METHOD OF GENERATING IONS OF HIGH MASS TO CHARGE RATIO BY CHARGE REDUCTION

摘要

A method of charge stripping analyte ions is disclosed. The method comprises reacting the analyte ions with reagent ions or charged particles; and then urging the reacted analyte ions through a neutral, inert gas such that said analyte ions interact or collide with the gas molecules in a manner that reduces the charge state of the reacted analyte ions, thereby forming product ions of reduced charge state. The combination of reacting the analyte ions and then urging the reacted ions through the gas results in a charge reduction that is greater than that which would be caused by either of the individual steps of reacting the ions or urging the ions through the gas.