Ion source, ion source control method and mass spectrometer

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of mass spectrometers, and provides an ion source, a control method of the ion source and a mass spectrograph, and the ion source comprises a main body, a first atomization mechanism, a second atomization mechanism, an ultrasonic suspension mechanism and a discharge part. The main body is provided with a chamber, and the chamber is provided with an outlet; the first atomization mechanism is at least partially located in the cavity and communicated with the cavity, and the first atomization mechanism is used for atomizing the sample solution into the cavity to form atomized liquid drops; the second atomization mechanism comprises an atomization part, the atomization part is arranged in the cavity, and the atomization part is used for atomizing the sample solution which is introduced into the cavity and is not atomized by the first atomization mechanism into atomized liquid drops; the ultrasonic suspension mechanism is arranged in the cavity and is used for suspending the atomized liquid drops at the outlet; the discharge part is at least partially located in the cavity and used for ionizing the mist-shaped liquid drops suspended at the outlet into gaseous ions. Gaseous ions formed by ionization can suspend at the outlet and are output to the outside of the cavity through the outlet, so that the ionization efficiency is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of mass spectrometers, and particularly relates to an ion source, a control method of the ion source and a mass spectrometer. BACKGROUND

[0002] A mass spectrometer is also called a mass spectrometer. With the development of science and technology, mass spectrometers are widely used in technical fields such as energy, food safety, medicine and chemical industry. As one of the core components of a mass spectrometer, an ion source can ionize a sample solution into gaseous ions and output the gaseous ions to a mass analyzer, so that the mass analyzer can analyze and detect the gaseous ions.

[0003] In the related art, only a small number of gaseous ions can be output to the mass analyzer, resulting in low ionization efficiency. SUMMARY

[0004] The main purpose of the present application is to provide an ion source, a control method of the ion source and a mass spectrometer. Under the suspension action of the ultrasonic suspension mechanism, the gaseous ions ionized can be suspended at the outlet, so that the gaseous ions suspended at the outlet can be output to the outside of the chamber through the outlet, thereby improving the ionization efficiency.

[0005] The first aspect of the present application provides an ion source, which comprises a main body, a first atomization mechanism, a second atomization mechanism, an ultrasonic suspension mechanism and a discharge part. The main body is provided with a chamber, and the chamber is provided with an outlet. The first atomization mechanism is at least partially located in the chamber and communicates with the chamber, and is used for atomizing a sample solution into mist droplets in the chamber. The second atomization mechanism comprises an atomization part, which is arranged in the chamber and is used for atomizing the sample solution introduced into the chamber and not atomized by the first atomization mechanism into mist droplets. The ultrasonic suspension mechanism is arranged in the chamber and is used for suspending the mist droplets at the outlet. The discharge part is at least partially located in the chamber and is used for ionizing the mist droplets suspended at the outlet into gaseous ions, so that the gaseous ions are output to the outside of the chamber through the outlet.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the atomization part and the outlet are respectively located on opposite sides of the ultrasonic suspension mechanism.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the first atomization mechanism comprises an introduction part, the atomization part is arranged below the introduction part, one side of the atomization part opposite to the introduction part is an out-mist surface, and the out-mist surface is inclined to the direction of the outlet and recessed inward to form a curved surface.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the second atomization mechanism further comprises an ultrasonic transducer connected to the atomization part, the ultrasonic transducer being configured to generate mechanical vibration; the atomization part is mechanically vibrated under the drive of the ultrasonic transducer to atomize the sample solution introduced into the chamber and not atomized by the first atomization mechanism into mist droplets.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the atomization part is provided with a holding cavity for holding liquid.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasonic suspension mechanism comprises a first susceptor and a second susceptor, the second susceptor being disposed on the opposite side of the outlet from the first susceptor and oppositely arranged in the direction of gravity, a standing wave field for suspending the mist droplets being formed between the first susceptor and the second susceptor.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the ion source further comprises a heating assembly disposed in the chamber and extending at least partially to the outlet, the heating assembly being configured to heat the mist droplets suspended at the outlet.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the main body is provided with an observation window.

