栅网电极离子阱质量分析器的结构与性能

报道了一种结构非常简单的新型线型离子阱质量分析器,它由4块"栅网电极"电极与2块端盖电极合围而成的一个近似于长方体的离子存储和分析空间。"栅网电极"的结构为:首先在矩形电极上加工一个"口"字型的通孔,然后再用导电的栅网覆盖住"口"字表面构成。这4块含有栅网的电极合围成一个四面对称的长方体空间,它们与二个端盖电极组成一个完整的离子阱。用栅网电极构成离子阱质量分析器具有以下优势:(1)结构非常简单。它可以极大地减小离子阱质量分析器对组成离子阱电极的机械加工精度要求,如电极对称性,离子引出孔的线性度与大小,以及对离子阱组装精度的要求,使离子阱质谱的生产工艺和使用维护更加简化;(2)由于传统离子引出电极上的离子引出槽被省去,使得离子阱电极的对称性提高,这有可能改善离子阱内部的电场分布,提高离子阱质量分析器的质谱性能;(3)由于离子引出电极的大部分为栅网,它可以成倍提高离子引出效率,提高质谱仪的分析灵敏度。初步的实验结果表明,用本工作给出的用栅网电极组成的离子阱质量分析器,当栅网宽度为4 mm时,在较低的离子共振激发电压下,即可将离子从阱中弹出,并可以获得高于400的质量分辨率和300 Thomson以上的质量扫描范围。     

稳定图的测定与矩形离子阱质谱性能分析

从理论上讲, 离子阱质谱仪的性能是由阱内电场分布决定的,而电场分布又是由组成离子阱的电极几何结构和离子阱工作电压决定的. 对于矩形离子阱, 即使不考虑其几何结构的偏差, 其阱内的电场分布一般也很复杂. 在矩形离子阱内, 除四极电场外, 还包含多种成分的其他各种高阶场, 它们直接影响离子在阱内的运动轨迹和离子阱质谱的性能. 由于各种电场成分对离子阱内离子运动的影响非常复杂, 还很难从数学上给出精确的解析解, 使得目前从理论上还无法预测高阶场成分对质谱性能的影响. 本工作通过测定不同几何结构的矩形离子阱的稳定图, 从实验上比较了不同场半径, 即不同电场分布条件下的离子阱质谱性能的差别. 实验中, 通过改变离子阱的几何比例结构, 详细测定了不同结构的矩形离子阱的稳定图特征, 并与实验测得的质谱分析结果进行比较. 同时, 我们还详细介绍了矩形离子阱质谱的稳定图的测定方法, 并根据得到的不同情况下的稳定图结构分析了离子阱的质谱性能. 研究结果表明： 可以通过比较试验得到的稳定图结构来判断其离子阱质谱仪的性能如质量分辨能力等. 此外, 实验结果还发现： 对于y方向拉伸结构的矩形离子阱, 其实验绘制得到的是不完整的稳定图. 但根据稳定图边界的特点, 通过采用四极直流电压调制的方法, 可以对y方向拉伸结构的矩形离子阱的性能进行改善, 极大地提高了阱的质量分辨能力.     

半圆弧面线性离子阱性能优化的模拟研究

半圆弧面线性离子阱具有电极结构简单、便于加工和安装精度高等优点。为进一步提升半圆弧面线性离子阱的分析性能,本研究在实验室原有半圆弧面线性离子阱的基础上提出了一种四面开槽的半圆弧面线性离子阱,并对其电极半径与场半径之比r/r0以及离子出射方向上电极的“拉伸”距离进行了优化。模拟结果表明：当r/r0=5：5,离子出射方向上的电极向外“拉伸”0.8~1.2 mm时,离子阱的性能有较大提升,尤其是“拉伸”距离为0.9 mm时所得质量分辨率最高,当扫描速率为409 Da/s时, m/z=609 Da的离子质量分辨率可达到6264( M/△M, FWHM)。作为对比,本研究同时对双曲面线性离子阱的性能进行了仿真优化,结果表明,经过优化后的半圆弧面线性离子阱的性能可与双曲面线性离子阱相媲美。     

