Methods and apparatus for simultaneous vaporization and ionization of a sample in a spectrometer prior to introducing the sample into the drift tube of the analyzer are disclosed. The cells may be substantially shaped as hexagons, triangles, parallelograms, or any combination thereof. 0 kWm2 and a first air stream simultaneously to the base coat composition such that a pre-dried base coat is formed upon the surface of the substrate; and applying a second air stream in the absence of infrared radiation to the base coat composition such that a dried base coat is formed upon the surface of the substrate.