(57) A probe for supporting a sample in an ion source of a mass spectrometer is arranged
to receive a continuous supply of liquid containing a sample to be analysed, which
sample may, or may not, change with time. The probe can comprise a target formed by
a copper probe tip 18 and the liquid sample can pass, for example, through a fine
bore 18a of the tip, on to the end surface of the tip where it is held as a droplet
by surface tension. In order to replenish the droplet surface, liquid sample can be
supplied, for example via capillary tubing 14 from a syringe 11, to the inlet end
of the bore in the probe tip.
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