A collecting device includes a stage configured to place a substrate. A magnetic field generating unit holds, by a magnetic field, a first liquid containing a magnetic fluid and a collecting liquid to bring the first liquid into contact with at least an end portion of the substrate. A collecting unit collects the first liquid from the magnetic field generating unit. A separating unit separates the collecting liquid from the first liquid.

An ion pulse generator (100) includes a triboelectric generator (110), an ion emitter (132) and a conductive surface (134). The triboelectric generator (110) includes a first electrode (114), a spaced apart second electrode (120) and a first triboelectric layer (116). The triboelectric generator (110) generates a predetermined amount of charge as a result of relative movement of the first triboelectric layer (116). The ion emitter (132) is electrically coupled to the first electrode (114). The conductive surface (134) is electrically coupled to the second electrode (120) and is spaced apart from the ion emitter (132) at a predetermined distance. Generation of the predetermined amount of charge causes formation of ions between the ion emitter (132) and the conductive surface (134).

An ion pulse generator (100) includes a triboelectric generator (110), an ion emitter (132) and a conductive surface (134). The triboelectric generator (110) includes a first electrode (114), a spaced apart second electrode (120) and a first triboelectric layer (116). The triboelectric generator (110) generates a predetermined amount of charge as a result of relative movement of the first triboelectric layer (116). The ion emitter (132) is electrically coupled to the first electrode (114). The conductive surface (134) is electrically coupled to the second electrode (120) and is spaced apart from the ion emitter (132) at a predetermined distance. Generation of the predetermined amount of charge causes formation of ions between the ion emitter (132) and the conductive surface (134).

In a mass spectrometry apparatus, an electric field is applied to an injected specimen to ionize the specimen, and mass spectrometry of the specimen is performed. In an emitter which ionizes the specimen, a flashing process to increase a temperature of the emitter is repeatedly performed at a short-time interval during an injection period of the specimen. A flashing current controller controls a flashing current value to be applied to the emitter to increase, in a long term, a flashing temperature which the emitter reaches in the flashing process.

In a mass spectrometry apparatus, an electric field is applied to an injected specimen to ionize the specimen, and mass spectrometry of the specimen is performed. In an emitter which ionizes the specimen, a flashing process to increase a temperature of the emitter is repeatedly performed at a short-time interval during an injection period of the specimen. A flashing current controller controls a flashing current value to be applied to the emitter to increase, in a long term, a flashing temperature which the emitter reaches in the flashing process.

Bubble plasma ionisation probe for analysing liquids by mass spectrometry. A means of a detecting analytes dissolved in a liquid by mass spectrometry is described. Gas flows from a source through a first conduit 105 and thereafter through a coaxial second conduit 103 that also serves as the inlet to the mass spectrometer 102. The coaxial arrangement of conduits is submerged in the liquid to be analysed 301. Using a feedback loop, the gas pressure is adjusted and controlled such that an attached bubble 302 forms at the open end of the first conduit 105. A plasma 305 is provided in the bubble. The plasma is preferably generated by a dielectric barrier discharge between a collar electrode 107 and mass spectrometer inlet 103. Analytes dissolved in the liquid are both desorbed form the gas-liquid interface and ionised by the action of the plasma. Ions formed in this way become entrained in the gas flow and are consequently transferred to the mass spectrometer, where they are analysed.

Described is an apparatus for guiding an electromagnetic microwave, having: antenna surrounding walls, which define an interior space so as to surround therein at least an end region of an antenna of a microwave source, in particular laterally annularly as well as frontally; waveguide boundary walls, at least two of which are arranged in parallel to each other, wherein the waveguide boundary walls form a, in particular cuboid-shaped, waveguide having a substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein a cross-sectional plane is defined by a first direction that extends along a longitudinal direction of the antenna and a second direction that extends perpendicularly to the first direction, wherein it holds: 25>a/b>3, wherein a: is a width of the waveguide along the second direction, b: is a height of the waveguide along the first direction, wherein the apparatus is designed to let proceed a microwave from the interior space of the antenna surrounding walls into the waveguide.

Described is an apparatus for guiding an electromagnetic microwave, having: antenna surrounding walls, which define an interior space so as to surround therein at least an end region of an antenna of a microwave source, in particular laterally annularly as well as frontally; waveguide boundary walls, at least two of which are arranged in parallel to each other, wherein the waveguide boundary walls form a, in particular cuboid-shaped, waveguide having a substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein a cross-sectional plane is defined by a first direction that extends along a longitudinal direction of the antenna and a second direction that extends perpendicularly to the first direction, wherein it holds: 25>a/b>3, wherein a: is a width of the waveguide along the second direction, b: is a height of the waveguide along the first direction, wherein the apparatus is designed to let proceed a microwave from the interior space of the antenna surrounding walls into the waveguide.

The invention generally relates to apparatuses for focusing ions at or above ambient pressure and methods of use thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an apparatus for focusing ions that includes an electrode having a cavity, at least one inlet within the electrode configured to operatively couple with an ionization source, such that discharge generated by the ionization source is injected into the cavity of the electrode, and an outlet. The cavity in the electrode is shaped such that upon application of voltage to the electrode, ions within the cavity are focused and directed to the outlet, which is positioned such that a proximal end of the outlet receives the focused ions and a distal end of the outlet is open to ambient pressure.

The invention generally relates to apparatuses for focusing ions at or above ambient pressure and methods of use thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an apparatus for focusing ions that includes an electrode having a cavity, at least one inlet within the electrode configured to operatively couple with an ionization source, such that discharge generated by the ionization source is injected into the cavity of the electrode, and an outlet. The cavity in the electrode is shaped such that upon application of voltage to the electrode, ions within the cavity are focused and directed to the outlet, which is positioned such that a proximal end of the outlet receives the focused ions and a distal end of the outlet is open to ambient pressure.