초록 ▼

A mass spectrometer includes a sample passage through which a sample solution flows towards a tip of the sample passage, a gas passage which produces a gas flow along the sample passage towards an orifice of the gas passage, a gas supplier which supplies a gas to the gas passage so that the gas flow

A mass spectrometer includes a sample passage through which a sample solution flows towards a tip of the sample passage, a gas passage which produces a gas flow along the sample passage towards an orifice of the gas passage, a gas supplier which supplies a gas to the gas passage so that the gas flow has a velocity effective for spraying the sample solution near the tip of the sample passage, and an analyzer which analyzes a mass of gaseous ions formed from the sample solution sprayed by the gas flow. The gas flow has a characteristic value F/S between 350 meters/second (m/s) and 700 m/s, where F is a flow rate of the gas at standard conditions (20.degree. C., 1 atmosphere), and S is a difference between a cross section of the orifice and a cross section of the sample passage at the orifice. An exposed length of the sample passage between an external opening of the orifice and the tip of the sample passage may be between -0.25 mm and 1.2 mm.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A mass spectrometer comprising:a sample passage through which a sample solution flows towards a tip of the sample passage;a gas passage which produces a gas flow along the sample passage towards an orifice of the gas passage;a gas supplier which supplies a gas to the gas

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A mass spectrometer comprising:a sample passage through which a sample solution flows towards a tip of the sample passage;a gas passage which produces a gas flow along the sample passage towards an orifice of the gas passage;a gas supplier which supplies a gas to the gas passage so that the gas flow has a velocity effective for spraying the sample solution near the tip of the sample passage; andan analyzer which analyzes a mass of gaseous ions formed from the sample solution sprayed by the gas flow;wherein the gas flow has a characteristic value F/S between 350 meters/second (m/s) and 700 m/s, where F is a flow rate of the gas at standard conditions (20.degree. C., 1 atmosphere), and S is a difference between a cross section of the orifice and a cross section of the sample passage at the orifice. [24.] A method of generating ions, comprising the steps of:feeding, through a capillary, a sample solution into a gas;forming a gas flow along the outer circumference of said capillary to the tip of said capillary; andgenerating ions from said sample solution fed into the gas as a result of said gas flow;wherein said generating of ions is performed by an ion source, said ion source includingan orifice which receives the tip of said capillary, anda portion which extends along the outer circumference of said capillary to said orifice to cause gas flow along the outer circumference of said capillary to the tip of said capillary;wherein the gas into which said sample solution is fed through said capillary is outside of said ion source;wherein said sample solution fed into the gas outside of said ion source through said capillary is ionized by said gas flow, thereby generating ions;wherein said ions are generated by said ion source without any other ion generating apparatus; andwherein said ion source is constructed such that said gas flow has a Mach number of at least 1 in the vicinity of the tip of said capillary.