Focusing ionization device and mass spectrometer using the same

摘要

A focusing ionization device includes a ball having a surface with a plurality of dimples and a metal needle located at one side of the ball and capable of generating corona discharge. The focusing ionization device is adapted for being disposed in a mass spectrometer in a way that the ball is located at a spray path of gaseous analytes and the metal needle is located adjacent to a sample inlet of a mass analyzer. When the gaseous analytes pass through the ball, the gaseous analytes can be gathered around the metal needle, which in turn are ionized to produce analyte ions to be transmitted into the mass analyzer by a potential difference. Therefore, the focusing ionization device of the present disclosure can effectively enhance the amount of the analyte ions entering into the mass analyzer, thereby improving ion transmission efficiency. As a result, a mass spectrometer equipped with the focusing ionization device may have increased signal intensity of analyte, lowered limit of detection (LOD), and minimized detection error.

主权项

1. A focusing ionization device adapted for being disposed in a mass spectrometer including a spray nozzle for spraying gaseous analytes and a mass analyzer having a sample inlet, the focusing ionization device comprising:
a ball having a surface with a plurality of dimples, a front side for facing toward the spray nozzle, and a back side for facing toward the sample inlet of the mass analyzer, the ball being adapted to be disposed at a spray path of the gaseous analytes; and a metal needle capable of generating corona discharge and having a pointed tip located at a downstream position of the back side of the ball, the pointed tip being adapted to be located adjacent to the sample inlet of the mass analyzer.