Apparatus and method for adjustment of ion separation resolution in faims

Abstract

An apparatus for controllably varying specificity of a FAIMS-based ion separation includes a first electrode surface portion defining an ion inlet within a portion thereof and a second electrode surface portion defining an ion outlet within a portion thereof. The second electrode surface portion is spaced-apart from the first electrode surface portion along a first direction and disposed in a facing relationship relative to the first electrode surface portion so as to define a FAIMS analyzer region therebetween. An intermediate electrode is disposed between the first electrode surface portion and the second electrode surface portion, the intermediate electrode for defining a transition point of an average ion flow path between the ion inlet and the ion outlet. An actuator is provided for controllably moving the intermediate electrode relative to each of the first electrode surface portion and the second electrode surface portion, for translating the transition point so as to controllably vary the length of the average ion flow path.