Patent attributes
An electrospray interface for forming ions from a liquid sample in a mass analyzing system includes a capillary tube having a free end for introducing a spray of droplets into an ionization chamber, a first gas passageway positioned near the capillary tube for directing a first gas stream into the ionization chamber, and a second gas passageway positioned more remotely from the capillary tube for directing a second, low-velocity gas stream into the ionization chamber. The second gas stream is heated to increase the droplet desolvation rate. A heated sampling capillary having an end extending into the ionization chamber guides the analyte ions toward a mass analyzer and evaporates the solvent from any incompletely desolvated droplets entering the sampling capillary.