Support unit, support body, and ionization method

8:

• A support body used for ionization of a sample, the support body comprising:
• a support substrate having a placement surface;
• and
• an adhesive layer provided on the placement surface, wherein
• the placement surface has a first region used for placing the sample and a second region having conductivity, and
• the adhesive layer has a first portion provided in the first region and a second portion configured to have conductivity and extend to the second region.

14:

• An ionization method comprising:
• a first step of preparing a first support body configured to include an ionization substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface and having a measurement region provided with a plurality of through-holes opened to the first surface and the second surface, and a conductive layer provided on the first surface so as not to block the plurality of through-holes;
• a second step of preparing a second support body configured to include a support substrate having a placement surface, and an adhesive layer provided on the placement surface;
• a third step of placing a sample on the adhesive layer;
• a fourth step of disposing the first support body on the sample such that the second surface faces the sample;
• and
• a fifth step of irradiating the first surface with an energy ray while a voltage is applied to the conductive layer to ionize a component of the sample that has moved from the second surface side to the first surface side via the through-hole due to capillary action, wherein
• the placement surface of the support substrate prepared in the second step has a first region configured to overlap the measurement region when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the placement surface, and a second region having conductivity and including a region configured not to overlap the first support body when viewed in the direction orthogonal to the placement surface,
• the adhesive layer prepared in the second step has a first portion provided in the first region and a second portion having conductivity and electrically connecting the second region and the conductive layer of the first support body,
• in the third step, the sample is placed on the first portion such that a part of the first portion of the adhesive layer is exposed,
• in the fourth step, the first support body is disposed to allow the measurement region to adhere to an exposed portion of the first portion and allow the conductive layer and the second region to be electrically connected by the second portion, and
• in the fifth step, a voltage is applied to the second region.