Ion Trapping
First Claim
1. A method of trapping ions in a target ion trap comprising:
- introducing ions into an ion trapping assembly comprising a series of volumes arranged such that ions can traverse from one volume to the next, the volumes including the target ion trap;
allowing the ions to pass into and out from the target ion trap without being trapped; and
guiding the ions such that they pass into the target ion trap for a second time.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to a method of trapping ions and to an ion trapping assembly. In particular, the present invention has application in gas-assisted trapping of ions in an ion trap prior to a mass analysis of the ions in a mass spectrometer. The invention provides a method of trapping ions in a target ion trap of an ion trapping assembly that comprises a series of volumes arranged such that ions can traverse from one volume to the next, the volumes including the target ion trap, whereby ions are allowed to pass repeatedly through the volumes such that they also pass into and out from the target ion trap without being trapped. Potentials may be used to reflect the ions from respective ends of the ion trapping assembly. Optionally, a potential well and/or gas-assisted cooling may be used to cause the ions to settle in the target ion trap.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method of trapping ions in a target ion trap comprising:
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introducing ions into an ion trapping assembly comprising a series of volumes arranged such that ions can traverse from one volume to the next, the volumes including the target ion trap; allowing the ions to pass into and out from the target ion trap without being trapped; and guiding the ions such that they pass into the target ion trap for a second time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 22, 24, 26)
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5. (canceled)
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6. A method of gas-assisted trapping of ions in a target ion trap of an ion trapping assembly comprising a series of volumes arranged such that ions can traverse from one volume to the next, the volumes including the target ion trap, the method comprising:
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filling at least the volume corresponding to the target ion trap with gas; applying potentials to the ion trapping assembly such that (i) the potential rises at either end of the target ion trap, thereby forming a potential well in the target ion trap, (ii) any of the one or more gas-filled volumes adjacent the target ion trap are at a higher potential than the target ion trap, and (iii) potential barriers are formed at either end of the ion trapping assembly; and introducing ions into the ion trapping assembly where they are subsequently reflected by the potential barriers at either end of the ion trapping assembly, thereby traversing the target ion trap repeatedly to settle in the potential well as their energy decreases.
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8. (canceled)
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27. (canceled)
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28. An ion trapping assembly comprising:
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a series of volumes arranged such that ions can traverse from one volume to the next, wherein some of the volumes are adapted to be filled with gas, and wherein the series of volumes include a target ion trap; electrodes arranged to carry potentials; and a controller arranged to set potentials on the electrodes such that (i) the potential rises at either end of the target ion trap, thereby forming a potential well in the target ion trap, (ii) the one or more volumes adapted to be filled with gas adjacent the target ion trap are at a higher potential than the target ion trap, and (iii) potential barriers are formed at either end of the ion trapping assembly. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 33, 35, 38, 40, 42)
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29. (canceled)
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43. (canceled)
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44. (canceled)
Specification