The Development of the Digital Ion Trap

ABSTRACT The digital ion trap (DIT) is an ion trap in which the periodic trapping field is driven by digital signals—typically with a rectangular waveform—generated by fast‐switching circuits. This paper reviews the research history of rectangular wave‐driven quadrupole fields, as well as the invention and development of DITs. It summarizes studies on ion motion stability and secular frequency in both 3D and 2D configurations of DITs and discusses differences in the stability diagrams of DITs arising from different definitions of the a and q parameters. Additionally, this review outlines the performance advantages of the digital driving method in mass analysis and lists the novel analytical functions that have been realized using DIT technology. Finally, it presents the latest developments in commercial DIT instruments.