Abstract: An atmospheric pressure ionization source is provided which includes an ionization chamber that is formed from the combination of an angled chamber body and a correspondingly angled chamber seal. The ionization chamber is used for electrospray or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization of a liquid sample to provide ionized molecules. The ionized molecules can be passed to an associated analytical device that is capable of detecting and measuring the mass-to-charge ratio and/or the mass and charge of the molecules. A mass spectrometer which includes the present atmospheric pressure ionization source is also provided, as well as a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis system which includes an LC/MS interface comprising the present atmospheric pressure ionization source.

Abstract: An automated calibrant system is provided for use in a liquid separation/mass spectrometry (LS/MS) apparatus. The calibrant system is pneumatically pressurized to forcibly move a reference liquid from the calibrant system to an ion source. The ion source is in fluid communication with a switching valve and with a mass spectrometer. The switching valve communicates effluent from a liquid separation system to the source when the switching valve is in a first position, and communicates one or more reference liquids from the calibrant system to the source when the switching valve is in a second position. The switching valve, and liquid handling valves in the calibrant system, can be individually activated manually or by automated means to alternate between analytical and calibration modes of operation in the LS/MS apparatus. A method is also provided for calibrating a mass spectrometer in a LS/MS apparatus during processing of a liquid sample by the liquid separation system.

Abstract: Close coupled momentum separator with integral removable source volume for particle beam liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry is provided. The inventive PB LC/MS system comprises a momentum separator wherein the skimmers are designed to accommodate the particle beam conical dispersion so as to minimize the number of particles lost in the separator. In addition, the exit of the momentum separator is closely coupled to the entrance of the MS source volume. The PB LC/MS system demonstrates improved linearity in signal and enhanced sensitivity.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry system that can be configured as either a particle beam or an electrospray interface is provided. The device incorporates structural elements that are common to both interfaces thereby eliminating the need to have two completely separate ES and PB LC/MS systems. The LC/MS device according to the present invention generally comprises a momentum separator, nozzle housing, mass spectrometer, and a vacuum subsystem. A mass spectrometer housing encloses a quadrupole mass analyzer. When used in the ES mode, and ES source module is coupled into the inventive device. Similarly, when used in the PB mode, a PB source module is coupled into the inventive device along with a separate source PB probe. The mass analyzer chamber can accommodate a particle beam source probe for generating ions from analyte particles. In either mode, the modules can consist of commercially available interfaces modified for use with the inventive device.

Abstract: Close coupled momentum separator with integral removable source volume for particle beam liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry is provided. The inventive PB LC/MS system comprises a momentum separator wherein the skimmers are designed to accommodate the particle beam conical dispersion so as to minimize the number of particles lost in the separator. In addition, the exit of the momentum separator is closely coupled to the entrance of the MS source volume. The PB LC/MS system demonstrates improved linearity in signal and enhanced sensitivity.