Dual Source Mass Spectrometry System

Abstract

A dual source mass spectrometer system ( 10 ) is operable in a first mode with an LC source [LC/MS] ( 12 ) and in a second mode with a GC source [GC/MS] ( 18 ). The GC source inputs into an ion source chamber ( 22 ) for delivering the ionized output from the GC source to the mass spectrometer. The GC source comprises a GC interface probe ( 30 ) which is retractably connected to the ion source chamber to take the GC interface probe from a retracted position in which it is disengaged from the mass spectrometer (whereby the system is operable in the first LC/MS mode) into a deployed position in which the GC interface probe is operatively connected to the ion source chamber of the mass spectrometer(whereby the system is operable in said second GC/MS mode).

1 . A dual source mass spectrometer system operable in a first mode with an LC source and in a second mode with a GC source, said GC source inputting into an ion source chamber for delivering the ionized output from the GC source to the mass spectrometer and wherein the GC source comprises a GC interface probe which is retractably connected to said ion source chamber to take the GC interface probe from a refracted position in which it is disengaged from the mass spectrometer, whereby the system is operable in said first LC/MS mode, into a deployed position in which the GC interface probe is operatively connected to the ion source chamber of the mass spectrometer whereby the system is operable in said second GC/MS mode. 
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the GC interface probe and a housing of the ion source chamber have complementary docking means so that they can be releasably engaged to allow operation with a GC ion source chamber in said second mode and substitution of the GC ion source housing by an LC ion source housing to allow operation with the LC ion source housing in said first mode. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 2 , wherein the docking means comprises a docking port in the GC ion source housing to receive the GC interface probe and complementary locking means by which the probe can be progressively drawn into the docking port and releasably locked in position. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein the docking port comprises a screw-threaded nozzle incorporating sealing means and the GC interface probe comprises a complementary screw-threaded locking lever to releasably engage the nozzle whereby the probe can be sealingly coupled with the nozzle. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the GC interface probe is carried by a gas chromatography unit which is retractably connectable to a mass spectrometer of the system when a GC ion source chamber is present. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 5 , wherein the gas chromatography unit is slidably connectable to the mass spectrometer of the system. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 6 , wherein the gas chromatography unit incorporates a lockable rail system to allow slidable movement of the unit over the rail system so that it can be offered up to, and retracted from, the mass spectrometer of the system. 
     
     
         8 - 15 . (canceled)