Electron-ion fragmentation reactions in multipolar radiofrequency fields
AssigneeBruker Daltonik GmbH
InventorsRoman Zubarev, Frank Kjeldsen, Igor Ivonin, Oleg Silivra
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Abstract
The present invention relates to ion fragmentation techniques by electron-ion reactions in multipolar radiofrequency fields like those in quadrupole ion traps or in ion guides, and devices to perform ion fragmentation by such techniques. The fragmentation techniques are useful for tandem mass spectrometry. The invention consists of the application of a magnetic field essentially parallel to the axis of the radiofrequency field to confine the electrons in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field.
Claims20
A device for performing electron-ion fragmentation reactions comprising:
- (a) a multi-electrode structure,
- (b) a generator delivering radiofrequency voltages to the multi-electrode structure to form an electric multipolar radiofrequency field,
- (c) an ion source delivering ions into the radiofrequency field, where the ions are confined in a spatially limited region by the radiofrequency field for at least some period of time,
- (d) a magnetic field source for superimposing a magnetic field on the electric radiofreqency field, and
- (e) an electron source for providing electrons with energies below approximately 20 electronvolts into said spatially limited region.
A method of obtaining efficient ion-electron reactions comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a multipolar electric radiofrequency field for storage or guidance of ions,
- (b) providing positive or negative ions in a spatially limited region inside the radiofrequency field where the ions are confined at least some period of time;
- (c) providing electrons inside said region with kinetic energies of the electrons below approximately 20 eV, to allow ion-electron reactions;
- and
- (d) providing a magnetic field inside said region sufficiently strong to confine the motion of said electrons in the direction perpendicular to said magnetic field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.