[0013] The second aspect of the present application provides a control method of an ion source, the control method being applied to the ion source according to the first aspect; the control method comprises: controlling the first atomization mechanism to atomize sample solution into mist droplets in the chamber; controlling the atomization part of the second atomization mechanism to atomize sample solution introduced into the chamber and not atomized by the first atomization mechanism into mist droplets; controlling the ultrasonic suspension mechanism to suspend the mist droplets at the outlet; controlling the discharge member to ionize the mist droplets suspended at the outlet into gaseous ions, so that the gaseous ions are output to the outside of the chamber through the outlet.

[0014] The third aspect of the present application provides a mass spectrometer, the mass spectrometer comprising the ion source according to the first aspect.

[0015] The application provides an ion source, a control method of the ion source and a mass spectrometer, wherein the ion source comprises a main body, a first atomization mechanism, a second atomization mechanism, an ultrasonic suspension mechanism and a discharge part; the main body is provided with a cavity, and the cavity is provided with an outlet; the first atomization mechanism is located at least partially in the cavity and communicates with the cavity, and the first atomization mechanism is used for atomizing sample solution into mist droplets in the cavity; the second atomization mechanism comprises an atomization part, the atomization part is arranged in the cavity, and the atomization part is used for atomizing sample solution introduced into the cavity and not atomized by the first atomization mechanism into mist droplets; the ultrasonic suspension mechanism is arranged in the cavity, and the ultrasonic suspension mechanism is used for suspending the mist droplets at the outlet; and the discharge part is located at least partially in the cavity, and the discharge part is used for ionizing the mist droplets suspended at the outlet into gaseous ions so that the gaseous ions are output to outside the cavity through the outlet. The sample solution is atomized into mist droplets with uniform size by the first atomization mechanism and the second atomization mechanism, the mist droplets are suspended at the outlet by the ultrasonic suspension mechanism, and then the mist droplets suspended at the outlet are ionized into gaseous ions by the discharge part. Because the mist droplets have uniform size, the time of Coulomb explosion of the mist droplets is consistent. Meanwhile, under the suspension of the ultrasonic suspension mechanism, the gaseous ions formed by ionization can be suspended at the outlet, so that the gaseous ions suspended at the outlet can be output to outside the cavity through the outlet, and the ionization efficiency is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed in the embodiment description will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor.

[0017] Figure 1 A cross-sectional structure schematic diagram of an ion source provided by the embodiments of the present application; Figure 2 Another cross-sectional structure schematic diagram of an ion source of the embodiments of the present application; Figure 3 An exploded structure schematic diagram of an ion source provided by the embodiments of the present application; Figure 4 Another exploded structure schematic diagram of an ion source provided by the embodiments of the present application; Figure 5 A process schematic diagram of ultrasonic atomization provided by the embodiments of the present application; Figure 6 A flowchart schematic diagram of a control method of an ion source provided by the embodiments of the present application; Attached image description: Main body 10; chamber 11; outlet 12; exhaust channel 13; first atomizing mechanism 20; inlet 21; second atomizing mechanism 30; atomizing section 31; mist outlet surface 311; ultrasonic transducer 32; ultrasonic levitation mechanism 40; first levitation device 41; second levitation device 42; discharge device 50; heating assembly 60. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Generally, ionized ions generated by the high-pressure ionization spray needle, which produce a Coulomb explosion, are guided by gravity to slide down into the low-voltage electric field attraction channel and smoothly enter the ion cone, and then enter the ion control chamber. This process from high pressure to low pressure is called the ion slide.

[0019] It is understandable that the Coulomb explosion process refers to the process where the sample solution is separated from the liquid phase and output to the ion source to form a charged spray. The solvent is then evaporated by orthogonally heated gases heating the charged ion spray. During the Coulomb explosion, the target ions are affected by gravitational acceleration and the suction force of the negative pressure circulation system. The ionization process is very brief; only the distance between the ion source spray height and the ion slide electric field capture point can be introduced into the ion channel for detection. Currently, ion sources cannot avoid the need for rapid ionization and high-temperature solvent removal to generate target charged ions. Furthermore, excessively high temperatures increase the possibility of target ion denaturation. Therefore, it is necessary to use an appropriate heating temperature to remove the solvent while also considering the free-fall velocity of the massed solvent and the suction force of the negative pressure circulation system to improve ionization efficiency. However, existing ion sources cannot meet all these requirements.

