Mobilion Systems, Inc.

Liulin Deng

John Daniel DeBord

Nathan Paul Roehr

Gordon A Anderson

Sidney E Buttrill

Ahmed M Hamid

Methods and apparatus for ion accumulation are disclosed. An apparatus for ion accumulation includes multiple regions. A first region receives and transfers ions to a second region using a first drive potential. The second region is switchable between a first state where it generates a first electric field preventing ions from further movement and entering a third region, and a second state where it generates a second electric field that guides the ions toward the third region. When in the first state, the ions are prevented from further movement by the first electric field, which causes the ions to accumulate in the second region. When in the second state, the ions are moved from the second region to the third region by the second electric field. A method of accumulating ions involves switching an electric field applied to a region between a trap state and a release state.

Methods and apparatus for trapping and accumulation of ions

In one implementation, a mobility-based ion separation system includes a first ion channel extending between a first end and a second end, and configured to receive an ion packet. The separation system includes a controller configured to apply a first voltage signal and a second voltage signal to a first plurality of electrodes adjacent to the first ion channel. The first plurality of electrodes are configured to generate, based on receipt of the first voltage signal, a first traveling drive potential that travels at a first speed along a first direction, the first direction extending from the first end to the second end. The first plurality of electrodes are configured to generate, based on receipt of the second voltage signal, a second DC potential decreasing along a second direction, the second direction extending from the second end to the first end.

Mobility based filtering of ions

A system for separating ions includes first and second surfaces extending along first and second perpendicular directions, an ion channel defined between the surfaces and configured to receive a stream of ions, first and second electrode arrays each including a plurality of electrodes extending in a third direction and respectively associated with the first and second surfaces, means for causing gas to flow across the ion channel in a fourth direction substantially opposite the first direction, and a controller configured to apply a DC voltage gradient to the electrode arrays. The electrode arrays are configured to generate an electric field based on the DC voltage gradient. The electric field and the flow of gas are configured to direct ions having mobilities in a first mobility range along a first path and ions having mobilities in a second mobility range along a second path.

Systems and methods for two-dimensional mobility based filtering of ions

An apparatus for ion manipulation having improved duty cycle includes first and second separation regions separated by a switch that alternates between guiding ions to each of the separation regions. The separation regions separate the ions based on mobility over respective time periods that at least partially overlap. The apparatus can additionally or alternatively include a pre-separation region that filters ions prior to accumulating ions, thus allowing an accumulation region to accumulate for a longer time period. The apparatus can additionally or alternatively include a plurality of gates along the separation region(s) to simultaneously filter a plurality of ion packets sequentially released into the separation region(s). Methods for ion manipulation having improved duty cycle involve separating ions on two separation regions over first and second time periods that at least partially overlap, pre-filtering ions prior to accumulation and separation, and/or simultaneously filtering a plurality of ions packets are also provided.

Apparatus and methods for ion manipulation having improved duty cycle

A system for filtering ions includes first and second surfaces extending along first and second perpendicularly arranged directions, an ion channel between the surfaces configured to receive an ion stream, and first and second electrode arrays associated with the first and second surfaces, respectively. The first and second electrode arrays include a first plurality of electrodes arranged along the first direction and a second plurality of electrodes arranged along the second direction. A controller is configured to apply a first voltage signal to the first plurality of electrodes, which are configured to generate a drive potential traveling along the first direction, and a second voltage signal to the electrode arrays, which are configured to generate an electric potential. The drive and electric potentials are configured to direct ions having mobilities in a first range along a first path and ions having mobilities in a second range along a second path.

A system includes, an ion channel extending along a first direction from a first end to a second end. The ion channel is configured to receive ions at the first end of the ion channel. The system further includes a controller configured to apply a first voltage signal to a first plurality of electrodes adjacent to the ion channel. The first plurality of electrodes are configured to generate, based on receipt of the first voltage signal, a first traveling drive potential that travels along the first direction during a separation time. One or more of a travel speed and an amplitude of the first traveling drive potential vary during a first time segment of the separation time.

Growing community of inventors

Chester Springs, PA, United States of America

Liulin Deng