US 5,272,338 AGranted

Molecular imaging system

AssigneeThe Pennsylvania Research Corporation

InventorsNicholas Winograd, Stephen J. Benkovic

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Abstract

An ion-beam based system enables quantitative analysis and visualization of a sample with atomic and molecular specificity. The system comprises a liquid metal ion source that directs a tightly focused beam of ions at the sample, the beam having an ion density that is insufficient to materially change the surface properties of the sample. A controller connected to the liquid metal ion source gates on the ion beam for a period of time that is sufficient to enable the ion source to achieve a tight focus of the beam at the sample and for further scanning the ion beam across the sample. A laser beam is positioned over the sample and has a wavelength that resonantly ionizes components of the sample that are liberated by action of the scanned ion beam. A detector measures the liberated ionized components and is connected to a display system that provides an image of the distribution of the species on surface of the sample.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A system for enabling quantitative analysis and imaging of specific chemical species on a surface of a sample, said system comprising:

a liquid metal ion source for directing a tightly focused beam of ions at said sample, said beam having an ion density that does not materially change surface properties of the sample;
control means connected to said liquid metal ion source for gating on said ion beam for a period of time sufficient to enable said liquid metal ion source to achieve said tight focus of said ion beam at the sample and for further scanning said ion beam across said sample;
a laser beam positioned over said sample and exhibiting a wavelength that effectively ionizes components of said sample that are liberated therefrom by action of said scanned ion beam, said laser beam being unfocussed within a region occupied by said components of said sample;
detector means for providing indications to said control means of detected ions created by action of said laser beam on said sample components;
and
display means connected to said control means for producing an image of said sample surface in accordance with outputs from said detector means.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.