Chemical ionization with reactant ion formation at atmospheric pressure in a mass spectrometer

US9228926B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Thorsten Benter · Haan, DE
• Sonja Klee · Wuppertal, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 23, 2014
• Grant date: Jan 5, 2016
• Expiry date: Apr 23, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01J49/168
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention relates to the production of water cluster ions (“hydronium clusters”) at atmospheric pressure for the chemical ionization of analyte molecules. It is proposed that a corona discharge at the Taylor cone of an aqueous liquid, preferably pure or slightly acidified pure water, is used instead of corona discharges on metal tips, which have been the usual method up to now. The hydronium clusters of the form [H(H2O)n]+ can be produced in a discharge chamber, which is separate from the ionization chamber, and introduced into the ionization chamber through a capillary. In the ionization chamber, the hydronium clusters can be heated and reduced in size by means of electrical acceleration and gas collisions, and thus made more reactive in order that analyte molecules of low proton affinity can also be ionized.