Patent ID: 7034286

Claim:
A method of multiplexing ions from a first ionization source and from a second ionization source, comprising: during a first period of time, providing in a substantially continuous manner first ions from a first ionization source into an analyzer region of a FAIMS device via a first ion inlet of the FAIMS device; during a second period of time at least partially overlapping with the first period of time, providing in a substantially continuous manner second ions from a second ionization source into the analyzer region of the FAIMS device via a second ion inlet of the FAIMS device; during a first overlapping portion of the first period of time and of the second period of time, providing first conditions within the analyzer region of the FAIMS device for transmitting at least some of the first ions to an ion outlet of the FAIMS device and for other than transmitting the second ions to the ion outlet of the FAIMS device; and, during a second overlapping portion of the first period of time and of the second period of time, providing second conditions within the analyzer region of the FAIMS device for transmitting at least some of the second ions to the ion outlet of the FAIMS device and for other than transmitting the first ions to the ion outlet of the FAIMS device.