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.
Abstract:
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure interface comprising a gas cone having an inlet aperture, wherein the gas cone has a first longitudinal axis arranged along an x-axis and an Electrospray ion source comprising a first capillary tube having an outlet and having a second longitudinal axis and a second capillary tube which surrounds the first capillary tube. The mass spectrometer further comprises a desolvation gas supply tube and a first device arranged and adapted to supply an analyte liquid via the first capillary tube so that the liquid exits the outlet of the first capillary tube at a flow rate >200 μL/min. The mass spectrometer further comprises a second device arranged and adapted to supply a nebuliser gas via the second capillary tube at a flow rate in the range 80-150 L/hr, wherein an outlet of the first capillary tube is arranged at a distance x mm along the x-axis as measured from the centre of the gas cone inlet aperture, a distance y mm along a y-axis as measured from the centre of the gas cone inlet aperture and a distance z mm along a z-axis as measured from the centre of the gas cone inlet aperture. The x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis are mutually orthogonal. The desolvation gas supply tube surrounds the second capillary tube and the mass spectrometer further comprises a third device arranged and adapted to supply a desolvation gas via the desolvation gas supply tube at a flow rate in the range 400-1200 L/hr, a heater arranged and adapted to heat the desolvation gas to a temperature ≧100° C. and a fourth device arranged and adapted to supply a cone gas to the gas cone at a flow rate in the range 40-80 L/hr and wherein x is in the range 2.0-5.0 mm and wherein the ratio z/x is in the range 1-5:1.
Abstract:
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a mass spectrometer with high detection sensitivity to generate fine charged droplets and thereby improve the efficiency of sample ionization, and to reduce large droplets with high ionic strength. The present invention includes: liquid chromatograph separating means that separates a sample solution into components; a sample sprayer that sprays as droplets the sample solution separated and eluted by the liquid chromatograph separating means; ion generating means that charges the droplets and generates ions; a mass spectrometer that receives the ions and performs mass spectrometry on the ions; and a desolvation unit that removes a solvent contained in the charged droplets, wherein the desolvation unit includes a desolvation flow path chamber through which the charged droplets pass, heating means for heating the desolvation flow path chamber, and a helical droplet flow path formed in the desolvation flow path chamber.
Abstract:
An orthogonal ion injection apparatus and process are described in which ions are directly injected into an ion guide orthogonal to the ion guide axis through an inlet opening located on a side of the ion guide. The end of the heated capillary is placed inside the ion guide such that the ions are directly injected into DC and RF fields inside the ion guide, which efficiently confines ions inside the ion guide. Liquid droplets created by the ionization source that are carried through the capillary into the ion guide are removed from the ion guide by a strong directional gas flow through an inlet opening on the opposite side of the ion guide. Strong DC and RF fields divert ions into the ion guide. In-guide orthogonal injection yields a noise level that is a factor of 1.5 to 2 lower than conventional inline injection known in the art. Signal intensities for low m/z ions are greater compared to convention inline injection under the same processing conditions.
Abstract:
An atmospheric pressure ion source, employing the principle of electrospray ionization, chemical ionization, or photo-ionization, comprises a spray probe for spraying a liquid into an ionization chamber and has an exhaust port through which residual spray mist and waste gas, such as evaporated solvent, are extracted. The ion source further comprises an exhaust system comprising a conduit which is connected to the exhaust port. The conduit has a transition from a first cross-section to a second cross section at a point downstream of the exhaust port wherein the second cross section is reduced in relation to the first cross section. Gas is injected via a gas injector into the conduit in a region of the transition to create a low pressure region that removes unwanted material from the chamber.
Abstract:
A system according to one embodiment includes a particle accelerator that directs a succession of polydisperse aerosol particles along a predetermined particle path; multiple tracking lasers for generating beams of light across the particle path; an optical detector positioned adjacent the particle path for detecting impingement of the beams of light on individual particles; a desorption laser for generating a beam of desorbing light across the particle path about coaxial with a beam of light produced by one of the tracking lasers; and a controller, responsive to detection of a signal produced by the optical detector, that controls the desorption laser to generate the beam of desorbing light. Additional systems and methods are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A mass spectrometer interface, having improved sensitivity and reduced chemical background, is disclosed. The mass spectrometer interface provides improved desolvation, chemical selectivity and ion transport. A flow of partially solvated ions is transported along a tortuous path into a region of disturbance of flow, where ions and neutral molecules collide and mix. Thermal energy is applied to the region of disturbance to promote liberation of at least some of the ionized particles from any attached impurities, thereby increasing the concentration of the ionized particles having the characteristic m/z ratios in the flow. Molecular reactions and low pressure ionization methods can also be performed for selective removal or enhancement of particular ions.
Abstract:
The invention provides a mass spectrometry interface for collecting ions and directing a drying gas. The mass spectrometer interface may be used independently or in combination with an ion source and a mass spectrometry system. The mass spectrometer interface, includes a body portion having a first open end; and a tip portion in contact with the body portion having a second open end and a wall with an aperture for receiving ion, the wall having a cross-sectional area that tapers from the first open end of the body portion toward the second open end of the tip portion, wherein the mass spectrometer interface may direct a gas from the first open end of the body portion toward the second open end of the tip portion and the aperture in the wall of the tip portion may receive ions for drying by the gas.The invention also provides methods for ion collection and drying. The method for collecting and drying molecules, includes directing ions through an aperture of a closed mass spectrometry interface; and drying the molecules using a drying gas.
Abstract:
A mass spectrometer sample input interface comprises a desolvation apparatus defining a desolvation pathway along which a desolvation gas flows, in a direction from upstream to downstream, the desolvation pathway having a desolvation pathway portion; and an ion pathway apparatus for defining an ion pathway for analyte solution droplets to follow, the ion pathway leading into the mass spectrometer, the ion pathway including an ion pathway portion that follows the desolvation pathway portion.