Patent ID: 7294832
Filing Date: 2007-11-13
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A mass separator comprising: first and second sets of electrode components, individual ones of the components comprising a surface, wherein, in a cross section, the surfaces of the first set of components oppose each other, the surfaces of the second set of components oppose each other, and the surfaces of the first and second sets of components define a volume, the volume comprising a first distance corresponding to a half a distance intermediate opposing surfaces of the first of components and a second distance corresponding to a half a distance intermediate opposing surfaces of the second set of components, wherein, a ratio of the first distance to the second distance comprises from about 0.84 to about 1.2; and wherein the mass separator comprises a cylindrical ion trap and the surface of the first component comprises the surface of at least one of the end caps of the ion trap and the surface of the second component comprises the inner surface of the ring electrode of the ion trap, the cylindrical ion trap comprising an electrode spacing distance between individual ones of the end caps and the ring electrode, wherein the electrode spacing distance is related to the ratio by a spacer maximum factor and the electrode spacing distance is less than the product of the spacer maximum factor times the second distance.