88 results about "Atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization" patented technology

A multiple function atmospheric pressure ion source interfaced to a mass spectrometer comprises multiple liquid inlet probes configured such that the sprays from two or more probes intersect in a mixing region. Gas phase sample ions or neutral species generated in the spray of one probe can react with reagent gas ions generated from one or more other probes by such ionization methods as Electrospray, photoionization, corona discharge and glow discharge ionization. Reagent ions may be optimally selected to promote such processes as Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization of neutral sample molecules, or charge reduction or electron transfer dissociation of multiply charged sample ions. Selected neutral reagent species can also be introduced into the mixing region to promote charge reduction of multiply charged sample ions through ion-neutral reactions. Different operating modes can be performed alternately or simultaneously, and can be rapidly turned on and off under manual or software control.

An Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) source interfaced to a mass spectrometer is configured with a corona discharge needle positioned inside the APCI inlet probe assembly. Liquid sample flowing into the APCI inlet probe is nebulized and vaporized prior to passing through the corona discharge region all contained in the APCI inlet probe assembly Ions produced in the corona discharge region are focused toward the APCI probe centerline to maximize ion transmission through the APCI probe exit. External electric fields penetrating into the APCI probe exit end opening providing additional centerline focusing of sample ions exiting the APCI probe. The APCI probe is configured to shield the electric field from the corona discharge region while allowing penetration of an external electric field to focus APCI generated ions into an orifice into vacuum for mass to charge analysis. Ions that exit the APCI probe are directed only by external electric fields and gas flow maximizing ion transmission into a mass to charge analyzer. The new APCI probe can be configured to operate as a stand alone APCI source inlet probe, as a reagent ion gun for ionizing samples introduced on solids or liquid sample probes or through gas inlets in a multiple function ion source or as the APCI portion of a combination Electrospray and APCI multiple function ion source. Sample ions and gas phase reagent ions are generated in the APCI probe from liquid or gas inlet species or mixtures of both.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for use with a mass spectrometer. The multimode ionization source of the present invention provides one or more atmospheric pressure ionization sources (e.g., electrospray, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and / or atmospheric pressure photoionization) for ionizing natural product and organic molecules. A method of producing ions using the multimode ionization source is also disclosed. The apparatus and method provide the advantages of the combined ion sources without the inherent disadvantages of the individual sources. In an embodiment, the multimode ionization source includes an infrared emitter enclosed in an inner chamber for drying a charged aerosol. ESI / APCI multimode sources may include a corona needle shield and / or an auxiliary electrode.

A thin laminated high transmission electro-optical lens populated with a plurality of apertures in communication with its laminates used to improve the collection, focusing, and selection of ions generated from atmospheric pressure sources, such as electrospray, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, inductively coupled plasma, discharge, photoionization and atmospheric pressure matrix assisted laser desorption ionization. The laminated lens is made of alternating layers of electrically insulating and metal laminates. The geometry of the lens may be planar or shaped into various curve shapes, any of which act to optimize both the direct current (DC) and alternate current (AC) electric field geometries and strengths across the lens for transferring virtually all the ions from the ion source into an ion-focusing region adjacent and upstream of a high pressure or atmospheric pressure interface to a mass spectrometer, ion mobility analyzer, or combination thereof. Embodiments of this invention are methods and devices for improving sensitivity of mass spectrometry when coupled to high pressure or atmospheric pressure ionization sources.

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.

Improvements have been made for collection and focusing of ions generated from atmospheric pressure sources such as electrospray, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, inductively coupled plasma, discharge, photoionization and atmospheric pressure matrix assisted laser desorption ionization. A high transmission electro-optical surface is placed between the source regions and the focusing regions to optimize the field geometries and strengths in each respective region. Compression ratios of greater than 5000 are capable of transferring virtually all ions from large volume dispersive ion regions into ion beam cross-sections of less than 1 mm. Embodiments of this invention are methods and devices for improving sensitivity of mass spectrometry when coupled to atmospheric pressure ionization sources.

