Patent ID: 7928370
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. An open probe method for sample introduction into a mass spectrometer comprising the steps of: a. loading a sample holder with sample compounds to be analyzed; b. heating a probe oven; c. introducing said sample compounds in said sample holder into said heated probe oven; d. flowing inert gas into said heated probe oven; e. vaporizing said sample in said heated probe oven by the combined effect of oven temperature and inert gas flow; f. entraining said vaporized sample in said inert gas; and, g. transferring said vaporized sample in inert gas into an ion source of a mass spectrometer; wherein said heated probe oven remains open to the ambient atmosphere during sample introduction and analysis; and further wherein said inert gas flows in said heated probe oven in two directions of a transfer line to a mass spectrometer ion source and to the oven opening; and further wherein said vaporized sample in inert gas is transferred through a heated transfer line directly into the ionization chamber of an ion source of a mass spectrometer.