A method implemented on an apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a first dielectric plate having a substantially planar shape and the first dielectric plate includes:
- a first set of wires being attached onto a surface of the first dielectric plate;
- a second set of wires being attached onto the surface of the first dielectric plate, wherein the first set of wires and the second set of wires include a plurality of electrically conductive wires each being located parallel to one another;
- a first interconnecting wire for connecting one end of each of the first set of wires;
- and
- a second interconnecting wire for connecting one end of each of the second set of wires, wherein:
- the first set of wires is interdigitated with the second set of wires;
- and
- the first interconnecting wire and the second interconnecting wire are located on opposite edges of the first dielectric plate;
- and
- a second dielectric plate having substantially planar shape matching the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate includes:
- a third set of wires being attached onto a surface of the second dielectric plate;
- a fourth set of wires being attached onto the surface of the second dielectric plate, wherein the third set of wires and the fourth set of wires include a plurality of electrically conductive wires each being located parallel to one another;
- a third electrically conductive interconnecting wire for connecting one end of each of the third set of wires;
- and
- a fourth electrically conductive interconnecting wire for connecting one end of each of the fourth set of wires, wherein:
- the third set of wires is interdigitated with the fourth set of wires;
- the third electrically conductive interconnecting wire and the fourth electrically conductive interconnecting wire are located on opposite edges of the second dielectric plate;
- and
- the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate are spaced apart such that every four wires, two wires from the first dielectric plate and two wires from the second dielectric plate, form a quadrupole electric field channel for guiding neutral polar molecules;
- the method comprising:
- in a first electric field configuration:
- applying a positive voltage to a first wire of the quadrupole electric field channel;
- applying a negative voltage to a second wire of the quadrupole electric field channel;
- and
- applying substantially no voltage (or a DC voltage) to a third wire and a fourth wire of the quadrupole electric field channel;
- in a second electric field configuration:
- applying the positive voltage to the third wire of the quadrupole electric field channel;
- applying the negative voltage to the fourth wire of the quadrupole electric field channel;
- and
- applying substantially no voltage to the first and second wires of the quadrupole electric field channel;
- and
- switching the quadrupole electric field channel between the first electric field configuration and the second electric field configuration at a frequency over a period of time.