Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ion accumulation are disclosed. An apparatus for ion accumulation includes multiple regions. A first region receives and transfers ions to a second region using a first drive potential. The second region is switchable between a first state where it generates a first electric field preventing ions from further movement and entering a third region, and a second state where it generates a second electric field that guides the ions toward the third region. When in the first state, the ions are prevented from further movement by the first electric field, which causes the ions to accumulate in the second region. When in the second state, the ions are moved from the second region to the third region by the second electric field. A method of accumulating ions involves switching an electric field applied to a region between a trap state and a release state.

Abstract: An apparatus for ion manipulation having improved duty cycle that includes a pre-filter region and an accumulation region. The pre-filter region is configured to receive ions and perform a first ion mobility filtering operation on the ions to separate the ions into a first group of ions and a second group of ions based on mobility of the ions. The accumulation region is configured to receive the first group of ions from the pre-filter region, accumulate the first group of ions into an ion packet, and release the ion packet into an ion mobility separation region configured separate the ions based on mobility of the ions. Wherein the pre-filter region is configured to reduce the amount of ions provided to the accumulation region and increase the amount of time the accumulation region can accumulate ions.

Abstract: A system for capturing full resolution ion mobility data includes an ion mobility separation device that receives ions, guides a portion thereof, and separates the guided ions based on mobility. An ion detector receives the ions, detects ions having a predefined mass-to-charge ratio during a time period, and generates a responsive signal(s). A data acquisition system receives the signal(s) from the detector and generates a time dependent ion signal representing intensity of the signal(s) at different arrival time periods during the time period. A system for performing multi-analyte targeted data acquisition includes an ion mobility separation device that receives a stream of ions, guides a portion of the ions, and separates the ions based on mobility. An ion detector receives the ions and switches from detecting a first mass-to-charge ratio during a first arrival time to detecting a second mass-to-charge ratio during a second arrival time of a first scan.

Abstract: An apparatus for ion manipulation having improved duty cycle includes first and second separation regions separated by a switch that alternates between guiding ions to each of the separation regions. The separation regions separate the ions based on mobility over respective time periods that at least partially overlap. The apparatus can additionally or alternatively include a pre-separation region that filters ions prior to accumulating ions, thus allowing an accumulation region to accumulate for a longer time period. The apparatus can additionally or alternatively include a plurality of gates along the separation region(s) to simultaneously filter a plurality of ion packets sequentially released into the separation region(s).

Abstract: An apparatus for ion manipulations includes an ion manipulation path extending between an inlet and an outlet, at least one continuous electrode configured to receive a first RF voltage signal, and a plurality of segmented electrodes configured to receive a second voltage signal and generate a traveling wave field based thereon. The ion manipulation path includes a first region extending in a first direction, a second region extending in a second direction, and a curved region extending between the first and second regions. The at least one continuous electrode extends through the first region, the curved region, and second region. The segmented electrodes are arranged along the ion manipulation path in the first region, the curved region, and the second region. The traveling wave field is configured to cause ions to travel through, the first region, the curved region, and the second region.

Abstract: A system for filtering ions includes first and second surfaces extending along first and second perpendicularly arranged directions, an ion channel between the surfaces configured to receive an ion stream, and first and second electrode arrays associated with the first and second surfaces, respectively. The first and second electrode arrays include a first plurality of electrodes arranged along the first direction and a second plurality of electrodes arranged along the second direction. A controller is configured to apply a first voltage signal to the first plurality of electrodes, which are configured to generate a drive potential traveling along the first direction, and a second voltage signal to the electrode arrays, which are configured to generate an electric potential. The drive and electric potentials are configured to direct ions having mobilities in a first range along a first path and ions having mobilities in a second range along a second path.

