Systems and methods for ion mobility control

A system for controlling ion behavior in an ion mobility based analyzer comprising:

• a flow path for providing a flow of ions,
• an ion filter for generating an ion filter field in the flow path, the ion filter field for filtering the flow of ions by separating ions in the flow of ions according to species, the separating being based on ion-mobility-based behavior of the ions in the ion filter field, the ion filter including:
• a substrate,
• an insulating layer in communication with a portion of the substrate,
• a first pair of filter electrodes for generating a first portion of the filter field, the first pair of filter electrodes including first and second filter electrodes, at least one of the first and second filter electrodes being in communication with the insulating layer,
• a second pair of filter electrodes for generating a second portion of the filter field, the second pair of filter electrodes including third and fourth filter electrodes,
• wherein the first and second pair of filter electrodes are biased to provide an influencing electric field to a portion of the flow path to propel the ions along the flow path substantially from the first pair of filter electrodes toward the second pair of filter electrodes, and
• a guiding electrode for steering a portion of the ions into the ion filter field.

A system for controlling ion behavior in an ion mobility based analyzer comprising:

• a flow path for providing a flow of ions,
• an ion filter for separating ions based on ion-mobility-based behavior of the ions in an ion filter field and for providing a propulsive field for supporting the flow of ions, the ion filter including:
• a substrate,
• an insulating layer in communication with a portion of the substrate,
• an array of filter electrode pairs, each filter electrode pair including first and second electrodes facing each other across the flow path, the array of filter electrodes being biased to provide the propulsive field, at least one filter electrode being in communication with the insulating layer, and
• a guiding electrode for steering ions into the ion filter field.

A method for controlling ion behavior in an ion mobility based analyzer comprising:

• providing a flow of ions along a flow path,
• separating ions based on ion-mobility-based behavior of the ions in an ion filter,
• propelling ions through the ion filter based, at least in part, on a propulsive field,
• providing a substrate to support the ion filter,
• providing an insulating layer in communication with a portion of the substrate,
• providing an array of filter electrode pairs, each filter electrode pair including first and second electrodes facing each other across the flow path, the array of filter electrodes being biased to provide the propulsive field, at least one filter electrode being in communication with the insulating layer, and
• steering ions into the ion filter field using a guiding electrode.

A system for controlling ion behavior in an ion mobility based analyzer comprising:

• a gas chromatograph for providing an elution of ions,
• a flow path for receiving the elution of ions and providing a flow of the ions,
• an ion filter for separating the ions based on ion-mobility-based behavior of the ions in an ion filter field and for providing a propulsive field for supporting the flow of ions, the ion filter including:
• a substrate,
• an insulating layer in communication with the substrate,
• an array of filter electrode pairs, each filter electrode pair including first and second electrodes facing each other across the flow path, the array of filter electrodes being biased to provide the propulsive field, and
• a guiding electrode for steering ions into the ion filter field.