Ion trap

An ion trap is a combination of electric or magnetic fields that captures ions in a region of a vacuum system or tube. Two notable types of ion traps are the Penning trap and the Paul trap.

Related Topics:
Ion - Penning trap - Paul trap

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For example, in an electron gun (a device emitting high-speed electrons, such as those in CRTs) an ion trap may be implemented above the cathode (using an extra, positively-charged electrode between the cathode and the extraction electrode) to prevent its degredation by positive ions accelerated backward by the fields intended to pull electrons away from the cathode.

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The term ion trap is also used to refer to a Quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer.

Related Topics:
Quadrupole ion trap - Mass spectrometer

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