Ionisation of gaseous samples
AssigneeMicromass UK Limited
InventorsEmrys Jones, Tamas Karancsi, Steven Derek Pringle, Julia Balog, Daniel Simon, Lajos Godorhazy, Daniel Szalay, Zoltan Takats
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Abstract
A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing an analyte; supplying a matrix compound to said analyte such that said analyte dissolves in said matrix; forming first droplets of the dissolved analyte; and colliding said first droplets with a collision surface. The use of matrix improves the analyte ion signal.
Claims20
A method of mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry comprising:
- providing an analyte by using a first device to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from a target to be analysed;
- supplying a matrix compound to said aerosol, smoke or vapour such that said analyte is diluted by, dissolved in, or forms first clusters with said matrix;
- and
- colliding said first clusters or first droplets of said diluted or dissolved analyte with a collision surface located within a vacuum chamber of a mass and/or ion mobility spectrometer so as to generate a plurality of analyte ions;
- wherein supplying said matrix compound to said aerosol, smoke or vapour comprises introducing said matrix compound to said aerosol, smoke or vapour within a tube connected to an inlet of said vacuum chamber.
A mass spectrometer and/or ion mobility spectrometer comprising:
- a first device for generating aerosol, smoke or vapour from a target to be analysed so as to provide an analyte;
- a device for supplying a matrix compound to said aerosol, smoke or vapour such that said analyte is diluted by, dissolved in, or forms first clusters with said matrix;
- and
- a collision surface located within a vacuum chamber of the spectrometer, wherein in use said first clusters or first droplets of said diluted or dissolved analyte collide with said collision surface so as to generate a plurality of analyte ions;
- wherein the spectrometer is configured to introduce said matrix compound to said aerosol, smoke or vapour within a tube connected to an inlet of said vacuum chamber.
A method of mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry comprising:
- providing an analyte by using a first device to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from a target to be analysed;
- supplying a matrix compound to said aerosol, smoke or vapour such that said analyte is diluted by, dissolved in, or forms first clusters with said matrix;
- and
- colliding said first clusters or first droplets of said diluted or dissolved analyte with a collision surface located within a vacuum chamber of a mass and/or ion mobility spectrometer so as to generate a plurality of analyte ions;
- wherein supplying said matrix compound to said aerosol, smoke or vapour comprises supplying matrix molecules to said analyte and intermixing said matrix molecules with said analyte whilst said matrix compound is in a gas phase or is in the form of a vapour.
A mass spectrometer and/or ion mobility spectrometer, comprising:
- a first device for generating aerosol, smoke or vapour from a target to be analysed so as to provide an analyte;
- a device for supplying a gas phase or vapourised matrix compound to said aerosol, smoke or vapour such that said analyte is diluted by, dissolved in, or forms first clusters with said matrix;
- and
- a collision surface located within a vacuum chamber of the spectrometer, wherein in use said first clusters or first droplets of said diluted or dissolved analyte collide with said collision surface so as to generate a plurality of analyte ions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.