Development and research of the quadrupole mass spectrometry simulation model with the entire ion optics system

Abstract Quadrupole mass spectrometers are widely applied due to their compact structure, easy operation, and mature technology, which offer high economic and market competitiveness across various fields. A complete quadrupole mass spectrometer consists of components such as the ion source ionizatio...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lina Yang, Yuqing Gu, Hao Gong, Zi-long Liu, Xingchuang Xiong, Xiang Fang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91747-w
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849761718812540928
author Lina Yang
Yuqing Gu
Hao Gong
Zi-long Liu
Xingchuang Xiong
Xiang Fang
author_facet Lina Yang
Yuqing Gu
Hao Gong
Zi-long Liu
Xingchuang Xiong
Xiang Fang
author_sort Lina Yang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Quadrupole mass spectrometers are widely applied due to their compact structure, easy operation, and mature technology, which offer high economic and market competitiveness across various fields. A complete quadrupole mass spectrometer consists of components such as the ion source ionization chamber, ion optical system, and quadrupole mass analyzer. These components work together to enable qualitative and quantitative analysis. Researchers often adopt single-component simulation models rather than comprehensive ones due to the need for resource allocation and specific research goals. However, this approach has drawbacks which lead to inaccurate performance prediction in multi-component scenarios, especially in terms of the influence of fringe fields on ion trajectories. We have found that ignoring these interactions leads to an inability to accurately predict the overall system performance, especially regarding the influence of fringe fields on ion trajectories. This calls for a more sophisticated approach. To overcome these limitations and explore the optimal performance of quadrupole mass spectrometers, parameter optimization has become a crucial aspect. In this study, we developed a comprehensive quadrupole mass spectrometry simulation model integrating key components such as the electron impact ion source (EI source) ion optical system and the quadrupole mass analyzer. It covers the entire ion path, enabling the tracking of ion trajectories from the point of generation, and providing a thorough simulation of ion behavior and detailed analysis of component interactions. This capability addresses the limitations of traditional single-component simulation models, which often miss important ion dynamics behaviors. Based on this model, two distinct voltage optimization simulation experiments were conducted: staged optimization and global optimization. Staged optimization separately treats different parts while global optimization considers all components simultaneously. To address the challenges posed by numerous optimization parameters and high time costs, the orthogonal experimental design method was employed, which remarkably enhanced the efficiency of parameter optimization and reduced the experimental time and cost. The results showed that the ion transmission with the optimal voltage combination in the global optimization experiment increased by approximately 33% relative to the maximum ion transmission rate achieved in the staged optimization, indicating that global optimization can more comprehensively analyze the relationships between various voltage factors and significantly improve ion transmission efficiency. Additionally, an exploration was conducted regarding the impact of the newly introduced component (a pre-quadrupole) on the instrument’s performance. The results of this study provide valuable data support for the optimized design of quadrupole mass spectrometers, highlighting the significance of both parameter and performance optimization in improving the overall capabilities of these instruments.
format Article
id doaj-art-cc1983dd3944456ca4315b6d54b8b7ff
institution DOAJ
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-cc1983dd3944456ca4315b6d54b8b7ff2025-08-20T03:05:56ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115112510.1038/s41598-025-91747-wDevelopment and research of the quadrupole mass spectrometry simulation model with the entire ion optics systemLina Yang0Yuqing Gu1Hao Gong2Zi-long Liu3Xingchuang Xiong4Xiang Fang5National Institute of MetrologyNational Institute of MetrologyNational Institute of MetrologyNational Institute of MetrologyNational Institute of MetrologyNational Institute of MetrologyAbstract Quadrupole mass spectrometers are widely applied due to their compact structure, easy operation, and mature technology, which offer high economic and market competitiveness across various fields. A complete quadrupole mass spectrometer consists of components such as the ion source ionization chamber, ion optical system, and quadrupole mass analyzer. These components work together to enable qualitative and quantitative analysis. Researchers often adopt single-component simulation models rather than comprehensive ones due to the need for resource allocation and specific research goals. However, this approach has drawbacks which lead to inaccurate performance prediction in multi-component scenarios, especially in terms of the influence of fringe fields on ion trajectories. We have found that ignoring these interactions leads to an inability to accurately predict the overall system performance, especially regarding the influence of fringe fields on ion trajectories. This calls for a more sophisticated approach. To overcome these limitations and explore the optimal performance of quadrupole mass spectrometers, parameter optimization has become a crucial aspect. In this study, we developed a comprehensive quadrupole mass spectrometry simulation model integrating key components such as the electron impact ion source (EI source) ion optical system and the quadrupole mass analyzer. It covers the entire ion path, enabling the tracking of ion trajectories from the point of generation, and providing a thorough simulation of ion behavior and detailed analysis of component interactions. This capability addresses the limitations of traditional single-component simulation models, which often miss important ion dynamics behaviors. Based on this model, two distinct voltage optimization simulation experiments were conducted: staged optimization and global optimization. Staged optimization separately treats different parts while global optimization considers all components simultaneously. To address the challenges posed by numerous optimization parameters and high time costs, the orthogonal experimental design method was employed, which remarkably enhanced the efficiency of parameter optimization and reduced the experimental time and cost. The results showed that the ion transmission with the optimal voltage combination in the global optimization experiment increased by approximately 33% relative to the maximum ion transmission rate achieved in the staged optimization, indicating that global optimization can more comprehensively analyze the relationships between various voltage factors and significantly improve ion transmission efficiency. Additionally, an exploration was conducted regarding the impact of the newly introduced component (a pre-quadrupole) on the instrument’s performance. The results of this study provide valuable data support for the optimized design of quadrupole mass spectrometers, highlighting the significance of both parameter and performance optimization in improving the overall capabilities of these instruments.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91747-wQuadrupole mass spectrometrySimulation modelParameter optimizationGlobal optimizationOrthogonal experimental design
spellingShingle Lina Yang
Yuqing Gu
Hao Gong
Zi-long Liu
Xingchuang Xiong
Xiang Fang
Development and research of the quadrupole mass spectrometry simulation model with the entire ion optics system
Scientific Reports
Quadrupole mass spectrometry
Simulation model
Parameter optimization
Global optimization
Orthogonal experimental design
title Development and research of the quadrupole mass spectrometry simulation model with the entire ion optics system
title_full Development and research of the quadrupole mass spectrometry simulation model with the entire ion optics system
title_fullStr Development and research of the quadrupole mass spectrometry simulation model with the entire ion optics system
title_full_unstemmed Development and research of the quadrupole mass spectrometry simulation model with the entire ion optics system
title_short Development and research of the quadrupole mass spectrometry simulation model with the entire ion optics system
title_sort development and research of the quadrupole mass spectrometry simulation model with the entire ion optics system
topic Quadrupole mass spectrometry
Simulation model
Parameter optimization
Global optimization
Orthogonal experimental design
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91747-w
work_keys_str_mv AT linayang developmentandresearchofthequadrupolemassspectrometrysimulationmodelwiththeentireionopticssystem
AT yuqinggu developmentandresearchofthequadrupolemassspectrometrysimulationmodelwiththeentireionopticssystem
AT haogong developmentandresearchofthequadrupolemassspectrometrysimulationmodelwiththeentireionopticssystem
AT zilongliu developmentandresearchofthequadrupolemassspectrometrysimulationmodelwiththeentireionopticssystem
AT xingchuangxiong developmentandresearchofthequadrupolemassspectrometrysimulationmodelwiththeentireionopticssystem
AT xiangfang developmentandresearchofthequadrupolemassspectrometrysimulationmodelwiththeentireionopticssystem