Patent ID: 6949740

Claim:
An apparatus for the collection and focusing of gas-phase ions at or near atmospheric pressure for the introduction of said ions into an analytical apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a. a dispersive source of ions; b. a stratified body comprised of a plurality of elements, said elements comprise alternating layers of metal electrodes and insulating material, each said electrode having successively smaller apertures wherein said apertures form an ion-funnel having an entry at largest aperture of first metal electrode and an exit at smallest aperture of last metal electrode, said smallest aperture forming inlet aperture into said analytical apparatus; c. first means for maintaining a potential difference between said ion source and said metal electrode with largest aperture whereby electrostatic filed at said metal aperture with largest aperture which is equal to that required to pass substantially all said ions through said largest aperture into said ion funnel; d. second means for maintaining a potential difference along the axis of said ion funnel whereby electrostatic fields is equal to that required to pass substantially all said ions through said ion funnel, through said inlet aperture, and into said analytical apparatus.