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: 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: 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: 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: 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.