US 12,449,397 B2
Ion mobility analyser
Alexander Makarov, Bremen (DE)
Assigned to Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH, Bremen (DE)
Filed by Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH, Bremen (DE)
Filed on Apr. 5, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/627,642.
Application 18/627,642 is a continuation of application No. 17/659,190, filed on Apr. 14, 2022, granted, now 11,977,051.
Claims priority of application No. 2106900 (GB), filed on May 14, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0248064 A1, Jul. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. G01N 27/00 (2006.01); G01N 27/623 (2021.01); H01J 49/04 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 27/623 (2021.01) [H01J 49/0422 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An ion mobility analyser comprising:
an ion guide defining an ion drift channel extending in an axial direction, the ion guide comprising: first and second electrode assemblies provided on opposing sides of the ion drift channel, each of the first and second electrode assemblies extending in the axial direction and in a transverse direction which is transverse to the axial direction, wherein the first and second electrode assemblies are spaced apart on opposing sides of the ion drift channel by a first distance at a narrowest point along the axial direction, wherein a cross section of the ion drift channel normal to the axial direction extends in the transverse direction a second distance that is greater than the first distance;
a source of gas flow configured to direct a laminar gas flow in the axial direction through the ion guide; and
one or more power supplies configured to apply voltages to electrodes of the first and second electrode assemblies to create a quasi-potential that is substantially constant along the transverse direction such that ions are free to distribute along the transverse direction of the ion guide, and to create a DC potential gradient along the axial direction of the ion guide.