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US 8,299,429 B2Granted
Three-dimensional molecular imaging by infrared laser ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
AssigneeThe George Washington University
InventorsAkos Vertes, Peter Nemes
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Abstract
The field of the invention is atmospheric pressure mass spectrometry (MS), and more specifically a process and apparatus which combine infrared laser ablation with electrospray ionization (ESI).
Claims20
A laser ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry device for three-dimensional imaging of a sample having a water content, the device comprising:
- a pulsed, mid-infrared laser to emit energy at the sample to ablate the sample and generate an ablation plume;
- an electrospray apparatus to produce an electrospray to intercept the ablation plume to produce ions;
- a mass spectrometer having an ion transfer inlet to capture the produced ions;
- and
- a scanning apparatus to generate a three-dimensional image of the sample;
- wherein each laser pulse has a laser energy that is absorbed by the water in the sample.
3 more elements
A method of laser ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for three-dimensional imaging of a sample having a water content, the method comprising:
- ablating the sample with a mid-infrared laser pulse at a wavelength of about 3 μm to generate an ablation plume;
- intercepting the ablation plume with an electrospray to produce ions;
- and
- analyzing the ions by a mass spectrometer comprising a scanning apparatus to generate a three-dimensional image of the sample;
- wherein each laser pulse has a laser energy that is absorbed by the water in the sample.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.