We report the use of solid phase microextraction (SPME) combined with
ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) for sampling, screening and identifica
tion of organic compounds that are readily detected by IMS. This is a
new SPME application. SPME has emerged recently as an excellent sample
preparation technique for gas chromatography (GC) and high performanc
e liquid chromatography (HPLC). We have found that SPME can be used ve
ry conveniently with IMS. An example of SPME-IMS is described using SP
ME headspace sampling at room temperature with 0.1 mt vials containing
1.0 microgram or less of either cocaine freebase or cocaine hydrochlo
ride. This is followed by analysis using IMS. A hole, drilled in the I
MS sample ticket holder, serves as the SPME-IMS interface.