A Versatile Particle Beam Interface for Coupling Hplc to Ion Trap, Quadrupole and Sector Mass Spectrometers

A two-stage particle beam LC-MS interface, capable of being coupled to a quadrupole, sector or ion trap mass spectrometer, is described. The device has a modular design, allowing operating parameters to be easily optimized whilst in use. Successful coupling to a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer (ITMS) is achieved using a novel heated transfer line for analyte vaporization and scan routines which eliminate solvent ion effects.