Dual source mass spectrometry system

Abstract

In or for a dual source mass spectrometer system (10) operable in a first mode with an LC source [LC/MS] (12) and in a second mode with a GC source [GC/MS] (18). The GC source input into an ion source chamber (22) for delivering the ionized output from the GC source to the mass spectrometer, a GC source unit (18) comprising a GC interface probe (30). The GC source unit is retractably mounted to take the GC interface probe from a retracted position in which it is disengaged from the mass spectrometer of the system, (whereby the system is operable in said first LC/MS mode) into a deployed position in which the GC interface probe is operatively connected to the ion source chamber of the mass spectrometer (whereby the system is operable in said second GC/MS mode). The GC interface probe has docking means (42, 46, 48) for releasable engagement with complementary docking means provided by a housing of the ion source chamber to allow operation with a GC ion source chamber in the second mode.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.