An Observation of the Localisation Process in the Mass Spectrometry Imaging Supply Chain: A Map of Domestic Substitutes for Core Components and Key Materials

A mass spectrometry imager comprises hundreds of components, ranging from VUV light sources, precision injection needles and microchannel plate detectors to high-vacuum molecular pumps; the performance of each component directly affects the overall performance of the instrument. For a long time, these core components have been heavily reliant on imports, creating the awkward situation where domestically produced mass spectrometry instruments are “assembled domestically but rely on imported core components”. In the past two years, this landscape has been undergoing substantial change—the pace of supply chain localisation has exceeded industry expectations, with the localisation rate of key modules, such as mass spectrometry imaging sources, having reached a relatively high level, whilst the replacement of even more upstream core components is also accelerating.

A layered map of supply chain localisation

The supply chain for mass spectrometry imaging instruments can be divided into three tiers based on technical complexity, with the progress of localisation varying across each tier.

First Tier: Complete Instrument System Integration. This tier refers to the capability to assemble the ion source, mass analyser, detector, vacuum system, electronic control system and software system into a complete instrument. Several domestic enterprises already possess the capability to integrate complete mass spectrometry imaging instruments, with the Xinceyuan ProC series of online time-of-flight mass spectrometers serving as a prime example of domestically integrated complete instruments. The domestic production rate for this tier is relatively the highest; the main gap lies in the accumulation of engineering experience regarding system stability and long-term reliability.

Second tier: Core functional modules. These include mass spectrometry imaging sources (DESI spray devices, LDI laser optical systems, VUV photoionisation modules), mass analysers (dual-field reflection TOF, quadrupole, Orbitrap, etc.), detectors (MCP, Channeltron) and vacuum systems (turbomolecular pumps, ion pumps). Progress in domestic production at this level varies significantly: the imaging ion source module has seen the fastest progress, with Xinceyuan’s MSI DPI and MSI LDPI imaging sources having been independently developed and brought to market; amongst mass analysers, the reflection-type TOF has been successfully domesticated (ProC series), but high-end analysers such as the Orbitrap remain entirely dependent on imports; domestic alternatives exist for MCP detectors, though performance gaps remain; high-end turbo molecular pumps are still predominantly imported.

Third tier: Key basic materials and components. These include VUV light source lamps (Kr lamps, Ar lamps), precision capillary injection needles (internal diameter 10–100 μm), MgF₂/LiF optical windows, and high-permeability alloy (Permalloy) electromagnetic shielding materials. This tier has the lowest domestic production rate, with most key materials still needing to be procured from overseas suppliers such as Hamamatsu in Japan and New Objective in the US. However, domestic optical component and precision machining enterprises are gradually entering this field, and initial breakthroughs have been made in the domestic substitution of certain components.

Imaging Ion Source: The Module with the Fastest Progress in Domestic Production

Among the core modules of mass spectrometry imagers, the imaging ion source has seen the most notable progress in domestic production.

There are structural reasons behind this progress. The technological core of the imaging ion source lies in the design and engineering implementation of the ionisation method—the optimisation of DESI spray geometry parameters, the focusing design of the LDI laser optical path, and the optical path layout of the VUV photoionisation region—all of which fall within the interdisciplinary field of applied physics and precision mechanics, an area in which domestic research capabilities possess a strong foundation. By comparison, mass analysers (such as the Orbitrap) involve higher barriers in terms of core patents and precision machining processes, whilst detectors (such as the MCP) require deeper accumulated expertise in materials science and microchannel fabrication technology, making domestic substitution significantly more challenging.

The path to domestic production of Xinceyuan’s MSI DPI imaging source is somewhat representative. This product integrates a DESI spray system and a VUV photoionisation system; whilst the core VUV light source utilises a Hamamatsu Kr lamp from Japan (third-tier imported component), the DESI spray unit, VUV optical path focusing system, ion transport ducting, differential vacuum interface and overall control software are all independently designed (second-tier domestically produced modules). Final assembly of the complete unit is carried out on Xinceyuan’s own production line (first-tier domestic integration). The overall domestic production rate at the functional module level exceeds 80 per cent, with only a few basic components, such as the VUV lamp, still reliant on imports.

The situation is similar for the MSI LDPI imaging source. The transmission-type laser optical system, laser focusing objective, VUV photoionisation integrated module and timing control system are all independently designed; whilst domestic suppliers are available for the laser (532 nm or 337 nm), whilst VUV lamps still need to be imported. The degree of domestic production for these two imaging sources is among the highest of all modules in mass spectrometry imagers.

