Characterization of geometry deviation effects on ion trap mass analysis: A comparison study

• A high precision electric field simulation method was developed for quadrupole ion traps.
• Micron-size geometry deviation effects on MS resolution were investigated.
• Linear ion trap with rectangular electrodes is sensitive to translational displacements.
• Linear ion trap with circular electrodes is sensitive to angular displacements.

A high precision electric field simulation method is employed to investigate micron-size geometry deviation effects on the electric field distributions as well as on mass resolutions in linear ion traps. Translational and angular displacements within three linear ion traps with different electrode geometries, hyperbolic, circular and rectangular electrodes, were studied. It is found that the linear ion trap with rectangular electrodes is more sensitive to translational displacements, while the linear ion trap with circular electrodes is more sensitive to angular displacements in general. As a guideline, the results could be used in the design and fabrication process of a linear ion trap.

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