Abstract

An electrospray source with a simple heated capillary tube interface for orthogonal ion-extraction time-of-flight mass spectrometry has been evaluated. Alkali metal salts, amino acids, and metallocene samples have been used for characterization of this system. The applied potential on the inlet capillary tube plays an important role on the ion transport processes as indicated by the net signal and the extent of collision induced dissociation. Adjusting the potential placed on the capillary tube can alter the collision energies in this system, allowing the interface to generate both elemental and molecular ions. Initial kinetic energies of ions have been calculated through experiments and modeling. The energy of the ions entering the mass spectrometer is ultimately determined by the net velocity in the supersonic expansion, and by the electric field between the inlet tubing and the sampling orifice.