Abridged multipole structure for the transport, selection and trapping of ions in a vacuum system
First Claim
1. An abridged multipole structure for the transport, selection and trapping of ions along a central axis in a vacuum system, comprising:
- a first plurality of rectilinear electrode structures each comprising a plurality of electrodes arranged along a line, each structure having a substantially planar face with a first dimension and a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension and being constructed so that a voltage applied across the second dimension produces an electrical potential at the planar face whose amplitude is a linear function of position along the second dimension;
a mechanism that positions the first plurality of rectilinear electrode structures so that, for each electrode structure, the first dimension extends along the central axis and the planar faces of the electrode structures are positioned about the central axis;
a source that applies an RF potential across the second dimension of each of the electrode structures to produce a multipole field to focus analyte ions toward the central axis; and
a pair of trapping electrodes extending perpendicularly to the central axis and positioned before and after the first plurality of electrode structures along the central axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An abridged multipole structure for the transport and selection of ions along a central axis in a vacuum system is constructed from a plurality of rectilinear electrode structures, each having a substantially planar face with a first dimension and a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension. When a voltage is applied across the second dimension, an electrical potential is produced at the planar face whose amplitude is a linear function of position along the second dimension. Two electrode structures can be arranged parallel to each other with the first dimension extending along the central axis or more electrodes structures can be arranged to form multipole structures with various polygonal cross sections. Additional embodiments can act as linear ion traps or Paul ion traps.
38 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An abridged multipole structure for the transport, selection and trapping of ions along a central axis in a vacuum system, comprising:
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a first plurality of rectilinear electrode structures each comprising a plurality of electrodes arranged along a line, each structure having a substantially planar face with a first dimension and a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension and being constructed so that a voltage applied across the second dimension produces an electrical potential at the planar face whose amplitude is a linear function of position along the second dimension; a mechanism that positions the first plurality of rectilinear electrode structures so that, for each electrode structure, the first dimension extends along the central axis and the planar faces of the electrode structures are positioned about the central axis; a source that applies an RF potential across the second dimension of each of the electrode structures to produce a multipole field to focus analyte ions toward the central axis; and a pair of trapping electrodes extending perpendicularly to the central axis and positioned before and after the first plurality of electrode structures along the central axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A mass spectrometer comprising:
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an ion source; a vacuum system having a central axis; an ion detector; and an abridged multipole structure having three separate pluralities of rectilinear electrode structures positioned sequentially along the central axis, each electrode structure having a plurality of electrodes arranged along a line and a substantially planar face with a first dimension and a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension and being constructed so that a voltage applied across the second dimension produces an electrical potential at the planar face whose amplitude is a linear function of position along the second dimension, a mechanism that positions each plurality of rectilinear electrode structures so that, for each electrode structure, the first dimension extends along the central axis and the planar faces of the plurality of electrode structures are positioned about the central axis; a source that applies an RF potential across the second dimension of each of the electrode structures to produce a multipole field to focus analyte ions toward the central axis; and a pair of trapping electrodes extending perpendicularly to the central axis and positioned before and after the three pluralities of electrode structures along the central axis. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for the transport, selection and trapping of ions along a central axis in a vacuum system, comprising:
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(a) providing a first plurality of rectilinear electrode structures, each comprising a plurality of electrodes arranged along a line and having a substantially planar face with a first dimension and a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension and being constructed so that a voltage applied across the second dimension produces an electrical potential at the planar face whose amplitude is a linear function of position along the second dimension; (b) positioning the first plurality of rectilinear electrode structures so that, for each electrode structure, the first dimension extends along the central axis and the planar faces of the electrode structures are positioned about the central axis; (c) positioning a pair of trapping electrodes extending perpendicularly to the central axis and located before and after the first plurality of electrode structures along the central axis; (d) introducing ions into the first plurality of electrode structures; and (e) applying RF voltages to the first plurality of rectilinear electrode structures in order to confine the ions along the central axis. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification