Abstract: Certain configurations of plasma discharge chambers and plasma ionization sources comprising a plasma discharge chamber are described. In some examples, the discharge chamber comprises a conductive area and is configured to sustain a plasma discharge within the discharge chamber. In other examples, the discharge chamber comprises at least one inlet configured to receive a plasma gas and at least one outlet configured to provide ionized analyte from the discharge chamber. Systems and methods using the discharge chambers are also described.

Abstract: An ionizer includes a probe having multiple coaxially aligned conduits. The conduits may carry liquids, and nebulizing and heating gases at various flow rates and temperatures, for generation of ions from a liquid source. An outermost conduit defines an entrainment region that transports and entrains ions in a gas for a defined distance along the length of the conduits. In embodiments, various voltages may be applied to the multiple conduits to aid in ionization and to guide ions. Depending on the voltages applied to the multiple conduits and electrodes, the ionizer can act as an electrospray, APCI, or APPI source. Further, the ionizer may include a source of photons or a source of corona ionization. Formed ions may be provided to a downstream mass analyser.

Abstract: An ionizer includes a probe having multiple coaxially aligned conduits. The conduits may carry liquids, and nebulizing and heating gases at various flow rates and temperatures, for generation of ions from a liquid source. An outermost conduit defines an entrainment region that transports and entrains ions in a gas for a defined distance along the length of the conduits. In embodiments, various voltages may be applied to the multiple conduits to aid in ionization and to guide ions. Depending on the voltages applied to the multiple conduits and electrodes, the ionizer can act as an electrospray, APCI, or APPI source. Further, the ionizer may include a source of photons or a source of corona ionization. Formed ions may be provided to a downstream mass analyser.

Abstract: A device for providing analyte to an analyzer is described. In some examples, the device comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of wells formed therein at predetermined locations. Each of the wells can be capable of containing an analyte without mixing with analytes in other of the wells. Each of the wells can also have a well exit to allow analyte to exit therefrom. A channel can be in flow communication with at least one of the well exits, and can guide analyte ions exiting therefrom to the mass analyzer. The wells may be filled prior to use in association with the mass analyzer. The substrate may be used as part of a fraction collector if desired.

Abstract: Certain configurations of plasma discharge chambers and plasma ionization sources comprising a plasma discharge chamber are described. In some examples, the discharge chamber comprises a conductive area and is configured to sustain a plasma discharge within the discharge chamber. In other examples, the discharge chamber comprises at least one inlet configured to receive a plasma gas and at least one outlet configured to provide ionized analyte from the discharge chamber. Systems and methods using the discharge chambers are also described.

Abstract: An ionizer includes a probe having multiple coaxially aligned conduits. The conduits may carry liquids, and nebulizing and heating gases at various flow rates and temperatures, for generation of ions from a liquid source. An outermost conduit defines an entrainment region that transports and entrains ions in a gas for a defined distance along the length of the conduits. In embodiments, various voltages may be applied to the multiple conduits to aid in ionization and to guide ions. Depending on the voltages applied to the multiple conduits and electrodes, the ionizer can act as an electrospray, APCI, or APPI source. Further, the ionizer may include a source of photons or a source of corona ionization. Formed ions may be provided to a downstream mass analyser.

Abstract: Certain configurations of plasma discharge chambers and plasma ionization sources comprising a plasma discharge chamber are described. In some examples, the discharge chamber comprises a conductive area and is configured to sustain a plasma discharge within the discharge chamber. In other examples, the discharge chamber comprises at least one inlet configured to receive a plasma gas and at least one outlet configured to provide ionized analyte from the discharge chamber. Systems and methods using the discharge chambers are also described.

Abstract: An ionizer includes a probe having multiple coaxially aligned conduits. The conduits may carry liquids, and nebulizing and heating gases at various flow rates and temperatures, for generation of ions from a liquid source. An outermost conduit defines an entrainment region that transports and entrains ions in a gas for a defined distance along the length of the conduits. In embodiments, various voltages may be applied to the multiple conduits to aid in ionization and to guide ions. Depending on the voltages applied to the multiple conduits and electrodes, the ionizer can act as an electrospray, APCI, or APPI source. Further, the ionizer may include a source of photons or a source of corona ionization. Formed ions may be provided to a downstream mass analyser.

Abstract: A device for providing analyte to an analyzer is described. In some examples, the device comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of wells formed therein at predetermined locations. Each of the wells can be capable of containing an analyte without mixing with analytes in other of the wells. Each of the wells can also have a well exit to allow analyte to exit therefrom. A channel can be in flow communication with at least one of the well exits, and can guide analyte ions exiting therefrom to the mass analyzer. The wells may be filled prior to use in association with the mass analyzer. The substrate may be used as part of a fraction collector if desired.

Abstract: An ion source comprising a chamber and an electron collector is described. In one configuration, the chamber comprises a sample inlet and an ion outlet. The chamber may also include an electron inlet configured to receive electrons from an electron source. The electron collector can be arranged in opposition to the electron inlet. The chamber can be configured to direct an electron beam from the electron source along a path with the chamber transverse to a path between the gas inlet and the ion outlet. The chamber may comprise an ion guide that includes a guide axis offset from an axis of the ion outlet.

Abstract: An ionizer includes a probe having multiple coaxially aligned conduits. The conduits may carry liquids, and nebulizing and heating gases at various flow rates and temperatures, for generation of ions from a liquid source. An outermost conduit defines an entrainment region that transports and entrains ions in a gas for a defined distance along the length of the conduits. In embodiments, various voltages may be applied to the multiple conduits to aid in ionization and to guide ions. Depending on the voltages applied to the multiple conduits and electrodes, the ionizer can act as an electrospray, APCI, or APPI source. Further, the ionizer may include a source of photons or a source of corona ionization. Formed ions may be provided to a downstream mass analyser.

Abstract: A mass analyzer includes two chambers for ionizing gas to form ions and/or introducing reaction gases to aid in ionization. A first chamber includes an electron to allow electron bombardment of a first gas. A second chamber receives a second gas and ions from the first chamber to allow interaction between the second gas, and the ions from the first chamber. The first and/or second gas may include analyte.

Abstract: Certain configurations of ionization sources are described. In some examples, an ionization source comprises an ionization block, an electron source, an electron collector, an ion repeller and at least one electrode configured to provide an electric field when a voltage is provided to the at least one electrode. Systems and methods using the ionization source are also described.

Abstract: Certain configurations of plasma discharge chambers and plasma ionization sources comprising a plasma discharge chamber are described. In some examples, the discharge chamber comprises a conductive area and is configured to sustain a plasma discharge within the discharge chamber. In other examples, the discharge chamber comprises at least one inlet configured to receive a plasma gas and at least one outlet configured to provide ionized analyte from the discharge chamber. Systems and methods using the discharge chambers are also described.

Abstract: Certain configurations of ionization sources are described. In some examples, an ionization source comprises an ionization block, an electron source, an electron collector, an ion repeller and at least one electrode configured to provide an electric field when a voltage is provided to the at least one electrode. Systems and methods using the ionization source are also described.

Abstract: An ionizer includes a probe having multiple coaxially aligned conduits. The conduits may carry liquids, and nebulizing and heating gases at various flow rates and temperatures, for generation of ions from a liquid source. An outermost conduit defines an entrainment region that transports and entrains ions in a gas for a defined distance along the length of the conduits. In embodiments, various voltages may be applied to the multiple conduits to aid in ionization and to guide ions. Depending on the voltages applied to the multiple conduits and electrodes, the ionizer can act as an electrospray, APCI, or APPI source. Further, the ionizer may include a source of photons or a source of corona ionization. Formed ions may be provided to a downstream mass analyser.

Abstract: A mass analyzer includes two chambers for ionizing gas to form ions and/or introducing reaction gases to aid in ionization. A first chamber includes an electron to allow electron bombardment of a first gas. A second chamber receives a second gas and ions from the first chamber to allow interaction between the second gas, and the ions from the first chamber. The first and/or second gas may include analyte.

Abstract: An ion source comprising a chamber and an electron collector is described. In one configuration, the chamber comprises a sample inlet and an ion outlet. The chamber may also include an electron inlet configured to receive electrons from an electron source. The electron collector can be arranged in opposition to the electron inlet. The chamber can be configured to direct an electron beam from the electron source along a path with the chamber transverse to a path between the gas inlet and the ion outlet. The chamber may comprise an ion guide that includes a guide axis offset from an axis of the ion outlet.

Abstract: A mass analyzer includes a desolvation chamber into which an upstream gas is injected to provide a counter-flow to said downstream flow in the chamber. The counter-flow may slow the downstream flow of solvated ionized particles in the chamber, while allowing lighter desolvated ions to travel toward an outlet aperture of the desolvation chamber.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer interface, having improved sensitivity and reduced chemical background, is disclosed. The mass spectrometer interface provides improved desolvation, chemical selectivity and ion transport. A flow of partially solvated ions is transported along a tortuous path into a region of disturbance of flow, where ions and neutral molecules collide and mix. Thermal energy is applied to the region of disturbance to promote liberation of at least some of the ionized particles from any attached impurities, thereby increasing the concentration of the ionized particles having the characteristic m/z ratios in the flow. Molecular reactions and low pressure ionization methods can also be performed for selective removal or enhancement of particular ions.