In an embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for mass spectrometry which includes a laser ablation sampler comprising a laser ablation chamber and a laser. The laser ablation chamber is configured so that the laser can irradiate and ablate a material from a sample to generate an ablated sample material. An atmospheric pressure ionization source generates an ion population. The atmospheric pressure ionization source is operatively connected to the laser ablation chamber via a transfer line so that an ablated sample material is transportable thereto. A mass spectrometer is operatively connected to the laser ablation chamber and to the atmospheric pressure ionization source. The ablated sample material interacts with the atmospheric pressure ionization source to generate an ion population having a mass-to-charge ratio distribution. The ion population is transmitted to the mass spectrometer, which provides information on a mass-to-charge ratio distribution of the ion population.