Evaluation of ion transport processes in a heated capillary tube interfacefor electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry - Invited lecture

An electrospray source with a simple heated capillary tube interface for or thogonal ion-extraction time-of-flight mass spectrometry has been evaluated . Alkali metal salts, amino acids, and metallocene samples have been used f or characterization of this system. The applied potential on the inlet capi llary tube plays in important role oil the ion transport processes as indic ated by the net signal and the extent of collision induced dissociation. Ad justing the potential placed on the capillary tube can after the collision energies in this system, allowing the interface to generate both elemental and molecular ions. Initial kinetic energies of ions have been calculated t hrough experiments and modeling. The energy of the ions entering the mass s pectrometer is ultimately determined by the net velocity in the supersonic expansion, and by the electric field between the inlet tubing and the sampl ing orifice.