At atmospheric pressure chemical ionization with reactant ion formation in a mass spectrometer

摘要

The present invention relates to the production of water cluster ions (‘ hydro present - cluster ") in the case of atmospheric pressure for the chemical ionization of analyte molecules. It is proposed, instead of the conventional corona discharge of metal tips a corona discharge at the taylor-cone an aqueous liquid, preferably pure or slightly acidified to use pure water. The hydro present - cluster the form of [h (h₂O)_n]⁺ it is possible, in a combustion chamber separated from the ionizing region is generated and supplied to the ionizing region by means of a capillary be. In the ionizing region, the acceleration of hydro present - cluster by means of electrical pulses of gas is heated, is reduced, thus be made more reactive, in order also to be able to ionize the analyte molecules reduced proton affinity.