| 摘要 |
A method of ion mobility spectrometry comprising: (i) introducing a packet of ions into a drift space; (ii) passing the ions through the drift space wherein the ions separate according to their ion mobility; and (iii) reflecting or deflecting the ions that have passed through the drift space back into the drift space wherein the ions can further separate according to their ion mobility, wherein the reflecting or deflecting takes place in a region at lower pressure than the drift space. The drift space may be re-used multiple times to extend the separation path length. High resolution of ion separation may be achieved. The method may enable switching between modes of different resolution and separation speed. The regions of low pressure preferably allow inertial ion motion wherein the mean free path between ion collisions with gas is significantly longer than in the stages of ion mobility separation. The low pressure reflecting or deflecting region enables a time of flight focusing of ions to be provided without ion mobility separation occurring therein. |
