Characterization of an improved electrodynamic ion funnel interface for electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

An improved electrodynamic ion funnel for ion focusing at high pressure (> 1 Torr) has been developed for a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer and its performance compared with that of an earlier prototype previously reported. The ion funnel consists of a series of ring electrodes of progressively smaller internal diameters to which rf and dc electric potentials are co-applied. The new design utilizes ring electrodes possessing larger internal diameters that taper down to a relatively larger exit aperture. In the 1-10 Torr pressure range, the new design provides significant improvement in low m/z ion transmission. Additionally, the overall ion transmission range is improved by linked scanning of the ion funnel's rf voltage concomitantly with the scanning of the quadrupole mass analyzer. Transmission of a noncovalent complex through the interface demonstrated that excessive ion heating was not problematic. Computer simulations of ion transport support the ion funnel design and help explain the relative performance of both designs. Both ion simulations and experimental results are in accord and indicate close to 100% ion transmission efficiency for electrosprayed biopolymer ions through the interface and into the mass analyzer.