TOF Mass Spectrometer Variable Potential Lift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometers face challenges in varying collisional energies and efficiently observing fragmentations of multivalent ions, particularly due to limitations in kinetic energy transfer and ion acceptance in reflectron fields, which restricts the analysis of multivalent ions.
Innovation Solution
A TOF mass spectrometer design that includes a conductive box with variable potential control, allowing for wide-ranging collisional energies and efficient fragmentation observation of multivalent ions by decelerating precursor ions before fragmentation and using a reflectron field with adjustable kinetic energy acceptance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a reflectron field is used to improve energy focusing and prolong flight distance, then mass resolution is improved, but the variable range of collisional energies is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the electric potential of the conductive box variable during the ion passage. The potential control portion dynamically adjusts the electric potential from a first potential to a second potential while precursor ions are passing through the box, enabling the collisional energy to be varied widely while maintaining mass resolution through the reflectron field.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of electric potential in the conductive box from a fixed state to a variable state. By controlling the electric potential to change from a first potential to a second potential during ion passage, the system achieves wide variability in collisional energies while preserving the mass resolution benefits of the reflectron field.
2Device complexity
If constant accelerating voltage is used to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but efficient observation of multivalent ion fragmentations is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the electric potential in the conductive box without adding complex hardware. The potential control portion adjusts the potential during ion passage, enabling efficient observation of multivalent ion fragmentations while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electric potential parameter in the conductive box from constant to variable during ion passage. This parameter change enables the system to efficiently observe fragmentations of multivalent ions by providing appropriate collisional energies, while the overall device structure remains relatively simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the electric potential in the conductive box is varied to achieve wide collisional energy range, then fragmentation observation is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The potential control portion is integrated into the mass spectrometer system, allowing it to autonomously control the electric potential in the conductive box. The system self-regulates the potential variation during ion passage, achieving wide collisional energy variability without requiring external complex control mechanisms.
4Measurement precision
If precursor ions are decelerated before fragmentation to improve collisional energy control, then fragmentation efficiency is improved, but ion transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by decelerating precursor ions in the conductive box before they enter the fragmentation region. The electric potential is varied during ion passage to reduce their kinetic energy in advance, improving fragmentation efficiency. The deceleration is timed and controlled to minimize the time penalty while achieving the desired collisional energy for efficient fragmentation.
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
Enables wider variability in collisional energies and efficient observation of fragmentations of both monovalent and multivalent ions, improving the analytical capabilities of TOF mass spectrometry.
Implementation Method 1
an ion source for ionizing a sample to thereby produce ions
Implementation Method 2
a first mass analyzer for separating the produced ions according to flight time corresponding to mass-to-charge ratio
Implementation Method 3
a potential control portion for controlling the electric potential on the conductive box. When precursor ions enter the conductive box, the potential control portion sets the potential on the conductive box at a first potential. When the potential on the conductive box is varied, the potential control portion varies the potential on the conductive box from the first potential to a second potential while the precursor ions are passing through the conductive box
Implementation Method 4
a collisional cell for fragmenting the precursor ions passed through the conductive box into product ions
Implementation Method 5
a second mass analyzer for separating the precursor ions passed through the collisional cell and the product ions generated by the collisional cell according to flight time corresponding to mass-to-charge ratio
Data Source
AI summary
A flight-of-time mass spectrometer is offered which can provide a variable range of collisional energies that can be made wider than heretofore. Also, a method of controlling this spectrometer is offered. The spectrometer has an ion source, a first mass analyzer, an ion gate, a potential lift, a collisional cell, a second mass analyzer, a detector, and a potential control portion for controlling the potential on the potential lift. When the precursor ions selected by the ion gate enter the potential lift, the potential control portion sets the potential on the conductive box at V1. When the potential on the potential lift is varied, the potential control portion varies the potential on the potential lift from V1 to V2 while precursor ions are traveling through the potential lift.