Simulation and Development of an Ion Funnel for Miniature Mass Spectrometers

IF 1.7 3区化学 Q4 BIOCHEMICAL RESEARCH METHODS

Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry Pub Date : 2025-08-13 DOI:10.1002/rcm.10123

Zhongyao Zhang, Baoqiang Li, Lin Zhang, Cuiping Li

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Rationale

Miniature mass spectrometers are increasingly used in portable and on-site analysis due to their compact size and light weight. However, miniaturization, higher operating gas pressure, and complex airflow movement have significantly reduced ion transmission efficiency. Conventional ion guide devices are unsuitable under these conditions, severely limiting the performance and practicality of such spectrometers. Thus, developing a novel ion guiding device to improve ion transmission and detection performance is urgently needed.

Methods

We designed a miniature ion funnel with isobaric, tapered, and widened exit electrodes. Using SIMION and AXSIM software, we systematically studied the impact of radio frequency (RF) and direct current (DC) voltages, radial displacement, ion kinetic energy, mass-to-charge ratios, and gas pressure on ion transmission. Additionally, computational fluid dynamics simulations with Virtual Device software visualized temperature, velocity, and pressure fields in subvacuum regions.

Results

Based on simulation results, we precisely manufactured the ion funnel, measuring 6.2 × 3.4 × 3.2 cm³ and weighing 51.4 g. Tested on a continuous atmospheric pressure interface (CAPI) miniature mass spectrometer at 5.34 Torr, the new ion funnel showed a 44.3% increase in intensity compared to the previous version, validating its effectiveness.

Conclusions

The proposed ion funnel enables efficient ion focusing and transfer, overcoming miniaturization-related limitations. It enhances the detection performance of miniature mass spectrometers, offering a practical solution with important implications for the development of portable analytical instruments.

Abstract Image

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微型质谱仪离子漏斗的模拟与研制

原理：微型质谱仪由于体积小、重量轻，越来越多地用于便携式和现场分析。然而，小型化、更高的操作气体压力和复杂的气流运动显著降低了离子传输效率。在这些条件下，传统的离子引导装置不适合，严重限制了这种光谱仪的性能和实用性。因此，迫切需要开发一种新型离子引导装置来提高离子传输和检测性能。方法采用等压、锥形、加宽出口电极设计微型离子漏斗。利用SIMION和AXSIM软件，系统研究了射频（RF）和直流（DC）电压、径向位移、离子动能、质荷比和气体压力对离子传输的影响。此外，利用Virtual Device软件进行的计算流体动力学模拟显示了亚真空区域的温度、速度和压力场。结果根据模拟结果，我们精确制造出尺寸为6.2 × 3.4 × 3.2 cm3、重量为51.4 g的离子漏斗。在5.34 Torr的连续大气压界面（CAPI）微型质谱仪上测试，新离子漏斗的强度比以前的版本提高了44.3%，验证了其有效性。结论所提出的离子漏斗能够实现高效的离子聚焦和转移，克服了小型化的限制。它提高了微型质谱仪的检测性能，为便携式分析仪器的发展提供了一种实用的解决方案。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 化学-分析化学

CiteScore

4.10

自引率

5.00%

发文量

219

审稿时长

2.6 months

期刊介绍： Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry is a journal whose aim is the rapid publication of original research results and ideas on all aspects of the science of gas-phase ions; it covers all the associated scientific disciplines. There is no formal limit on paper length ("rapid" is not synonymous with "brief"), but papers should be of a length that is commensurate with the importance and complexity of the results being reported. Contributions may be theoretical or practical in nature; they may deal with methods, techniques and applications, or with the interpretation of results; they may cover any area in science that depends directly on measurements made upon gaseous ions or that is associated with such measurements.