| 摘要 |
A method of separating ions in an ion mobility separator, the method comprising: causing ions to enter a trapping region of an ion trap 25 along a first axis 35; directing a beam of gas 70 along the first axis 35; and applying an electric potential gradient in the direction of the first axis 35 so as to cause separation of the ions based on their ion mobility. All the particles of the gas beam 70 can be considered to have a vector of motion with a common dominant component and, more preferably, the beam of gas 70 comprises a gas jet. Preferably, the potential gradient is arranged to produce a counteracting electric force to the force from the beam of gas 70 so that ions of a particular mobility equilibrate at a particular point on the voltage gradient. The potential gradient may then be varied or scanned to cause ion mobility dependent extraction of the ions. |
