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. Ion traps have a number of scientific uses such as mass spectrometery and trapping ions while the ion's quantum state is manipulated. The two most common types of ion traps are the Penning trap and the Paul trap (quadrupole ion trap).

When using ion traps for scientific studies of quantum state manipulation, the Paul trap is most often used. This work may lead to a trapped ion quantum computer and has already been used to create the world's most accurate atomic clocks.

An ion trap mass spectrometer may incorporate a Penning trap (Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance), Paul trap or the Kingdon trap. The Orbitrap, introduced in 2005, is based on the Kingdon trap. Other types of mass spectrometers may also use a linear quadrupole ion trap as a selective mass filter.

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 degradation by positive ions accelerated backward by the fields intended to pull electrons away from the cathode.