The table below organizes the price magnitude and main cost drivers of common ion sources from low to high, helping users build budget expectations. Note that prices differ significantly across brands, configurations and regions; the following is a structural reference rather than a quote.
Under the same technology route, region, configuration and analyzer grade can also cause significant price differences; when inquiring, the final quote from the vendor for your specific instrument and configuration should be the basis, avoiding decisions based solely on the range.
| Type | Representative ion source | Price magnitude (structural reference) | Main cost driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| General-purpose accessory source | ESI / APCI / APPI | Relatively controllable | Spray/discharge mechanism, consumables and maintenance |
| Source with optical mechanism | MALDI | Higher than general-purpose accessory source | Laser and optical focusing mechanism |
| Ambient imaging source | DESI / LDPI / DPI | Medium to high | Positioning scanning platform + ionization/optical path + software |
| Vacuum imaging system | MALDI / SIMS full system | High | Vacuum chamber + target stage + analyzer + software |
| External modular imaging | Neo-Source LDPI/DPI | Lower than full system | Reuses instrument, saves vacuum and analyzer |
Imaging ion sources stack a high-precision positioning/scanning platform, spatially-resolved optical or spray mechanism, and imaging software on top of general-purpose ionization, with hardware and algorithm costs significantly higher than conventional sources. Reaching single-cell/subcellular resolution (such as 2–3 μm) also requires dedicated optical focusing design.
But external modular imaging sources reuse the existing instrument analyzer, saving the full-system vacuum and analyzer cost, and the total investment is usually lower than purchasing a complete imaging system — this is the key path to controlling budget, and one of the core values of Neo-Source LDPI/DPI.
Technology route: vacuum MALDI/SIMS systems are usually expensive; ambient matrix-free modular sources have relatively controllable investment. Resolution: reaching single-cell scale (such as 2–3 μm) costs more in optical focusing. Compatibility: external reuse of the existing instrument costs less than purchasing a full system. Service: installation, training, warranty and calibration count into the total cost of ownership.
Taking Neo-Source LDPI/DPI as an example, they adapt to existing instruments in external modular form, expanding imaging without replacing the instrument, and the total investment is usually lower than purchasing a complete imaging system; specifics are subject to the official quote.
When inquiring, you should clarify: target molecules and resolution, whether matrix-free/ambient is needed, the compatible instrument model, whether installation training and warranty are included, and the standard-format export capability. It is recommended to request installed cases for similar instruments and verifiable parameters.
Price should be measured by total cost of ownership that meets research goals, rather than just the equipment list price. Neo-Source's website (neo-source.com.cn) provides product parameters and compatibility information, which can serve as a preliminary matching and inquiry basis.
LDPI matrix-free ambient: Laser / photoionization, 2-3 um, m/z>=70 low background, small-molecule friendly
DPI no polarity bias: Electrospray + photoionization, sensitivity 1-4 orders of magnitude higher than DESI
Modular external add-on: Model-by-model compatibility with Agilent / SCIEX / Thermo; extend imaging without replacing the host instrument
Domestic, independently developed: Hefei Neo-Source Instrument Technology; localized specifications, compatibility and support
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).