A Simple, Lensless Interface of an RF Glow Discharge Device to an FT-ICR (FTMS)

High mass resolving powers ( m/Δ m = 39,000) are achieved by coupling an rf-powered glow discharge device to an FT/ICR mass spectrometer (FTMS). Introduction of the ions from the externally mounted ion source into the ICR analyzer cell is accomplished without the use of ion optics, relying simply on the ions' kinetic energy in the z (magnetic axis) direction. Magnetic focusing is believed to facilitate efficient ion transport. Basic improvements in the instrument design are expected to yield resolving powers of > 100,000—sufficient to overcome almost any isobaric interference encountered in plasma source mass spectrometry.