Method and apparatus for trapping ions by increasing trapping voltage during ion introduction
First Claim
1. A method for trapping ions in an ion trapping field of an ion trapping device having a ring electrode and at least one end cap electrode, comprising the steps of:
- introducing ions into said ion trapping field, each of said ions having an initial kinetic energy; and
applying an alternating voltage, having a first amplitude, to said ring electrode and increasing, at a predetermined gradual rate, said first amplitude to a second amplitude during a period of time when said ions are being introduced into said ion trapping field to trap said ions in said ion trapping field.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for trapping ions in an ion trap having a ring electrode and a plurality of end-cap electrodes. Ions are introduced into a ion trap cavity of the ion trap from an external source or by desorption of a substance in the ion trap cavity. In a first embodiment, as the ions are introduced in the ion trap cavity, the amplitude of an RF voltage being applied to the ring electrode is gradually increased to trap the ions in the ion trap cavity. In a second embodiment, as the ions are introduced in the ion trap cavity, a retarding voltage is applied to the end-caps to reduce the initial kinetic energy of the ions. In a third embodiment, as the ions are introduced in the ion trap cavity from a probe tip inserted in the cavity, a retarding voltage is applied to the probe tip.
-
Citations
34 Claims
-
1. A method for trapping ions in an ion trapping field of an ion trapping device having a ring electrode and at least one end cap electrode, comprising the steps of:
-
introducing ions into said ion trapping field, each of said ions having an initial kinetic energy; and applying an alternating voltage, having a first amplitude, to said ring electrode and increasing, at a predetermined gradual rate, said first amplitude to a second amplitude during a period of time when said ions are being introduced into said ion trapping field to trap said ions in said ion trapping field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
13. An apparatus for trapping ions, comprising:
-
a ring electrode; at least one end cap electrode; means for introducing ions into an ion trapping field, each of said ions having an initial kinetic energy; and means for applying an alternating voltage, having a first amplitude, to said ring electrode to create said ion trapping field and increasing, at a predetermined gradual rate, said first amplitude to a second amplitude during a period of time when said ions are being introduced into said ion trapping field to trap said ions in said ion trapping field. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
-
Specification