Patent ID: 7288761

Claim:
A linear ion trap comprising: (a) a rod array having a first end and a second end and including a first pole and a second pole, wherein the first pole includes at least two first pole rods and the second pole includes at least two second pole rods; (b) a first end device positioned adjacent the first end of the rod array; (c) a second end device positioned adjacent the second end of the rod array; (d) a first power supply for providing a first RF voltage to the first pole and a second RF voltage to the second pole; (e) a second power supply for providing a first DC voltage to the first end device and a second DC voltage to the second end device, wherein the rod array has a longitudinal axis and wherein the first pole rods and the second pole rods are positioned generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and wherein the positions of the first and second pole rods and the first and second RF voltages cooperate to provide an oscillating on-axis potential along the longitudinal axis.