Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for ionizing a surface. In one implementation, an ionization source may include a microhollow cathode plasma or micro cavity plasma (MCP)-based ion source having a cavity and generating a plasma. A gas stream may pass through the cavity and transport the plasma. The source may further include one or more conductive electrodes located downstream from the MCP and configured to have a potential relative to the MCP such that positive and negative ions included in the plasma are carried through the electrodes by the gas stream. In another implementation, a mixer may mix a dopant (e.g. water) with the gas stream (e.g. air) entering the discharge. The disclosure also relates to a surface ionization probe.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A device includes a first surface, a second surface and a controller. The second surface is adjacent to the first surface. The first and the second surfaces define a first ion channel therebetween. The first ion channel extends along a first direction. The second surface includes a first plurality of electrodes including a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode along a second direction lateral to the first direction. The first plurality of electrodes extends along the first direction. The first electrode is configured to receive a first voltage signal and generate at least a portion of a pseudopotential that inhibits ions in the first ion channel from approaching the second surface. The second plurality of electrodes is located between the first electrode and the second electrode and arranged along the first direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ion carousel having a first surface and a second surface adjacent to the first surface. The second surface includes a first inner array of electrodes arranged along a first loop path and configured to receive a first ion packet and a second ion packet temporally separated from the first ion packet by a separation time. The first inner array of electrodes generates a traveling waveform which includes a plurality of potential wells that travel along the first loop path and receive ions from the first and second ion packets. The plurality of potential wells include at least a first potential well and a second potential well. An output switch is configured to selectively eject ions from the first potential well out of the carousel at time T1 and eject ions from the second potential well out of the carousel at time T2.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for transferring ions to a mass spectrometer. In one implementation, the system includes an ion source; a device for generating a solvent vapor; a unit for mixing the ions and the vapor; and a transfer tube coupled to the mass spectrometer. The mixing may cause solvent clusters to nucleate on the ions, and the transfer tube may couple the ion source and the mass spectrometer. Furthermore, the transfer tube may be configured to transfer the ions by using a gas flow and prevent the solvent clusters from contacting the tube wall by using thermophoresis.