By inserting insulating dielectric (a barrier layer) between the two electrodes, applying AC high voltage produces only controlled micro-discharges on the dielectric surface, generating low-temperature plasma rich in ions, electrons, and active species without arcing. This plasma contacts the sample surface, ionizing molecules for sampling.
Unlike corona discharge, the dielectric barrier makes the discharge uniform, low-temperature, and less likely to damage the sample, suitable for gentle ionization of biological or heat-sensitive surfaces.
DBDI belongs to the ambient ionization family, alongside DESI, DART, and LDPI, emphasizing direct sampling of sample surfaces in open environments without vacuum or complex preparation.
Its discharge plasma can conform to curved or irregular surfaces and is applicable to materials, powders, liquids, and tissues, representing one implementation of the sample-and-measure approach.
DBDI is often used for rapid screening and molecular identification of food, environment, materials, and drug surfaces; in imaging it can scan surfaces to map distributions, but resolution and uniformity are limited by the plasma spot and scanning mechanism.
For subcellular or high-resolution imaging, DBDI is not the strongest; for ambient, rapid, coarse-resolution surface molecular imaging and screening, it is a flexible option.
DBDI, like LDPI/DPI and DESI, belongs to the ambient in-situ route but differs in ionization mechanism (plasma vs photochemical/electrospray). For surface contaminants, additives, and small-molecule screening, DBDI is direct and effective; for biological-tissue multi-molecular imaging, the LDPI/DPI/DESI ecosystem is more mature.
Selection should combine sample form (curved/powder/tissue), resolution needs, and host interface; the ambient matrix-free imaging line can also evaluate DBDI as a supplementary sampling means.
To obtain detailed specifications, compatible models, or a quotation for the MSI LDPI / DPI full series imaging ion sources, visit the Neo-Source official website, or contact the official team for compatibility advice tailored to your mass spectrometer (Agilent / SCIEX / Thermo and other mainstream MS).