Sensitivity and Robustness Enhancements by Using a V-Shape Ion Funnel in FTICR-MS

In this paper, a new configuration of the ion funnel interface (i.e., V-shape ion funnel (V-IF)) for high ion transmission efficiency and robustness enhancement was developed and implemented on FTICR-MS. The performance of the V-IF was compared with that of a home-built orthogonal ion funnel. An order of magnitude of improvement in sensitivity was achieved for various peptides and proteins. The performance of the instrument was maintained for a long period by neutral molecule removal. Other ion transmission patterns, such as gentle ion transmission, adduct ion removal, and radio frequency (RF)-driven collision induced dissociation (OD), was also realized in V-IF by varying the RF potentials. V-IF is believed to be a novel ion guide that has promising applications in mass spectrometry.