Multi-channel ion router for guiding ions between selectively operated ports

An ion router comprising:

• a pair of opposing surfaces;
• at least three ports, each port included in the at least three ports defining an opening between the pair of opposing surfaces, wherein at least one port included in the at least three ports is configured to be selectively operated as any one of an entrance port through which ions are received into the ion router, an exit port through which ions exit the ion router, or a closed port through which ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router;
• and
• a plurality of ion channels defined by arrays of electrodes coupled to the pair of surfaces and configured to receive one or more voltages for guiding ions from a port operated as an entrance port to a port operated as an exit port.

A system comprising:

• an ion router comprising:
• a pair of opposing surfaces;
• at least three ports, each port included in the at least three ports defining an opening between the pair of opposing surfaces, wherein each port included in the at least three ports is configured to be selectively operated as any of an entrance port through which ions are received into the ion router, an exit port through which ions exit the ion router, or a closed port through which ions are neither received nor ejected by the ion router;
• and
• a plurality of ion channels defined by arrays of electrodes coupled to the pair of surfaces and configured to receive one or more voltages for guiding ions from a port operated as an entrance port to a port operated as an exit port;
• and
• an ion sorter coupled with a first port included in the at least three ports, wherein the ion router is configured to transmit ions to the ion sorter when the first port is selectively operated as an exit port and to receive ions from the ion sorter when the first port is selectively operated as an entrance port.