Technical data

Overview 1
HPLC-Chip
Agilent 6200 Series TOF and 6500 Series Q-TOF LC/MS System Concepts Guide 27
HPLC-Chip
Traditional nanospray mass spectrometry has proven its
potential as a cost-effective, sensitive and reproducible
technique for the identification of peptides at femtomole to
atomol levels. However, connecting nano capillaries, columns
and valves frequently is a tedious procedure and requires user
skills and routine. When handled incorrectly, nano flow
connections are prone to leakage which are difficult to detect
and result in poor system performance and extended downtime
of the complete system. Quartz nanospray needles are prone to
blockages and require frequent replacement.
With the invention of HPLC-Chip technology, Agilent is
significantly reducing the need for user interaction and making
nanospray a rugged state-of-the-art technology.
The cornerstone of chip technology is the HPLC-Chip, a
3-dimensional structure made of sandwiched polyimide films.
Grooves of specific dimensions are laser-ablated into a layer of
polyimide film. The lamination of a top and bottom layer then
forms channels of trapezoidal or triangular shape inside the
chip which can either be used as capillaries or, if filled with
packing material, as nanocolumns. One end of the chip tapers
off into a polyimide nanospray emitter.
Figure 7 HPLC-Chip making process