Efficient atmospheric pressure interface for mass spectrometers and method
First Claim
1. An ion transfer arrangement for transporting ions between a relatively high pressure region and a relatively low pressure region, comprising:
- an ion transfer conduit having an inlet opening towards a relatively high pressure chamber, an outlet opening towards a relatively low pressure chamber, and at least one sidewall surrounding an ion transfer channel, the sidewall extending along a central axis between the inlet end and the outlet end;
an evacuable chamber which encloses the ion transfer conduit;
a plurality of apertures formed in the longitudinal direction of the sidewall of the conduit; and
a pumping means for evacuating the evacuable chamber so as to remove a portion of the gas within the ion transfer channel through the plurality of apertures in the conduit to the evacuable chamber, the pumping means being configured to evacuate the evacuable chamber to a pressure below atmospheric pressure but high enough to maintain a viscous flow of gas and ions through the ion transfer channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ion transfer arrangement for transporting ions between higher and lower pressure regions of the mass spectrometer comprises an ion transfer conduit 60. The conduit 60 has an inlet opening towards a relatively high pressure chamber 40 and an outlet 70 opening towards a relatively low pressure chamber. The conduit 60 also has at least one side wall surrounding an ion transfer channel 115. The side wall includes a plurality of apertures 140 formed in the longitudinal direction of the side wall so as to permit a flow of gas from within the ion transfer channel 115 to a lower pressure region outside of the side wall of the conduit 60.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An ion transfer arrangement for transporting ions between a relatively high pressure region and a relatively low pressure region, comprising:
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an ion transfer conduit having an inlet opening towards a relatively high pressure chamber, an outlet opening towards a relatively low pressure chamber, and at least one sidewall surrounding an ion transfer channel, the sidewall extending along a central axis between the inlet end and the outlet end; an evacuable chamber which encloses the ion transfer conduit; a plurality of apertures formed in the longitudinal direction of the sidewall of the conduit; and a pumping means for evacuating the evacuable chamber so as to remove a portion of the gas within the ion transfer channel through the plurality of apertures in the conduit to the evacuable chamber, the pumping means being configured to evacuate the evacuable chamber to a pressure below atmospheric pressure but high enough to maintain a viscous flow of gas and ions through the ion transfer channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of transporting ions between a first, relatively high pressure region and a second, relatively low pressure region, comprising the steps of:
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admitting, from the relatively high pressure region, a mixture of ions and gas into an inlet opening of an ion transfer conduit having or defining an ion transfer channel, and being located within an evacuable chamber; evacuating the evacuable chamber so as to remove a portion of the gas in the ion transfer channel through a plurality of passageways in a conduit wall located intermediate the inlet opening and an outlet opening of the ion transfer conduit, the evacuable chamber being evacuated to a pressure which is below atmospheric pressure but is high enough to maintain a viscous flow of gas and ions through the ion transfer channel; and causing the ions and the remaining gas to exit the ion transfer conduit through the exit opening towards the relatively low pressure region. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification