Method and apparatus for direct coupling of liquid chromatograph and mass spectrometer, liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer

Claim 1

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, comprising steps of: coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer using an interface portion; said interface performing steps of: nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; stirring the mists; ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and inserting a rod-like object within or behind said heated space and before said ionizer to disturb a flow of the mists from a marginal portion toward a central portion of the flow.

Claim 2

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, comprising steps of: coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer using an interface portion; said interface performing steps of: nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; stirring the mists; ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and inserting a rod-like object within or behind said heated space and before said ionizer to disturb a flow of the mists from a marginal portion toward a central portion of the flow.

Claim 3

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, comprising steps of: coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer using an interface portion; said interface performing steps of: nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; stirring the mists; ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and forming a plurality of projections on a wall surface of said heated space through which the mists pass.

Claim 4

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, comprising steps of: coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer using an interface portion; said interface performing steps of: nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; stirring the mists; ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and forming a plurality of projections on a wall surface of said heated space through which the mists pass.

Claim 5

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: using an interface portion coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a space surrounded with a heated material an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and a cylindrical object having a plurality of projections on the wall surface thereof being inserted removably into said heated space through which the mists pass.

Claim 6

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: using an interface portion coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a space surrounded with a heated material an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and a cylindrical object having a plurality of projections on the wall surface thereof being inserted removably into said heated space through which the mists pass.

Claim 7

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: using an interface portion for coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having: a nebulizer for nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a space surrounded with a heated material; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; and an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; said heated space, through which the mists pass, having an inlet and an outlet whose axes are not in alignment with each other.

Claim 8

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: using an interface portion for coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having: a nebulizer for nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a space surrounded with a heated material; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; and an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; said heated space, through which the mists pass, having an inlet and an outlet whose axes are not in alignment with each other.

Claim 9

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromato-graph and a mass spectrometer, comprising: an interface portion between the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion including: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; a stirrer which stirs the mists; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and a mist flow disturbing object placed within or behind said heated space and before said ionizer.

Claim 10

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromato-graph and a mass spectrometer, comprising: an interface portion between the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion including: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; a stirrer which stirs the mists; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and a mist flow disturbing object placed within or behind said heated space and before said ionizer.

Claim 11

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromato-graph and a mass spectrometer comprising: an interface portion between the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion including: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; a stirrer which stirs the mists; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and a rod-like object inserted within or behind said heated space and before said ionizer which disturbs a flow of the mists from a marginal portion toward a central portion of the flow.

Claim 12

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromato-graph and a mass spectrometer comprising: an interface portion between the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion including: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; a stirrer which stirs the mists; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and a rod-like object inserted within or behind said heated space and before said ionizer which disturbs a flow of the mists from a marginal portion toward a central portion of the flow.

Claim 13

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromato-graph and a mass spectrometer, comprising: an interface portion between the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion including: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; a stirrer which stirs the mists; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and a plurality of projections formed on a wall surface of said heated space through which the mists pass.

Claim 14

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromato-graph and a mass spectrometer, comprising: an interface portion between the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion including: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; a stirrer which stirs the mists; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and a plurality of projections formed on a wall surface of said heated space through which the mists pass.

Claim 15

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromato-graph and a mass spectrometer, comprising: an interface portion between the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion including: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; a stirrer which stirs the mists; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and a cylindrical object having a plurality of projections on the wall surface thereof which is removably inserted into said heated space through which the mists pass.

Claim 16

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromato-graph and a mass spectrometer, comprising: an interface portion between the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion including: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; a stirrer which stirs the mists; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and a cylindrical object having a plurality of projections on the wall surface thereof which is removably inserted into said heated space through which the mists pass.

Claim 17

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: an interface portion for coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a space surrounded with a heated material, an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, and an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer, said heated space, through which the mists pass, having an inlet and an outlet whose axes are not in alignment with each other.

Claim 18

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: an interface portion for coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a space surrounded with a heated material, an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, and an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer, said heated space, through which the mists pass, having an inlet and an outlet whose axes are not in alignment with each other.

Claim 19

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, comprising steps of: coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer using an interface portion; said interface performing steps of: nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; stirring the mists; ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; and introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; wherein said heated space includes a plurality of fine tubes.

Claim 20

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, comprising steps of: coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer using an interface portion; said interface performing steps of: nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; stirring the mists; ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; and introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; wherein said heated space includes a plurality of fine tubes.

Claim 21

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, comprising steps of: coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer using an interface portion; said interface performing steps of: nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; stirring the mists; ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and inserting a partition plate into said heated space to divide the heated space into a plurality of heated spaces.

Claim 22

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, comprising steps of: coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer using an interface portion; said interface performing steps of: nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; stirring the mists; ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and inserting a partition plate into said heated space to divide the heated space into a plurality of heated spaces.

Claim 23

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, comprising steps of: coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer using an interface portion; said interface performing steps of: nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; stirring the mists; ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and inserting an insertion rod into said heated space so as to leave a clearance which serves as the heated space.

Claim 24

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, comprising steps of: coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer using an interface portion; said interface performing steps of: nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; stirring the mists; ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and inserting an insertion rod into said heated space so as to leave a clearance which serves as the heated space.

Claim 25

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromato-graph and a mass spectrometer, comprising: an interface portion between the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion including: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; a stirrer which stirs the mists; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; and an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; wherein said heated space includes a plurality of fine tubes.

Claim 26

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromato-graph and a mass spectrometer, comprising: an interface portion between the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion including: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; a stirrer which stirs the mists; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; and an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; wherein said heated space includes a plurality of fine tubes.

Claim 27

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromato-graph and a mass spectrometer, comprising: an interface portion between the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion including: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; a stirrer which stirs the mists; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and a partition plate inserted into said heated space to divide the heated space into a plurality of heated spaces.

