Ionization method, ionization device, imaging spectrometry method, and imaging spectrometer

An ionization method for ionizing a sample adhered to a tip of a probe that is electrically conductive, by applying an ionization voltage to the probe,

• the ionization method comprising:
• making a surface of the probe homogenous by irradiating the probe with ultraviolet light without adhesion of the sample to the tip of the probe;
• causing adhesion of the sample on the homogenized surface of the probe;
• and
• ionizing the sample by applying the ionization voltage to the probe to electrically charge the sample,
• wherein the causing step and the ionization step are repeated multiple times and the making step is performed before each of at least two times of the causing step.

An ionization device comprising:

• a probe that is electrically conductive;
• a voltage application unit configured to:
• apply a discharge voltage to the probe to cause corona discharge or glow discharge at the probe to make a surface of the probe homogenous without adhesion of the sample to the tip of the probe;
• and
• apply an ionization voltage to the probe to electrically charge and ionize a sample adhered to the probe, the ionization voltage being lower than the discharge voltage and a voltage causing corona discharge;
• a sample introduction unit configured to cause adhesion of the sample to a tip of the probe;
• and
• a control unit configured to cause the voltage application unit and the sample introduction unit to repeat the adhesion and ionization of the sample by applying the ionization voltage multiple times, and to make the surface of the probe homogeneous before each of at least two times of the adhesion.

An ionization device comprising:

• a probe that is electrically conductive;
• a light source configured to irradiate the probe with ultraviolet light to make a surface of the probe homogenous without adhesion of the sample to the tip of the probe;
• a voltage application unit configured to apply an ionization voltage to the probe to electrically charge and ionize a sample adhered to the probe;
• a sample introduction unit configured to cause adhesion of the sample on the homogenized surface of the probe of the probe;
• and
• a control unit configured to cause the light source, the voltage application unit, and the sample introduction unit to repeat the adhesion and ionization of the sample by applying the ionization voltage multiple times, and to make the surface of the probe homogeneous before each of at least two times of the adhesion.