Patent ID: 7547555

Claim:
A method for optimizing an LC/MS apparatus comprising an API interface into which a matrix is to be flowed according to a composition gradient profile, the method comprising: (a) determining a temperature profile according to which a gas is to be flowed into the API interface, the matrix comprising at least a first solvent having a first composition and a second solvent having a second composition different from the first composition, wherein the temperature profile varies the temperature of the gas as the composition of the matrix varies along the gradient profile for optimizing vaporization of the matrix, and determining the temperature profile comprises determining a first temperature of the gas for adding heat to the first solvent to evaporate the first solvent and a second temperature of the gas for adding heat to the second solvent to evaporate the second solvent; (b) determining a flow profile according to which the gas is to be flowed into the API interface; (c) programming an electronic processor-based device to control the flow of the gas into the API interface according to the temperature profile and the flow profile; and (d) flowing the gas into the API interface for interacting with the matrix.