The present invention relates to an interface unit which can be used in a laser ablation-direct analysis in real time-mass spectrometry (LA-DART-MS) system, and more particularly, provides an interface unit which can be disposed between a DART unit and an MS unit to improve detection sensitivity of a sample laser-ablated by a laser beam.

Provided herein is an ion source containing a plurality of components, at least one of which is partially coated with a layer of silicon. The ion source reduces reactivity between the sample and the carrier gas, reduces or eliminates tailing in ion chromatograms, and/or improves mass spectral fidelity. Also provided are methods of using the ion source in a mass spectrometer or gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer.

Method for obtaining gaseous ammonium (NH.sub.4.sup.+) from an ion source, the ion source comprising a first area (1) and a second area (2) in a fluidly conductive connection, comprising the steps of a) introducing N.sub.2 and H.sub.2O into the first area (1) and second area (2) of the ion source; b) applying an ionization method to the mixture of N.sub.2 and H.sub.2O in the first area (1); c) applying at least one electric field or adjusting pressure conditions or a combination of applying at least one electric field and adjusting pressure conditions promoting flow of ions from the first area (1) to the second area (2) and inducing reactions of the ions in the second area (2); d) conducting NH.sub.4.sup.+ out of the ion source. Ion Molecule Reaction-Mass Spectrometry instrument implementing this method for producing NH.sub.4.sup.+ and then conducting NH.sub.4.sup.+ to the reaction region.

An ion source includes an electron generator, an ionization chamber, and a magnetic field. The electron generator is configured to produce electrons. The ionization chamber has an electron entrance aperture through a first wall, an ion exit aperture through a second wall, and an axis. The ionization chamber is configured to produce ions. The magnetic field is arranged to confine electrons in a beam directed through the electron entrance aperture, in a direction within 45 degrees of parallel to the axis, and towards a location displaced from the ion exit aperture.

A miniature mass spectrometer includes an atmospheric pressure ionisation source and a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber downstream of the first vacuum chamber, and a third vacuum chamber downstream of the second vacuum chamber. An ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and a second RF ion guide is located within the second vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is ≤400 mm. The mass spectrometer also includes a tandem quadrupole mass analyser, 3D ion trap mass analyser, 2D or linear ion trap mass analyser, Time of Flight mass analyser, quadrupole-Time of Flight mass analyser, or electrostatic mass analyser arranged in the third vacuum chamber.

A biological sample is placed on a sample stage (8). The sample stage (8) includes a tray (82), a heater (83), and a temperature sensor (84). On the tray (82), a placement surface (821) on which a biological sample is placed is formed. The heater (83) heats a surface of the tray (82) on an opposite side to the placement surface (821) side. The temperature sensor (84) is provided on an opposite side of the heater (83) to the tray (82) side. The tray (82) is attachable to and detachable from the heater (83).

Certain configurations of plasma discharge chambers and plasma ionization sources comprising a plasma discharge chamber are described. In some examples, the discharge chamber comprises a conductive area and is configured to sustain a plasma discharge within the discharge chamber. In other examples, the discharge chamber comprises at least one inlet configured to receive a plasma gas and at least one outlet configured to provide ionized analyte from the discharge chamber. Systems and methods using the discharge chambers are also described.

The present disclosure provides a sample desorption ionization device and analysis method for a mass spectrometer. The device has a first gas pressure region and a second gas pressure region lower than the first gas pressure region. The device includes: a heating desorption device, carrying a sample and heating the sample, an analyte in the sample is desorbed from the sample under a heating action and then enters the first gas pressure region; a vacuum interface component, connected with the first gas pressure region and the second gas pressure region, and causing the analyte to enter the second gas pressure region from the first gas pressure region under the drive of a gas flow; and a soft ionization source, converting gas molecules in the second gas pressure region into activated gas molecules, the analyte entering the second gas pressure region realizes soft ionization after interacting with the activated gas molecules.

A solution-cathode glow discharge mass spectrometry (SCGD-MS) apparatus comprises a SCGD source and a mass spectrometer. The SCGD source may comprise conductive rods, a power source, and a capillary. A method for ionizing an analyte comprises flowing an electrically conductive liquid onto a conductive rod, applying an electric potential to a second conductive rod such that a plasma discharge forms between the first conductive rod and the electrically conductive liquid to produce ions, and separating the ions in a mass spectrometer. The analyte may be a polypeptide that may be contacted with trypsin. The analyte may be a solid, liquid, gas, chemical complex, or ion in solution. The method may comprise sequencing the polypeptide.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for IMR-MS and/or PTR-MS, comprising a sample gas inlet (202, 206), a first ion source (209), a reaction chamber (203), a mass analyzer (204), wherein the reaction chamber (203) and the mass analyzer (204) are arranged along a central axis (A), characterized by a second ion source (209), wherein the sample gas inlet (202, 206) is arranged to introduce gas essentially along the central axis (A) and is connected to the reaction chamber (203); wherein the first ion source (209) and the second ion source (209) are arranged so as to emit reagent ions essentially perpendicularly to the central axis (A); said apparatus further comprising at least one electrode (302, 303, 304, 305), such that the reagent ions emitted from the first or second ion source (209) can be deflected into the reaction chamber (203) essentially in the downstream direction of the central axis (A).