ION SOURCE
TECHNOLOGY
The SICRIT® – Soft Ionization by Chemical Reaction In Transfer – is an ambient flow-through ion source technology for mass spectrometers with atmospheric pressure inlet (LC-MS). The process of ionization is crucial for the analysis of compounds in mass spectrometry, one of the most powerful techniques in chemical analysis. Ionization enables the mass spectrometer to detect, characterize and quantify substances based on the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of their molecules.
ION SOURCE
CHARACTERISTICS
Unique Design
SICRIT® is a plug and play source that is directly coupled to the MS inlet. Neutral molecules are drawn through the source into the MS by the prevailing vacuum. On their way into the system, they are ionized by a ring-shaped cold plasma, which can be formed in any kind of carrier gas, even in room air. Conventional ionization sources are directed towards the instrument and form ions in front of the MS inlet, which leads to sensitivity losses due to columbic repulsion. SICRIT® mitigates those losses due to a more efficient transfer of ions into the system, as the ionization directly takes place in the extended inlet capillary.
Conventional ionization
It is fundamentally different to conventional ionization methods:
In almost all conventional ionization methods like ESI, DART, DESI or APCI, the analyte gets ionized before being introduced into the MS.
SICRIT® Ionization
The patented SICRIT® Ion Source Technology extends the inlet of the MS and ionizes all molecules that are drawn into the system due to the prevailing vacuum by means of a specially shaped cold plasma.
Enhanced Range of Analytes
Thanks to its unique design, the SICRIT® ion source can ionize analytes across the entire spectrum from polar to non-polar, a task that would typically require three separate ionization techniques.
- Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization:
SICRIT® is capable to cover the ionization range of APCI with even less fragmentation due its soft ionization mechanism.
- Electron Impact Ionization:
SICRIT® is capable to cover almost (no residual gases like N2, O2, etc.) the whole ionization range of EI with less fragmentation due its soft ionization mechanism.
- Electro Spray Ionization:
Up to a m/z‑ratio of 2000, SICRIT® is capable to cover a great part of the ionization range of ESI (except for large biomolecules like proteins, etc.).
No Fragmentation
SICRIT® is a very soft ionization mechanism. The unique shape of the dielectric discharge prevents molecules from getting in touch with the cold plasma. This enables a soft ionization of analytes which avoids fragmentation. The structural information of the ions remains intact.
Ultimate Versatility
Although SICRIT® is an ambient ion source, it can also be integrated into traditional chromatography and imaging applications. It is a modular, vendor-independent system compatible with all LC-MS setups. Installation is quick and straightforward, thanks to its plug-and-play functionality. SICRIT® enables a wide range of new applications, offering unmatched versatility and efficiency in the market.
Indicative Comparison
ION SOURCE
ADVANTAGES
No sample preparation
The ambient character of the ionization source allows to analyze solid, liquid, or gaseous samples in room air without sample preparation (direct screening).
Flexible coupling
SICRIT® Ionization Technology is the only technique that provides a seamless coupling with all chromatography methods like GC, LC and SFC.
Low operation costs
SICRIT® does not require Helium or other noble gases for operation, it runs with ambient air and electrical power.
Easy installation & operation
Plug & play ion source that does neither require calibration nor adaptions on hardware, software, or workflow.
Knowledge Base
The Process of Ionization
This article explains the fundamentals of ionization in mass spectrometry and the strengths and limitations of conventional hard and soft ionization techniques. It highlights SICRIT® as a versatile alternative that enables direct, efficient ionization of complex samples, expanding MS applications beyond traditional workflows.
Rethinking the Dark Metabolome: Between Artifact and Opportunity
This article dives into the ongoing debate around the “dark metabolome”, examining whether unidentified LC-MS signals reflect true biochemical diversity or analytical artefacts such as in-source fragmentation. It highlights how softer, alternative ionization approaches like SICRIT® may help reduce artefacts and provide a clearer view of metabolomic complexity.
Differences between DART and SICRIT® in Mass Spectrometry
This article explains the core differences between both ambient ionization solutions, highlighting where each fits into modern lab workflows, and why SICRIT® has become the more flexible, reproducible, and future-ready solution for many applications.