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 dual source ionizer is provided. The dual source ionizer includes a first photoionization source configured to emit low flux ultraviolet (UV) light to generate primarily NO.sub.3.sup.− ions, and a second photoionization source configured to emit high flux UV light to generate primarily ions other than NO.sub.3.sup.− ions.

The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for detecting a chemical substance. The methods and systems include using gas-solid phase chemistry to chemically and/or physically modify a substance of interest so that the substance can be vaporized and detected through an analysis of the substance.

Load lock assemblies for a sample analysis system, such as a mass spectrometry system, include a load lock chamber having longitudinally opposing first and second end portions and a through channel, a door coupled to the second end portion, and a seal assembly coupled to the first end portion. The seal assembly includes a rigid seal housing member coupled to a housing of the load lock chamber. The rigid seal housing member includes a port forming part of the first end portion of the through channel of the load lock chamber. The rigid seal housing member can include a self-centering cartridge and/or a flexure member coupled to the housing of the load lock chamber. Where used, the flexure member has an outer perimeter that extends above and below the rigid seal housing member and includes an aperture that is aligned with the port of the rigid seal housing member.

An ionizer 1 detachably attached to a main body 2 of an ion analyzing device includes an ionization section 10 including a sample stage 14 and light irradiation units 11, 12, and 13 configured to irradiate a sample placed on the sample stage 14 with light, a base body, and a movably-holding mechanism which is provided on the base body and configured to hold the ionization section in a manner movable or rotatable about one or more axes.

Certain embodiments described herein are directed to sample platforms that are configured to permit electrical coupling between a sample support and electrical ground. In some examples, a sample platform configured to receive a sample support effective to retain a sample for direct sample analysis and comprising an aperture for receiving at least one electrical coupler configured to engage the sample support and provide electrical coupling between the sample support and ground is described.

A device is described for generating ionized molecules for analysis in a mass spectrometer. The device includes: a solid substrate having one or more edges and a coated area that is coated with an extraction phase comprising an extraction polymer. The solid substrate may have at least two edges that meet at an angle from about 8° to about 180°. Mass spectrometry systems that include such a device are also described. Methods of analyzing a molecule previously extracted from a sample onto the device are also described.

A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises providing a spectrometer comprising an orifice between an atmospheric pressure region and a sub-atmospheric pressure region of the spectrometer, wherein the sub-atmospheric pressure region comprises an ion guide or ion trap; providing a sample probe comprising a needle assembly on which a sample is deposited or that is supplied with a sample; inserting the needle assembly through the orifice and into the sub-atmospheric pressure region so that the sample is arranged within or adjacent to the ion guide or ion trap in the sub-atmospheric pressure region; and then desorbing the sample from the needle assembly within the sub-atmospheric pressure region and/or ionising the sample within the sub-atmospheric pressure region so as to generate ions that enter the ion guide or ion trap. As the needle assembly is inserted so that the sample is arranged within or adjacent to the ion guide or ion trap, analyte ions from the sample are captured efficiently.

A method for characterizing a sample combining an X-ray tomography characterization technique and a secondary ionization mass spectrometry characterization technique, includes: a step of providing a tip that includes first and second end surfaces, a first cylindrical region bearing the first end surface and a second region in contact with the first cylindrical region and becoming slimmer towards the second end surface; a step of machining the second region to obtain a sample holder including a flat surface, the flat surface forming an end surface of the sample holder, the area of the flat surface being less than the area of the first end surface; a step of placing the sample on the flat surface of the sample holder; a first step of characterization of the sample using an X-ray characterization technique; a second step of characterization of the sample using a secondary ionization mass spectrometry characterization technique.

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: (a) using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target in vitro or ex vivo cell population; (b) mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and (c) analysing said spectrometric data in order to identify and/or characterise said target cell population or one or more cells and/or compounds present in said target cell population.