Synchronization of ion generation with cycling of a discontinuous atmospheric interface

A method for analyzing a sample, the method comprising:

• generating ions of an analyte in a sample using a mass spectrometry probe;
• discontinuously directing the ions into a mass analyzer;
• and
• analyzing the ions;
• wherein the generating step is synchronized with the directing of the ions into the mass analyzer.

A method for monitoring a reaction in real-time, the method comprising:

• conducting a reaction in a liquid in a vessel;
• continuously flowing a portion of the fluid from the vessel to a probe;
• pulsing voltage from a source that is not in contact with the flowing sample to inductively interact with the flowing fluid in the probe, thereby producing ions of one or more analytes in the fluid;
• and
• analyzing the ions, thereby monitoring the reaction in real-time.