An atmospheric pressure interface (API) mass spectrometer designed for easy coupling to ion sources with operating pressures between 1 and 1000 mbar. Ready to use in the lab or field.

The API-TOF is a flexible research platform for labs using unique ion source hardware
Overview
Specifications
Publications
Resources
Overview
Advantages of API-TOF
- Convenient, adaptable source-mounting flange – makes installation and interchange of sources fast and easy
- Employs any of our TOF analyzers
- Available as a research instrument or as an OEM component
- 4 differential pumping stages between ion source and TOF with RF and DC focusing optics
- Compact, robust assembly for bench-top or field applications, as shown in photo
- Successfully adapted for many mobile laboratories, including: aircraft, research ships, trucks, and even a zeppelin
- Ideal instrument for research groups developing novel ionization schemes
Example Ion Sources for API-TOF
- Proton Transfer Reaction (Vocus PTR-TOF)
- Extractive Electrospray Ionization (EESI)
- Reduced Pressure or Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization
- Electrospray Ionization (ESI)
- Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART, Â Ionsense)
- Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD)
- Corona Discharge
- X-Ray Ionization
- Radionuclides
Specifications
TOF Analyzer Performance Specifications
Ion Source Pressure | 1 to 1,000 mbar |
---|---|
Differential Pumping Stages | 1 to 3 mbar: Quadrupole 1 ~1e-3 mbar: Quadrupole 2 ~1e-5 mbar: Primary Beam Lens Stack 1e-6 mbar: TOF |
Vacuum Pumps (excluding ion source) | (1)Â Scroll Pump (1)Â Turbo Pump (1)Â Diagphram Pump |
Mass | Rack with HTOF: 85Â kg Rack with LTOF: 107 kg Scroll Pump: 32 kg |
Dimensions of Rack-Mounted System | HTOF Version:Â 565 x 395 x 800 mm LTOF Version: 615 x 480 x 1480 mm |
Power Requirements (Excluding Source) | 100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz, 2 kW |
Publications
API-TOF Publications
2020
- Pagonis, D. et al. Airborne Extractive Electrospray Mass Spectrometry Measurements of the Chemical Composition of Organic Aerosol. Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss. in review, 2020. DOI: 10.5194/amt-2020-395
- Pospisilova, V. et al.  On the fate of oxygenated organic molecules in atmospheric aerosol particles. Science Advances, 2020. In Focus | DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax8922
2019
- Stamatios, G. et al. Real-Time Detection of Aerosol Metals Using Online Extractive Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry. Analytical Chemistry, 2019. DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b04480
- Stefenelli, G.; Pospisilova, V.; Lopez-Hilfiker, F.; Daellenbach, K.; Hüglin, Yandong TongC.; Baltensperger, U.; Prévôt, A.; Slowik, J. Organic aerosol source apportionment in Zurich using an extractive electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (EESI-TOF-MS) – Part 1: Biogenic influences and day–night chemistry in summer. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2019. DOI: 10.5194/acp-19-14825-2019
- Qi, L.; Chen, M.; Stefenelli, G.; Pospisilova, V.; Tong, Y.; Bertrand, A.; Hueglin, C.; Ge, X.; Baltensperger, U.;  Prévôt, A.; Slowik, J. Organic aerosol source apportionment in Zurich using an extractive electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (EESI-TOF-MS) – Part 2: Biomass burning influences in winter. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2019. DOI: 10.5194/acp-19-8037-2019
- F. Lopez-Hilfiker et al. An Extractive Electrospray Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (EESI-TOF) for online measurement of atmospheric aerosol particles, Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., 2019. DOI: 10.5194/amt-12-4867-2019
2016
- F. Bianchi et al. New particle formation in the free troposphere: A question of chemistry and timing. Science, 2016. DOI: 10.1126/science.aad5456
- Â J. Kirkby et al. Ion-induced nucleation of pure biogenic particles. Nature, 2016. DOI:10.1038/nature17953
- J. Tröstl et al. The role of low-volatility organic compounds in initial particle growth in the atmosphere. Nature, 2016. DOI:10.1038/nature18271
2014
- Neutral molecular cluster formation of sulfuric acid–dimethylamine observed in real time under atmospheric conditions, A. Kürten, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 111, 42, 15019–15024, 2014. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1404853111
- A large source of low-volatility secondary organic aerosol, Ehn, M. et al, Nature 506, 476–479, 2014. DOI:10.1038/nature13032
2013
- Molecular understanding of atmospheric particle formation from sulfuric acid and large oxidized organic molecules, S. Schobesberger, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 110, 43, 17223–17228, 2013. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1306973110
2011
- T. H. Bertram et al. A field-deployable, chemical ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Atmos. Meas. Tech., 2011. DOI: 10.5194/amt-4-1471-2011
2010
- H. Junninen et al. A high-resolution mass spectrometer to measure atmospheric ion composition. Atmos. Meas. Tech., 2010. DOI: 10.5194/amt-3-1039-2010
*The API-TOF is a core component of the Aerodyne Research ToF-CIMS. Â This field-portable chemical ionization mass spectrometer has been deployed for atmospheric measurements around the world. Â Complete list of ToF-CIMS publications.
Resources
Conference Presentations
- Extractive Electrospray Ionization (EESI) Source for Molecular Analysis of Aerosols: DGMS 2017 Poster PDF
Customer Research
- Deploying a Mass Spectrometer 5000 Meters Above Sea Level
- 3 TOFs Measuring Winter Pollution Aboard an NSF Aircraft