Miniature Toroidal RF Ion Trap Mass Analyzer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturization of mass spectrometers is hindered by space charge and machining tolerance issues, leading to reduced ion storage capacity and mass resolution in conventional ion trap analyzers, which are offset by increased portability and lower power requirements.
Innovation Solution
A miniature toroidal RF ion trap mass analyzer with asymmetrically shaped electrodes and recessed bridges in the endcaps is developed, maintaining ion trapping volume and mass resolution while reducing size and power consumption, and allowing for easy interfacing with conventional detectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the analyzer size is reduced to improve portability, then weight and power consumption decrease, but ion storage capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional linear ion trap geometry to a toroidal (doughnut-shaped) geometry, utilizing a different spatial dimension and configuration. This toroidal shape allows ions to be trapped in a circular path around a central axis, effectively increasing the ion storage volume within a compact footprint. The toroidal configuration enables the analyzer to maintain adequate ion storage capacity while achieving significant size reduction for portability.
2Weight of moving object
If the analyzer size is reduced to improve portability, then weight and power consumption decrease, but mass resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric electrode shaping within the toroidal structure, where the electrode surfaces are deliberately designed with non-uniform geometries. This asymmetry allows for precise control and correction of the electric field distribution throughout the trapping volume. By carefully engineering the asymmetric electrode profiles, the device compensates for field distortions that would otherwise degrade mass resolution, thereby maintaining high measurement precision despite the reduced analyzer size.
3Reliability
If conventional hyperbolic surfaces are used in miniaturized analyzers, then ion trapping performance is maintained, but machining complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the electrode surfaces, transitioning from complex hyperbolic curves to simplified toroidal surfaces with corrected asymmetric profiles. This parameter change involves redefining the surface equations and dimensional characteristics to achieve comparable ion trapping performance through a different geometric paradigm. The new parameters enable fabrication using conventional machining techniques while maintaining the necessary electric field properties for effective ion confinement and analysis.
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 miniature toroidal RF ion trap analyzer achieves comparable ion storage capacity to conventional designs with reduced dimensions and lower RF voltages, enhancing portability and mass resolution while minimizing discontinuities in the trapping field.
Implementation Method 1
a modest decrease in analyzer size results in a large reduction in operating voltage. This in turn results in lower power requirements
Implementation Method 2
The ability to miniaturize ion trap mass spectrometers hinges on several issues, including space charge and machining tolerance limits
Implementation Method 3
Miniature toroidal radio frequency ion trap mass analyzer
Data Source
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AI summary
A scaled down version of a toroidal radio frequency (RF) ion trap mass analyzer operating with RF trapping voltages on the order of 1 kVp-p yet despite the reduced dimensions, retains roughly the same ion trapping volume as conventional 3D quadrupole ion traps , wherein the curved geometry enables construction of a compact mass analyzer and easy interface with conventional electron multipliers.