Orthogonal nebulization
The design of Agilent's patented orthogonal-nebulization source has often been imitated but never equaled. Nebulization (spray) orthogonal to the axis of the sampling capillary reduces noise related to incomplete drying of solvent droplets. It also keeps the sampling capillary and ion optics cleaner. The fixed-position nebulizer eliminates the need for tedious position adjustments when a method requires flow rate or solvent composition changes.
Heated counterflow drying gas
Agilent's LC/MS ion sources include a high-volume, high-temperature, counterflow drying gas system that improves spectral quality, sensitivity, and reproducibility by reducing solvent clusters and mobile-phase adducts. Drying gas flow and temperature can easily be adjusted to match flow rate and solvent composition changes. In the Agilent multimode source, drying capacity is enhanced by powerful infrared emitters.
Together, orthogonal nebulization and a high-drying-capacity, counterflow drying gas system make Agilent's ion sources very tolerant of nonvolatile components in samples and mobile phases.
Dual nebulizer
Some Agilent ion sources are available in dual-nebulizer versions for use with TOF and Q-TOF mass spectrometers.
Dual-nebulizer sources maximize both mass accuracy and ease of use by introducing an internal reference mass standard through a separate, dedicated nebulizer. This feature also facilitates automated tuning—a rarity in TOF and Q-TOF instruments.
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