新型三角形电极圆环离子阱的理论模拟研究

圆环离子阱由于其离子储存能力明显优于相同体积下的三维离子阱,近年来被认为是离子阱小型化发展的另一个重要方向。为进一步优化圆环形离子阱的质谱性能,特别是质量分辨能力,本研究提出了一种由三角形电极构建的新型圆环离子阱,它由两个完全等同的、截面为三角形的圆环电极及两个大小不等的圆筒型电极所组成,离子通过共振激发方式弹出。通过理论模拟和对电极结构的优化,获得了具有非对称性的三角形电极结构,通过改善圆环结构,优化电场分布,提高了离子引出效率和离子阱的质量分辨能力,其中一种最优化结构的圆环离子阱对m/z 609离子的质量分辨率达到1486。     

离子阱阵列的理论模拟研究

采用电脑模拟的方法对一种新型的离子阱质量分析器——离子阱阵列进行了电极结构的优化.该离子阱质量分析器为一种多通道质量分析器,可以同时对不同的离子进行储存和质量分析.本实验主要研究了该离子阱质量分析器的性能和电极结构之间的关系.通过对离子运动轨迹的计算分析,可以得到模拟的离子质谱峰.通过对模拟离子质谱峰的分析,可以区分出使得离子阱性能较优的电极结构.在对模拟质谱峰的分析中,峰形和离子弹出效率都作为性能指标被考虑.有部分模拟的数据与实验结果进行了对比.     

三角形电极离子阱的理论模拟及性能优化

作为一种新型结构的线性离子阱,三角形电极离子阱( TeLIT)具有简单的电极结构与良好的分析性能。为进一步提高TeLIT的质谱性能,本研究考察了TeLIT的性能与电极结构的关系。利用模拟软件SIMI-ON和AXSIM分析TeLIT场半径比与其内部电场分布的关系,并模拟离子运动轨迹,得出模拟离子质谱峰。理论模拟结果表明：优化场半径比可以改善内部电场分布,并能显著提高TeLIT的质量分辨率。最终模拟得出场半径比rx/ry=5.75：5时为最优结构,在该结构下,m/z为1892 Th的离子在扫描速率为1500 Th/s时,质量分辨率可以达到8287;扫描速率降为300 Th/s时,最高质量分辨率可达23000。     

印刷线路板分压离子阱的离子单向出射性能研究

印刷线路板(Printed-Circuit-Board,PCB)分压离子阱是一种新型质量分析器,其突出优点在于内部电场可通过调节射频分压比进行优化.本实验在PCB分压离子阱离子出射方向的两组离散电极上配置了非对称的射频分压,以引入奇次阶场成分,使得射频电场的场中心(即离子运动中心)发生偏移,从而实现离子单向出射.通过数值计算软件SIMION和AXSIM分析了射频分压比差值与其内部电场分布的关系,并模拟离子运动轨迹,得到离子出射情况和模拟质谱峰.模拟结果表明,当两组离散电极的射频分压比差值为20％时,在合适的AC频率条件下,对于m/z=609 Th的离子,PCB分压离子阱的离子单向出射率可达90％以上,且质量分辨率大于2500.本研究可使PCB分压离子阱在基本不损失质量分辨率和使用单检测器模式下,大幅提高离子检测效率,因而在小型化质谱仪应用中具有显著优势.     

