Thermal desorption tube sampler

A thermal desorption (TD) tube sampler, wherein the sampler comprises a first connector configured to reversibly connect to a TD tube containing a sample, and a second connector configured to couple to a direct injection mass spectrometer, and the TD tube sampler is configured to desorb a sample in a TD tube connected thereto, and feed the desorbed sample from the TD tube to a direct injection mass spectrometer such that the desorbed sample does not pass through a cold trap, wherein the TD tube sampler comprises a cold trap and is configured to couple to a gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GC-MS), and the TD tube sampler has a first operating mode, for use when the TD tube sampler is coupled to a direct injection mass spectrometer, wherein the TD sampler is configured to feed the sample from the TD tube to the direct injection mass spectrometer such that the sample does not pass through the cold trap;

• and a second operating mode, for use when the TD tube sampler is coupled to a GC-MS, wherein the TD sampler is configured to feed the sample from the TD tube to the direct injection mass spectrometer such that the sample does pass through the cold trap.