Abstract: An atmospheric pressure ionisation source comprising: an ionisation chamber, comprising an aperture for receiving at least the distal end of a capillary into the ionisation chamber in use, the aperture having a capillary axis; a desolvation heater having a nozzle, for directing a stream of heated gas onto the distal end of the capillary in use, the nozzle having a nozzle axis; a corona discharge device including a corona pin having a corona axis, the corona pin for ionizing a sample in the ionisation chamber in use; and an inlet cone of a mass spectrometer arranged in the ionisation chamber, the inlet cone defining a cone entrance having a cone axis, wherein the cone axis is substantially coaxial with the corona axis and the capillary axis is substantially perpendicular to and intersects with the nozzle axis.

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure ionisation source comprising: an ionisation chamber, comprising an inlet for receiving at least the distal end of a capillary into the ionisation chamber in use; a desolvation heater including a heating element, for directing a stream of heated gas onto the distal end of the capillary in use; a corona discharge device arranged in the ionisation chamber; and a control system configured to operate the source in a selected one of: an analytical mode, in which the heating element is heated to a first temperature within a first temperature range, and in which a first current within a first current range is supplied to the corona discharge device; and a capillary priming mode, in which the heating element is heated to a second temperature within a second temperature range, and in which a second current within a second current range is supplied to the corona discharge device, wherein the lower limit of the second temperature range is higher than the lower limit of the first temperature range,

Abstract: A holder for a capillary, comprising: a housing having a passage to receive a capillary; and a clamping mechanism configurable between: an engaged state in which the clamping mechanism is configured to retain a capillary receivable in the passage in use; and a disengaged state in which the clamping mechanism is configured to allow insertion/removal of a capillary in the passage in use; and a release mechanism operatively associated with the clamping mechanism and movable between a first position, in which the clamping mechanism is configured in said engaged state; and a second position, in which the clamping mechanism is configured in aid disengaged state, wherein the release mechanism is configured to bias the clamping mechanism towards the engaged state, wherein the passage in the housing comprises an end stop, configured to abut the end of a capillary inserted in the passage in use.

Abstract: A guide arrangement for a capillary holder A guide arrangement for a capillary holder of the type having a housing and a capillary protruding from the housing, the guide arrangement comprising: a bracket; and a carriage translatably arranged with respect to the bracket, the carriage having a bed to receive the housing of the capillary holder.

Abstract: A nozzle for directing heated gas onto the distal end of a capillary arrangable adjacent the nozzle, the nozzle comprising: a housing defining a plenum for heated gas; and at outlet comprising at least one aperture fluidly connected to the plenum, the outlet configured to direct a curtain of the heated gas onto the distal end of a capillary in use, such that the curtain of heated gas is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the capillary.

Abstract: A method of ionisation is disclosed in which a sample is heated such that analyte is released from the sample. Analyte released from the sample is accumulated, and then the accumulated analyte is passed to an ionisation region where the analyte is ionised.

Abstract: A method of ionisation is disclosed in which a sample is heated such that analyte is released from the sample. Analyte released from the sample is accumulated, and then the accumulated analyte is passed to an ionisation region where the analyte is ionised.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a gas chromatography separation device, an atmospheric pressure ionization ion source and a control system arranged and adapted: (i) to operate the atmospheric pressure ionization ion source at one or more first settings for a first period of time while one or more solvents elute from the gas chromatography separation device during a solvent front; and then (ii) to operate the atmospheric pressure ionization ion source at one or more second different settings for a second subsequent period of time while one or more analytes elute from the gas chromatography separation device.

Abstract: A method for analyzing an aliphatic compound by mass spectrometry which comprises: (i) ionizing an aliphatic compound in the presence of a heterocyclic modifier; and (ii) mass analyzing the resulting ions to obtain mass spectrometric data.

Abstract: An ion source is disclosed comprising a nebulizer and a target. The nebulizer is arranged and adapted to emit, in use, a stream of analyte droplets which are caused to impact upon the target and to ionize analyte to form a plurality of analyte ions. The target is vibrated by a piezo-electric vibration device to reduce the size of resultant secondary droplets.

Abstract: A method for analysing an aliphatic compound by mass spectrometry which comprises: (i) ionising an aliphatic compound in the presence of a heterocyclic modifier; and (ii) mass analysing the resulting ions to obtain mass spectrometric data.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a gas chromatography separation device, an atmospheric pressure ionisation ion source and a control system arranged and adapted: (i) to operate the atmospheric pressure ionisation ion source at one or more first settings for a first period of time whilst one or more solvents elute from the gas chromatography separation device during a solvent front; and then (ii) to operate the atmospheric pressure ionisation ion source at one or more second different settings for a second subsequent period of time whilst one or more analytes elute from the gas chromatography separation device.

Abstract: An ion source is disclosed comprising a nebuliser and a target. The nebuliser is arranged and adapted to emit, in use, a stream of analyte droplets which are caused to impact upon the target and to ionise analyte to form a plurality of analyte ions. The target is vibrated by a piezo-electric vibration device to reduce the size of resultant secondary droplets.