Electrospray ionization source with a rear extractor

A new electrospray source design is introduced by having an extractor electrode placed at 1 to 2 mm behind the emitter tip. The extractor was integrated into the sprayer body as a single device. An insulating tube was used to isolate the emitter from the extractor and to deliver the sheath gas for the electrospray. The electric field strength at the emitter was primarily determined by the relative position and the potential between the needle and the extractor; therefore, the spraying condition was insusceptible to the change of sprayer position or orientation with respect to the ion sampling inlet. Such design allowed the use of much lower operating voltage and facilitated the optimization of sprayer position by keeping the electric field parameter constant. Using an emitter capillary of 150 and 310 μm in inner and outer diameters, strong ion signal could still be acquired with 2-kV emitter potential even if the distance between the emitter and ion inlet was extended to >70 mm. Charge reduction of protein ions using 2 extractor-based electrosprays of opposite emitter polarities was also demonstrated.