Patent ID: 6861647

Claim:
A mass spectrometer, comprising: a sample chamber configured to receive a number of samples for mass spectral analysis, the sample chamber adapted to be evacuated to a first pressure, an ionization chamber secured to the sample chamber, the ionization chamber adapted to be evacuated to a second pressure less than the first pressure, and a gate valve having a door, the gate valve being interposed between the sample chamber and the ionization chamber, the door of the gate valve being positionable between an open position and a closed position, wherein (i) when the door is positioned in the open position the sample chamber is in fluid communication with the ionization chamber and (ii) when the door is in the closed position the sample chamber is substantially in fluid isolation from the ionization chamber, a sample substrate having a number of samples disposed thereon, the sample substrate positioned in the sample chamber when the door is positioned in the closed position, and a portion of the sample substrate positioned in the ionization chamber when the door is positioned in the open position, the sample substrate comprising a tape having a first end thereof secured to a supply reel and a second end thereof secured to a take-up reel, and both the supply reel and the take-up reel positioned in the sample chamber, a portion of the tape between the supply reel and the take-up reel is positioned in the ionization chamber when the door is positioned in the open position.