Mass spectrometer with MALDI laser system
US8431890B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 19, 2012 |
| Grant date | Apr 30, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 19, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S5/0092
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention relates to a mass spectrometer comprising a laser system for mass-spectrometric analysis with ionization of analyte molecules in a sample by matrix-assisted laser desorption. A mass spectrometer with a pulsed UV laser system produces a spatially distributed spot pattern with peaks of uniform energy density on the sample, increasing thereby the degree of ionization for analyte ions as compared to conventional spot patterns. The spot pattern with peaks of uniform energy density can be produced by homogeneous illumination of a pattern generator, for example a lens array. The homogeneous illumination can be generated by a low-cost beam-shaping element, which does not act on the UV beam but on the original infrared beam, in conjunction with changes to the beam cross-section and beam profile brought about by the nonlinear conversion crystals. This beam shaping not only produces a beam profile which illuminates the pattern generator homogeneously with low losses, but at the same time increases the efficiency of the frequency multiplication and the lifetime of the conversion crystals so that cost savings are achieved because less laser energy is required and the lifetime is i…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.