Patent ID: 9269557
Filing Date: 2016-02-23
CPC Classification: H01J

Claim Text:
1. An ionization device, comprising: a laser light irradiation unit configured to irradiate at least a region of a surface of a sample with laser light to desorb a particle contained on the surface of the sample; a liquid holding unit having a distal end and a proximal end, the liquid holding unit being configured to hold a liquid on an outer periphery of the distal end; an extract electrode configured to extract an ionized ion; and a voltage application unit configured to apply a voltage between the liquid and the extract electrode to cause the ion to generate from the liquid held on the outer periphery of the distal end, wherein the region and the distal end are disposed so as not to make contact with each other but to be in close proximity to each other so that the liquid held on the outer periphery of the distal end collects the particle desorbed from the sample as a result of being irradiated with the laser light, wherein the particle is ionized using the liquid held on the outer periphery of the distal end, and wherein the liquid holding unit has an elongated shape and flexibly vibrates relative to a longitudinal axis of the liquid holding unit, and both the collection of the particle into the liquid and the ionization of the particle are performed at the distal end of the liquid holding unit alternately within a range in which the distal end flexibly vibrates.