Apparatus and method for ionizing an analyte, and apparatus and method for analyzing an ionized analyte

An ionization apparatus (10) for ionizing an analyte (S), comprising an inlet (E), an outlet (A), a first electrode (1), a second electrode (2), a dielectric element (3) and a charge carrier filter (20, 21), wherein:

• the first electrode (1), the second electrode (2) and the dielectric element (3) are arranged relative to one another such that, by applying an electric voltage between the first electrode (1) and the second electrode (2), a dielectric barrier discharge is establishable in a discharge area (5) in the ionization apparatus (10);
• the inlet (E) allows a flow of analyte (S) into the ionization apparatus (10), the discharge area (5) allows a flow of analyte (S) therethrough, and the outlet (A) allows a discharge of the analyte (S) from the ionization apparatus (10);
• the charge carrier filter (20, 21) is arranged upstream of the outlet (A) of the ionization apparatus (10) and configured to filter ions or charged particles on the basis of their type of charge.

A method of operating an ionization apparatus (10) comprising an inlet (E), an outlet (A), a first electrode (1), a second electrode (2) and a dielectric element (3), comprising:

• introducing an analyte (S) into the ionization apparatus (10);
• ionizing the analyte (S) in the ionization apparatus (10), in particular by means of a dielectric barrier discharge in the discharge area (5);
• discharging the ionized analyte (S) from the ionization apparatus (10) via the outlet (A).

26-94. (canceled)