TOF Mass Spectrometer Tilt Correction via Dipole Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
High resolving power time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometers require tight mechanical tolerances for alignment, which is costly and difficult to achieve, and existing correction methods are limited in correcting angular misalignments between the isochronous plane and the detector plane, leading to reduced resolving power.
Innovation Solution
A TOF mass spectrometer equipped with a tilt correction device that uses dipole electric fields to tilt the isochronous plane of ions, allowing for correction of angular misalignments without the need for high mechanical tolerances, achieved by configuring the dipole electric fields along the ion flight path using electrodes and control units to modify voltages applied to the electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tight mechanical tolerances are used for alignment between detector and ion mirror, then resolving power is improved, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical alignment system with an electrostatic correction system. Instead of relying on precise mechanical positioning of the detector and ion mirror, the invention uses electrostatic fields generated by correction electrodes to dynamically adjust and correct the isochronous plane orientation, thereby eliminating the need for tight mechanical tolerances while maintaining high resolving power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters (voltages) applied to correction electrodes to dynamically adjust the orientation of the isochronous plane. By varying the voltage parameters on these electrodes, the system can correct angular misalignments and optimize resolving power without requiring precise mechanical alignment, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and manufacturing precision.
2Measurement precision
If tight mechanical tolerances are used for alignment, then resolving power is improved, but device weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes heavy mechanical alignment structures with lightweight electrostatic correction components. The correction electrodes and their control system replace the need for massive, precision-machined mechanical assemblies, significantly reducing instrument weight while maintaining or improving resolving power through active electrostatic correction.
3Device complexity
If mechanical alignment accuracy is reduced, then device complexity is reduced, but resolving power deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment procedures with simpler electrostatic correction mechanisms. The correction electrodes provide a straightforward electrical means to adjust the isochronous plane orientation, eliminating the need for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms and procedures, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high resolving power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic electrostatic correction capabilities that allow real-time adjustment of the isochronous plane orientation. This dynamic approach replaces static mechanical alignment with flexible electrical control, simplifying the overall system while enabling continuous optimization of resolving power through voltage adjustments.
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 solution enables the construction of TOF mass spectrometers with high resolving power without the need for precise mechanical alignment, allowing for lighter and cheaper designs while effectively correcting angular misalignments to improve resolving power.
Implementation Method 1
the tilt correction device includes tilt correction electrodes configured to generate at least one dipole electric field across the reference ion flight path
Implementation Method 2
a dipole field tilts the isochronous plane of ions (having the same m/z) in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer
Data Source
AI summary
A time of flight (“TOF”) mass spectrometer including an ion source, a detector, and a tilt correction device. The ion source is configured to produce ions having a plurality of m/z values. The detector detects ions produced by the ion source. The tilt correction device is located along a portion of a reference ion flight path extending from the ion source to a planar surface of the detector and includes tilt correction electrodes configured to generate at least one dipole electric field across the reference ion flight path. The at least one dipole electric field is configured to tilt an isochronous plane of ions produced by the ion source so as to correct a previous angular misalignment between the isochronous plane and the planar surface of the detector.