Reduce Emitter Clogging and LC-MS Downtime

Emitter clogging is a common challenge in nanoLC-MS. Even a partially blocked emitter can cause unstable electro spray, reduced signal intensity, poor reproducibility, and the loss of valuable analytical time.

The constant bore design of Trajan CB Emitters eliminates the abrupt internal constrictions typically found in pulled emitters. The uniform flow path promotes smooth fluid movement, minimizes turbulence, and reduces opportunities for particles or sample residues to accumulate inside the emitter.

This results in:

• Reduced risk of emitter clogging
• Fewer interrupted LC-MS sequences
• Less instrument downtime
• Fewer repeat injections and reacquisitions
• Reduced sample and reagent consumption
• Increased throughput for demanding analytical workflows

These advantages are particularly valuable in high-throughput proteomics laboratories, where large sample sets must be analyzed reliably and within strict project timelines.

Stable and Efficient Nano-Electrospray Ionization

Trajan CB Emitters feature an optimized tip geometry designed to generate a stable and efficient electrospray. Consistent spray formation supports reliable ionization, improved signal stability, and accurate LC-MS results across extended analytical sequences.

Precision-cleaved ends provide compatibility with zero-dead-volume connections, helping to minimize unwanted dispersion and preserve chromatographic performance between the nanoLC column and the mass spectrometer.

The combination of constant bore geometry, controlled tip dimensions, and tight manufacturing tolerances provides excellent emitter-to-emitter consistency. This reduces variability after emitter replacement and minimizes the need to repeat analyses when changing consumables.

Maximize Sensitivity and Proteome Coverage

Efficient electrospray formation is essential for achieving high sensitivity in nanoLC-ESI-MS. The optimized geometry of Trajan CB Emitters supports efficient ion generation and transmission, helping laboratories detect low-abundance compounds and maximize proteome coverage.

Their stable spray performance makes the emitters suitable for demanding applications such as:

• Bottom-up proteomics
• Peptide mapping
• Protein identification and quantification
• Phosphoproteomics
• Biomarker discovery
• Metabolomics
• Biopharmaceutical characterization
• High-throughput nanoLC-MS
• FAIMS-MS workflows
• Trace-level bioanalytical research

The emitters are manufactured from chemically inert synthetic fused silica, making them suitable for a broad range of sample types, including phosphorylated proteins and other analytically challenging biomolecules.

Coating Options for Different LC-MS Source Configurations

Trajan CB Emitters are available with different coating configurations to support various nano-electrospray ion source designs.

Uncoated CB Emitters

Uncoated emitters are designed for LC-MS source configurations in which the electrospray voltage is applied through the liquid junction. This straightforward configuration is suitable for standard nanoLC-MS workflows where electrical contact at the junction provides the required voltage.

Gold Tip Coated CB Emitters

Gold tip coated emitters are intended for source configurations where the electrospray voltage is applied directly to the emitter body. The conductive gold coating extends to the tip, supporting stable spray formation and efficient electrospray performance in non-FAIMS applications.

Gold Distal Coated CB Emitters

Gold distal coated emitters feature a conductive gold coating on the emitter body combined with a non-conductive fused silica tip. The non-conductive tip helps prevent electrical arcing in FAIMS systems.

This design allows the emitter to be positioned closer to the FAIMS interface, supporting stable electrospray and efficient ion transmission.

The optimum electrospray voltage depends on the solvent composition, emitter position, and distance from the mass spectrometer inlet. Trajan recommends operating several hundred volts above the spray onset voltage required to initiate a stable electrospray.

Selecting the Appropriate Internal Diameter

The internal diameter of a nanoLC emitter influences spray efficiency, sensitivity, robustness, and resistance to clogging.

10 µm Internal Diameter

The 10 µm ID Trajan CB Emitter is recommended for:

• Flow rates below approximately 200 nl/min
• Clean and well-prepared samples
• Applications requiring maximum sensitivity
• Low-abundance peptide and protein analysis

The smaller internal diameter can support highly efficient electrospray formation but generally requires clean samples and carefully controlled operating conditions.

20 µm Internal Diameter

The 20 µm ID Trajan CB Emitter is recommended for:

• Flow rates above approximately 200 nl/min
• Complex sample matrices
• High-throughput proteomics
• Routine LC-MS workflows
• Applications that prioritize robustness and resistance to clogging

The larger internal diameter provides increased tolerance toward complex samples and particles, making it particularly suitable for routine and high-throughput analyses.

Precision Manufacturing and Quality Control

Trajan CB Emitters are precision-engineered and manufactured in-house under tightly controlled conditions. Strict dimensional tolerances help ensure consistent internal diameter, tip geometry, and electrospray performance from one emitter to the next.

Each emitter undergoes manufacturing quality controls and high-resolution microscopic inspection. Every pack is supplied with a Certificate of Conformance, providing documented assurance of manufacturing quality and product consistency.

This comprehensive quality-control process supports:

• Consistent emitter-to-emitter performance
• Reliable electro spray formation
• Reduced variability following emitter replacement
• Improved intra-batch reproducibility
• Greater confidence in quantitative LC-MS data
• Fewer repeat analyses and reacquisitions

Benefits for High-Throughput Proteomics

Modern proteomics laboratories depend on uninterrupted instrument operation, high analytical sensitivity, and consistent data quality. A blocked or unstable emitter can interrupt an entire sample sequence and lead to project delays, sample losses, and additional reagent consumption.

Trajan CB Emitters are designed to address these challenges by combining a clog-resistant constant bore flow path with optimized electrospray geometry and precise manufacturing tolerances.

For high-throughput proteomics, these characteristics can provide:

• Longer uninterrupted analytical sequences
• Greater LC-MS instrument availability
• More reliable sample processing
• Stable performance across hundreds of injections
• Reduced maintenance and troubleshooting requirements
• Improved consistency across large sample cohorts
• Increased confidence in comparative and quantitative studies

Why Choose Trajan CB Emitters?

Trajan CB Emitters provide a robust alternative to traditional pulled nano-electrospray emitters. Their defining constant bore architecture maintains a uniform internal diameter all the way to the tip, reducing the restrictions that can promote particle accumulation and emitter blockage.

Combined with chemically inert fused silica, optimized tip geometry, zero-dead-volume-compatible ends, and multiple coating configurations, Trajan CB Emitters support reliable performance across a wide range of nanoLC-MS applications.

They are an ideal choice for laboratories seeking to:

• Minimize emitter clogging
• Increase LC-MS uptime
• Improve spray stability
• Maintain high analytical sensitivity
• Reduce emitter-to-emitter variability
• Avoid unnecessary repeat measurements
• Increase throughput in proteomics and bioanalytical workflows
• Improve the reliability of FAIMS and non-FAIMS analyses

Reliable NanoLC-MS Performance, Run After Run

Trajan CB Emitters are engineered to keep demanding LC-MS workflows moving. Their constant bore design reduces clogging risk, while their optimized tip geometry supports stable electrospray, efficient ionization, and consistent analytical performance.

Whether used for routine protein analysis, high-throughput proteomics, phosphoproteomics, biomarker research, or advanced FAIMS-MS workflows, Trajan CB Emitters help laboratories reduce downtime, preserve valuable samples, and generate reliable results—run after run.