High throughput quadrupolar ion trap

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for operating a linear ion trap. A linear ion trap configuration is provided that allows for increased versatility in functions compared to a conventional three-sectioned linear ion trap. In operation, the linear ion trap provides multiple segments, the segments spatially portioning an initial population of ions into at least a first and a second ion population. Each segment is effectively independent and ions corresponding to the first ion population are able to be manipulated independently from ions corresponding to ions corresponding to the second ion population; the ions having been generated by an ion source under the same conditions. The ions can then be expelled from the ion trap.

1 . A method for operating a linear ion trap, the method comprising:
 a. trapping an initial population of ions in the ion trap;   b. spatially partitioning the initial population of ions into at least two ion populations, including at least a first and a second ion population;   c. manipulating at least a portion of the ions corresponding to the first ion population independently from at least a portion of the ions corresponding to the second ion population, prior to expelling the ions from the linear ion trap.