A sample support used for ionizing a component of a sample includes: a substrate having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a plurality of through-holes that are open on the first surface and on the second surface; a conductive layer provided on at least the first surface; and an anionizing agent provided in the plurality of through-holes to anionize the component.

An analysis apparatus includes a stage on which an analysis sample as an analysis target and a first adjustment sample used for adjusting a focus are provided. A laser generation unit generates a laser beam for vaporizing the analysis sample or the first adjustment sample by irradiating the sample with the laser beam. A detection unit detects a signal intensity of an element of the analysis sample or the first adjustment sample vaporized by irradiation with the laser beam. A controller determines a focus position of the laser beam with respect to a front surface position of the first adjustment sample based on the signal intensity of the first adjustment sample, and performs a control such that the focus position of the laser beam corresponds with a front surface of the analysis sample.

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target comprising or consisting of a microbial population; mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and analysing said spectrometric data in order to analyse said microbial population.

The present disclosure relates to a lattice substrate adapted for use in direct ionization mass spectrometry. The substrate may have a plurality of tessellated unit cells forming an integral structure. Each tessellated unit cell may have a dimension of no more than about 1.5 mm and may include a plurality of pores arranged in an ordered pattern. The substrate may further include a form factor suitable for use with a direct ionization mass spectrometry system.

A unique fiber core sampler composition, related systems, and techniques for designing, making, and using the same are described. The sampler is used to interface with existing field instrumentation, such as Ion Mobility Spectrometer (IMS) equipment. Desired sampler characteristics include its: stiffness/flexibility; thermal mass and conductivity; specific heat; trace substance collection/release dependability, sensitivity and repeatability; thickness; reusability; durability; stability for thermal cleaning; and the like. In one form the sampler has a glass fiber core with a thickness less than 0.3 millimeter that is coated with a polymer including one or more of: polymeric organofluorine, polyimide, polyamide, PolyBenzImidazole (PBI), PolyDiMethylSiloxane (PDMS), sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene (PFSA) and Poly(2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene Oxide) (PPPO). Multiple polymer coatings with the same or different polymer types may be included, core/substrate surface functionalization utilized, and/or the core/substrate may be at partially filled with thermally conductive particles.

Integrated system for delivering sample to a mass spectrometer, which includes a chamber extending from a top to bottom end, an open port probe disposed in the chamber such that an open end of the probe, which is configured for receiving a sample, is positioned in proximity to top end of the chamber. The system can further include a solvent inlet port coupled to said chamber for receiving a solvent and directing said solvent to said probe, and a solvent outlet port for receiving a flow of the solvent from the open port probe and directing the received solvent out of the chamber. The system can also include an adapter for receiving a sample holder having an outlet port, the adapter is releasable and replaceable and couple with chamber to align the outlet port of sample holder with open end of probe for delivering sample to the probe.

A holder for a capillary, comprising: a housing having a passage to receive a capillary; and a clamping mechanism configurable between: an engaged state in which the clamping mechanism is configured to retain a capillary receivable in the passage in use; and a disengaged state in which the clamping mechanism is configured to allow insertion/removal of a capillary in the passage in use; and a release mechanism operatively associated with the clamping mechanism and movable between a first position, in which the clamping mechanism is configured in said engaged state; and a second position, in which the clamping mechanism is configured in aid disengaged state, wherein the release mechanism is configured to bias the clamping mechanism towards the engaged state, wherein the passage in the housing comprises an end stop, configured to abut the end of a capillary inserted in the passage in use.

A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.

A sample support is a sample support used for ionizing components of a sample, and includes: a substrate including a first surface, a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of through holes opening to the first surface and the second surface; a conductive layer provided at least on the first surface; and a derivatizing agent provided to the plurality of through holes to derivatize the components.

In a general aspect, chemical compounds (e.g., drugs, agrochemicals, and explosives) are detected. In some examples, a chemical detection system includes a container, an ionization system, a mass spectrometer, one or more computer systems, a sampling probe, and a control system. The sampling probe is configured to receive a liquid solvent from the container; to hold a fixed volume of the liquid solvent in direct contact with a sample surface for a period of time to form an analyte in the sampling probe; and to deliver the analyte to the ionization system. The ionization system is configured to ionize the analyte. The mass spectrometer is configured to produce mass spectrometry data by processing the ionized analyte provided by the ionization system. The one or more computer systems are configured to analyze the mass spectrometry data to detect a chemical compound present on the sample surface.