Light path system for homogenizing energy distribution

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of mass spectrum detection, and relates to a light path system for homogenizing energy distribution. The light path system for homogenizing energy distribution comprises a laser, a displacement table, a coupling device, a homogenizing optical fiber and a focusing device, the laser is used for emitting Gaussian beams; the displacement table is connected with the input end of the homogenized optical fiber, and the displacement table is used for adjusting the position of the input end of the homogenized optical fiber; the coupling device is used for coupling a Gaussian beam into the input end of the homogenizing optical fiber; the homogenizing optical fiber is used for shaping the Gaussian beam into a flat-topped beam and outputting the flat-topped beam to the focusing device; and the focusing device is arranged close to the output end of the homogenizing optical fiber and is used for focusing the flat-topped light beam and outputting the flat-topped light beam to a sample. According to the invention, the problem of non-uniform laser energy distribution of the existing mass spectrum is solved, and the intensity of an adduct peak in nucleic acid mass spectrum application is reduced, so that the overall performance level of the mass spectrum is remarkably improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of mass spectrometry detection technology, more particularly, to a light path system for homogenizing energy distribution. BACKGROUND

[0002] The laser used by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS for short) is usually of two types, one is a spatial light laser, and the other is a fiber laser, and the spatial light laser is further divided into a nitrogen laser and a solid laser; the commonly used laser on the market, whether it is a solid spatial light laser or a fiber laser, has a Gaussian distribution of energy on the beam cross section, and the nitrogen laser has a non-absolute Gaussian distribution of energy when multiple beams are combined due to the non-uniformity of the single-beam pulse energy concentration.

[0003] In actual application, the laser with Gaussian distribution of energy has certain drawbacks; this is because the central energy of Gaussian light is very concentrated, and the laser irradiance is highest in the center and decreases exponentially towards the edge, and MALDI-TOF MS ionization is a soft ionization method, which is very sensitive to laser energy, and too high laser energy will have a very adverse effect on mass spectrometry. For example, when performing nucleic acid mass spectrometry, too high laser energy will cause some substances to precipitate, thereby affecting the mass spectrometry interpretation of the substance and causing serious interference to the subsequent diagnosis results; although the nitrogen laser has a non-absolute Gaussian distribution of overall energy when combined, it still has a difference in intensity on the beam cross section, and still has certain drawbacks in the above applications.

[0004] Therefore, a light path system for homogenizing energy distribution is needed to meet certain special applications of MALDI-TOF MS. CONTENT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present application provides a light path system for homogenizing energy distribution to solve the problem of uneven distribution of laser energy in existing mass spectrometry.

[0006] To solve the above technical problem, the present application provides a light path system for homogenizing energy distribution, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A light path system for homogenizing energy distribution, comprising: a laser, a displacement table, a coupling device, a homogenizing fiber, and a focusing device;

[0008] The laser is used to emit a Gaussian beam;

[0009] The displacement table is connected with the input end of the homogenizing fiber, and the displacement table is used to adjust the position of the input end of the homogenizing fiber;

[0010] The coupling device is used for coupling the Gaussian light beam into the input end of the homogenization optical fiber;

[0011] The homogenization optical fiber is used for shaping the Gaussian light beam into a flat-top light beam and then outputting the flat-top light beam to the focusing device;

[0012] The focusing device is arranged near the output end of the homogenization optical fiber and is used for focusing and outputting the flat-top light beam to the sample.

[0013] Further, the homogenization energy distribution optical path system further comprises a laser power meter, the laser power meter is located between the output end of the homogenization optical fiber and the focusing device, and the laser power meter is used for measuring the laser energy of the flat-top light beam.

[0014] Further, the homogenization energy distribution optical path system further comprises a controller, and the laser, the displacement table and the laser power meter are all signal-connected with the controller;

[0015] The controller is used for controlling the laser to output the Gaussian light beam according to the preset Gaussian light beam laser energy;

[0016] The controller is used for receiving the laser energy of the flat-top light beam measured by the laser power meter and calculating the coupling efficiency according to the preset Gaussian light beam laser energy;

[0017] The controller is used for controlling the displacement table to move until the coupling efficiency reaches a set value.

