Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus introduces a secondary spray of uncharged liquid droplets into a primary stream of electrosprayed droplets. Droplets and/or components dissolved in the secondary liquid become charged through interaction with the primary electrospray stream. This results in formation of gaseous ions of the secondary solution susceptible to electrospray ionization. The secondary solution may consist of a mixture of calibration or reference mass standards. Using pulsed gas nebulization, the secondary spray is pulsed into the primary electrospray spray stream at intervals synchronized with the data collection system. In a second embodiment, the device may consist of a plurality of secondary sprayers for multiplexed sample introduction. Each of the secondary sprayers are pulsed at different intervals synchronized with data collection. In a third embodiment, the secondary component consists of a capillary tube inserted into the primary electrospray stream of charged droplets to decouple the process of electrospray and sample introduction.

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First Claim