Ionization source, functional combination with a mobile device and arrangement with an atmospheric inlet mass spectrometry system

An improved ionization source (1) for use with any atmospheric pressure inlet (71) mass spectrometry system (7) is provided herein. The improved ionization source 1 comprises an electrode (2) having a deposition area (21) or a capillary channel (22) for introducing a sample, or an electrode (2) having a capillary channel (23) for introducing a solvent (or solvent mixture) while the sample is positioned in between (24) the ionization source (1) and the atmospheric pressure inlet (71) of the mass spectrometry system (7), and a power supply (3) having an output (32) coupled to the electrode and a USB-compatible input (31) and further comprising a controllable transformer (33) to transform an input supply voltage (Vs) provided at the USB-compatible input (31) into a high voltage (VH) at the power supply output, and a controller (34) for controlling the controllable transformer (33). The improved ionization source (1) is widely applicable as it can be directly coupled to any mobile device (5) having a USB-port. Moreover, control tasks can be performed by the mobile device (5) in response to user input, remote control and/or an autonomously operating application program functionalities.