ION PUMP

摘要

The invention provides an ion pump to be used for selectively transferring ionised molecules across a barrier from a first volume to a second volume. The pump comprises an ion gate or filter separating the two volumes, the filter comprising at least one ion channel extending between the first and second spaces, the channel defined by a plurality of conductive layers separated along the length of the channel by at least one non-conductive layer; the device further comprising control means for applying an electric potential to the conductive layers such that the conductive layers act as electrodes. Other aspects of the invention relate to methods for selectively transferring ions.