Nonlinear ion dynamics in a radiofrequency multipole trap

Nonlinear dynamics of a charged particle in a radiofrequency multipole ion trap has been studied for the first time by the method of direct averaging over rapid field oscillations. An expression for the twodimensional effective potential of this trap is obtained, and regions of ion localization are determined. A Poincaré section is presented that clearly demonstrates the nonlinear character of ion dynamics in the multipole trap.