Nebuliser outlet
A nebuliser outlet comprises an inlet end and an outlet end, a first channel and one or more second channels arranged between the inlet end and the outlet end. The first channel is configured to receive a capillary, and the one or more second channels are configured to pass gas to the outlet end. The nebuliser outlet is a single integrated component.
1. A nebuliser comprising:
a nebuliser outlet comprising:
an inlet end and an outlet end; and
a first channel and one or more second channels arranged between the inlet end and the outlet end; and
a capillary installed in the first channel;
wherein the first channel and the one or more second channels converge at a convergence region within a tapering portion of the nebuliser outlet;
wherein an outlet end of the capillary is arranged within the convergence region;
wherein an inner wall of the tapering portion tapers downstream of the outlet end of the capillary;
wherein the nebuliser outlet is configured such that gas received by the nebuliser outlet can pass to the outlet end via the one or more second channels; and
wherein the nebuliser outlet comprises a single integrated component.
2. The nebuliser of claim 1 , wherein the nebuliser outlet is formed using an additive manufacturing process.
3. The nebuliser of claim 1 , wherein the nebuliser outlet is formed using Selective Laser Melting (SLM) or electron-beam additive manufacturing.
4. The nebuliser of claim 1 , wherein the nebuliser outlet is configured such that gas provided to the nebuliser outlet can pass via the one or more second channels to the outlet end, and can nebulise liquid emitted by the capillary.
5. The nebuliser of claim 1 , wherein the nebuliser outlet is configured such that gas provided to the nebuliser outlet can nebulise liquid emitted by the capillary in the convergence region.
6. The nebuliser of claim 1 , wherein the nebuliser outlet comprises an outlet aperture arranged at the outlet end, and wherein the first channel is aligned with the outlet aperture; and
wherein the capillary is retained relative to the outlet aperture by the first channel.
7. The nebuliser of claim 6 , wherein:
the outlet aperture has a first cross sectional area;
at least part of the first channel has a second cross sectional area that is less than the first cross sectional area; and
the outlet end of the capillary is arranged downstream of the part of the first channel that has the second cross sectional area.
8. The nebuliser of claim 1 , wherein the first channel comprises a funnel part arranged at the inlet end.
9. The nebuliser of claim 1 , wherein the one or more second channels comprise an annular channel or a segmented annular channel.
10. The nebuliser of claim 1 , further comprising one or more overhangs or protrusions arranged adjacent to an inlet or inlets to the one or more second channels.
11. The nebuliser of claim 1 , wherein the first channel has longitudinally extending notches at the inlet end configured to allow gas received by the nebuliser outlet to pass radially outwards through the notches from the first channel to the one or more second channels.
12. The nebuliser of claim 1 , wherein the nebuliser is configured such that the capillary is removable from the nebuliser outlet.
13. The nebuliser of claim 1 , wherein the nebuliser is configured such that the distance between the outlet end of the capillary and the outlet end of the nebuliser outlet is adjustable.
14. The nebuliser of claim 1 , wherein the capillary comprises one or more protrusions configured to interfere with an inner wall of the first channel.
15. An ion source comprising the nebuliser of claim 1 .
16. The ion source of claim 15 , further comprising a voltage source configured to apply a voltage to the capillary.
17. The ion source of claim 15 , wherein the ion source comprises an Electrospray Ionisation (ESI) ion source, a Desorption Electrospray Ionisation (DESI) ion source, a Desorption Electro-Flow Focusing Ionisation (DEFFI) ion source, an impactor ion source, or an Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionisation (APCI) ion source.
18. A nebuliser comprising:
a nebuliser outlet that has been inserted into the downstream end of the nebuliser;
wherein the nebuliser outlet comprises: an inlet end and an outlet end; a first channel, and one or more second channels, arranged between the inlet end and the outlet end, wherein the first channel is configured to receive a capillary, wherein the nebuliser outlet is configured such that gas received by the nebuliser outlet can pass to the outlet end via the one or more second channels; and wherein the nebuliser outlet comprises a single integrated component.
19. A method of nebulising a liquid, the method comprising providing the nebuliser of claim 1 , supplying liquid to the capillary, and supplying gas to the one or more second channels so as to nebulise the liquid emitted by the capillary.