A mass spectrometer has an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source that includes a first ionization portion including a needle electrode, for generating a primary ion by discharge of the needle electrode a primary ion introduction aperture, and a second ionization portion including an introduction aperture, for generating a sample ion by the reaction between the primary ion and the sample gas introduced from an end of a column of gas chromatography, a sample ion movement aperture; and a mass analysis portion; wherein the end is arranged at a position satisfying the relation r≦2R where R is a radius of an inner diameter of the aperture and r is a distance between an axis connecting the center of the aperture and the center of the aperture, and the end.

An Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) source interfaced to a mass spectrometer is configured with a corona discharge needle positioned inside the APCI inlet probe assembly. Liquid sample flowing into the APCI inlet probe is nebulized and vaporized prior to passing through the corona discharge region all contained in the APCI inlet probe assembly Ions produced in the corona discharge region are focused toward the APCI probe centerline to maximize ion transmission through the APCI probe exit. External electric fields penetrating into the APCI probe exit end opening providing additional centerline focusing of sample ions exiting the APCI probe. The APCI probe is configured to shield the electric field from the corona discharge region while allowing penetration of an external electric field to focus APCI generated ions into an orifice into vacuum for mass to charge analysis. Ions that exit the APCI probe are directed only by external electric fields and gas flow maximizing ion transmission into a mass to charge analyzer. The new APCI probe can be configured to operate as a stand alone APCI source inlet probe, as a reagent ion gun for ionizing samples introduced on solids or liquid sample probes or through gas inlets in a multiple function ion source or as the APCI portion of a combination Electrospray and APCI multiple function ion source. Sample ions and gas phase reagent ions are generated in the APCI probe from liquid or gas inlet species or mixtures of both.

A multiple function atmospheric pressure ion source interfaced to a mass spectrometer comprises multiple liquid inlet probes configured such that the sprays from two or more probes intersect in a mixing region. Gas phase sample ions or neutral species generated in the spray of one probe can react with reagent gas ions generated from one or more other probes by such ionization methods as Electrospray, photoionization, corona discharge and glow discharge ionization. Reagent ions may be optimally selected to promote such processes as Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization of neutral sample molecules, or charge reduction or electron transfer dissociation of multiply charged sample ions. Selected neutral reagent species can also be introduced into the mixing region to promote charge reduction of multiply charged sample ions through ion-neutral reactions. Different operating modes can be performed alternately or simultaneously, and can be rapidly turned on and off under manual or software control.

The invention provides improved apparatus for, and methods of, ionizing analyte molecules in a flow of gas, typically at or around atmospheric pressure. The invention may be used to facilitate mass spectrometric analysis of analytes comprised in the effluent form a gas chromatograph. Ionization may be effected by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization or by atmospheric pressure photo ionization.

An Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionisation ion source is disclosed wherein the current applied to a corona needle 2 is repeatedly varied between two or more settings during a single experimental run or acquisition. Two or more separate sets of mass spectral or mass analysed data are obtained. The ion source in one embodiment comprises a heated tube 1 arranged to discharge gas and analyte into a housing 7 enclosing corona needle 2. The housing 7 comprises a gas outlet port 3 via which analyte ions exit. According to another embodiment the corona needle does not have to be enclosed within a housing.

A mass spectrometer has an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source that includes a first ionization portion including a needle electrode, for generating a primary ion by discharge of the needle electrode a primary ion introduction aperture, and a second ionization portion including an introduction aperture, for generating a sample ion by the reaction between the primary ion and the sample gas introduced from an end of a column of gas chromatography, a sample ion movement aperture; and a mass analysis portion; wherein the end is arranged at a position satisfying the relation r≦2R where R is a radius of an inner diameter of the aperture and r is a distance between an axis connecting the center of the aperture and the center of the aperture, and the end.

A multimode ionization source with improved ionization characteristics that comprises an electrospray ionization source for providing a charged aerosol, an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source including a corona needle having an end positioned downstream from the electrospray ionization source for producing a discharge that further ionizes the charged aerosol, an assist gas inlet positioned adjacent to the corona needle for providing assist gas, the assist gas facilitating ionization of the charged aerosol by the corona discharge, and a conduit having an orifice for receiving ions from the charged aerosol.

