NanoLockSpray Source Operation

In the NanoLockSpray source variant, the conventional electrospray inlet is augmented with a new outer source housing containing an additional pneumatically assisted electrospray probe for the introduction of the lock mass reference.

The two electrosprays are sampled exclusively using an oscillating baffle driven by a programmable stepper motor. The reference spray is sampled at pre-defined intervals ensuring the acquisition duty cycle favors the analyte liquid stream.

Positioning of the sampling baffle is monitored in real time, enabling the two liquid inlets to be indexed and the reference and sample data stored in separate files. The source's design eliminates cross-talk between the analyte and reference channels, ensuring the integrity of the exact mass data.

As a result of these design features the NanoLockSpray dual electrospray source is optimized for exact mass data acquisition with NanoFlow LC-MS/MS and is ideal for proteomics studies or low-level metabolite identification.

Equipment and Installation

The NanoLockSpray source assembly/enclosure includes a low flow (<1 µl/min) electrospray NanoFlow probe inlet to supply the reference compound, together with the indexed stepper motor control of the spray selection baffles. An adjuster assembly and endoscope viewer is also provided to assist the positioning the analyte Nanospray device.

The NanoLockSpray source for Xevo Tof/QTof series and SYNAPT series instruments also incorporates an additional universal NanoFlow sprayer, together with a camera assembly and LED light source, in place of the endoscope viewer. An image of the analyte spray is displayed on the instrument PC workstation.

The Nanoflow exact mass source assembly requires installation and operation training by a Waters Field Service Engineer.