The invention described herein provides a mass spectrometry system, having
an ion source including an ionization device for producing ions, a
collection conduit adjacent to the ionization device for collecting ions
produced by the ionization device, a first gas source for supplying gas
to desolvate ions produced by the ionization device, a second gas source
for supplying gas at a defined flow to the ionization region, and a
detector downstream from the ion source for detecting ions produced by
the ion source. The invention also provides an ion source including an
ionization device for producing ions, a collection conduit adjacent to
the ionization device for collecting ions produced by the ionization
device, a first gas source for supplying gas to desolvate ions produced
by the ionization device, and a second gas source for supplying gas at a
defined flow to the ionization region. A method for producing analyte
ions is also disclosed. The method includes producing analyte ions from
an ionization device, directing a first heated gas toward the analyte
ions to desolvate the analyte ions, and directing a second gas toward the
analyte ions at a defined and continual flow rate.