Sample Support Structure for Precise Beam Focal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample supports for mass spectrometry struggle with accurately aligning the focal point of energy beams, such as laser beams, which affects the sensitivity and resolution of component detection.
Innovation Solution
A sample support with a film part and a support part, where the film part has through-holes and is fixed to the support part in a configuration that allows the focal point of the energy beam to be aligned with high accuracy by positioning the adapter's reference surface on the same plane as the outer portion's surface, enabling precise alignment without the need for additional fixing methods like tapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional sample support with a conductive layer on a substrate is used, then the structure is simple, but the positioning accuracy of the focal point relative to the sample surface is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sample support is divided into distinct functional parts: a film part containing the sample and through-holes, a support part providing mechanical strength, and an outer portion serving as a reference surface. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function while enabling precise positioning of the focal point relative to the sample surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer portion of the support part serves dual functions: it provides structural support and simultaneously acts as a reference surface for positioning. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate reference surfaces or additional alignment components, achieving high positioning accuracy without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If additional fixing methods like tapes are used to improve alignment, then positioning accuracy improves, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sample support structure includes an outer portion that automatically serves as a reference surface for positioning. When the sample support is mounted in the adapter, this outer portion aligns with the adapter's reference surface, enabling precise positioning without requiring additional fixing methods like tapes or manual alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer portion of the support part and the adapter's reference surface are designed to be positioned on the same plane, creating an equipotential reference system. This design ensures that the focal point of the energy beam automatically aligns with the sample surface when the adapter is properly mounted, simplifying the operation while maintaining high alignment accuracy.
3Reliability
If the focal point is not accurately aligned with the sample surface, then the structure remains simple, but detection sensitivity and resolution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sample support is segmented into a film part for sample containment and an outer portion for positioning reference. This segmentation allows the outer portion to be precisely engineered as a reference surface that aligns with the adapter's reference surface, ensuring accurate focal point positioning and high detection sensitivity without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer portion of the support part acts as an intermediary element between the sample and the adapter. It provides a reference surface that mediates the positioning relationship, ensuring that when the adapter is mounted, the focal point is accurately positioned relative to the sample surface, thereby improving detection reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for highly accurate positioning of the energy beam's focal point, enhancing the sensitivity and resolution of component detection in mass spectrometry by ensuring the beam aligns with the sample support's surface, improving analysis efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a laser desorption/ionization method is known as a method of ionizing a sample such as a biological sample to perform mass spectrometry
Implementation Method 2
a difference generated between a position of the first front surface and a position of the third front surface in a thickness direction of the film part is smaller than a thickness of the film part
Data Source
AI summary
A sample support is used for ionization of a sample. The sample support includes a film part having a first front surface and a first back surface, the film part being formed with a plurality of through-holes, and a support part defining a measurement region for ionizing the sample with respect to the film part and supporting the film part. The support part includes an inner portion having a second front surface and a second back surface, the film part being fixed to the inner portion, and an outer portion having a third front surface and a third back surface and extending along an outer edge of the inner portion. A difference generated between a position of the first front surface and a position of the third front surface in a thickness direction of the film part is smaller than a thickness of the film part.