Patent ID: 8362421
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A method to concentrate ions contained within a gas prior to the analysis of said ions in a mass spectrometer or another analytical instrument, including the following steps: a) providing a first region where the gas containing the ions is maintained at an initial pressure P b) providing an ion guide separated from said first region by at least one electrode, said electrode having an opening communicating an entry region in said ion guide with said first region, said ion guide having also an exit region evacuated through an outlet, said opening and said outlet being configured such that said ions pass from said first region into said ion guide through said opening with a background pressure P c) providing axial transmission means to cause said ions to move axially through said ion guide from said entry region towards said exit region, wherein, said ion guide incorporates two or more electrodes powered by two or more alternating high voltages, so as to confine said ions within a limited region of said ion guide.