[0018] Further, the output light spot of the homogenization optical fiber is one of a circle, a square and a polygon.

[0019] Further, the output light spot of the homogenization optical fiber is a square; and / or

[0020] The fiber mode of the homogenization optical fiber is a multimode; and / or

[0021] The core diameter of the homogenization optical fiber is 10-200 μm.

[0022] Further, the homogenization energy distribution optical path system further comprises a galvanometer, the galvanometer is used for deflecting the light beam output by the focusing device; or,

[0023] The homogenization energy distribution optical path system further comprises a sample stage, and the sample stage is used for placing and moving the sample.

[0024] Further, the coupling device comprises a first beam expanding collimating mirror and a first focusing lens, the first beam expanding collimating mirror is arranged near the laser, and the first focusing lens is arranged near the homogenization optical fiber;

[0025] The first beam expanding collimating mirror is used for shaping the Gaussian light beam into a parallel light beam;

[0026] The first focusing lens is configured to focus the parallel light beam to the input end of the homogenization optical fiber.

[0027] Further, the coupling device further comprises a shaft sleeve, and the first beam expanding collimator and the first focusing lens are coaxially arranged in the shaft sleeve.

[0028] Further, the focusing device comprises a second beam expanding collimator and a second focusing lens, and the second beam expanding collimator is arranged adjacent to the homogenization optical fiber.

[0029] The second beam expanding collimator is configured to reshape the flat-top light beam into a parallel light beam.

[0030] The second focusing lens is configured to focus the parallel light beam and output to the sample.

[0031] Further, the displacement stage comprises an X-axis linear module, a Y-axis linear module and a Z-axis linear module, the Y-axis linear module is connected with the sliding table of the X-axis linear module, the Z-axis linear module is connected with the sliding table of the Y-axis linear module, and the input end of the homogenization optical fiber is connected with the sliding table of the Z-axis linear module.

[0032] Compared with the prior art, the embodiment of the present application has the following beneficial effects: in the present application, the position of the homogenization optical fiber is adjusted by the displacement stage to improve the coupling efficiency of the Gaussian light beam into the homogenization optical fiber; and the Gaussian light beam is reshaped into a flat-top light beam by the homogenization optical fiber, which solves the problem of uneven distribution of laser energy in the existing mass spectrum, reduces the intensity of the additive peak in the nucleic acid mass spectrum application, and significantly improves the overall performance level of the mass spectrum. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] In order to more clearly illustrate the scheme of the present application, the drawings needed in the following embodiment description will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor.

[0034] Figure 1 is a structure schematic diagram of a light path system for homogenizing energy distribution provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 2 is a structure schematic diagram of a shaft sleeve, a displacement stage and a laser power meter in a light path system for homogenizing energy distribution provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 3 is a comparison diagram of output light spots of a homogenization optical fiber in a light path system for homogenizing energy distribution provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] Reference signs: 1, laser; 2, displacement table; 3, coupling device; 31, first beam expanding collimator; 32, first focusing lens; 33, shaft sleeve; 4, homogenization optical fiber; 5, focusing device; 51, second beam expanding collimator; 52, second focusing lens; 6, laser power meter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs; the terminology used in the description herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application; the present application will be described with reference to the drawings in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments of the application. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The use of the terms "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is intended to be broad and encompass the terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of," and variations thereof. The use of the terms "first," "second," and the like does not imply a limitation on the number of objects that can comprise the elements, but rather the order in which the objects are described.

[0039] Reference herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the application. The appearances of the phrase that in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are they necessarily mutually exclusive of one another. As will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, embodiments described herein can be combined with one another.

[0040] In order to make the technical personnel in the art better understand the scheme of the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings.

