Patent ID: 7791019

Claim:
An ion source for mass spectrometry configured to be operable at ambient pressure, comprising: a pyroelectric substance having a first face and a second face, at least said first face disposed substantially normal to a polarization axis of said substance; a selected one of a heater and a cooler disposed adjacent said second face of said pyroelectric substance; a power supply in communication with said selected one of a heater and a cooler, said power supply configured to provide energy sufficient to change a temperature of said first face of said pyroelectric substance at a rate of the order of 10° C. per minute; a vapor entry port for a sample of interest, said vapor entry port configured to operate at ambient pressure, said vapor entry port configured to allow said entering vapor to interact with said first face of said pyroelectric substance; an exit port configured to provide a stream of ionized species at ambient pressure; wherein said ion source is configured to produce a stream of ionized species at ambient pressure in response to a change in temperature of said first face of said pyroelectric substance.