Abstract: An Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) source interfaced to a mass spectrometer is configured with a corona discharge needle positioned inside an APCI inlet probe assembly. Liquid sample flowing into the APCI inlet probe is nebulized and vaporized prior to passing through the corona discharge region all contained in the APCI inlet probe assembly. The APCI probe is configured to shield the electric field from the corona discharge region while allowing penetration of an external electric field to focus APCI generated ions into an orifice into vacuum for mass to charge analysis. Ions that exit the APCI probe are directed only by external electric fields and gas flow maximizing ion transmission into a mass to charge analyzer. Sample ions and gas phase reagent ions are generated in the APCI probe from liquid or gas inlet species or mixtures of both.

Abstract: An Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) source interfaced to a mass spectrometer is configured with a corona discharge needle positioned inside an APCI inlet probe assembly. Liquid sample flowing into the APCI inlet probe is nebulized and vaporized prior to passing through the corona discharge region all contained in the APCI inlet probe assembly. The APCI probe is configured to shield the electric field from the corona discharge region while allowing penetration of an external electric field to focus APCI generated ions into an orifice into vacuum for mass to charge analysis. Ions that exit the APCI probe are directed only by external electric fields and gas flow maximizing ion transmission into a mass to charge analyzer. Sample ions and gas phase reagent ions are generated in the APCI probe from liquid or gas inlet species or mixtures of both.

Abstract: An Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) source interfaced to a mass spectrometer is configured with a corona discharge needle positioned inside the APCI inlet probe assembly. Liquid sample flowing into the APCI inlet probe is nebulized and vaporized prior to passing through the corona discharge region all contained in the APCI inlet probe assembly Ions produced in the corona discharge region are focused toward the APCI probe centerline to maximize ion transmission through the APCI probe exit. External electric fields penetrating into the APCI probe exit end opening providing additional centerline focusing of sample ions exiting the APCI probe. The APCI probe is configured to shield the electric field from the corona discharge region while allowing penetration of an external electric field to focus APCI generated ions into an orifice into vacuum for mass to charge analysis.

Abstract: An Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) source interfaced to a mass spectrometer is configured with a corona discharge needle positioned inside the APCI inlet probe assembly. Liquid sample flowing into the APCI inlet probe is nebulized and vaporized prior to passing through the corona discharge region all contained in the APCI inlet probe assembly Ions produced in the corona discharge region are focused toward the APCI probe centerline to maximize ion transmission through the APCI probe exit. External electric fields penetrating into the APCI probe exit end opening providing additional centerline focusing of sample ions exiting the APCI probe. The APCI probe is configured to shield the electric field from the corona discharge region while allowing penetration of an external electric field to focus APCI generated ions into an orifice into vacuum for mass to charge analysis.

Abstract: An Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) source interfaced to a mass spectrometer is configured with a corona discharge needle positioned inside the APCI inlet probe assembly. Liquid sample flowing into the APCI inlet probe is nebulized and vaporized prior to passing through the corona discharge region all contained in the APCI inlet probe assembly Ions produced in the corona discharge region are focused toward the APCI probe centerline to maximize ion transmission through the APCI probe exit. External electric fields penetrating into the APCI probe exit end opening providing additional centerline focusing of sample ions exiting the APCI probe. The APCI probe is configured to shield the electric field from the corona discharge region while allowing penetration of an external electric field to focus APCI generated ions into an orifice into vacuum for mass to charge analysis.

Abstract: An Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) source interfaced to a mass spectrometer is configured with a corona discharge needle positioned inside the APCI inlet probe assembly. Liquid sample flowing into the APCI inlet probe is nebulized and vaporized prior to passing through the corona discharge region all contained in the APCI inlet probe assembly Ions produced in the corona discharge region are focused toward the APCI probe centerline to maximize ion transmission through the APCI probe exit. External electric fields penetrating into the APCI probe exit end opening providing additional centerline focusing of sample ions exiting the APCI probe. The APCI probe is configured to shield the electric field from the corona discharge region while allowing penetration of an external electric field to focus APCI generated ions into an orifice into vacuum for mass to charge analysis.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for collecting ions in which ions are produced from a sample in an ion source. An electric field is provided that is more uniform in an area adjacent the sample than in an area adjacent an inlet to the ion transfer device or that is larger in field strength at the sample than at a point removed from the sample towards the inlet of the ion transfer device. Ions are received into the electric field and transferred through the ion transfer device to a sampling orifice of the mass spectrometer. The apparatus includes an ion transfer device coupled to a sampling orifice of a mass spectrometer. The ion transfer device has an inlet with a surface that extends in a direction from an axis of the ion transfer device. The ion transfer device can extend a distance of at least 10 times an inner diameter of a sampling orifice of the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A method for ionizing a sample at ambient pressure including providing ionization-assisting molecules on a surface of a substrate, placing sample molecules on the surface of the substrate, and irradiating at least one of the sample molecules and the ionization-assisting molecules to produce ions of the sample molecules at or near atmospheric pressure. Accordingly, the system for ionizing sample molecules at or near atmospheric pressure is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for mass spectrometry in which the system includes at least one ion source which produces ions, a mass spectrometer having an inlet orifice configured to accept the ions, and a capillary ion delivery device which detachably interfaces to the inlet orifice of the mass spectrometer. The method includes producing ions from the ion source, transporting the ions from the ion source to the inlet orifice of the mass spectrometer via the capillary ion delivery device, and mass analyzing the ions in the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A system and method for mass spectrometry in which the system includes at least one ion source which produces ions, a mass spectrometer having an inlet orifice configured to accept the ions, and a capillary ion delivery device which detachably interfaces to the inlet orifice of the mass spectrometer. The method includes producing ions from the ion source, transporting the ions from the ion source to the inlet orifice of the mass spectrometer via the capillary ion delivery device, and mass analyzing the ions in the mass spectrometer.