5
Atmospheric Source Interface
API Source Interface Overview
18
TSQ Altis, Quantis, and Fortis Hardware Manual
Thermo Scientific
API Source Interface Overview
The API source interface includes an ion sweep cone, an ion transfer tube, two cartridge
heaters, a heater block, a sensor, a vent prevent ball, the RF lens, the exit lens, and lens L0
(
). Except for the atmospheric pressure side of the
that is within the
API source, the API source interface components are located in a vacuum chamber.
Figure 6.
API source interface for the TSQ Altis MS (cross section)
The ion sweep cone is a metal cone over the ion transfer tube. It channels the sweep gas
toward the ion transfer tube entrance, acts as a physical barrier protecting the entrance, and
increases source robustness. The result is a significant increase in the number of samples to
analyze without a loss of signal intensity. In addition, keeping the ion transfer tube entrance as
clean as possible reduces the need for frequent maintenance. The ion sweep cone improves
ruggedness when analyzing complex matrices, such as plasma or nonvolatile salt buffers.
Remove the ion sweep cone before performing NSI experiments.
1
4
5
9
2
3
7
8
6
No.
Description
No.
Description
1.
Ion sweep cone
2.
Vent prevent ball
3.
Ion transfer tube
4.
RF lens
5.
Exit lens
6.
L0 lens
7.
Spray cone
8.
Heater block
9.
MP0 multipole
