Abstract Drift tubes (DT) are prominent tools to classify small ions in the gas phase. This is in contrast with its limited use in the aerosol field at atmospheric pressures where the differential mobility analyzer (DMA) has been the tool of choice. While the DMA has been successful, it does not normally achieve the resolution of a common DT. On the other hand, the size range of the DT is limited as well as its sensitivity. Here we propose a variation of the DT where a varying linearly decreasing field is used instead of the constant field commonly used in DT. The Varying Field Drift Tube (VFDT) has the advantage that it allows for diffusion constriction in the axial direction and thus a larger package of ions can be allowed into the system increasing its sensitivity without hampering its resolution. The VFDT also generally outperforms the DT in resolution and this is demonstrated theoretically and empirically reaching resolutions of over 90 in our data although higher resolutions are expected. The diffusion constriction capabilities are also proven theoretically and experimentally by using a mixture of tetraalkylammonium salts while injecting broad packets of ions into the system. The transformation from the raw variable arrival time distribution to Collision Cross Section or mobility diameter is linear making the transformation as simple as with a DMA.

中文翻译：

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具有扩散自动校正功能的高分辨率变场漂移管离子迁移谱仪

摘要 漂移管 (DT) 是对气相中的小离子进行分类的重要工具。这与其在大气压力下的气溶胶领域的有限使用形成对比，在大气压力下，差分迁移率分析仪 (DMA) 一直是首选工具。虽然 DMA 已经成功，但它通常无法达到普通 DT 的分辨率。另一方面，DT 的尺寸范围及其灵敏度是有限的。在这里，我们提出了 DT 的变体，其中使用变化的线性递减场代替 DT 中常用的恒定场。变场漂移管 (VFDT) 的优势在于它允许在轴向方向上进行扩散收缩，因此可以允许更大的离子包进入系统，从而在不影响其分辨率的情况下提高其灵敏度。VFDT 在分辨率方面通常也优于 DT，这在我们的数据中理论上和经验上都达到了超过 90 的分辨率，尽管预计会有更高的分辨率。通过使用四烷基铵盐的混合物，同时将大量离子注入系统，扩散收缩能力也得到了理论和实验的证明。从原始可变到达时间分布到碰撞截面或流动性直径的转换是线性的，这使得转换与 DMA 一样简单。通过使用四烷基铵盐的混合物，同时将大量离子注入系统，扩散收缩能力也得到了理论和实验的证明。从原始可变到达时间分布到碰撞截面或流动性直径的转换是线性的，这使得转换与 DMA 一样简单。通过使用四烷基铵盐的混合物，同时将大量离子注入系统，扩散收缩能力也得到了理论和实验的证明。从原始可变到达时间分布到碰撞截面或流动性直径的转换是线性的，这使得转换与 DMA 一样简单。