Methods and systems for feedback control of direct sampling interfaces for mass spectrometric analysis

摘要

Mass spectrometer based analytical systems and methods in which a feedback control system can be utilized to control the flow of liquid within a sampling probe to adjust and/or maintain the surface profile (e.g., shape) of the liquid-air interface within an open sampling port of the sampling probe. The feedback control systems can automatically monitor and/or detect the surface profile of the liquid-air interface and adjust the flow rate of the sampling liquid to ensure that experimental conditions remain consistent at the time of sample introduction during serial samplings. These can provide stable and reproducible analyte flows of consistent dilution to the ion source, increasing reproducibility and/or accuracy of data generated by MS analysis. Can be used with a change in the desired set point according to the particular experimental workflow (e.g., automated adjustment between an interface corresponding to a sampling set point and a cleaning set point).