| CPC G01N 27/622 (2013.01) | 13 Claims |

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1. A system comprising:
a first ion channel extending between a first end and a second end, and configured to receive an ion packet from an ion source at a location along the first ion channel between the first end and the second end;
a controller configured to apply a first voltage signal and a second voltage signal to a first plurality of electrodes adjacent to the first ion channel,
wherein the first plurality of electrodes are configured to generate, based on receipt of the first voltage signal, a first traveling drive potential that travels at a first speed along a first direction, the first direction extending from the first end to the second end, and
wherein the first plurality of electrodes are configured to generate, based on receipt of the second voltage signal, a second traveling drive potential that travels at a second speed along a second direction, the second direction extending from the second end to the first end,
wherein a first ion sub-packet of the ion packet having ions with mobilities above a first threshold mobility value is directed along the first direction to the second end, and a second ion sub-packet of the ion packet having ions with mobilities below the first threshold mobility value is directed along the second direction to the first end.
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