Scanning ion probe systems and methods of use thereof

A method, comprising:

• providing a scanning ion source system, comprising:
• a scanning ion probe;
• and
• an ion generation chamber including a membrane disposed at a first end of the ion generation chamber and chamber walls interfaced with the membrane,
• wherein the membrane includes a plurality of orifices through the membrane, and
• wherein the scanning ion probe is disposed adjacent the membrane;
• disposing the scanning ion probe into a sample, wherein the sample includes an electrolyte, and wherein the sample is disposed adjacent a sample electrode;
• determining a first location in the sample using the scanning ion probe;
• applying a first voltage to the sample electrode and a second voltage to the membrane;
• ionizing molecules in the sample to produce a plurality of first ionized molecules, wherein the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage generates a first potential force that drives the first ionized molecules towards the membrane, wherein the first ionized molecules are from the first location;
• producing a reverse-Taylor-cone of the electrolyte through one or more of the orifices in the membrane, wherein the electrolyte includes the first ionized molecules;
• and
• applying a third voltage to an ion generation chamber electrode disposed on a portion of the chamber walls, wherein the difference between the third voltage and the second voltage generates a second potential force that drives the first ionized molecules towards a second end of the ion generation chamber.

A method, comprising:

• disposing a scanning ion probe into a sample, wherein the sample includes an electrolyte, and wherein the scanning ion probe is disposed on a first side of a membrane having a plurality of orifices;
• determining a first location in the sample using the scanning ion probe;
• ionizing molecules in the first location of the sample to produce a plurality of first ionized molecules, wherein the first ionized molecules are disposed on the first side of the membrane;
• producing a reverse-Taylor-cone of the electrolyte through one or more of the plurality of orifices in the membrane on a second side of the membrane on the side opposite the scanning ion probe, wherein the electrolyte includes the first ionized molecules;
• generating de-solvated first ionized molecules from the reverse-Taylor-cone of the electrolyte on the second side of the membrane;
• and
• generating a potential force on the second side of the membrane that drives the de-solvated first ionized molecules away from the membrane.

A scanning ion probe system, comprising:

• an array of scanning ion sources, wherein each scanning ion source includes:
• a scanning ion probe;
• and
• an ion generation chamber including a membrane disposed at a first end of the ion generation chamber and chamber walls interfaced with the membrane,
• wherein the membrane includes a plurality of orifices through the membrane, and
• wherein the scanning ion probe is disposed adjacent the membrane.