Low-Cost, Compact Quadrupole Mass Filters with Unity Mass Resolution via Ceramic Resin Vat Photopolymerization.

Abstract

This study reports novel, compact, and additively manufactured quadrupole mass filters (QMFs) with adequate filtering performance for practical mass spectrometry applications. The QMFs are monolithically fabricated via vat photopolymerization of glass-ceramic resin using 57µm×57µm×100µm voxels, and selective electroless plating of nickel-boron. Experimental characterization of QMF prototypes at 1.74MHz using FC-43 yields 131Da peaks with 0.50Da full width at half maximum (260 resolution), surpassing the resolution of reported miniaturized counterparts under similar conditions, and being on par with commercial, non-miniaturized, heavier devices. The sensitivity of the 3D-printed devices is estimated at 0.13mATorr-1 (comparable to that of optimized, commercial counterparts), while the devices attained up to 250Da of mass range (limited by the driving electronics). The work is of interest to low-cost, capable mass spectrometry, 3D-printed instruments, and in-space manufacturing of complex instrumentation.