RF ION GUIDE WITH AXIAL FIELDS
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Accused Products
Abstract
RF ion guides are configured as an array of elongate electrodes arranged symmetrically about a central axis, to which RF voltages are applied. The RF electrodes include at least a portion of their length that is semi-transparent to electric fields. Auxiliary electrodes are then provided proximal to the RF electrodes distal to the ion guide axis, such that application of DC voltages to the auxiliary electrodes causes an auxiliary electric field to form between the auxiliary electrodes and the ion guide RF electrodes. A portion of this auxiliary electric field penetrates through the semi-transparent portions of the RF electrodes, such that the potentials within the ion guide are modified. The auxiliary electrode structures and voltages can be configured so that a potential gradient develops along the ion guide axis due to this field penetration, which provides an axial motive force for collision damped ions.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1-26. -26. (canceled)
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27. An apparatus, comprising:
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an ion source; a mass analyzer; a RF ion guide positioned in an ion path between the ion source and the first mass analyzer, the RF ion guide having an ion guide axis extending between an input end of the RF ion guide and an exit end of the RF ion guide, the RF ion guide comprising; a first electrode extending along the ion guide axis, the first electrode configured to be connected to a voltage source, and a second electrode extending along the ion guide axis, the second electrode configured to be connected to a RF source, a portion of the second electrode being positioned between the first electrode and the ion guide axis, the second electrode defining a longitudinal elongated slot, wherein during use of the apparatus, the RF ion guide produces RF electric fields within a central portion of the RF ion guide throughout a region between the second electrode and the ion guide axis to radially confine ions, wherein the first and second electrodes are configured so that during operation of the apparatus, a DC electric field is generated between the first and second electrodes to provide a DC electric field at the RF ion guide axis that has a non-zero axial component throughout at least a portion of the length of the RF ion guide. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method, comprising:
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ionizing a sample to generate ions; providing background gas along at least a portion of a RF ion guide; introducing at least a portion of the ions through an input end of the RF ion guide to collide with background gas in the RF ion guide; providing a DC electric field along an ion guide axis of the RF ion guide that has a non-zero axial component to cause ions that have undergone collisions to move through the RF ion guide toward a ion guide exit end; wherein providing the axial electric field comprises applying a DC voltage to a first electrode of the RF ion guide that surrounds a second electrode of the RF ion guide such that an electric field produced by the first electrode penetrates a central portion of the second electrode before impinging on the ion guide axis to generate a DC electric field between the first and second electrodes, the central portion of the second electrode defines a longitudinal elongated slot, and wherein the RF ion guide produces RF electric fields within a central portion of the first RF ion guide throughout a region between the second electrode and the ion guide axis to radially confine ions; providing a first trapping region proximal to the ion guide exit end, wherein ions are trapped following their passage through the first RF ion guide; releasing trapped ions from the first trapping region; and mass analyzing the released ions. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification