A molecular-beam apparatus has been newly constructed for studying neutral non-volatile molecules, consisting of (1) a sample inlet system with a supersonic nebulizer, an inlet chamber, and a pulsed nozzle, (2) a set of skimmers, and (3 ) a high-vacuum chamber in which pulsed-laser photoionization and mass detection are carried out. A heavy mist of sample solution is initially prepared with the nebulizer, and then stored in the inlet chamber, from which a molecular beam is ejected into vacuum through the pulsed nozzle and skimmers. In this report we want to emphasize several advantages of this technique and its broad applicability. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.