Electrospray interface for capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry with fiber-optic UV detection close to the electrospray tip

A miniaturized, integrated capillary electrophoresis-ultraviolet detection-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (CE-UV-ESI-MS) interface has been constructed and evaluated. The device incorporates a fiber optic detection cell close to the electrospray tip to allow UV monitoring of separated zones just prior to their admittance into the mass spectrometer. This configuration provides precise information about the time when UV-active zones enter the electrospray and allows easy location of analyte mass information in the ion current profile. The miniaturized dimensions of the interface allow the use of short capillaries for fast separations.