Abstract: A method for producing multiply charged ions is provided. In the method, a laser is used to ablate a sample comprising a matrix and an analyte. The sample is in the liquid form when it is ablated and the ions produced are passed through a heated conduit. The multiply charged ions produced may be used in mass spectrometry to measure the mass of the analyte.

Abstract: A method for producing multiply charged ions is provided. In the method, a laser is used to ablate a sample comprising a matrix and an analyte. The sample is in the liquid form when it is ablated and the ions produced are passed through a heated conduit. The multiply charged ions produced may be used in mass spectrometry to measure the mass of the analyte.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to modified ion source targets suitable for use with liquid matrices (e.g., glycerol and lactic acid) in liquid matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) methods, as used, for example, in infrared (IR) liquid MALDI mass spectrometry (MS), preferably using time of flight (TOF) instruments. The modified targets comprise (a) a target plate (3) adapted for use in an ion source, said plate having an outward facing surface; and (b) a shielded sample cavity comprising: (i) a sample cavity (4) formed in said outward facing surface, said cavity having a sample cavity mouth and a sample cavity volume, and adapted to receive a liquid sample (5); and (ii) a perforated sample cavity shield (1), said shield covering said sample cavity mouth and having one or more exit holes through which ions formed inside the sample cavity may escape or be extracted.