[0020] Existing ion sources mainly suffer from the following problems: Coulomb explosions generate different forces: Charged ions in a solvent move downwards as droplets under gravity while being evaporated by a high-temperature gas. As the droplets (solvent) evaporate, ions with the same charge lose their adhesion and are instantly ejected outside the range of interaction forces due to repulsion, forming a free-fall state. This process is called a Coulomb explosion. During a Coulomb explosion, the repulsive force varies depending on the amount of charge, causing ions to be ejected in different directions to positions with relatively stable forces. Therefore, most charged ions are ejected beyond the range that the ion slide voltage can capture, resulting in only a small number of ions entering the ion channel, thus leading to low ionization efficiency.

[0021] The time of Coulomb explosion is different: because most of the material is prone to denaturation in the process of excessive high temperature heating the solvent vaporization, so as to better produce the need to detect the ions. At the same time, the liquid flow rate, the output of the super high pressure and the size of the weight of the atomized droplets are different, so that the evaporation time of the volatile solvent is different, and the time of Coulomb explosion is not completely consistent, resulting in a large number of liquid droplets producing partial Coulomb explosion after passing through the range of ion slide voltage that can be captured, causing a large number of ions to be detected to be unable to timely break away from the adhesion and be sucked away by the negative pressure system, thus reducing the ionization efficiency.

[0022] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor fall within the scope of the present application.

[0023] In order to make the purposes, characteristics and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor fall within the scope of the present application.

[0024] Please refer to Figure 1 The ion source provided by the embodiments of the present application comprises a main body 10, a first atomization mechanism 20, a second atomization mechanism 30, an ultrasonic suspension mechanism 40 and a discharge part 50. The main body 10 is provided with a chamber 11, and the chamber is provided with an outlet 12. The first atomization mechanism 20 is at least partially located in the chamber 11 and communicates with the chamber 11. The first atomization mechanism 20 is used for atomizing sample solution into mist droplets in the chamber 11. The second atomization mechanism 30 comprises an atomization part 31, which is arranged in the chamber 11. The atomization part 31 is used for atomizing sample solution introduced into the chamber 11 and not atomized by the first atomization mechanism 20 into mist droplets. The ultrasonic suspension mechanism 40 is arranged in the chamber 11. The ultrasonic suspension mechanism 40 is used for suspending the mist droplets at the outlet 12. The discharge part 50 is at least partially located in the chamber 11. The discharge part 50 is used for ionizing the mist droplets suspended at the outlet 12 into gaseous ions, so that the gaseous ions are output to the outside of the chamber 11 through the outlet 12.

[0025] In actual application, the first atomizing mechanism 20 atomizes the sample solution into mist droplets in the chamber 11, and the atomizing part 31 of the second atomizing mechanism 30 arranged in the chamber 11 atomizes the sample solution introduced into the chamber 11 and not atomized by the first atomizing mechanism 20 into mist droplets, so that the sample solution is fully atomized into mist droplets with relatively uniform size under the joint atomization of the first atomizing mechanism 20 and the second atomizing mechanism 30. In this way, the time of the mist droplets with relatively uniform size to occur Coulomb explosion is also relatively consistent, and therefore, Coulomb explosion can occur in the ionization process to generate a large amount of gaseous ions, and the ionization efficiency is improved.

[0026] For example, the ultrasonic suspension mechanism 40 arranged in the chamber 11 can generate a standing wave field through ultrasonic waves, so that the mist droplets with relatively uniform size can be suspended at the outlet 12 under the action of the standing wave field, so that the gaseous ions formed in the process of ionizing the mist droplets by the discharge part 50 can be gathered at the outlet 12 without being ejected in different directions, thereby improving the ionization efficiency.

