Mass spectrometry apparatus

A mass spectrometry apparatus, including:

• a mass spectrometer including:
• a sample plate holder configured to hold a sample plate in an engaged position;
• wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to perform a mass spectrometric analysis of a sample only when the sample is located on a sample plate that is held in the engaged position by the sample plate holder;
• the sample plate configured for use in the specific analytical technique or range of analytical techniques to be performed using the mass spectrometer, wherein the sample plate includes the one or more first engagement features in the form of multiple slots which extend by different amounts into an end of the sample plate which is configured to be inserted into the sample plate holder, thereby providing a shaped cut-out in said end of the sample plate configured to limit use of the sample plate to the specific analytical technique or range of analytical techniques wherein the shaped cut-out uniquely corresponds to the specific analytical technique or range of analytical techniques;
• wherein the sample plate holder includes one or more second engagement features in the form of projections which form a key which is configured to engage with the shaped cut-out in said end of the sample plate so as to allow the sample plate having the shaped cut-out to be held in the engaged position by the sample plate holder and to prevent another sample plate from being held in the engaged position by the sample plate holder unless that other sample plate includes the shaped cut-out.