Orthogonal Acceleration TOF Mass Spectrometer Voltage Drop Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometers, voltage drops at electrodes due to stray capacity cause variations in ion energy, leading to changes in ion time of flight and subsequent deterioration of mass accuracy.
Innovation Solution
Storing and applying voltage information that compensates for the voltage drop by adjusting the voltage levels on electrodes based on the ion-ejection period, ensuring a fixed energy imparted to ions, thereby maintaining mass accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pulsed voltage is applied to electrodes with different periods to eject ions, then ion ejection efficiency is improved, but voltage drop occurs due to stray capacity causing mass accuracy deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the voltage level applied to electrodes based on the ion-ejection period. When the ejection period changes, the system modifies the voltage parameter to compensate for stray capacity effects, ensuring that the energy imparted to ions remains consistent and mass accuracy is maintained across different operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by storing voltage information that corresponds to different ion-ejection periods and using this stored information to adjust the applied voltage. The system references previously determined voltage values to compensate for voltage drops, creating a feedback mechanism that maintains mass accuracy despite changes in ejection timing
2Ease of operation
If fixed voltage is applied to electrodes, then system operation is simplified, but voltage drop causes variation in ion energy leading to time of flight changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing voltage information corresponding to different ion-ejection periods before actual measurement. This allows the system to quickly retrieve and apply the appropriate voltage without real-time calculation, maintaining operational simplicity while ensuring consistent ion energy across different ejection conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the voltage parameter based on the specific ion-ejection period being used. By adjusting the voltage level to compensate for stray capacity effects at different periods, the patent maintains consistent ion energy and time of flight characteristics while allowing flexible operation at various ejection rates
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
The solution effectively cancels the changes in ion time of flight due to voltage drops, maintaining mass accuracy even when the ion-ejection period changes, thus preventing deterioration of mass spectrometry results.
Implementation Method 1
ions injected into an orthogonal accelerator section are given a fixed amount of energy with a predetermined period in a direction orthogonal to the direction of their injection
Implementation Method 2
A pulsed voltage is applied to the pair of electrodes with the specific period mentioned earlier to eject ions into the flight space
Implementation Method 3
determine the mass-to-charge ratio of each ion from its time of flight
Data Source
AI summary
An orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer in which an ion injected into an orthogonal acceleration area is periodically accelerated in a direction orthogonal to a direction of the injection and thereby ejected into a flight space. The mass spectrometer includes: an orthogonal acceleration electrode; a voltage supplier for applying a fixed level of voltage to the orthogonal acceleration electrode with a predetermined period; a TOF determiner for detecting an ion after a completion of a flight of the ion within the flight space, and determining the TOF of the ion; a storage section in which mass determination information defining a relationship between the TOF and mass-to-charge ratio of the ion depending on the period of the applied voltage is stored; and a mass-to-charge-ratio determiner for determining the mass-to-charge ratio of an ion from the TOF of the ion determined by the TOF determiner, based on the mass determination information.