[0027] It can be understood that the discharge part 50 of the embodiment of the present application can directly apply a high-voltage electrode to the mist droplets suspended at the outlet 12, and form a strong electric field around the mist droplets through the high-voltage electrode, so that the mist droplets occur Coulomb explosion to generate gaseous ions under the action of the strong electric field. Specifically, a plurality of discharge parts 50 can be arranged and a direct current high voltage (such as 5.5 kV) is applied, so as to greatly enhance the charging efficiency of the mist droplets, so as to facilitate the desolvation and ion evaporation of the mist droplets in the subsequent Coulomb explosion process.

[0028] The discharge part 50 of the embodiment of the present application can also ionize the surrounding gas in the chamber through high-voltage discharge (such as several thousand volts) to form a reaction gas plasma zone, so that the suspended mist droplets enter the ionization zone and perform gas phase ion-molecular reaction with the reaction gas plasma to generate gaseous ions.

[0029] The ion source provided by the above embodiment comprises a main body 10, a first atomization mechanism 20, a second atomization mechanism 30, an ultrasonic suspension mechanism 40, and a discharge part 50. The main body 10 is provided with a chamber 11, and the chamber 11 is provided with an outlet 12. The first atomization mechanism 20 is at least partially located in the chamber 11 and communicates with the chamber 11, and is used for atomizing sample solution into mist droplets in the chamber 11. The second atomization mechanism 30 comprises an atomization part 31 arranged in the chamber 11, and is used for atomizing sample solution introduced into the chamber 11 and not atomized by the first atomization mechanism 20 into mist droplets. The ultrasonic suspension mechanism 40 is arranged in the chamber 11, and is used for suspending the mist droplets at the outlet 12. The discharge part 50 is at least partially located in the chamber 11, and is used for ionizing the mist droplets suspended at the outlet 12 into gaseous ions, so that the gaseous ions are output to outside of the chamber 11 through the outlet 12. The sample solution is fully atomized into mist droplets with uniform size by the first atomization mechanism 20 and the second atomization mechanism 30, the mist droplets are suspended at the outlet 12 by the ultrasonic suspension mechanism 40, and then the mist droplets suspended at the outlet 12 are ionized into gaseous ions by the discharge part 50. Because the mist droplets have uniform size, the time of Coulomb explosion of the mist droplets is consistent. Meanwhile, under the suspension of the ultrasonic suspension mechanism 40, the gaseous ions formed by ionization can be suspended at the outlet 12, so that the gaseous ions suspended at the outlet 12 can be output to outside of the chamber 11 through the outlet 12, and the ionization efficiency is improved.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 The ion source further comprises a heating assembly 60 arranged in the chamber 11 and at least partially extending to the outlet 12, and the heating assembly 60 is used for heating the mist droplets suspended at the outlet 12.

[0031] It can be understood that the ion source of the embodiment of the present application can further comprise a heating assembly 60, and the mist droplets suspended at the outlet 12 can be heated by the heating assembly 60 to evaporate the solvent in the process of heating the mist droplets. Specifically, the heating assembly 60 can be arranged in the chamber and at least partially extend to the outlet 12 to closely heat the mist droplets suspended at the outlet 12.

[0032] For example, the embodiment of the present application can be provided with an air inlet channel (not shown in the figure) communicating with the chamber 11, and inert gas is introduced in the process of heating the mist droplets to accelerate the evaporation of the solvent in the mist droplets.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the ion source of the embodiment of the present application can further comprise an exhaust passage 13, which is communicated with the chamber 11 and arranged below the atomizing portion 31. The exhaust passage 13 can be used to exhaust the exhaust gas.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the atomizing portion 31 and the outlet 12 are respectively located on opposite sides of the ultrasonic suspension mechanism 40.

