Travelling wave (T-Wave™)

Travelling Wave - Precise manipulation of ions in MS

A T-Wave device consists of a sequence of ring-shaped electrodes.
The ring electrodes are supported on printed circuit boards that deliver both RF and DC voltages. Adjacent rings have opposite phases of Radio Frequency (RF) voltage applied to them, which radially confine the ions within the device while allowing them to pass unhindered along the axis.

Total control of ion transmission

A Direct Current (DC) voltage can be applied to a pair of adjacent rings, to produce a potential barrier that the ions cannot cross.

As the DC potential is stepped to an adjacent set of rings the ion barrier moves forward, causing any ions in front of it to be propelled forwards. Stepping the ion barrier sequentially along the rings of the device to the other creates a travelling wave that drives the ions through the device.

T-Wave collision Cell

In a conventional tandem mass spectrometer rapid acquisition of MS/MS data leads to loss in sensitivity and crosstalk. Using a T-Wave collision cell, the sensitivity is maintained, even at high data acquisition rates.

Since its inception as an advanced collision cell for tandem mass spectrometry, T-Wave Technology has been used in a number of creative and innovative ways to enhance the performance and functionality of Waters mass spectrometers, sometimes adding unique capabilities not possible by other means.