Patent ID: 6809312
Filing Date: 2004-10-26
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
An ionization source chamber for the production of sample ions to be introduced into a mass spectrometer, wherein said ionization source chamber comprises:a source housing; a rotatably moveable sealing mechanism integrally and removably connected to said housing with lateral seal, said housing and a first side of said sealing mechanism forming a first pumping region, and said sealing mechanism having at least one opening therethrough; a source cover attached to a second side of said sealing mechanism, said source cover and said second side of said sealing mechanism forming an ionization region for producing ions from a sample; and at least one ion transfer device positioned with lateral seal in said opening of said sealing mechanism such that said ionization region communicates with said first pumping region; wherein said source housing comprises a second pumping region adjacent to and in communication with said first pumping region such that ions may be transferred from said first pumping region to said mass spectrometer, said second pumping region being maintained at a lower pressure than said first pumping region.