ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE ION SOURCE

摘要

A non-radioactive atmospheric pressure device for ionization of analytes comprises an atmospheric pressure chamber having an inlet for carrier gas, a first electrode (31) at one end, and a counter-electrode (32) at the other e nd of the chamber for creating an electrical discharge in the carrier gas thus creating metastable neutral excited-state species. Optionally, a grid (14) i s provided to generate electrons or ions by contact with the excited-state species. The carrier gas containing the excited-state species or the electro ns generated therefrom is directed at an analyte at atmospheric pressure near ground potential to form analyte ions.