Quadrupole Mass Analyzer Based on Linear Ion Trap

An improved quadrupole mass analyzer (QMA) has been proposed for use in determining the compositions of gas mixtures. The proposed QMA would incorporate two major innovations over traditional QMAs: (1) It would feature a simplified radio-frequency-excited quadrupole electrode structure that would be smaller, weigh less, and consume less power, relative to the quadrupole electrode structure of the corresponding traditional QMA; and (2) It would include dc end electrodes that would enable it to function as either a traditional transmission-mode mass spectrometer or an ion-trap mass spectrometer (ITMS).