Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to replacement of the previous ICP-based ionisation system with a new laser ionisation system, providing improved mass spectrometer-based apparatus and methods for using them to analyse samples, in particular the use of mass spectrometry mass cytometry, imaging mass spectrometry and imaging mass cytometry, for the analysis of biological samples. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus, for example a mass cytometer, comprising: 1) a sampler; 2) a laser ionisation system to receive material removed from the sample by the sampler, wherein the laser ionisation system comprises an ionisation system conduit and a pulsed laser adapted to ionise sample material passing through or exiting the ionisation system conduit; and 3) a mass spectrometer to receive elemental ions from said ionisation system and to analyse said elemental ions.

Abstract: A method of making connections between arrays of optical components such as waveguides, fibers and diode lasers, by linking them with optical waveguides written directly in three-dimensional blocks or wafers of a transparent dielectric material such as glass. If arrays are to be connected, any element can be connected to any other element, providing the flexibility to make cross-connects. In a particular embodiment, femtosecond laser dielectric modification is employed to manufacture the optical connector.