Capacitively coupled REIMS technique and optically transparent counter electrode

1. A method of analysis comprising:

providing a sample on an insulating substrate;

contacting said insulating substrate with a first electrode and contacting said sample with a second electrode; and

applying an AC or RF voltage to said first and second electrodes in order to generate an aerosol from said sample.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a sample on said insulating substrate comprises providing said sample in a container, a petri dish, a vial or a microtitre or microwell plate.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of providing said sample on said insulating substrate comprises providing said sample and optionally a culture or growth medium on a first surface of said insulating substrate and wherein the step of contacting said insulating substrate with said first electrode comprises contacting said insulating substrate with said first electrode on a second surface of said insulating substrate which is opposed to said first surface.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of contacting said insulating substrate with said first electrode is such that said first electrode does not contact said sample or optionally any culture or growth medium.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first electrode comprises a mesh electrode.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first electrode comprises a substrate which is substantially optically transparent or optically translucent.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said substrate further comprises a conductive layer or a conductive coating.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising locating said insulating substrate upon said first electrode, wherein said insulating substrate is substantially optically transparent or optically translucent and wherein said first electrode is substantially optically transparent or translucent.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising passing light or photons through said first electrode and said insulating substrate in order to illuminate, image or analyse said sample.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising directing at least some of the aerosol into a vacuum chamber of a mass spectrometer and ionising at least some the aerosol within a or the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer so as to generate a plurality of analyte ions.

11. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising spectroscopically imaging or analysing said sample at substantially the same time as obtaining mass spectral data corresponding to one or more locations on or in said sample.

12. Analysis apparatus comprising:

a first electrode for contacting an insulating substrate upon which a sample is located in use;

a second electrode for contacting said sample; and

a device for applying an AC or RF voltage to said first and second electrodes in order to generate an aerosol from said sample.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein said first electrode comprises a mesh electrode.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein said first electrode comprises a substrate which is substantially optically transparent or optically translucent.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein said substrate further comprises a conductive layer or a conductive coating.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein said insulating substrate is positioned, in use, upon said first electrode and wherein said insulating substrate is substantially optically transparent or optically translucent and wherein said first electrode is substantially optically transparent or translucent, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a device for passing light or photons through said first electrode and said insulating substrate in order to illuminate, image or analyse said sample.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising a device for directing at least some of said aerosol into a vacuum chamber of a mass spectrometer and an ion source located within a or said vacuum chamber of said mass spectrometer for ionising at least some said aerosol so as to generate a plurality of analyte ions.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising a spectroscopic imaging or analysing device for spectroscopically imaging or analysing said sample.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 , wherein said spectroscopic imaging or analysing device comprises a Raman spectroscope and/or an infra-red (“IR”) spectroscope.

20. Analysis apparatus comprising:

a first electrode;

a first device for passing light or photons through said first electrode in order to illuminate, image or analyse, in use, a sample located on said first electrode;

a second electrode for contacting said sample; and

a second device for applying an AC or RF voltage to said first and second electrodes in order to generate an aerosol from said sample.