Discontinuous atmospheric pressure interface

摘要

A method of interfacing atmospheric pressure ion sources, including electrospray and desorption electrospray ionization sources, to mass spectrometers, for example miniature mass spectrometers, in which the ionized sample is discontinuously introduced into the mass spectrometer. Discontinuous introduction improves the match between the pumping capacity of the instrument and the volume of atmospheric pressure gas that contains the ionized sample. The reduced duty cycle of sample introduction is offset by operation of the mass spectrometer under higher performance conditions and by ion accumulation at atmospheric pressure.

主权项

1. An analysis system, the system comprising:
an ionizing source; a discontinuous interface operably associated with the ionizing source; and a mass analyzer operably associated with the discontinuous interface, wherein the system is configured such that the interface is periodically open for a period of time that causes the pressure in the mass analyzer to increase above a pressure at which mass analysis or ion manipulation can be conducted and is periodically closed while the mass analyzer is evacuated to a pressure at which mass analysis or ion manipulation can be conducted.