Abstract: An ion mobility filter is disclosed. The present invention relates to but not exclusively a field asymmetric ion spectrometry filter. For example, we describe an ion filter for filtering ions in a gas sample. The ion filter is comprised of a plurality of electrodes, a first ion channel, and a second ion channel. The first ion channel filters ions from a target chemical in the gas sample, defines a gap between a first pair of electrodes in the plurality of electrodes, and has a first ion channel gap width. The second ion channel filters ions from the target chemical in the gas sample, defines a gap between a second pair of electrodes in the plurality of electrodes, and has a second ion channel gap width. The first ion channel gap width is greater than the second ion channel gap width.

Abstract: An ion filter for filtering ions in a gas sample. The ion filter has a first ion channel for filtering ions from a target chemical in the gas sample. The ion filter has a second ion channel for filtering ions from the target chemical in the gas sample. The second ion channel is separated from the first ion channel. A temperature control region is in thermal contact with the first and second ion channels for controlling a difference in temperature between the first and second ion channels. A method of filtering ions from a target chemical in a gas sample is also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacture for a ion mobility filter is disclosed. The method of manufacturing an ion filter for a spectrometry system includes providing a sheet of conductive material and defining a plurality of ion filters on the sheet. The definition of the plurality of ion filters is achieved by forming an electrode layer for each ion filter on the sheet, where each electrode layer comprises at least one ion channel and an isolation channel surrounding the at least one ion channel. A support layer on each electrode layer is also formed. Each support layer comprises an aperture at least partially aligned with the at least one ion channel. The ion filter is then separated. The risk of contaminants entering the at least one ion channel when separating the ion filters is reduced by surrounding the at least one ion channel with the isolation channel.

Abstract: A method of manufacture for a ion mobility filter is disclosed. The method of manufacturing an ion filter for a spectrometry system includes providing a sheet of conductive material and defining a plurality of ion filters on the sheet. The definition of the plurality of ion filters is achieved by forming an electrode layer for each ion filter on the sheet, where each electrode layer comprises at least one ion channel and an isolation channel surrounding the at least one ion channel. A support layer on each electrode layer is also formed. Each support layer comprises an aperture at least partially aligned with the at least one ion channel. The ion filter is then separated. The risk of contaminants entering the at least one ion channel when separating the ion filters is reduced by surrounding the at least one ion channel with the isolation channel.

Abstract: An ion filter for filtering ions in a gas sample. The ion filter has a first ion channel for filtering ions from a target chemical in the gas sample. The ion filter has a second ion channel for filtering ions from the target chemical in the gas sample. The second ion channel is separated from the first ion channel. A temperature control region is in thermal contact with the first and second ion channels for controlling a difference in temperature between the first and second ion channels. A method of filtering ions from a target chemical in a gas sample is also provided.

Abstract: An ion mobility filter is disclosed. The present invention relates to but not exclusively a field asymmetric ion spectrometry filter. For example, we describe an ion filter for filtering ions in a gas sample. The ion filter is comprised of a plurality of electrodes, a first ion channel, and a second ion channel. The first ion channel filters ions from a target chemical in the gas sample, defines a gap between a first pair of electrodes in the plurality of electrodes, and has a first ion channel gap width. The second ion channel filters ions from the target chemical in the gas sample, defines a gap between a second pair of electrodes in the plurality of electrodes, and has a second ion channel gap width. The first ion channel gap width is greater than the second ion channel gap width.