IONIZATION CHAMBER HAVING A POTENTIAL-WELL FOR ION TRAPPING AND ION COMPRESSION

摘要

An ionization chamber. The ionization chamber includes a vessel, an ionization source, an ion gate, and a mid-ring electrode. The vessel defines an ionization region. The vessel includes a first end axially disposed opposite a second end. The ionization source is located at the first end and generates ions. The ion gate is located at the second end of the vessel. The mid-ring electrode is located between the ionization source and the ion gate. During an ion compression stage, the ionization source is charged to a first ionization source potential, the ion gate is charged to a first ion gate potential, and the mid-ring electrode is charged to a first mid-ring potential that is less than the first ionization source potential and the first ion gate potential. The first mid-ring potential is configured to generate a potential well proximate the mid-ring electrode. The ions collect at the potential well.