Sample Introduction System for Spectrometers

摘要

A method of mass or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed that uses the Leidenfrost effect to cause a liquid to be repelled away from a heated surface so as to levitate above there-above. The repelled liquid is urged so as to move along the surface in a predetermined direction, for example, by the geometric configuration of the heated surface.

主权项

1. A method of mass or ion mobility spectrometry comprising:
supplying liquid towards a surface; heating the surface to a temperature that is sufficiently high to cause a portion of the liquid to vapourise and form vapour between the surface and at least part of the liquid, wherein the formation of said vapour repels said at least part of the liquid away from the surface; and wherein the repelled liquid is urged so as to move along the surface in a predetermined direction; (i) wherein the surface is geometrically configured in a manner such that the formation of said vapour provides a force on said liquid having at least a component in said predetermined direction, or in the opposite direction to said predetermined direction; and/or (ii) wherein the surface is arranged and configured such that gravity causes said repelled liquid to move in said predetermined direction; and/or (iii) wherein the surface is chemically configured so as to urge the repelled liquid along the surface in the predetermined direction; and/or (iv) wherein the liquid is electrically charged and the method comprises providing an electric field that urges the repelled liquid along the surface in the predetermined direction.