Method and device for cleaning desorption ion sources

Method for cleaning an ion guide electrode in an ion source chamber of a mass spectrometer with a sample support vacuum lock, the method comprising:

• (a) introducing a cleaning plate with one or more spray nozzles connected to cleaning fluid into the vacuum lock;
• (b) venting the ion source chamber of the mass spectrometer without evacuating the sample support lock;
• (c) moving the cleaning plate into the vented ion source chamber and positioning the cleaning plate in front of the ion guide electrode;
• (d) evacuating the ion source chamber whereby the cleaning fluid begins to spray out of the spray nozzles;
• and
• (e) moving the cleaning plate in such a way that fluid from the spray nozzles is incident upon predetermined areas of the ion guide electrode.

Method for cleaning an ion guide electrode in a desorption ion source of a mass spectrometer with a sample support vacuum lock, the method comprising:

• (a) introducing a cleaning plate with one or more cleaning scrubbers into a vacuum chamber of the ion source via the vacuum lock;
• (b) positioning the cleaning plate in front of the ion guide electrode;
• (c) moving a cleaning scrubber out of the cleaning plate in such a way that a scrubber surface presses against the ion guide electrode;
• and
• (d) moving the cleaning scrubber in such a way that material adhering to the ion guide electrode is removed by the cleaning scrubber.