[0041] The embodiments of the present application provide a light path system for homogenizing energy distribution, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 The light path system for homogenizing energy distribution comprises a laser 1, a displacement table 2, a coupling device 3, a homogenization optical fiber 4 and a focusing device 5. The laser 1 is used to emit a Gaussian beam. The displacement table 2 is connected with the input end of the homogenization optical fiber 4, and the displacement table 2 is used to adjust the position of the input end of the homogenization optical fiber 4. The coupling device 3 is used to couple the Gaussian beam into the input end of the homogenization optical fiber 4. The homogenization optical fiber 4 is used to reshape the Gaussian beam into a flat-top beam and then output to the focusing device 5. The focusing device 5 is arranged near the output end of the homogenization optical fiber 4, and is used to focus the flat-top beam and output to the sample.

[0042] The working principle of the light path system for homogenizing energy distribution provided in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: the laser 1 emits a Gaussian beam, the Gaussian beam is coupled into the input end of the homogenizing optical fiber 4 through the coupling device 3, the focal point of the Gaussian beam is made to be on the output end of the homogenizing optical fiber 4 by adjusting the displacement table 2, the homogenizing optical fiber 4 reshapes the Gaussian beam into a flat-top beam and outputs the flat-top beam to the focusing device 5, and the focusing device 5 focuses the flat-top beam into a required light spot size and then outputs the flat-top beam to the sample.

[0043] The beneficial effect of the light path system for homogenizing energy distribution provided in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: in the present application, the position of the homogenizing optical fiber 4 is adjusted by the displacement table 2 to improve the proportion (i.e. coupling efficiency) of the Gaussian beam entering the homogenizing optical fiber 4; and the Gaussian beam is reshaped into a flat-top beam by the homogenizing optical fiber 4, thereby solving the problem of uneven distribution of laser energy in the existing mass spectrometry, reducing the intensity of additive peaks in the application of nucleic acid mass spectrometry, and significantly improving the overall performance level of the mass spectrometry.

[0044] As shown in Figure 2 Further, the light path system for homogenizing energy distribution further includes a laser power meter 6, the laser power meter 6 is located between the output end of the homogenizing optical fiber 4 and the focusing device 5, and the laser power meter 6 is used to measure the laser energy of the flat-top beam.

[0045] In the embodiment, the laser 1 outputs a Gaussian beam according to a preset Gaussian beam laser energy, the laser power meter 6 measures the laser energy of the flat-top beam output by the homogenizing optical fiber 4, the laser power meter 6 outputs the measured laser energy of the flat-top beam, the proportion (i.e. coupling efficiency) of the Gaussian beam entering the homogenizing optical fiber 4 is judged according to the preset Gaussian beam laser energy and the measured laser energy of the flat-top beam, and when the coupling efficiency is low, the input end of the homogenizing optical fiber 4 is moved again by adjusting the displacement table 2 until the coupling efficiency reaches a required value.

[0046] Further, the light path system for homogenizing energy distribution further includes a controller (not shown), and the laser 1, the displacement table 2 and the laser power meter 6 are all signal-connected with the controller;

[0047] The controller is used to control the laser 1 to output a Gaussian beam according to a preset Gaussian beam laser energy.

[0048] The controller is used to receive the laser energy of the flat-top beam measured by the laser power meter 6 and calculate the coupling efficiency according to the preset Gaussian beam laser energy.

[0049] The controller is used to control the displacement table 2 to move until the coupling efficiency reaches a set value.

[0050] In this embodiment, after setting the controller, manual calculation of coupling efficiency and adjustment of displacement table 2 are not required, and the automation of the light path system for uniform energy distribution is improved.

[0051] Further, the output spot of the homogenization optical fiber 4 is one of a circle, a square, and a polygon.

[0052] Of course, in addition to the above shapes, other shapes are also possible, which are not limited herein.

[0053] Preferably, the output spot of the homogenization optical fiber 4 is a square.

[0054] In this embodiment, when performing nucleic acid mass spectrometry application, the output spot shape of the homogenization optical fiber 4 can be any shape; for example, Figure 3 As shown, when performing mass spectrometry imaging application, the output spot shape of the homogenization optical fiber 4 is preferably a square, and the square spots can be adjacent to each other without gaps in between, solving the problem of missing sampling caused by gaps in between when circular spots are adjacent to each other, and also not causing the problem of oversampling to solve the missing sampling problem, thereby not only improving the imaging quality but also saving the number of laser uses.