Progress in domestic substitution of upstream components

Regarding the third tier of key basic materials and components, there have also been some noteworthy developments in the past two years.

VUV light sources. Kr and Ar lamps are currently supplied primarily by Hamamatsu in Japan, whilst the research and development of domestically produced VUV lamps is underway. Several domestic vacuum ultraviolet light source manufacturers have achieved small-batch trial production of Kr lamps, with photon flux stability reaching 80–90 per cent of that of imported products and a lifespan of approximately 1,500 hours (compared to around 2,000 hours for imported products); although there remains a gap, continuous improvements are being made. Should domestically produced VUV lamps achieve a commercially viable performance level within the next one to two years, the final imported component required for imaging ion sources will be filled.

Precision spray needles. The precision capillary spray needles required for DESI spraying (inner diameter 20–100 μm, with precisely controlled tip cone angle) have traditionally relied on suppliers such as New Objective in the United States. In recent years, domestic capillary processing enterprises have been able to supply fused quartz capillaries of comparable quality; through laser tip-shaping processes, they can produce spray needles that meet DESI requirements, at a cost 60–70 per cent lower than imported products.

MgF₂ optical windows. MgF₂ window plates (cutoff wavelength 115 nm) used in VUV optical paths have traditionally relied on suppliers from Japan and Germany. Domestic optical crystal manufacturers are now capable of growing MgF₂ single crystals and processing them into window plates; their transmittance in the 120–200 nm wavelength band is comparable to that of imported products, whilst surface finish is slightly inferior but continues to improve.

MCP detectors. Microchannel plate (MCP) detectors are the core detection components of TOF-MS. The gain of domestically produced MCPs (10⁵–10⁶) is now close to that of imported products (10⁶–10⁷), though there remains a gap in terms of dark noise and long-term stability. Some domestic TOF-MS manufacturers have begun trialling domestically produced MCPs to reduce costs and mitigate supply chain risks.

The strategic value of a domestic supply chain

The value of supply chain localisation extends far beyond cost reduction.

Supply chain security. In recent years, uncertainties in the international trade environment have led to increased volatility in the lead times and prices of imported components. A domestic mass spectrometry manufacturer once experienced a six-month delay in the delivery of an imported turbo molecular pump, resulting in a delay in the delivery of the complete instrument. Domestic substitution of core components can reduce the risk of such supply chain disruptions and ensure the stability of product delivery.

Customisation Capabilities. Imported components are typically standardised products, making it difficult to meet the customisation requirements of specialised applications. Domestic component suppliers are able to collaborate with mass spectrometry instrument manufacturers to develop custom specifications—for example, during the development of the MSI LDPI imaging source, Xinceyuan required a laser focusing objective with specific focal lengths and working distances; domestic optical companies were able to collaborate on custom designs, whereas overseas suppliers typically do not accept small-batch custom orders.

Optimisation of cost structure. The cost of domestic components is typically 40–70 per cent of that of imported products; for every 10 percentage points reduction in the proportion of imported components in an imaging ion source, the product’s BOM cost can be reduced by approximately 8–12 per cent. This cost advantage affords domestic imaging sources greater flexibility in pricing, enabling them to enter the market at 50–60 per cent of the price of imported products, thereby accelerating market penetration.

Technical feedback loop. Close collaboration between domestic component suppliers and mass spectrometry instrument manufacturers has created a technical feedback loop: instrument manufacturers identify performance shortcomings in components during use and provide feedback to suppliers for improvement; the suppliers’ improvements, in turn, enhance the overall performance of the instruments. This co-evolution is difficult to achieve within an imported supply chain, as overseas suppliers typically respond slowly to technical requests for small-batch domestic orders.

Industry Outlook

The localisation of the mass spectrometry imaging supply chain is a gradual process. Imaging ion source modules have already achieved a high level of domestic production; the substitution of mass analysers and detectors with domestic alternatives is underway; whilst comprehensive breakthroughs in the most upstream critical materials and components are expected to take a further 3–5 years.

For domestic imaging ion source manufacturers such as New Ceyuan, supply chain advantages are translating into product competitiveness—shorter component lead times support faster product iteration, lower BOM costs support more aggressive pricing strategies, and closer supplier collaboration supports deeper customisation capabilities. The cumulative effect of these advantages will play an increasingly important role in the market competition between domestic mass spectrometry imagers and imported brands.

The depth of supply chain localisation will ultimately determine the height of the domestic mass spectrometry imaging industry.