气相色谱矩形离子阱质谱联用仪的设计与性能

气相色谱离子阱质谱联用仪(GC-ITMS)广泛地应用于药物分析、环境分析、农药检测和食品分析、有机化学品分析、毒品分析以及医学和生物分析等领域。离子阱质谱作为色谱的检测器,决定了色质联用仪的分析性能,包括检出限、分辨率。离子阱质量分析器从传统的双曲型3D离子阱发展到2D线性离子阱,质量歧视效应得到了极大的改善,灵敏度得到了提高。矩形离子阱作为线性离子阱,结构简单,加工和装配容易,因此应用到GCMS系统中将具有非常大的优势。介绍了矩形离子阱质谱仪的设计方案、仪器整机的性能测试、质量分辨和质量歧视效应分析,与Agilent6890组成GCMS联用仪,对实际样品进行了分析。     

数字化矩形离子阱质谱仪的设计及性能

将数字化离子阱技术和矩形离子阱(RIT)技术相结合,建立了数字化矩形离子阱质谱仪.此技术和装置既具有数字化电源的结构简单、输出稳定和易精确控制等特点,又结合了矩形离子阱的高离子存储效率、结构简单以及加工和装配容易等优点.构建了基于电喷雾(ESI)电离源的数字化矩形离子阱质谱仪系统,并使用Fenfluramine和PPG2000分别对此系统的质量分辨率和质量范围进行了测试.研究结果表明:一个用印刷线路板(PCB)制作的简单矩形离子阱,在200 V(半峰值)的数字束缚电压的驱动下,获得了大于500的质量分辨率和超过2600 Th的质量范围.实验证明,数字化离子阱技术的应用可以显著提高矩形离子阱的性能,特别是质量范围等关键的质谱仪指标.     

一种敞开式离子聚焦装置的研制及其检测方法研究

本研究构建了一种可在大气压下工作的离子聚焦装置。此装置主要结构为一个矩形隧道,当在其上施加相同的电压,矩形隧道状的离子聚焦系统会形成指向中心线的电场,当离子进入到离子聚焦隧道后,便会向中心线附近运动。同时,离子在牵引电极与检测电极之间形成的电场的作用下,向检测电极运动。利用仿真软件SIMION8.0仿真验证了此离子聚焦装置的有效性。从检测电极的离子电流入手,提出了一种可以在大气压下判断离子空间分布的新方法。利用紫铜、环氧树脂板、电木板等材料设计加工了此离子聚焦装置,聚焦装置的尺寸为5 mm×5 mm×3.5 mm;检测电极直径为0.8 mm;相邻电极间的中心距为1.6 mm。结合实验室自行设计的离子源进行了静电计检测实验。结果表明;中间电极上的电流约为66 nA,超出其它电极电流一个数量级,离子强度可提高6倍以上。仿真以及实验数据充分说明此装置具有离子聚焦的功能。     

Structure and Performance of Polygonal Electrode Linear Ion Trap

The polygonal electrode linear ion trap (PeLIT) can produce quadrupolar electric field plus some higher order field, which balances the relationship between mass resolution and electrode manufacturing difficulties. The electrodes of PeLIT are relatively simple, but have a good mass resolving power. This study investigated the relationship between the electric field distribution and the ion trap structures, and the performances of PeLIT through theoretical simulation and experimental study. Research results of simulation showed that the polygonal electrode linear ion traps with different structures had different electric field distributions and mass analysis performances. The negative decapole field distorted the performances significantly. The experimental results showed that the mass resolution of reserpine ions (m/z 609) was more than 2500 using a polygonal electrode ion trap. At the same time, mass selective excitation and tandem mass spectrometry experiments were also carried.     

Development and Investigation of a Mesh-Electrode Linear Ion Trap (ME-LIT) Mass Analyzer