[0055] Further, the homogenization optical fiber 4 has a multimode fiber mode.

[0056] In this embodiment, the homogenization optical fiber 4 can simultaneously transmit multiple modes of light waves.

[0057] Further, the homogenization optical fiber 4 has a core diameter of 10-200 μm.

[0058] In some optional embodiments of this embodiment, the homogenization optical fiber 4 has a core diameter of 10 μm, 20 μm, 50 μm, 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 150 μm, 180 μm, 200 μm, or any range between any two of the above.

[0059] Further, the light path system for uniform energy distribution further comprises a galvanometer (not shown) for deflecting the light beam output by the focusing device 5.

[0060] In this embodiment, the galvanometer can deflect the light beam output by the focusing device to splice the spots of the output light beam, thereby improving the sampling efficiency.

[0061] In this embodiment, the galvanometer is signal-connected with the controller, and the deflection of the galvanometer is controlled by the controller to improve the automation.

[0062] Further, the light path system for uniform energy distribution further comprises a sample stage (not shown) for placing and moving the sample.

[0063] In the embodiment, the sample is moved by the stage so that each region of the sample is irradiated by the output beam, improving the sampling efficiency.

[0064] In the embodiment, the stage is connected to the controller in signal and the movement of the stage is controlled by the controller to improve automation.

[0065] As shown in Figure 1 Further, the coupling device 3 further comprises a first beam expander collimator 31 and a first focusing lens 32, the first beam expander collimator 31 is arranged near the laser 1, and the first focusing lens 32 is arranged near the homogenization optical fiber 4.

[0066] The first beam expander collimator 31 is used to shape the Gaussian beam into a parallel beam.

[0067] The first focusing lens 32 is used to focus the parallel beam into the input end of the homogenization optical fiber 4.

[0068] In the embodiment, the Gaussian beam is expanded and collimated by the first beam expander collimator 31 to enlarge the spot size entering the first focusing lens 32, and the spot focused on the input end of the homogenization optical fiber 4 is smaller through the first focusing lens 32. The first beam expander collimator 31 and the first focusing lens 32 cooperate to facilitate the coupling of the Gaussian beam into the input end of the homogenization optical fiber 4.

[0069] As shown in Figure 2 Further, the coupling device 3 further comprises a shaft sleeve 33, and the first beam expander collimator 31 and the first focusing lens 32 are coaxially arranged in the shaft sleeve 33.

[0070] In the embodiment, the shaft sleeve 33 is arranged to facilitate the installation of the first beam expander collimator 31 and the first focusing lens 32, and can ensure the coaxiality between the first beam expander collimator 31 and the first focusing lens 32, improving the utilization rate of the Gaussian beam.

[0071] Further, the focusing device 5 comprises a second beam expander collimator 51 and a second focusing lens 52, and the second beam expander collimator 51 is arranged near the homogenization optical fiber 4.

[0072] The second beam expander collimator 51 is used to shape the flat-top beam into a parallel beam.

[0073] The second focusing lens 52 is used to focus and output the parallel beam to the sample.

[0074] In the embodiment, the parallel light beam is expanded and collimated by the second expansion collimation lens 51 to expand the spot size entering the second focusing lens 52, and the second focusing lens 52 focuses the light beam into a required spot size and then outputs the light beam to the sample. The second expansion collimation lens 51 and the second focusing lens 52 are cooperated to focus the flat-top light beam to the sample.

[0075] Specifically, in the coupling device 3 and the focusing device 5, the first expansion collimation lens 31, the first focusing lens 32, the second expansion collimation lens 51 and the second focusing lens 52 are independent of each other. The focal length of the first focusing lens 32 and the second focusing lens 52, the distance between the first expansion collimation lens 31 and the first focusing lens 32, and the distance between the second expansion collimation lens 51 and the second focusing lens 52 can be considered according to the diameter of the Gaussian light beam emitted by the laser 1 and the core diameter of the homogenization optical fiber 4, which are not limited in the present application.

