Laser systems for the ionization of a sample by matrix-assisted laser desorption in mass spectrometric analysis
AssigneeBruker Daltonik GmbH
InventorsAndreas Haase, Markus Kayser, Jens Hohndorf, Armin Holle
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Abstract
The invention relates to a laser system for the ionization of a sample by matrix-assisted laser desorption in mass spectrometric analysis. The invention consists in providing an adjustable laser system which, in one setting, generates a single intensity peak on the sample and, in another setting, a multiplicity of intensity peaks, with the half-width, intensity, spatial arrangement and/or degree of spatial modulation of the single intensity peak and/or the intensity peaks being adjustable.
Claims21
A laser system for the ionization of a sample by matrix-assisted laser desorption in a mass spectrometric analysis, wherein the laser system comprises an adjustable optical device spatially modulating the laser radiation and providing an intensity distribution of the laser radiation on the sample that consists of a single intensity peak in one setting of the adjustable optical device and a multiplicity of intensity peaks in another setting.
A method for the ionization of a sample by matrix-assisted laser desorption in mass spectrometric analysis, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing the sample with analyte molecules,
- b) generating an intensity distribution on the sample by a laser system, wherein the intensity distribution comprises at least one intensity peak,
- c) ionizing analyte molecules,
- d) measuring the ionized analyte molecules mass spectrometrically, and
- e) varying the number and/or the half-width and/or spatial arrangement and/or degree of spatial modulation of the intensity peaks and repeating steps b) to e), until the quality and/or the robustness of the mass spectrometric analysis reach an optimum.
A method for the ionization of a sample by matrix-assisted laser desorption in mass spectrometric analysis, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing the sample with analyte molecules,
- b) generating a laser radiation,
- c) spatially modulating the laser radiation such that the intensity distribution of the laser radiation on the sample comprises a single intensity peak or a multiplicity of intensity peaks, wherein the spacing of the intensity peaks is less than 500 micrometers,
- d) ionizing the analyte molecules on the sample by the intensity distribution,
- e) measuring the ionized analyte molecules mass spectrometrically.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.