Abstract: An apparatus for separating ions includes a FAIMS analyzer region having a first ion inlet for introducing ions into the FAIMS analyzer region. An ion outlet from the FAIMS analyzer region is provided for extracting a subset of the ions that is selectively transmitted along an average ion flow path defined through the FAIMS analyzer region. The apparatus also includes an actuator for controllably varying a length of the average ion flow path through the FAIMS analyzer region.

Abstract: An apparatus for controllably varying specificity of a FAIMS-based ion separation includes a FAIMS analyzer region defined between a first electrode surface and a second other electrode surface. The FAIMS analyzer region is in communication with an ionization source for providing a flow of ions including a known ion, and with an ion outlet for extracting ions including the known ion from the FAIMS analyzer region. The first and second electrode surfaces are for having an asymmetric waveform voltage applied thereacross for defining an average ion flow path for the known ion traversing therebetween. An actuator is provided for controllably moving the first electrode surface relative to the second electrode surface for controllably varying the length of the average ion flow path.

Abstract: An apparatus for multiple nano-spray delivery of a sample to FAIMS analyzer includes a micro-machined ionization source having a plurality of discrete nozzles. At least some of the discrete nozzles of the plurality are aligned one each with an ion inlet of a plurality of discrete ion inlets of the FAIMS, so that ions produced at different discrete nozzles are introduced into different portions of the FAIMS analyzer region. The ions that are introduced via each ion inlet are at least partly separated prior to adding/mixing with the ions introduced via other ion inlets. This reduces the problems of ion-ion electric repulsions that occur when ion density is high.

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.