ABRIDGED MULTIPOLE STRUCTURE FOR THE TRANSPORT, SELECTION AND TRAPPING OF IONS IN A VACUUM SYSTEM

摘要

An abridged multipole structure for the transport and selection of ions along a central axis in a vacuum system is constructed from a plurality of rectilinear electrode structures, each having a substantially planar face with a first dimension and a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension. When a voltage is applied across the second dimension, an electrical potential is produced at the planar face whose amplitude is a linear function of position along the second dimension. Two electrode structures can be arranged parallel to each other with the first dimension extending along the central axis or more electrodes structures can be arranged to form multipole structures with various polygonal cross sections. Additional embodiments can act as linear ion traps or Paul ion traps.

主权项

1. An abridged multipole structure for the transport, selection and trapping of ions along a central axis in a vacuum system, comprising:
a first plurality of rectilinear electrode structures, each structure having a substantially planar face with a first dimension and a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension and being constructed so that a voltage applied across the second dimension produces an electrical potential at the planar face whose amplitude is a linear function of position along the second dimension; a mechanism that positions the first plurality of rectilinear electrode structures so that, for each electrode structure, the first dimension extends along the central axis and the planar faces of the electrode structures are positioned symmetrically about the central axis; and a pair of trapping electrodes extending perpendicularly to the central axis and positioned before and after the first plurality of electrode structures along the central axis.