Claim 28

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromato-graph and a mass spectrometer, comprising: an interface portion between the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion including: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; a stirrer which stirs the mists; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and a partition plate inserted into said heated space to divide the heated space into a plurality of heated spaces.

Claim 29

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromato-graph and a mass spectrometer, comprising: an interface portion between the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion including: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; a stirrer which stirs the mists; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and an insertion rod inserted into said heated space so as to leave a clearance which serves as the heated space.

Claim 30

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromato-graph and a mass spectrometer, comprising: an interface portion between the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion including: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; a stirrer which stirs the mists; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and an insertion rod inserted into said heated space so as to leave a clearance which serves as the heated space.

Claim 31

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: an interface portion for coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a space surrounded with a heated material; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and a packing disposed within said heated space, said packing permitting the flow of the mists to be divided and pass therethrough.

Claim 32

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: an interface portion for coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a space surrounded with a heated material; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and a packing disposed within said heated space, said packing permitting the flow of the mists to be divided and pass therethrough.

Claim 33

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, comprising steps of: coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer using an interface portion; said interface performing steps of: nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; stirring the mists; ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and introducing ions from the ionizer into the mass spectrometer through a fine hole formed in a position deviated from a central axis of a nebulized jet provided from the nebulizer.

Claim 34

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, comprising steps of: coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer using an interface portion; said interface performing steps of: nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; stirring the mists; ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and introducing ions from the ionizer into the mass spectrometer through a fine hole formed in a position deviated from a central axis of a nebulized jet provided from the nebulizer.

Claim 35

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: using an interface portion coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an ionizer ionizing the nebulized sample by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; and an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; said ionizer ionizing and said introducer introducing the sample present in the marginal flow of the nebulized mist provided from the nebulizer.

Claim 36

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: using an interface portion coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an ionizer ionizing the nebulized sample by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; and an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; said ionizer ionizing and said introducer introducing the sample present in the marginal flow of the nebulized mist provided from the nebulizer.

Claim 37

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: using an interface portion for coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having a nebulizer for nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, an ionizer for ionizing the nebulized sample by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, and an introducer for introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer, said ionizer being isolated from said nebulizer by the use of a partition wall having a hole, the central axis of the nebulized jet provided from the nebulizer and that of said hole being displaced from each other.

Claim 38

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: using an interface portion for coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having a nebulizer for nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, an ionizer for ionizing the nebulized sample by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, and an introducer for introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer, said ionizer being isolated from said nebulizer by the use of a partition wall having a hole, the central axis of the nebulized jet provided from the nebulizer and that of said hole being displaced from each other.

Claim 39

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, comprising steps of: coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer using an interface portion; said interface performing steps of: nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto: heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; stirring the mists; ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; and introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; wherein said ionizing is isolated form said nebulizing by the use of a partition wall having a hole, said holed partition wall capable of being adjusted and moved from the exterior.

Claim 40

A method for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, comprising steps of: coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer using an interface portion; said interface performing steps of: nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto: heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; stirring the mists; ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; and introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; wherein said ionizing is isolated form said nebulizing by the use of a partition wall having a hole, said holed partition wall capable of being adjusted and moved from the exterior.

Claim 41

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: an interface portion for coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having a nebulizer for nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, an ionizer for ionizing the nebulized sample by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, and an introducer for introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer, with a fine hole for introducing the ions from the ionizer into the mass spectrometer being formed in a position deviated from the central axis of the nebulized jet provided from the nebulizer.

Claim 42

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: an interface portion for coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having a nebulizer for nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, an ionizer for ionizing the nebulized sample by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, and an introducer for introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer, with a fine hole for introducing the ions from the ionizer into the mass spectrometer being formed in a position deviated from the central axis of the nebulized jet provided from the nebulizer.

Claim 43

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: an interface portion coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an ionizer ionizing the nebulized sample by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; and an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; said ionizer ionizing and said introducer introducing the sample present in the marginal flow of the nebulized mist provided from the nebulizer.

Claim 44

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: an interface portion coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an ionizer ionizing the nebulized sample by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; and an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; said ionizer ionizing and said introducer introducing the sample present in the marginal flow of the nebulized mist provided from the nebulizer.

Claim 45

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: an interface portion for coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having a nebulizer for nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, an ionizer for ionizing the nebulized sample by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, and an introducer for introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer, said ionizer being isolated from said nebulizer by the use of a partition wall having a hole, the central axis of the nebulized jet provided from the nebulizer and that of said hole being displaced from each other.

Claim 46

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprising: an interface portion for coupling the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion having a nebulizer for nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, an ionizer for ionizing the nebulized sample by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto, and an introducer for introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer, said ionizer being isolated from said nebulizer by the use of a partition wall having a hole, the central axis of the nebulized jet provided from the nebulizer and that of said hole being displaced from each other.

Claim 47

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromato-graph and a mass spectrometer, comprising: an interface portion between the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion including: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; a stirrer which stirs the mists; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and a partition wall having a hole, said holed partition wall isolating said ionizer from said nebulizer and being capable of being adjusted and moved from the exterior.

Claim 48

An apparatus for coupling a high-speed liquid chromato-graph and a mass spectrometer, comprising: an interface portion between the high-speed liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, said interface portion including: a nebulizer nebulizing a sample solution under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; a heater heating mists resulting from said nebulizer by conducting the mists into a heated space surrounded with a heated material; a stirrer which stirs the mists; an ionizer ionizing the heated mists by ion-molecule reaction under atmospheric pressure or a pressure equivalent thereto; an introducer introducing the resulting ions into the mass spectrometer; and a partition wall having a hole, said holed partition wall isolating said ionizer from said nebulizer and being capable of being adjusted and moved from the exterior.