Abstract: Apparatus comprise an electrode arrangement comprising a plurality of electrodes defining a volume, an ion entrance, and an ion exit, and a voltage source coupled to the plurality of electrodes and configured to apply a nonlinear DC voltage sequence to the electrodes between the ion entrance and the ion exit that directs ions through the volume with the volume at a pressure of at least 1 Torr. Ions can be focused using nonlinear DC voltage sequences, including at atmospheric pressure. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods include directing a group of ions through a separation region of an ion manipulation apparatus, separating the group of ions in the separation region based on ion mobility, selecting a subset of the group of ions based on a dependence between ion mobility and ion arrival time of the separated ions at a deposition switch of the ion manipulation apparatus, and depositing the selected subset of ions on a substrate. Related systems and ion manipulation apparatus are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods and system that provide concurrent ion accumulation and ion separation in coupled and switchable electrode regions using traveling wave electric fields.

Abstract: Apparatus comprise an electrode arrangement comprising a plurality of electrodes defining a volume, an ion entrance, and an ion exit, and a voltage source coupled to the plurality of electrodes and configured to apply a nonlinear DC voltage sequence to the electrodes between the ion entrance and the ion exit that directs ions through the volume with the volume at a pressure of at least 1 Torr. Ions can be focused using nonlinear DC voltage sequences, including at atmospheric pressure. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manipulating ions comprises injecting ions between a first surface and a second surface positioned parallel to and spaced apart from each other and defining a central axis therebetween, wherein the first surface comprises first outer electrodes coupled to the first surface and a first inner array of electrodes coupled to the first surface and positioned between the first outer electrodes, wherein the second surface comprises second outer electrodes coupled to the second surface and a second inner array of electrodes coupled to the second surface and positioned between the second outer electrodes, and applying a frequency modulated RF voltage to at least one electrode of the first inner array of electrodes or the second inner array of electrodes to confine ions between the first surface and the second surface and to guide ions between the first surface and the second surface along the central axis.

Abstract: An ion manipulation device comprises a plurality of electrode rings arranged longitudinally adjacent to each other and defining a central axis therethrough. At least one electrode ring comprises a plurality of electrodes arranged in a first planar pattern. Electrodes are configured to periodically receive a voltage to generate a circular traveling wave that rotates around the electrodes of each electrode ring to confine ions within an interior of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a flexible ion conduit extending between an input end situated to receive ions and an output end to define an ion passageway having an axis, the flexible ion conduit including an inner conduit portion having an inner surface facing the interior ion passageway and having a plurality of RF electrodes adjacently situated to receive RF voltages that are out of phase with respect to each other to direct the received ions away from the inner surface and into the ion passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a flexible ion conduit extending between an input end situated to receive ions and an output end to define an ion passageway having an axis, the flexible ion conduit including an inner conduit portion having an inner surface facing the interior ion passageway and having a plurality of RF electrodes adjacently situated to receive RF voltages that are out of phase with respect to each other to direct the received ions away from the inner surface and into the ion passageway.

Abstract: Methods and devices for ion separations or manipulations in gas phase are disclosed. The device includes a non-planar surface having a first, second and third region. An inner arrays of electrodes is positioned on the first region. A first set of electrodes of the inner array of electrodes is configured to receive RF voltages and generate a first potential upon the receipt of the RF voltage. A first and second outer arrays of electrodes are coupled to the second and third region, respectively. The first and second outer arrays are configured to receive a first DC voltage and generate a second potential upon the receipt of the first DC voltages. The first and second generated potential manipulate movement of ions.

Abstract: A method of manipulating ions comprises injecting ions between a first surface and a second surface positioned parallel to and spaced apart from each other and defining a central axis therebetween, wherein the first surface comprises first outer electrodes coupled to the first surface and a first inner array of electrodes coupled to the first surface and positioned between the first outer electrodes, wherein the second surface comprises second outer electrodes coupled to the second surface and a second inner array of electrodes coupled to the second surface and positioned between the second outer electrodes, and applying a frequency modulated RF voltage to at least one electrode of the first inner array of electrodes or the second inner array of electrodes to confine ions between the first surface and the second surface and to guide ions between the first surface and the second surface along the central axis.

Abstract: An ion manipulation device comprises a plurality of electrode rings arranged longitudinally adjacent to each other and defining a central axis therethrough. At least one electrode ring comprises a plurality of electrodes arranged in a first planar pattern. Electrodes are configured to periodically receive a voltage to generate a circular traveling wave that rotates around the electrodes of each electrode ring to confine ions within an interior of the apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and devices for ion separations or manipulations in gas phase are disclosed. The device includes a non-planar surface having a first, second and third region. An inner arrays of electrodes is positioned on the first region. A first set of electrodes of the inner array of electrodes is configured to receive RF voltages and generate a first potential upon the receipt of the RF voltage. A first and second outer arrays of electrodes are coupled to the second and third region, respectively. The first and second outer arrays are configured to receive a first DC voltage and generate a second potential upon the receipt of the first DC voltages. The first and second generated potential manipulate movement of ions.

Abstract: Methods and devices for ion separations or manipulations in gas phase are disclosed. The device includes a single non-planar surface. Arrays of electrodes are coupled to the surface. A combination of RF and DC voltages are applied to the arrays of electrodes to create confining and driving fields that move ions through the device. The DC voltages are static DC voltages or time-dependent DC potentials or waveforms.

Abstract: Methods and devices for ion separations or manipulations in gas phase are disclosed. The device includes a single non-planar surface. Arrays of electrodes are coupled to the surface. A combination of RF and DC voltages are applied to the arrays of electrodes to create confining and driving fields that move ions through the device. The DC voltages are static DC voltages or time-dependent DC potentials or waveforms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing ions inside an ion mobility device is disclosed. Ions are introduced into the mobility device. The ions are subjected to a non-constant electric field to form a potential gradient along a portion of the device so that ions with similar mobilities bunch together into sharper peaks while maintaining separation between other ions. The potential gradient progressively increases or decreases along the length of the device.