Patent ID: 9171711
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: G01N,H01J

Abstract:
1. A mass spectrometer system comprising: an ion conduit for receiving a gas flow and ions from an ion source, the ion conduit having an internal operating pressure, the ion conduit being sized such that the ion conduit does not restrict gas flow; a boundary member defining a curtain gas chamber containing the ion conduit; a curtain gas supply for providing a curtain gas directed by the boundary member to an inlet of the ion conduit to dry and decluster the ions and to provide a gas flow into the ion conduit, and a curtain gas outflow out of a curtain gas chamber inlet; a mass spectrometer at least partially sealed to, and in fluid communication with, the ion conduit for receiving the ions from the ion conduit; a vacuum chamber surrounding the mass spectrometer for maintaining the mass spectrometer at a vacuum pressure lower than the internal operating pressure, such that the vacuum chamber is operable to draw the gas flow including the ions through the ion conduit and into the vacuum chamber; and, a gas outlet for drawing a gas outflow from the gas flow located between the ion conduit and the mass spectrometer to increase the gas flow rate through the ion conduit, the gas outlet being located between the ion conduit and the mass spectrometer.