Discontinuous atmospheric pressure interface
AssigneePurdue Research Foundation
InventorsZheng Ouyang, Liang Gao, Robert Graham Cooks
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of interfacing atmospheric pressure ion sources, including electrospray and desorption electrospray ionization sources, to mass spectrometers, for example miniature mass spectrometers, in which the ionized sample is discontinuously introduced into the mass spectrometer. Discontinuous introduction improves the match between the pumping capacity of the instrument and the volume of atmospheric pressure gas that contains the ionized sample. The reduced duty cycle of sample introduction is offset by operation of the mass spectrometer under higher performance conditions and by ion accumulation at atmospheric pressure.
Claims21
1-27. (canceled)
An analysis system, the system comprising:
- an ionizing source;
- a discontinuous interface operably associated with the ionizing source;
- and
- a mass analyzer operably associated with the discontinuous interface, wherein the system is configured such that the interface is periodically open for a period of time that causes the pressure in the mass analyzer to increase above a pressure at which mass analysis or ion manipulation can be conducted and is periodically closed while the mass analyzer is evacuated to a pressure at which mass analysis or ion manipulation can be conducted.
An analysis system, the system comprising:
- a dielectric barrier discharge ionization source;
- a discontinuous interface operably associated with the dielectric barrier discharge ionization source;
- and
- a mass analyzer operably associated with the discontinuous interface, wherein the system is configured such that the system is periodically open for a period of time that causes the pressure in the mass analyzer to increase above a pressure at which mass analysis or ion manipulation can be conducted and is periodically closed while the mass analyzer is evacuated to a pressure at which mass analysis or ion manipulation can be conducted.
An analysis system, the system comprising:
- an ionization source;
- a discontinuous interface operably associated with the ionization source;
- a mass analyzer operably associated with the discontinuous interface;
- and
- a computer operably connected to the system, wherein the computer contains a processor configured to execute a computer readable program that causes the system to:
- open a channel of the discontinuous interface;
- apply low RF voltage in the mass analyzer to trap ions in the mass analyzer, the mass analyzer being above a pressure at which mass analysis or ion manipulation can be conducted;
- close the channel of the discontinuous interface;
- evacuate the mass analyzer to a pressure at which mass analysis or ion manipulation can be conducted;
- and
- conduct mass analysis of the ions in the mass analyzer.
The system according to claim 42, wherein the program controls the position of the valve in order to open and close the channel of the discontinuous interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.