Curved ion guides and related systems and methods

An ion guide comprising:

• a plurality of curved electrodes arranged along a curved central axis, wherein the plurality of electrodes define a curved ion guide region;
• and
• an ion deflecting device configured to apply a radial DC electric field across the ion guide region and along the curved central axis,
• wherein each electrode comprises a coil or spring,
• wherein the curved ion guide region begins at an ion entrance and ends at an ion exit, wherein the ion guide region has a radius of curvature that varies along the curved central axis, and
• wherein the radius of curvature is at a maximum at the ion entrance and is at a minimum at the ion exit.

An ion guide comprising:

• a plurality of curved electrodes arranged along a curved central axis, wherein the plurality of electrodes define a curved ion guide region;
• and
• an ion deflecting device configured to apply a radial DC electric field across the ion guide region and along the curved central axis,
• wherein each electrode comprises a plurality of electrode segments, wherein adjacent electrode segments are axially spaced apart from one another along the curved central axis, and wherein ends of adjacent electrode segments axially overlap one another along the curved central axis.