Impact ionisation ion source
AssigneeMicromass UK Limited
InventorsStevan Bajic, Jeffery Mark Brown
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Abstract
An ion source is provided comprising a nebuliser or electrospray probe (1) for nebulising a sample and an impact surface or target electrode (5). The impact surface or target electrode (5) comprises a tarnishable or oxidisable metal or an alloy comprising a tarnishable or oxidisable metal. Also provided is an ion source comprising a nebuliser or electrospray probe with a central wire comprising a tarnishable or oxidisable metal or an alloy comprising a tarnishable or oxidisable metal or an alloy comprising a tarnishable or oxidisable metal. Adducts with relatively heavy metals result in simplified multiply-charged mass spectra that are easier to interpret.
Claims10
An ion source comprising:
- a nebuliser or electrospray probe for nebulising a sample;
- and
- an impact surface or target electrode, wherein the impact surface or target electrode comprises a tarnishable or oxidisable metal or an alloy comprising a tarnishable or oxidisable metal;
- wherein the tarnishable or oxidisable metal comprises indium (In);
- and
- wherein the impact surface or target electrode is arranged downstream of the nebuliser or electrospray probe and wherein, in use, a stream of uncharged droplets or charged droplets is directed so as to impact upon the impact surface or target electrode so as to form a plurality of analyte ions or secondary ions.
An ion source comprising:
- a nebuliser or electrospray probe for nebulising a sample;
- and
- an impact surface or target electrode, wherein the impact surface or target electrode comprises a tarnishable or oxidisable metal or an alloy comprising a tarnishable or oxidisable metal;
- wherein the tarnishable or oxidisable metal comprises gallium (Ga), indium (In) or lead (Pb);
- wherein the tarnishable or oxidisable metal or alloy comprising a tarnishable or oxidisable metal has a melting point <1500 K;
- and
- wherein the tarnishable or oxidisable metal or alloy comprising a tarnishable or oxidisable metal has a hardness <2.0 Mohs.
A method of ionising a sample comprising:
- nebulising a sample;
- and
- directing the nebulised sample so as to impact upon an impact surface or target electrode so as to form a plurality of analyte ions or secondary ions, wherein the impact surface or target electrode comprises a tarnishable or oxidisable metal or an alloy comprising a tarnishable or oxidisable metal, and wherein the tarnishable or oxidisable metal comprises indium (In).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.