Patent ID: 7714282
Filing Date: 2010-05-11
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for separating ions, comprising: a first electrode and a second electrode disposed one relative to the other in a spaced-apart facing arrangement for defining an analyzer region therebetween, the analyzer region including a first end and a second end and having a length extending between the first end and the second end; a first gas inlet in fluid communication with the analyzer region, for providing a flow of a carrier gas of a first composition; a second gas inlet in fluid communication with the analyzer region, for providing a flow of a carrier gas of a second composition; and, a gas-flow directing element in fluid communication with the first gas inlet and in fluid communication with the second gas inlet, for receiving the flow of the carrier gas of the first composition and the flow of the carrier gas of the second composition, and for providing within a portion of the analyzer region a carrier gas flow having a composition that is non-uniform in space.