[0076] Further, the displacement stage 2 includes an X-axis linear module (not shown), a Y-axis linear module (not shown) and a Z-axis linear module (not shown). The Y-axis linear module is connected to the slide table of the X-axis linear module, and the Z-axis linear module is connected to the slide table of the Y-axis linear module. The input end of the homogenization optical fiber 4 is connected to the slide table of the Z-axis linear module.

[0077] In the embodiment, the input end of the homogenization optical fiber 4 is micro-moved along the X, Y and Z axes by the cooperation of the X-axis linear module, the Y-axis linear module and the Z-axis linear module.

[0078] Obviously, the above-described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments. The preferred embodiments of the present application are shown in the drawings, but do not limit the patent scope of the present application. The present application can be implemented in many different forms, and the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the disclosure of the present application more thorough and comprehensive. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalently replace some technical features. Any equivalent structure made by using the contents of the specification and drawings, directly or indirectly applied to other related technical fields, is also within the patent protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A light path system for homogenizing an energy distribution, characterized by The laser, the displacement table, the coupling device, the homogenization fiber and the focusing device are included. The laser is used for emitting a Gaussian beam. The displacement table is connected with the input end of the homogenization fiber, and the displacement table is used for adjusting the position of the input end of the homogenization fiber. The coupling device is used for coupling the Gaussian beam into the input end of the homogenization fiber. The homogenization fiber is used for shaping the Gaussian beam into a flat-top beam and then outputting the flat-top beam to the focusing device. The focusing device is arranged near the output end of the homogenization fiber, and is used for focusing the flat-top beam and outputting the flat-top beam to the sample. The homogenization energy distribution optical system further comprises a laser power meter between the output end of the homogenization fiber and the focusing device, and the laser power meter is used for measuring the laser energy of the flat-top beam.

2. The homogenized energy distribution optical path system of claim 1, wherein, The homogenization energy distribution optical system further comprises a controller, and the laser, the displacement table and the laser power meter are all signal-connected with the controller.

3. The homogenized energy distribution optical system of claim 2, wherein, The controller is used for controlling the laser to output the Gaussian beam according to the preset Gaussian beam laser energy. The controller is used for receiving the laser energy of the flat-top beam measured by the laser power meter, and calculating the coupling efficiency according to the preset Gaussian beam laser energy. The controller is used for controlling the displacement table to move until the coupling efficiency reaches a set value. The output spot of the homogenization fiber is one of a circle, a square and a polygon.

4. The homogenized energy distribution optical system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, 5. The homogenization energy distribution optical system according to claim 4, wherein the output spot of the homogenization fiber is a square; and / or the fiber mode of the homogenization fiber is a multi-mode; and / or the core diameter of the homogenization fiber is 10-200 μm. The homogenization energy distribution optical system further comprises a galvanometer for deflecting the light beam output by the focusing device; or 6. The homogenized energy distribution optical system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The homogenization energy distribution optical system further comprises a sample stage for placing and moving the sample. The coupling device comprises a first beam expanding collimator and a first focusing lens, the first beam expanding collimator is arranged near the laser, and the first focusing lens is arranged near the homogenization fiber.

7. The homogenized energy distribution optical system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The first beam expanding collimator is used for shaping the Gaussian beam into a parallel light beam. The first focusing lens is used for focusing the parallel light beam to the input end of the homogenization fiber. The coupling device further comprises a shaft sleeve, and the first beam expanding collimator and the first focusing lens are coaxially arranged in the shaft sleeve.

8. The homogenized energy distribution optical system of claim 7, wherein, The focusing device comprises a second beam expanding collimator and a second focusing lens, and the second beam expanding collimator is arranged near the homogenization fiber.

9. The homogenized energy distribution optical system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The second beam expanding collimator is used for shaping the flat-top beam into a parallel light beam. The second focusing lens is used for focusing the parallel light beam and outputting the parallel light beam to the sample. The displacement table comprises an X-axis linear module, a Y-axis linear module and a Z-axis linear module, the Y-axis linear module is connected with the sliding table of the X-axis linear module, the Z-axis linear module is connected with the sliding table of the Y-axis linear module, and the input end of the homogenization fiber is connected with the sliding table of the Z-axis linear module.

10. The homogenized energy distribution optical system of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein, ​

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