Patent ID: 9691598
Date: 2017-06-27
CPC Classifications: H01J

Claim:
1. An ionizer for producing a sample-derived ion under atmospheric pressure and for introducing the ion through an ion introduction opening into a subsequent section maintained at a lower gas pressure, the ionizer comprising: a) a first ionization section for ionizing a sample component in a solid or liquid sample under atmospheric pressure while vaporizing or desorbing the sample component; and b) a second ionization section located in an area through which gaseous molecules containing ions produced by the first ionization section travel to the ion introduction opening, the second ionization section including a needle electrode with a tip portion having a curved surface, the ion introduction opening being formed within another electrode, an ionization condition regulator for adjusting a position and/or an angle of the needle electrode relative to the other electrode within which the ion introduction opening is formed, and a voltage supplier for applying a voltage to the needle electrode, wherein the second ionization section generates a corona discharge by applying the voltage from the voltage supplier to the needle electrode irrespective of the position and/or the angle of the needle electrode relative to the ion introduction opening, the corona discharge between the needle electrode and the other electrode producing a reactant ion by ionizing an atmospheric component or solvent molecule, and the reactant ion ionizing a sample molecule by reacting with the sample molecule.