APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE 3-DIMENSIONAL ION TRAPPING

摘要

The present invention providesan apparatus for selectively transmittingions and trapping the ions withina defined 3-dimensional space atatmospheric pressure. The inventionis based on the ion focussing principlesof high field asymmetric waveformion mobility spectrometry inwhich an analyzer region is definedby a space between first and secondspaced apart electrodes, the analyzerregion having a gas inlet anda gas outlet for providing a flow ofgas through the analyzer region. Ionswhich are introduced into the analyzerregion are carried by a gas flowtowards a gas outlet. At least one ofthe electrodes has a curved surfaceterminus located near the gas outletand the gas flow is adjusted so thations are trapped in a defined 3-dimensionalspace located near the tipof the terminus. Trapping of ions ina defined 3-dimensional space allowsa more concentrated flow of desiredions.