What component of a mass spectrometer is responsible for the initial entry of the sample?

The component of a mass spectrometer responsible for the initial entry of the sample is the inlet. The inlet serves as the point where the sample is introduced into the mass spectrometer system. It is critical because it connects the sample source, whether gas, liquid, or solid, to the ion source where the actual ionization occurs.

The inlet must be designed to handle the specific physical properties of the sample, ensuring that it can maintain the required vacuum conditions of the mass spectrometer while allowing the sample to be efficiently transported into the system. Proper functioning of the inlet is essential for accurate analysis, as any issues here could lead to contamination or loss of the sample.

The ion source, while also an integral part of the mass spectrometry process, is specifically tasked with turning the sample into ions for detection and analysis. The detector measures the ionized particles, and the data system processes and interprets the information collected from the detector. Each of these components works in synergy, but the inlet is distinctively responsible for bringing the sample into the system first.