[0035] In the embodiment of the present application, the atomizing portion 31 and the outlet 12 of the second atomizing mechanism 30 are respectively located on opposite sides of the ultrasonic suspension mechanism 40, i.e., the atomizing portion 31, the ultrasonic suspension mechanism 40 and the outlet 12 are sequentially arranged. The mist liquid droplets introduced into the chamber 11 and the sample solution not atomized can be atomized under the atomizing action of the atomizing portion 31, so that the atomized liquid droplets after sufficient atomization can float to the ultrasonic suspension mechanism 40 along the direction of the air flow formed when the atomizing portion 31 atomizes the sample liquid droplets, so that the mist liquid droplets are suspended at the outlet 12 under the action of the standing wave field formed by the ultrasonic suspension mechanism 40.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 As shown, the first atomizing mechanism 20 comprises an introducing piece 21, the atomizing portion 31 is arranged below the introducing piece 21, and the side opposite to the introducing piece 21 of the atomizing portion 31 is an atomizing surface 311, which is inclined to the direction of the outlet 12 and recessed inward to form a curved surface.

[0037] It can be understood that the first atomizing mechanism 20 comprises the introducing piece 21, which is embedded above the chamber 11 and extends downward into the chamber 11. Specifically, the introducing piece 21 can be a spray needle provided with a hollow pipe, wherein the hollow pipe is used to transport the sample solution, and the two sides of the hollow pipe are used to input nitrogen. The nitrogen is input to the two sides of the hollow pipe, so that the nitrogen forms a high-pressure air flow at the needle port of the spray needle to introduce the sample solution into the chamber 11 to form mist liquid droplets.

[0038] The atomizing portion 31 of the embodiment of the present application is arranged below the introducing piece 21. The introducing piece 21 atomizes the sample solution into the chamber 11 to form atomized liquid droplets, so that the mist liquid droplets introduced into the chamber 11 from the introducing piece 21 and the sample solution not atomized can move downward to the atomizing portion 31 under the action of gravity, and then be more fully atomized under the atomizing action of the atomizing portion 31.

[0039] Exemplarily, the second atomization mechanism 30 in the embodiment of the present application includes an atomization part 31 and an ultrasonic transducer 32. The atomization part 31 is connected to the ultrasonic transducer 32, and the atomization part 31 is used to atomize the sample solution into mist droplets. The atomization part 31 is inclined to the direction of the outlet 12 and is concave inward to form an arc surface.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 to 4 The second atomization mechanism 30 further includes an ultrasonic transducer 32, and the ultrasonic transducer 32 is connected to the atomization part 31. The ultrasonic transducer 32 is used to generate mechanical vibration. The atomization part 31 is mechanically vibrated under the driving of the ultrasonic transducer 32, so as to atomize the sample solution in the introduction chamber 11 and not atomized by the first atomization mechanism 20 into mist droplets.

[0041] For example, the second atomization mechanism 30 in the embodiment of the present application further includes an ultrasonic transducer 32. The ultrasonic transducer 32 can generate mechanical vibration, so as to drive the atomization part 31 connected thereto to vibrate mechanically at the same frequency. Thus, the sample solution dropped from the introduction piece 21 to the atomization part 31 can form mist droplets in the process of vibration of the atomization part 31. Specifically, the atomization part 31 can disperse the sample solution into mist droplets by high-frequency vibration in the process of mechanical vibration.

[0042] It can be understood that the ultrasonic transducer 32 in the embodiment of the present application can include a piezoelectric ceramic transducer. The piezoelectric ceramic transducer can convert electrical energy into mechanical energy to realize mechanical vibration.

[0043] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5 When the sample solution not atomized by the first atomization mechanism 20 drops to the surface of the atomization part 31 vibrating at high frequency, the vibration energy can be transmitted to the liquid layer of the sample solution. If the thickness of the liquid layer is appropriate, the energy can form standing waves inside the liquid and on the surface of the liquid. On the surface of the liquid, the standing waves appear as a series of capillary waves, i.e. ripple waves, and the wavelength is very short, and the wave crest and the wave trough appear alternately. The liquid at the wave crest of the capillary wave is accelerated to a very high speed, while the liquid at the wave trough is relatively static. When the vibration energy is large enough, the inertial force (from the high-speed vibration) acting on the liquid at the wave crest can exceed the surface tension of the liquid. At this time, the extremely unstable liquid at the wave crest can be directly “thrown away” from the liquid surface to form an extremely small droplet. Since the atomization occurs at the wave crest of each capillary wave, and the frequency of the capillary wave is consistent with the frequency of the ultrasonic wave generated by the ultrasonic transducer 32, the size of the mist droplets formed by atomization is very uniform.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the atomizing portion 31 is provided with a containing cavity (not shown in the figure) for containing liquid.

