Design of Planar RF Ion Trap

This study explores the possibility of trapping an ion above a planar structure using Radio Frequency(RF) electric field. A planar geometry has the advantage that it can be miniaturized more easily for portable applications. Using numerical simulations it is demonstrated that ’a disc and two-ring’ planar structure can successfully trap ions using RF electric field only. In order to improve the linearity of the ion trap, planar structures with additional rings have been considered. Using systematic optimization a more linear planar trap has been designed. The enhanced linearity may enable such traps to be used for mass spectrometry.