Interchangeable ion source for electrospray and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization

摘要

A ion source for a mass spectrometer comprises: a capillary having a nozzle for emitting a nebulized fluid sample; an electrode of the capillary; a high voltage power supply; a second electrode disposed within or configurable to be disposed within a path of the nebulized fluid sample; and at least one switch for selecting application of an electrical potential provided by the high voltage power supply to either or both of the capillary electrode or the second electrode, wherein the capillary and capillary electrode are configurable so as to ionize the nebulized fluid sample by electrospray ionization and the second electrode is configurable so as to ionize the nebulized sample by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization.

主权项

1. A system for ionizing samples for input to a mass spectrometer, comprising:
a housing mounted on an ionization chamber of the mass spectrometer and within an opening of the ionization chamber, the housing comprising:
a channel through the housing;a first electrical contact, said first electrical contact configurable to be in electrical communication with a high voltage power supply; anda second electrical contact, said second electrical contact in electrical communication with a corona discharge electrode disposed proximal to an ion inlet aperture of the mass spectrometer; a first assembly matable with the housing, comprising:
a capillary having a nozzle for emitting a nebulized fluid sample, the capillary disposed within the channel of the housing when the first assembly is mated to the housing;an electrode of the capillary; andan electrical contact in electrical communication with the electrode, the electrical contact in electrical communication with the first electrical contact of the housing when the first assembly is mated to the housing; and a second assembly matable with the housing, comprising:
a capillary having a nozzle for emitting a nebulized fluid sample, the capillary disposed within the channel of the housing when the second assembly is mated to the housing;a first electrical contact in electrical communication with the first electrical contact of the housing when the second assembly is mated to the housing; anda second electrical contact in electrical communication with the second electrical contact of the housing when the second assembly is mated to the housing, wherein the first and second assemblies are interchangeably matable with the housing for ionizing the sample by electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) respectively.