System for minimizing electrical discharge during ESI operation
US10818486B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 2016 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J49/0477
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for reducing the occurrence of unwanted electrical discharge when operating an electrospray ion source to generate ions for mass spectrometric analysis. In accordance with various aspects of the applicant's teachings, the methods and systems described herein can provide for controlling the ion emission current so as to limit the onset of avalanche of electrical discharge between the electrospray electrode and the counter electrode under ionization conditions that typically tend to increase the likelihood of such discharge (arcing), while nonetheless providing for maximal ionization efficiency. In various aspects, emission currents between the electrospray electrode and the counter electrode through which the ions are transmitted to a downstream mass analyzer can be maintained at elevated levels, below 10 μA, for example, without the electric potential between the electrospray electrode and the counter electrode initiating the electrical discharge avalanche that results from the dielectric breakdown of the air gap therebetween, which can cause sputtering and effect the long-term operation of the ESI source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.