Abstract:
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for mass spectrometry using laserspray ionization (LSI). LSI can create multiply-charged ions at atmospheric pressure for analysis and allows for analysis of high molecular weight molecules including molecules over 4000 Daltons. The analysis can be solvent-based or solvent-free. Solvent-free analysis following LSI allows for improved spatial resolution beneficial in surface and/or tissue imaging.
Abstract:
A mass spectrometer has an ion source for producing sample ions. The ions pass through an ion interface, to a reaction/collision cell section. An inn-neutral decoupling device is provided between the ion interface and the reaction/collision cell section, to provide substantial separation between ions and neutral particles, whereby only ions pass on to the reaction/collision cell section. The supersonic jet entering the spectrometer can have sufficient energy to cause the plasma gases, such as argon, to overcome the pressure differential between the reaction/collision cell and an upstream section of the spectrometer so as to penetrate into the reaction/collision cell; the decoupling device prevents this. The decoupling device can have offset apertures provided by plates or rods or other comparable arrangements, or can comprise a quadrupolar electrostatic deflector, an electrostatic sector deflector or a magnetic sector deflector.
Abstract:
Liquid from a liquid chromatograph or other sample source, preferably assisted by a high velocity coaxial gas jet, is sprayed through a capillary tube (40') producing a flow in a first direction of charged droplets (50'). A flow of heated gas (60), in a second direction different from the first direction, intersects the droplet flow at a region (64) upstream of an orifice (20'). The flows mix turbulently, with the second flow helping to evaporate the droplets to produce ions and helping to move the evaporating droplets toward the orifice (20'), providing a focusing effect. Ions are drawn through the orifice (20') into a mass analyzer and analyzed. Alternatively the flows of liquid and heating gas can be directed toward each other and at right angles to the axis through the orifice, and the inhaling effect of the orifice can be used to draw droplets toward it, or a third gas flow can be used for this purpose. The heated intersecting gas flow typically provides an increase in sensitivity (ion counts per second) of between 10 and 100 times. Heating the droplet plume also allows controlled desaturation of ions and an increase in the number of charges on them, without degrading the ions.
Abstract:
An electrospray ion source is designated for ready and simple plugging into commercial mass analyzers for mass spectrometric analysis of organic molecules. The electrospray is carried out in the ambient air (14) and the ions and other charged species enter the mass analzyer (31) through a long metal capillary tube (11) and three stages of differential pumping. The use of the long tube (11) allows (a) convenient injection of the ions into the mass analyzer (31); (b) optimization of the spray by direct visualization in the air (11-14); (c) efficient and controlled heat transfer to the droplets; and (d) efficient pumping of the region (32) between the capillary exit and the skimmer (28). Desolvation of the solvated ions is carried out using a combination of controlled heat transfer to the charged droplets during the transit through the tube (11) and collisional activation in a region of reduced pressure (32). Desolvation with this system does not involve use of a strong countercurrent flow of heated gas. The system may also be used to obtain the collisional activated fragmentation spectra of molecule ions. The use of a metal capillary tube (11) avoids complications from charging that arise from the use of dielectric capillary tubes.
Abstract:
An electrospray ion source for a mass spectrometer capable of generating ions from samples dissolved in a solution comprises a capillary tube (30) through which the said solution is pumped into a first chamber maintained substantially at atmospheric pressure and in which an inert gas, preferably heated, is flowing in a direction counter to the flow of the solution, and a small orifice (4) in the end wall (1) of the chamber opposite to and aligned with the capillary. A high potential difference is applied between the capillary tube (30) and the end wall (1) so thatthe solution is electrosprayed into the chamber and ions characteristic of the sample are formed. These ions are desolvated to a controllable extent by the inert gas, which is usually heated to improve the efficiency of the process and increase the maximum permissible flow rate of solution. The ions so formed pass through the small orifice (4) into a second chamber maintained at a reduced pressure, and into a mass spectrometer (29). Alternatively an additional pressure reduction stage can be included, so that the ions pass into a third chamber maintained at a still lower pressure in which the mass spectrometer (29) is situated through a hole (23) in skimmer (24). The ion source is particularly effective for the production of unfragmented and unsolvated ions from thermally unstable or involatile samples, and may be used as a liquid chromatograph - mass spectrometer interface.
Abstract:
A curtain chamber includes an orifice plate defining an orifice plate bore. A curtain plate is disposed adjacent to the orifice plate and defines a curtain plate bore. The orifice plate bore is disposed adjacent the curtain plate bore. A biasing element includes a first portion disposed in the orifice plate bore and a second portion disposed in the curtain plate bore. The biasing element biases the curtain plate towards the orifice plate. A race is defined by at least one of the orifice plate and the curtain plate. The race defines a race depth. A seal is disposed in the race. The seal includes an uncompressed seal depth greater than the race depth and a compressed seal depth less than the uncompressed seal depth.
Abstract:
A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target comprising or consisting of a microbial population; mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and analysing said spectrometric data in order to analyse said microbial population.