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Updated: May 10, 2026

Using a Cyclic Ion Mobility Spectrometer for Tandem Ion Mobility Experiments
Published on: January 20, 2022
Ion profiling in an ambient drift tube-ion mobility spectrometer using a high pixel density linear array detector
Stephen J Davila1, Omar Hadjar, Gary A Eiceman
1Department Chemistry and Biochemistry, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, United States. sjdavila@nmsu.edu
The IonCCD detector array successfully detects gas-phase ions at atmospheric pressure, demonstrating broad applicability across wide energy and pressure ranges for ion mobility spectrometry. This advancement aids in studying ion motion and diffusion.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is crucial for analyzing gas-phase ions.
- Detecting low-energy ions at atmospheric pressure presents challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the IonCCD detector for ambient condition ion detection.
- To evaluate its performance in an ion mobility spectrometer setup.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a linear pixel-based detector array (IonCCD) with a drift tube-ion mobility spectrometer.
- Employed thermal (<1 eV) positive ions from purified air and a (63)Ni foil.
- Replaced the Faraday detector with the IonCCD to image ion profiles.
Main Results:
- Confirmed a limit of detection of 3000 ions/pixel/frame for thermal ions.
- Demonstrated broad-band application over 10^5 ion energy and 10^10 pressure ranges.
- Observed ion beam profiles, with limited diffusion and Coulombic repulsion, showing 95 μm/cm beam broadening for hydrated protons.
Conclusions:
- The IonCCD is valuable for studying ion motion and diffusion.
- It enhances computational simulations of ion behavior.
- It offers potential improvements in ion mobility spectrometer design and operation.
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