Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer Sample Holder Magnetic Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional time-of-flight mass spectrometers experience significant variations in the distance between the sample plate and the ion extraction-acceleration electrode due to the drive mechanism, necessitating multiple calibrants for accurate mass-to-charge ratio measurements, which decreases measurement efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A time-of-flight mass spectrometer with a base plate and orthogonal drivers or magnetic attraction mechanism to two-dimensionally drive the sample holder, reducing fluctuations in the distance between the sample and the ion extraction-acceleration electrode by ensuring a flat and stable sample plate surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional drive mechanism with multiple moving parts is used to transfer the sample plate, then the sample plate can be positioned in two-dimensional directions, but the distance between the sample plate and the ion extraction-acceleration electrode varies significantly, requiring multiple calibrants and decreasing measurement efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex multi-part drive mechanism (linear guides, movable parts, motors) from the system and replaces it with a simple orthogonal driver that directly transfers the sample plate. This extraction of unnecessary components eliminates the accumulation of positioning errors while maintaining two-dimensional positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The orthogonal driver serves multiple functions: it provides two-dimensional positioning of the sample plate while simultaneously maintaining a constant distance between the sample plate and the ion extraction-acceleration electrode. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate calibration mechanisms for different positions.
2Measurement precision
If multiple calibrants are used to correct for distance variations across the sample plate, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but measurement time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the calibration requirement into a single calibration point rather than multiple calibration points across the plate. By ensuring constant distance through the orthogonal driver design, only one calibration is needed, eliminating the time-consuming process of measuring and calibrating multiple calibrant positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a single calibration measurement at the beginning, and the orthogonal driver's design ensures that this calibration remains valid for all subsequent measurements across the entire sample plate. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated calibration measurements during the analysis.
3Ease of operation
If a complex drive mechanism with multiple components is used, then two-dimensional sample plate transfer is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and positioning errors accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex subsystems (first linear guide, second linear guide, multiple movable parts, multiple motors) from the drive mechanism, retaining only the essential orthogonal driver functionality. This simplification maintains two-dimensional transfer capability while eliminating structural complexity and error accumulation sources.
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 reduces the need for multiple calibrants, shortening measurement time and improving efficiency by maintaining consistent ion flight distances across the sample plate.
Implementation Method 1
A sample held on a flat sample plate is irradiated with a pulsed laser beam to generate ions originating from the components contained in the sample
Implementation Method 2
An electric field is created by an electrode located above the sample to impart a specific amount of acceleration energy to the various ions mentioned earlier and introduce them into a flight space
Implementation Method 3
a magnet integrally formed in or attached to the movable part, for attracting, across the base plate, the sample holder made of a metallic material and placed on the obverse surface of the base plate
Data Source
AI summary
A metallic plate holder 3 is directly placed on a flat bottom plate 1a of a sample chamber. A linear guide 21 extending in x-direction is located below the bottom plate. Another linear guide 22 extending in y-direction is fixed to a movable part 21a of the linear guide 21. A magnet 23, fixed to a movable part 22a of the linear guide 22, magnetically attracts the plate holder across the bottom plate. When the magnet is two-dimensionally driven by the linear guides, the plate holder follows it and moves two-dimensionally. The flat bottom plate limits the z-position of the plate holder, thereby reducing the fluctuation in the level of the sample on a sample plate 2 due to the movement. Thus, the variation in the level at different positions on the sample plate is reduced, so that the number of times of a calibrant measurement can be decreased.