A mesh-electrode linear ion trap (ME-LIT) mass analyzer was developed and its performance was primarily characterized. In conventional linear ion trap mass analyzers, the trapped ions are mass-selected and then ejected in a radial direction by a slot on a trap electrode. The presence of slots can strongly affect the electric field distribution in the ion trapping region and distort the mass analysis performance. To compensate for detrimental electric field effects, the slot is usually designed and fabricated to be as small as possible, and also has very high mechanical accuracy and symmetry. A ME-LIT with several mesh electrodes was built to compensate for the effects caused by slots. Each mesh electrode was fabricated from a plate electrode with a relatively large slot and the slot was covered with a conductive mesh. Our preliminary experimental results show that the ME-LIT could considerably diminish the detrimental electric field effects caused by slots, and increase the mass resolving power and ion detection efficiency. Even with 4-mm-wide slots, a mass resolution in excess of 600 was obtained using the ME-LIT. Mass resolution could be remarkably improved using mesh electrodes in ion traps with asymmetric electrodes. The stability diagram of the ME-LIT was mapped, and highly efficient tandem mass spectrometry was demonstrated. The ME-LIT was qualified as a LIT mass analyzer. The ME-LIT can improve the mass resolution and decrease the requirements of mechanical accuracy and symmetry of slots, so it shows potential for a wide range of practical uses.

Asymmetric rectilinear ion trap with unidirectional ion ejection capability

In this paper, the shapes of the electrodes are modified based on a rectilinear ion trap to achieve unidirectional ejection of ions. The designed asymmetric rectilinear ion trap (ARIT) analyzer adds convex and concave circular structures with a height of 0.5 mm on the two X‐electrodes, so that the electric field center of the ion trap is inclined to the concave side. The electric field lines of the convex side are compressed to the concave side. Both simulations and experimental results show that ions are more likely to emit from the slit on the concave side plate when performing ion resonance ejection. The mass spectrum signal intensity can reach more than twice that of the original rectilinear trap when using only one detector. Calculations of the electric field components in the trap show that the even‐order higher field proportion in the ion trap has not been significantly affected. Combined with the experimental test results, the study further confirmed that the developed ARIT has no significant loss in mass resolution, tandem mass spectrometry capability, and quantitative analysis capability. The proposed asymmetric structure modification scheme can achieve single‐side ejection without significantly affecting other performances of the analyzer, which provides a new idea for the structural optimization of the subsequent ion trap analyzers.     

A novel electric ion resonance cell design with high signal-to-noise ratio and low distortion for Fourier transform mass spectrometry

Performing wideband ion image current detection mass spectrometry experiments with an electric ion trap—e. g., the Paul trap—is a difficult task, as there is a strong crosstalk current induced by the high voltages of the radio frequency (rf) storage field. In a classic Paul trap the metallic hyperbolic electrodes (a ring electrode and two end cap electrodes) are shaped following the isopotential lines of the quadrupole potential distribution. In our new design the ring electrode is replaced by a cylindrical series of ring electrodes with a parabolic potential distribution, whereas the end cap electrodes are used without modification. Thus the quadrupole field within the trap remains unchanged but the capacitances between the electrodes and therefore the crosstalk currents are significantly reduced. The remaining crosstalk is balanced out by an electronic compensation technique. As a consequence the weak signals of the ion-induced charge can be detected with a wideband low-noise amplifier to perform Fourier transform mass spectrometry experiments with improved signal-to-noise ratio.     

Novel ion traps using planar resistive electrodes: Implications for miniaturized mass analyzers

In radiofrequency ion traps, electric fields are produced by applying time-varying potentials between machined metal electrodes. The electrode shape constitutes a boundary condition and defines the field shape. This paper presents a new approach to making ion traps in which the electrodes consist of two ceramic discs, the facing surfaces of which are lithographically imprinted with sets of concentric metal rings and overlaid with a resistive material. A radial potential function can be applied to the resistive material such that the potential between the plates is quadrupolar, and ions are trapped between the plates. The electric field is independent of geometry and can be optimized electronically. The trap can produce any trapping field geometry, including both a toroidal trapping geometry and the traditional Paul-trap field. Dimensionally smaller ion trajectories, as would be produced in a miniaturized ion trap, can be achieved by increasing the potential gradient on the resistive material and operating the trap at higher frequency, rather than by making any physical changes to the trap or the electrodes. Obstacles to miniaturization of ion traps, such as fabrication tolerances, surface smoothness, electrode alignment, limited access for ionization or ion injection, and small trapping volume are addressed using this design.