[0045] For example, the atomizing portion 31 in the embodiment of the present application is provided with a containing cavity for containing liquid, and pure water is injected into the containing cavity as the transmission medium of ultrasonic waves, which can improve the transmission efficiency of ultrasonic waves, thereby improving the atomization efficiency.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 4 The ultrasonic suspension mechanism 40 includes a first suspender 41 and a second suspender 42, the second suspender 42 is arranged on the opposite sides of the outlet 12 and is oppositely arranged in the direction of gravity, and a standing wave field for suspending mist droplets is formed between the first suspender 41 and the second suspender 42.

[0047] For example, the ultrasonic suspension mechanism 40 in the embodiment of the present application can include a first suspender 41 and a second suspender 42. The first suspender 41 and the second suspender 42 can each be an ultrasonic transmitter, and the first suspender 41 and the second suspender 42 respectively emit ultrasonic waves of the same frequency and opposite directions to each other, so that the two ultrasonic waves of the same frequency and opposite directions meet and superimpose to form a standing wave field for suspending mist droplets. In addition, the first suspender 41 can be arranged above or below the second suspender 42.

[0048] For example, one of the first suspender 41 and the second suspender 42 is an ultrasonic transmitter, and the other is an ultrasonic reflector. One of the first suspender 41 and the second suspender 42 acts as an ultrasonic transmitter to emit incident waves, and the other acts as an ultrasonic reflector to emit reflected waves. When the frequencies of the incident waves and the reflected waves are the same and the phase difference is constant, the incident waves and the reflected waves superimpose to form a standing wave field for suspending mist droplets.

[0049] It can be understood that the first suspender 41 and the second suspender 42 in the embodiment of the present application can be arranged on the opposite sides of the outlet 12 and oppositely arranged in the direction of gravity to generate a vertical suspension force, so as to overcome the gravity of the mist droplets and achieve the effect of stably suspending the mist droplets.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the main body 10 is provided with an observation window (not shown in the figure).

[0051] For example, an observation window can be provided on the main body 10 to facilitate observation of the state of the mist droplets in the chamber through the observation window, for example, color change. Specifically, a transparent glass door can be installed on the observation window, or a camera and / or a microscope can be installed on the observation window to facilitate real-time observation.

[0052] Please refer to Figure 6 The ion source control method is applied to the ion source of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0053] Step S101, control the first atomization mechanism to atomize the sample solution into mist droplets in the chamber.

[0054] Step S102, control the atomization part of the second atomization mechanism to atomize the sample solution introduced into the chamber and not atomized by the first atomization mechanism into mist droplets.

[0055] Step S103, control the ultrasonic suspension mechanism to suspend the mist droplets at the outlet.

[0056] Step S104, control the discharge part to ionize the mist droplets suspended at the outlet into gaseous ions, so that the gaseous ions are output to the outside of the chamber through the outlet.

[0057] It can be understood that the embodiments of the present application can move and stably suspend the mist droplets by controlling the working parameters such as the ultrasonic frequency, phase, and power of the ultrasonic suspension mechanism.

[0058] The ion source control method provided by the above-mentioned embodiments has all the technical effects of the ion source as described above, that is, first, the first atomization mechanism and the second atomization mechanism are controlled to fully atomize the sample solution into mist droplets with relatively uniform sizes; then, the ultrasonic suspension mechanism is controlled to suspend the mist droplets at the outlet; and finally, the discharge part is controlled to ionize the mist droplets suspended at the outlet into gaseous ions; because the sizes of the mist droplets are relatively uniform, the time of Coulomb explosion of the mist droplets is consistent; at the same time, under the suspension action of the ultrasonic suspension mechanism, the gaseous ions formed by ionization can be suspended at the outlet, so that the gaseous ions suspended at the outlet can be output to the outside of the chamber through the outlet, thereby improving the ionization efficiency.

