Ion mobility spectrometer and method of analyzing ions
AssigneeJp Scientific Limited
InventorsScott Hopkins, Janusz B. Pawliszyn
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Abstract
An ion mass spectrometer that has an ion channel shaped to modify the speed of a carrier gas as the carrier gas traverses the ion channel. In one case, the ion channel has segments of constant diameter in which the speed of the flowing gas is constant but different than the speed in other segments of the ion channel. This controlled variation in speed from segment to segment, together with the control of the axial electric field in the ion channel, provide greater control on the separation of ions in the ion channel. A method of analyzing ions based on a variation of at least one of axial electric field and of the speed of the flowing gas in the ion channel is also disclosed.
Claims20
An ion mobility spectrometer comprising:
- an analyzer, the analyzer having:
- a body made of a conductive material, the solid body defining an ion channel extending therethrough, the ion channel being continuous, the ion channel having a diameter that varies monotonically along the ion channel, the ion channel having an input section at a first end of the body and an output section at a second end of the body, the first end of the body and the second end of the body being configured to receive a DC voltage to generate an electric field in the ion channel;
- electrodes set in the body along the ion channel and around the ion channel, the electrodes being arranged to receive an adjustable time-varying electrical signal, the time-varying electrical signal to generate a confining field to confine ions in the ion channel along a central portion of the ion channel, the central portion extending parallel to the ion channel, the electrodes being electrically insulated from the body;
- an entrance guide coupled to the input section of the ion channel, the entrance guide configured to guide ions to the ion channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.