Visualization and Optimization of Various Ambient Ionization Source, Direct Sample Analysis, Conditions Using Schlieren Photography.

摘要

Schlieren photography allows for visualization of the invisible. This relatively simple and inexpensive experimental setup makes Schlieren photography a useful tool in the study of ambient mass spectrometry sources such as the DSA. It was observed that nozzle size can play an important role in the ionization efficiency of different compounds. The largest nozzle provided the best signal for the rhodamine dye sample while a smaller more focused nozzle provided the best signal for the caffeine standard. Sheath gas flow rate is an important consideration in these experiments. The flow rate affects gas temperature, ionization as well as ion transport. Going forward we would like to use Schlieren photography to probe and optimize different experimental configurations.