[0059] The mass spectrometer of the embodiments of the present application includes the ion source of the above-mentioned embodiments. The mass spectrometer of the embodiments of the present application has all the technical effects of the ion source as described above, that is, first, the first atomization mechanism and the second atomization mechanism are controlled to fully atomize the sample solution into mist droplets with relatively uniform sizes; then, the ultrasonic suspension mechanism is controlled to suspend the mist droplets at the outlet; and finally, the discharge part is controlled to ionize the mist droplets suspended at the outlet into gaseous ions; because the sizes of the mist droplets are relatively uniform, the time of Coulomb explosion of the mist droplets is consistent; at the same time, under the suspension action of the ultrasonic suspension mechanism, the gaseous ions formed by ionization can be suspended at the outlet, so that the gaseous ions suspended at the outlet can be output to the outside of the chamber through the outlet, thereby improving the ionization efficiency.

[0060] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the purpose of facilitating the description of the embodiments of the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only for the purpose of description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0061] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connecting", "connecting" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be replaceably connected, or it can be integrally connected, it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected, it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, it can be the communication inside two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0062] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, but not to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacement for part of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. An ion source, characterized in that, The ion source includes: The main body has a chamber, and the chamber has an outlet; A first atomizing mechanism, at least partially located within and communicating with the chamber, is used to atomize the sample solution into the chamber to form mist-like droplets; The second atomizing mechanism includes an atomizing section disposed in the chamber, the atomizing section being used to atomize the sample solution introduced into the chamber and not atomized by the first atomizing mechanism into atomized droplets. An ultrasonic levitation mechanism is disposed in the cavity and is used to suspend the mist-like droplets at the outlet. A discharge element, at least partially located within the chamber, is used to ionize the mist-like droplets suspended at the outlet into gaseous ions, so that the gaseous ions are output to the outside of the chamber through the outlet.

2. The ion source according to claim 1, characterized in that, The atomizing section and the outlet are located on opposite sides of the ultrasonic levitation mechanism.

3. The ion source according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first atomizing mechanism includes an inlet member, and the atomizing part is located below the inlet member. The side of the atomizing part opposite to the inlet member is the mist outlet surface, which is inclined in the direction of the outlet and concave inward to form an arc surface.

4. The ion source according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second atomizing mechanism also includes: An ultrasonic transducer, connected to the atomizing unit, is used to generate mechanical vibration; The atomizing unit vibrates mechanically under the drive of the ultrasonic transducer to atomize the sample solution introduced into the chamber that has not been atomized by the first atomizing mechanism into mist droplets.

5. The ion source according to claim 4, characterized in that, The atomizing section is provided with a receiving cavity for containing liquid.

6. The ion source according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ultrasonic levitation mechanism includes: First levitation device; The second suspender is located on opposite sides of the outlet and is arranged opposite to the first suspender in the direction of gravity, forming a standing wave field between the first suspender and the second suspender for suspending the mist droplets.

7. The ion source according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The ion source also includes: A heating assembly is disposed in the chamber and extends at least partially to the outlet, the heating assembly being used to heat the mist droplets suspended at the outlet.

8. The ion source according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The main body is equipped with an observation window.

9. A method for controlling an ion source, characterized in that, The control method is applied to the ion source as described in any one of claims 1 to 8; the control method includes: The first atomizing mechanism is controlled to atomize the sample solution into the chamber, forming mist-like droplets. The atomizing section of the second atomizing mechanism atomizes the sample solution introduced into the chamber that has not been atomized by the first atomizing mechanism into atomized droplets; The ultrasonic levitation mechanism is controlled to suspend the mist-like droplets at the outlet; The control discharge device ionizes the mist-like droplets suspended at the outlet into gaseous ions, so that the gaseous ions are output to the outside of the chamber through the outlet.

10. A mass spectrometer, characterized in that, The mass spectrometer includes an ion source as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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