Capture probe

1. A system for sampling a sample material, comprising: a probe comprising an outer probe housing having an inner wall and an open end for communicating with a sample space; a liquid supply conduit within the housing and having an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end of the housing; an exhaust conduit within the housing for removing liquid from the open end of the housing; the liquid supply conduit being connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing; a liquid exhaust system in fluid connection with the liquid exhaust conduit for removing liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate, the second volumetric flow rate exceeding the first volumetric flow rate, a gas flow containing sample flowing into and through the liquid exhaust conduit creating a gas/liquid interface in the liquid exhaust conduit; and, a device for directing sample into the open end of the probe communicating with the sample space.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the device for directing sample into the probe is a laser producing a laser beam.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the sample is provided on a support that is transparent to the wavelength and the laser is positioned to direct the laser beam through the support to the sample.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the laser is positioned on the same side of the support as the sample.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second volumetric flow rate exceeds the first volumetric flow rate by at least 5%.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second volumetric flow rate exceeds the first volumetric flow rate by between 5-50%.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the probe produces a vortex of liquid in the liquid exhaust conduit.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a gas guide between the open end of the probe and the sample for focusing the flow of gas into the liquid exhaust conduit.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a voltage source electrically connected to create a voltage difference between the sample surface and the probe.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the device for directing sample into the probe comprises an acoustic desorption device.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the device for directing sample into the probe comprises a droplet dispenser.

12. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an analysis device in liquid communication with the liquid exhaust system.

13. A method for sampling a sample material, comprising the steps of: providing a probe having an open end communicating with a sample space; providing a device for directing sample into the open end of the probe; supplying liquid to the open end of the probe at a first volumetric flow rate; removing the liquid from the open end of the probe at a second volumetric flow rate, the second volumetric flow rate exceeding the first volumetric flow rate; operating the device to direct sample into the open end of the probe communicating with the sample space; removing the sample material and gas with the liquid removed from the open end of the probe through an exhaust conduit of the probe; and a gas flow containing sample flowing into and through the exhaust conduit creating a gas/liquid interface in the exhaust conduit.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the device for directing sample into the probe is a radiation source for directing a radiation beam at sample material on a sample support.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the radiation source is a laser.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the sample is provided on a support that is transparent to the wavelength and the laser is positioned to direct the laser beam through the support to the sample.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the laser beam emanates from the same side of the support as the sample.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of subjecting the removed liquid containing sample and gas to chemical analysis.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the liquid removed from the open end forms a vortex in a liquid exhaust conduit.

20. The method of claim 13 , wherein the device for directing sample into the probe is a droplet dispenser.

21. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second volumetric flow rate exceeds the first volumetric flow rate by at least 5%.

22. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second volumetric flow rate exceeds the first volumetric flow rate by between 5-50%.

23. The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of providing a gas guide between the open end of the probe and the sample for focusing the flow of gas into the liquid exhaust conduit.

24. The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of creating a voltage difference between the sample and the probe.

25. The method of claim 13 , wherein the device for directing sample into the probe is an acoustic desorption energy source.

26. The method of claim 13 , further comprising directing sample material and gas with the liquid removed from the probe to an analysis device.

27. A sampling probe system, comprising: an outer probe housing having an inner wall and an open end for communicating with a sample space; a liquid supply conduit within the housing and having an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end of the housing; an exhaust conduit within the housing for removing liquid from the open end of the housing; the liquid supply conduit being connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing; and, a liquid removal system in fluid connection with the liquid exhaust conduit for removing liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate, the second volumetric flow rate exceeding the first volumetric flow rate, a gas flow containing sample flowing into and through the liquid exhaust conduit creating a gas/liquid interface in the liquid exhaust conduit.

28. The sampling probe system of claim 27 , wherein liquid enters the liquid exhaust conduit as a vortex.