Abstract: A linear ion trap system includes a linear ion trap having at least two discrete trapping regions for processing ions. An RF electrical potential generator produces two RF waveforms applied to a pair of pole electrodes of the linear ion trap forming a RF trapping field component to trap ions radially. A multi-output DC electrical potential generator produces a first set of multiple DC field components superimposed to the RF trapping field component and distributed across the length of the linear ion trap to control ions axially. A control unit is configured to switch the DC electrical potentials and DC field components collectively forming a first trapping region of the at least two discrete trapping regions that is populated with ions to alter ion potential energy from a first level to a second level, and to enable at least a first ion processing step in at least one of the first and second levels.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer for analyzing fragment ions includes an ion source, an ion mobility spectrometer, and a system of electrodes. The ion source is configured to produce fragment ions. The ion mobility spectrometer is configured to receive fragment ions produced by the ion source and to separate at least a fraction of the received fragment ions according to their ion mobility into mobility-separated fragment ions. The system of electrodes is configured to receive DC electrical potentials to transfer at least a fraction of the mobility-separated fragment ions to a mass analyzer for generating a mass-to-charge (m/z) spectrum exhibiting reduced spectral complexity.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer for analyzing fragment ions includes an ion source, an ion mobility spectrometer, and a system of electrodes. The ion source is configured to produce fragment ions. The ion mobility spectrometer is configured to receive fragment ions produced by the ion source and to separate at least a fraction of the received fragment ions according to their ion mobility into mobility-separated fragment ions. The system of electrodes is configured to receive DC electrical potentials to transfer at least a fraction of the mobility-separated fragment ions to a mass analyzer for generating a mass-to-charge (m/z) spectrum exhibiting reduced spectral complexity.

Abstract: A linear ion trap system includes a linear ion trap having at least two discrete trapping regions for processing ions. An RF electrical potential generator produces two RF waveforms applied to a pair of pole electrodes of the linear ion trap forming a RF trapping field component to trap ions radially. A multi-output DC electrical potential generator produces a first set of multiple DC field components superimposed to the RF trapping field component and distributed across the length of the linear ion trap to control ions axially. A control unit is configured to switch the DC electrical potentials and DC field components collectively forming a first trapping region of the at least two discrete trapping regions that is populated with ions to alter ion potential energy from a first level to a second level, and to enable at least a first ion processing step in at least one of the first and second levels.

Abstract: A linear ion trap includes at least two discrete trapping regions for processing ions, a RF electrical potential generator, a multi-output DC electrical potential generator, and a control unit. The RF electrical potential generator produces two RF waveforms each applied to a pair of pole electrodes of the linear ion trap forming a RF trapping field component to trap ions radially. The multi-output DC electrical potential generator produces multiple DC field components superimposed to the RF field component and distributed across the length of the linear ion trap to control ions axially. The control unit switches the DC electrical potentials and corresponding DC field components collectively forming a first trapping region populated with ions to alter ion potential energy from a first level to a second level, and enables a first ion processing step in at least one of the first and second levels.

Abstract: A linear ion trap includes at least two discrete trapping regions for processing ions, a RF electrical potential generator, a multi-output DC electrical potential generator, and a control unit. The RF electrical potential generator produces two RF waveforms each applied to a pair of pole electrodes of the linear ion trap forming a RF trapping field component to trap ions radially. The multi-output DC electrical potential generator produces multiple DC field components superimposed to the RF field component and distributed across the length of the linear ion trap to control ions axially. The control unit switches the DC electrical potentials and corresponding DC field components collectively forming a first trapping region populated with ions to alter ion potential energy from a first level to a second level, and enables a first ion processing step in at least one of the first and second levels.