Abstract: In one implementation, a mobility-based ion separation system includes a first ion channel extending between a first end and a second end, and configured to receive an ion packet. The separation system includes a controller configured to apply a first voltage signal and a second voltage signal to a first plurality of electrodes adjacent to the first 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 at a first speed along a first direction, the first direction extending from the first end to the second end. The first plurality of electrodes are configured to generate, based on receipt of the second voltage signal, a second DC potential decreasing along a second direction, the second direction extending from the second end to the first end.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an ion funnel and associated systems, where the ion funnel includes a plurality of electrodes each define an opening having an associated inner dimension and receive a RF voltage. The associated inner dimensions progressively reduce in size from approximately a first inner dimension to approximately a second inner dimension. The electrodes define a slope parameter with respect to adjacent electrodes, which is less than 0.04 for at least a majority of the electrodes. Additional systems and methods are provided for transferring ions from an ion funnel to an ion mobility device having a pressure greater than that of the ion funnel, for selectively transferring ions from the ion funnel to the ion mobility device, and for stripping ions of certain molecules adducted thereto during transfer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an ion funnel and associated systems, where the ion funnel includes a plurality of electrodes each define an opening having an associated inner dimension and receive a RF voltage. The associated inner dimensions progressively reduce in size from approximately a first inner dimension to approximately a second inner dimension. The electrodes define an internal chamber having an outer dimension that reduces at a convergence angle of approximately 30 degrees for at least a majority of a length of the internal chamber from the first inner dimension to the second inner dimension. Additional systems and methods are provided for transferring ions from an ion funnel to an ion mobility device having a pressure greater than that of the ion funnel, for selectively transferring ions from the ion funnel to the ion mobility device, and for stripping ions of certain molecules adducted thereto during transfer.

Abstract: In one implementation, a mobility-based ion separation system includes a first ion channel extending between a first end and a second end, and configured to receive an ion packet. The separation system includes a controller configured to apply a first voltage signal and a second voltage signal to a first plurality of electrodes adjacent to the first 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 at a first speed along a first direction, the first direction extending from the first end to the second end. The first plurality of electrodes are configured to generate, based on receipt of the second voltage signal, a second DC potential decreasing along a second direction, the second direction extending from the second end to the first end.

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 system for separating ions includes first and second surfaces extending along first and second perpendicular directions, an ion channel defined between the surfaces and configured to receive a stream of ions, first and second electrode arrays each including a plurality of electrodes extending in a third direction and respectively associated with the first and second surfaces, means for causing gas to flow across the ion channel in a fourth direction substantially opposite the first direction, and a controller configured to apply a DC voltage gradient to the electrode arrays. The electrode arrays are configured to generate an electric field based on the DC voltage gradient. The electric field and the flow of gas are configured to direct ions having mobilities in a first mobility range along a first path and ions having mobilities in a second mobility range along a second path.

Abstract: An apparatus for ion manipulation having improved duty cycle includes first and second separation regions separated by a switch that alternates between guiding ions to each of the separation regions. The separation regions separate the ions based on mobility over respective time periods that at least partially overlap. The apparatus can additionally or alternatively include a pre-separation region that filters ions prior to accumulating ions, thus allowing an accumulation region to accumulate for a longer time period. The apparatus can additionally or alternatively include a plurality of gates along the separation region(s) to simultaneously filter a plurality of ion packets sequentially released into the separation region(s).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ion accumulation are disclosed. An apparatus for ion accumulation includes multiple regions. A first region receives and transfers ions to a second region using a first drive potential. The second region is switchable between a first state where it generates a first electric field preventing ions from further movement and entering a third region, and a second state where it generates a second electric field that guides the ions toward the third region. When in the first state, the ions are prevented from further movement by the first electric field, which causes the ions to accumulate in the second region. When in the second state, the ions are moved from the second region to the third region by the second electric field. A method of accumulating ions involves switching an electric field applied to a region between a trap state and a release state.

Abstract: A system for filtering ions includes first and second surfaces extending along first and second perpendicularly arranged directions, an ion channel between the surfaces configured to receive an ion stream, and first and second electrode arrays associated with the first and second surfaces, respectively. The first and second electrode arrays include a first plurality of electrodes arranged along the first direction and a second plurality of electrodes arranged along the second direction. A controller is configured to apply a first voltage signal to the first plurality of electrodes, which are configured to generate a drive potential traveling along the first direction, and a second voltage signal to the electrode arrays, which are configured to generate an electric potential. The drive and electric potentials are configured to direct ions having mobilities in a first range along a first path and ions having mobilities in a second range along a second path.

Abstract: In one implementation, a mobility-based ion separation system includes a first ion channel extending between a first end and a second end, and configured to receive an ion packet. The separation system includes a controller configured to apply a first voltage signal and a second voltage signal to a first plurality of electrodes adjacent to the first 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 at a first speed along a first direction, the first direction extending from the first end to the second end. The first plurality of electrodes are configured to generate, based on receipt of the second voltage signal, a second DC potential decreasing along a second direction, the second direction extending from the second end to the first end.

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.