Modern Atmospheric Pressure Surface Sampling/Ionization Techniques in Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Over the last few years, there has been a rapid increase in atmospheric pressure surface sampling/ionization techniques for mass spectrometry, dramatically expanding the range of sample types that can be analyzed. The growth in this field of mass spectrometry has also resulted in a plethora of new acronyms. In this encyclopedia article, the various techniques are first sorted into four major categories based on the method used for analyte desorption and then subcategorized by ionization method. The underlying principles of operation are explained and some representative applications are described.