Abstract: An ionization method for use with mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is a small molecule compound(s) as a matrix into which is incorporated analyte. The matrix has attributes of sublimation or evaporation when placed in vacuum at or near room temperature and produces both positive and negative charges. Placing the sample into a region of sub-atmospheric pressure, the region being in fluid communication with the vacuum of the mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer, produces gas-phase ions of the analyte for mass-to-charge or drift-time analysis without use of a laser, high voltage, particle bombardment, or a heated ion transfer region. This matrix and vacuum assisted ionization process can operate from atmosphere or vacuum and produces ions from large (e.g. proteins) and small molecules (e.g. drugs) with charge states similar to those observed in electrospray ionization.

Abstract: An ionizing system includes a flange device for connection to a mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer having the property of providing a barrier between the lower pressure region of the spectrometer and a higher pressure region substantially at atmospheric pressure, and a channel therethrough providing fluid communication between the higher and lower pressure regions. A plate device independent of the flange device which can accommodate multiple samples, such as a sample plate device, when placed over the channel in the flange device substantially seals the channel Sliding the sample plate device while in intimate contact with the flange device provides a means to sequentially and rapidly expose said samples to the opening of the channel and thus the lower pressure region. Samples are ionized when exposed to the lower pressure region in as little as one sample per second using multiple ionization methods.