An ion source able to ionize both liquid and gaseous vapors from interfaced liquid separation techniques and a solids / liquid atmospheric pressure (AP) probe. The liquid effluents are ionized by electrospray ionization, photoionization or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and the vapors released from a probe device placed in a heated gas stream in the AP source are ionized by a corona or Townsend electrical discharge or photoionization. The source has the ability to ionize compounds from both liquid and solid sources, which facilitates ionization of volatile and semivolatile compounds by applying heat from a gas stream as well as highly non-volatile compounds infused by electrospray or separated by liquid chromatography or capillary electrophoresis.

An ion source able to ionize both liquid and gaseous effluents from interfaced liquid or gaseous separation techniques. The liquid effluents are ionized by electrospray ionization, photoionization or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and the gaseous effluents from sources such as a gas chromatograph are ionized by a corona or Townsend electrical discharge or photoionization. The source has the ability to ionize compounds from both liquid and gaseous sources, which facilitates ionization of volatile compounds separated by gas chromatography, low volatility compounds separated by liquid chromatography, as well as highly non-volatile compounds infused by electrospray or separated by liquid chromatography or capillary electrophoresis.

There will be provided a mass spectrometer for detecting impurity in sample gas of a low flow rate. A mass spectrometer including: an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source having a primary ionization part 28 for generating a primary ion by means of electric discharge of reagent gas, and a secondary ionization part 23 for generating an ion of the sample by a reaction of the primary ion and the sample; a mass spectrometric part 11 for performing mass spectrometric analysis of the ion generated; a mixing portion 33 for mixing the sample to be introduced into the secondary ionization part with dilution gas; and a mean 30 for controlling a flow rate of the dilution gas for flowing through the mixing portion; and a mean 12-1 or 12-2 or 12-3 for controlling a flow rate of the sample gas, wherein mixed gas obtained by mixing the sample with the dilution gas is introduced into the secondary ionization part and the sample is ionized.

A multimode ionization source with improved ionization characteristics that comprises an electrospray ionization source for providing a charged aerosol, an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source including a corona needle having an end positioned downstream from the electrospray ionization source for producing a discharge that further ionizes the charged aerosol, an assist gas inlet positioned adjacent to the corona needle for providing assist gas, the assist gas facilitating ionization of the charged aerosol by the corona discharge, and a conduit having an orifice for receiving ions from the charged aerosol.

An ion source for chemical ionization of analytes at atmospheric pressure with a non-radioactive electron source in a vacuum chamber, includes, a reaction chamber at atmospheric pressure, and a window with an electron-permeable and essentially gas-impermeable membrane in between. The window may be a structured window membrane, i.e. a window membrane with a structured form comprising a multitude of structural elements, between the reaction chamber and the vacuum chamber.

The utility model relates to a normal pressure chemical extraction ionization source, equipped with an ionization pipe and a sample pipe. The ionization pipe and the sample pipe are aslant arranged within an included angle and a distance, and the ports of the ionization pipe and the sample pipe point an ionization area jointly. The sample pipe comprises a sample inlet pipe and a sample carrying gas pipe, a gas or liquid sample is guided in the sample inlet pipe or the sample inlet pipe is communicated with a sample eduction pipe of a neutral desorbing device. The method of utilizing the normal pressure chemical extraction ionization source of the utility model comprises the steps of using a sample flow educed from the sample pipe and an ion flow educed from the ionization pipe to impact with each other to occur the extraction ionization, and then carrying out a mass spectrometry. The normal pressure chemical extraction ionization source is especially suitable for the real-time rapid analysis of complicated samples, such as biological sample, food, drugs, environmental sample, etc.

The present disclosure provides a novel system and method for evaporating and ionizing compounds comprising an LIAD source and an ionization source that operates at atmospheric pressure. This system is readily adaptable for use with most commercially available mass spectrometers. Ionization sources include Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization sources (APCI) and Atmospheric Pressure Photo Ionization (APPI) sources. The ionization sources are positioned such that the analyte desorbing from the surface of the LIAD is fed into the ion stream produced by the ionization source and ionized analyte and ionized fragments of the analyte are fed into the sample inlet of a mass spectrometer. These systems allow for the mass spectrometric analysis of non-polar compounds that lack readily ionizable functional groups, such as saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons and compounds with medium to low polarity, as well as hydrocarbon mixtures, such as petroleum.

