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.

In a conventional fine particle detection device that vaporizes fine particles attached to the object of examination by heating, processing capability decreases as the processing time elapses due to the influence of deposition of fine particles other than the object of examination, dirt/dust, a residue of the fine particles as the object of examination, or residual matter. A fine particle detection device according to the present invention includes: a vaporization device that vaporizes the fine particles trapped by a trap device by vaporization or decomposition; a first flow passageway in which a mixture of a component vaporized by the vaporization device and another component flows; a second flow passageway branching from the first flow passageway in a direction of inertial force acting on the other component; a third flow passageway branching from the first flow passageway in a direction different from the direction of the inertial force; and an analysis device that analyzes a component introduced into the third flow passageway.

A method of operating an ion mobility spectrometer comprises the following steps: drawing a sample of gaseous fluid into a reaction region of the ion mobility spectrometer; providing a first pulse of a pulsed ionisation source to ionise the sample of gaseous fluid, thereby to obtain first sample ions; after a first gate delay following the first trigger opening an ion shutter to permit a portion of the first sample ions to leave the reaction region; providing a second pulse of the pulsed ionisation source to further ionise the sample of gaseous fluid, thereby to obtain second sample ions; after a second gate delay following the first trigger opening the ion shutter to permit a portion of the second sample ions to leave the reaction region, wherein the second gate delay is different from the first gate delay.

A method of static gas mass spectrometry is provided. The method includes the steps of: introducing a sample gas comprising two or more isotopes to be analyzed into a static vacuum mass spectrometer at a time, t.sub.0; operating an electron impact ionization source of the mass spectrometer with a first electron energy below the ionization potential of the sample gas for a first period of time that is following t.sub.0 until a time t.sub.1; and operating the electron impact ionization source with a second electron energy at least as high as the ionization potential of the sample gas for a second period of time that is after time t.sub.1. The first time period from t.sub.0 to t.sub.1 is a period corresponding to a period taken for the isotopes of the sample gas to equilibrate in the mass spectrometer. A constant ion source temperature is preferably maintained. Also provided is a static gas mass spectrometer.

An ionization device includes an ion formation section configured to ionize an analyte via a corona discharge; and a transfer section configured to transfer the ionized analyte to a mass spectrometry apparatus. The ion formation section and the transfer section are partitioned by one electrode of a pair of electrodes that generate the corona discharge. The one electrode has an opening.

The present invention provides a field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer for selectively separating at least one kind of material from a mixture containing two or more kinds of materials. A filter included in the spectrometry comprises first—four plate-like electrodes each having a principal plane parallel to a direction from an ionizer toward a filter. The second plate-like electrode is located between the first plate-like electrode and the third plate-like electrode. The third plate-like electrode is located between the second plate-like electrode and the fourth plate-like electrode. The third and fourth plate-like electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second plate-like electrodes, respectively. An interspace is formed between two adjacent plate-like electrodes. The present invention provides a field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer having high separation ability.

A system for controlling flow of gas in a continuous flow isotope ratio analyser is provided. The system comprises gas inlet and gas outlet lines for providing gas into and from a measuring cell, and at least one switchable flow restriction on the gas inlet line, for selectively controlling gas flow into the isotope ratio analyser. Also provided is a method for determining an isotope ratio using the system according to the invention.

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 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.

An apparatus for connecting an ionisation probe assembly to a mass and/or ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: an attachment member for releasably attaching a probe assembly to the apparatus; a cap for enclosing the attachment member; wherein the apparatus is operable to deliver a voltage to a probe assembly only when the cap is arranged to enclose the attachment member; and wherein the cap is configurable to enclose the attachment member when a probe assembly is attached to the apparatus.