Multiturn Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer Compensating Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multiturn time-of-flight mass spectrometers face challenges in accurately compensating for distorted electric fields near ion inlets and outlets, which can affect ion trajectories and resolving power, especially when downsizing the device or increasing resolving power.
Innovation Solution
A multiturn time-of-flight mass spectrometer with a main electrode and a compensating electrode attached via an insulating material, allowing precise positioning to compensate for electric field distortions, using positioning pins and fitting holes for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the flight distance of ions is increased in a linear TOFMS or reflectron TOFMS, then the resolving power is improved, but the device size increases in one specific direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from linear ion flight paths to three-dimensional loop orbits. Ions are made to fly in loop orbits that gradually change position for each turn, utilizing spatial dimensions beyond simple linear extension. This allows the flight path to be extended in a compact three-dimensional configuration rather than requiring linear scaling of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nested electrode structures where inner electrodes are positioned within outer electrodes to create loop-flight spaces. Multiple electrodes are arranged concentrically and positioned at specific potentials to generate the loop-flight electric field, allowing the flight path to be contained within a compact nested configuration.
2Volume of stationary object
If the device size is reduced by decreasing the size of the main electrode, then the resolving power can be maintained by increasing the number of turns, but the ions are more likely to be affected by the distorted electric field near the ion inlet or outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces compensating electrodes specifically positioned in the vicinity of the ion inlet or outlet where electric field distortion occurs. These localized compensating structures provide targeted correction only in the regions where distortion problems exist, rather than requiring uniform modification throughout the entire electrode system.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensating electrodes act as intermediary elements that mediate between the main electrode structure and the ions. They generate supplementary electric fields that compensate for the distortion caused by the main electrode's opening, serving as a buffer that protects ion trajectories from the harmful effects of field distortion.
3Measurement precision
If the resolving power is improved by increasing the number of turns through increasing the density of the loop orbit, then the device size can be reduced, but the compensation of the distorted electric field becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrode system into multiple segmented electrodes (outer electrodes and inner electrodes) that can be independently positioned and controlled. The compensating electrodes are also segmented and positioned at specific locations around the loop-flight space, allowing for distributed and modular compensation of electric field distortions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the position and potential of compensating electrodes are adjusted based on the observed ion trajectories. By monitoring how ions are affected by the distorted electric field and adjusting the compensating electrodes accordingly, the system achieves accurate compensation even for high-density loop orbits.
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 precise compensation of electric field distortions improves ion trajectory stability and resolving power, enabling smaller device sizes or higher resolving power by accurately setting the compensating electrode's position relative to the main electrode.
Implementation Method 1
a main electrode configured to generate, within a predetermined loop-flight space, a loop-flight electric field which is an electric field that makes an ion fly in a loop orbit multiple times
Implementation Method 2
a compensating electrode configured to compensate for a distortion of the loop-flight electric field which occurs in the vicinity of the opening
Implementation Method 3
a compensating-electrode attachment part made of an insulating material and fixed to the main electrode
Data Source
AI summary
To compensate for the distortion of the loop-flight electric field with a higher level of accuracy, a multiturn time-of-flight mass spectrometer 1 includes: a main electrode 21 configured to generate, within a predetermined loop-flight space, a loop-flight electric field which is an electric field that makes an ion fly in a loop orbit multiple times, the main electrode having an opening 24 or 25 through which ions are introduced into or extracted from the loop-flight space; a compensating-electrode attachment part 23 made of an insulating material and fixed to the main electrode; and a compensating electrode 22 configured to compensate for a distortion of the loop-flight electric field which occurs in the vicinity of the opening, the compensating electrode being fixed to the compensating-electrode attachment part directly or via a substrate 221 and located in the vicinity of the opening.