The invention relates to a method for detecting seed vitality of cruciferae. In the condition without processing a sample, the concentration of sinapine is used as a vitality marker, the surface desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (SDAPCI-MS) is adopted, so that the content of the sinapine in the seed of the cruciferae is directly and quickly measured to judge the level of the vitality of the seed. According to the, the analysis speed is quick, the seed can be detected in batch without being damaged, the detected seed can also be used for agricultural production, and the quick and real-time on-line detection of quality of the seed of the cruciferae is realized.

A method for detecting zearalenone toxin in traditional Chinese medicines in different matrices, including extraction, purification and detection of Chinese medicine samples, said samples are extracted homogeneously at high speed with methanol-water (80:20, V / V), pH7. 0 Tween-PBS buffer solution dilution, glass fiber membrane filtration, immunoaffinity column purification. The determination method includes: high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection method, high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection method determination, spectrum and high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmation. Liquid chromatography conditions are: mobile phase ratio methanol: acetonitrile: water (8:46:46, V / V / V), fluorescence detector wavelength: excitation wavelength: 270nm, emission wavelength: 440nm; diode array detector wavelength: 236nm . Liquid quality conditions: Methanol-0.1% ammonium acetate water (75:25, V / V) as mobile phase, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization positive ion mode, drying gas flow rate 6.00L / min, drying gas temperature 340°C, fragmentation voltage 150V, Full scan mode scan, scan range 200-400m / z. The invention has the characteristics of accuracy, precision, reliability and the like.

A method and apparatus for Flow Injection Analysis (FIA) into Atmospheric Pressure Ion sources (API) including Electrospray (ES) and Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) sources whereby the sampling and spray needles are one and the same. The sampling and spray needle configured with an autoinjector apparatus or used in manual injection is introduced directly into a mating ES or APCI probe configured in an API source. Such a sampling and spray needle eliminates the need for injector valves, transfer lines or additional fluid delivery systems in FIA into API sources interfaced to mass spectrometers or other chemical analyzers. The use of a sampling and spray needle configuration reduces component costs, liquid dead volume, sample dilution effects, and minimizes cross contamination effects, solvent consumption and waste while increasing sample throughput.

The invention discloses a rapid analysis device and method for ambient air volatile organic compounds. The rapid analysis device comprises an ambient air sampling bottle, a sample leading-in mechanism and a reformed atmosphere pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometer. The rapid analysis method includes: using the ambient air sampling bottle to directly collect the ambient air, transferring the sampling bottle to a laboratory, directly leading the ambient air without concentration treatment into an ion source through an air manual switching four-way valve to be performed with rapid analysis through a reformed atmosphere pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry / mass spectrometry (APCI-MS / MS). Compared with a traditional method for analyzing the volatile organic compounds in the ambient air, the ambient air sampling bottle and the sample leading-in mechanism in the method are simple in structure and convenient to operate, the iron source can achieve direct leading in of the air samples through the reformed APCI-MS / MS, the process from sample induction to data collection only needs several seconds, the sensitivity is high, the within-day precision and day repeatability are good, and the rapid analysis device and method are suitable for rapid analysis of the trace volatile organic compounds in the ambient air.

The present invention relates to an ionization source, specifically to an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source for mass spectrum. Reagent gas enters a reagent ion generation chamber and generates charged reagent ion under the action of the ionization source; and a repulsion electrode, a focusing electrode and a difference interface polar plate are arranged at the movement direction of the charged reagent ion, polytetrafluoroethylene insulation pads are disposed among the repulsion electrode, the focusing electrode and the difference interface polar plate to form a reagent ion transmission device relatively sealed. The ionization source is internally provided with sweeping gas and an exhaust pipe to exhaust neutral gas molecules such as metastable state molecules and the like from the exhaust pipe and allow the charged reagent ion to enter a chemical reaction zone so as to avoid the ionization interference and ensure the action generation of the charged reagent ion and sample ions without any impurities to obtain pure product characteristic ions, and the product characteristic ions enter the mass spectrum for detection through a through hole at the middle of the pole piece and a small hole of the difference interface.

A hyphenated technique based on the combination of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), electrochemical (coulometric) oxidation (EC) and electrospray ionization (ESI)- or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI)-mass spectrometry (MS), allows access of selected groups of low and medium polarity analytes to ESI- or APCI-mass spectrometry after HPLC by electrochemical treatment of the sample.