Patent · US Active

Laser spot control in maldi mass spectrometers

US8872103B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by

16References

13Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Bruker Daltonik GmbH · DE

Inventors

Armin Holle · Oyten, DE
Andreas Haase · Park City, US
Jens Hoehndorf · Bremen, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Sep 6, 2012
Grant date	Oct 28, 2014
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Nov 29, 2032

Classification

Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
CPC primaryH01J49/164
WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Mass spectrometers ionize samples by matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI). The samples are located on a moveable support plate, and irradiated by a pulsed laser. A fast positional control of laser spots is provided via a system of rotatable mirrors to relieve strain on a support plate motion drive. If the spot position is finely adjusted by the mirror system and follows the movement of the sample support plate, the intermittent movement of the sample support can be replaced with a continuous uniform motion. The fast positional control allows more uniform ablation of a sample area. Galvo mirrors with low inertia may be used between the beam generation and a Kepler telescope in the housing of the laser. The positional control can also provide a fully automatic adjustment of MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometers, at least if the ion-optical elements are equipped with movement devices.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.