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ion source
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Figure 1: An electron bombardment ion source in cross section. An electron beam is drawn from the filament and accelerated across the region in which the ions are formed and toward the electron trap. An electric field produced by the repeller forces the ion beam from the source through the exit slit.
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ion source

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Figure 1: An electron bombardment ion source in cross section. An electron beam is drawn from the filament and accelerated across the region in which the ions are formed and toward the electron trap. An electric field produced by the repeller forces the ion beam from the source through the exit slit.
Figure 1: An electron bombardment ion source in cross section. An electron beam is drawn from the filament and accelerated across the region in which the ions are formed and toward the electron trap. An electric field produced by the repeller forces the ion beam from the source through the exit slit.

An ion source is a fundamental component of a mass spectrometer. Its primary function is to convert neutral atoms or molecules into ions, which can then be manipulated and analyzed based on their mass-to-charge ratio.1

There are various types of ion sources, each with its own method of ionization:

  • Photoionization: Uses high-energy photons, typically in the far ultraviolet, to ionize sample gases or vapors.1
  • Field ionization: Employs intense electric fields generated near sharp electrodes to ionize organic compounds, often resulting in minimal fragmentation.2
  • Thermal ionization: Ionizes atoms with low ionization potentials by heating them on a metal surface, a process that can be highly efficient.3
  • Spark discharge: Uses a high-voltage spark between electrodes to evaporate and partially ionize electrode material, producing ions of all elements present.4
  • High-frequency-produced plasma: Creates a plasma discharge using radio frequencies, which then ionizes samples introduced via a carrier gas.5
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5 Britannica Sources
  1. mass spectrometry - Photoionization
  2. mass spectrometry - Field ionization
  3. mass spectrometry - Thermal ionization
  4. mass spectrometry - Spark discharge
  5. mass spectrometry - High-frequency-produced plasma

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