Work

Characterization of charge separation in the array of Micromachined UltraSonic Electrospray (AMUSE) ion source for mass spectrometry

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: An initial investigation into the effects of charge separation in the Array of Micromachined UltraSonic Electrospray (AMUSE) ion source is reported to gain understanding of ionization mechanisms and to improve analyte ionization efficiency and operation stability. In RF-only mode, AMUSE ejects, on average, an equal number of slightly positive and slightly negative charged droplets due to random charge fluctuations, providing inefficient analyte ionization. Charge separation at the nozzle orifice is achieved by the application of an external electric field. By bringing the counter electrode close to the nozzle array, strong electric fields can be applied at relatively low DC potentials. It has been demonstrated, through a number of electrode/electrical potential configurations, that increasing charge separation leads to improvement in signal abundance, signal-to-noise ratio, and signal stability.

Source: Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry

DOI: 10.1016/j.jasms.2009.05.006

Authors: Thomas P. Forbes, R. Brent Dixon, David C. Muddiman, F. Levent Degertekin, Andrei G. Fedorov

Institutions: Georgia Institute of Technology, North Carolina State University

Language: English

Topic: Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications

Subfield: Spectroscopy

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Center for Research Resources

Award: Array of Micromachined UltraSonic Electrosprays Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry