion due to an AC inhomogeneous electric field is such as to accelerate the charged particle or ion to a region where the electric field is weaker
Implementation Method 2
A quadrupole rod set ion guide generates a radially symmetric quadrupolar field
Data Source
AI summary
An ion guide is disclosed comprising a plurality of axial groupings of electrodes, wherein each axial grouping of electrodes comprises a ring or annular electrode which has been radially segmented into a plurality of electrode segments.