Solid-State Laser System for MALDI Ion Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MALDI mass spectrometers face limitations with nitrogen lasers, including short lifespan, low repetition rate, and spatial inhomogeneity in intensity distribution, which affect ionization efficiency and analytical performance.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state laser system emitting a pulsed laser beam in the 332-342 nanometer wavelength range with a spatially modulated intensity distribution, replicating the nitrogen laser's intensity profile to enhance ionization efficiency and longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If nitrogen lasers are used in MALDI mass spectrometers, then the laser can be easily operated at the required wavelength, but the laser has short lifespan and low repetition rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the laser system by replacing the nitrogen laser medium with a solid-state laser medium (such as Nd:YAG or Nd:YVO4 crystals). This parameter change enables the laser to operate at the required 337 nm wavelength through frequency quadrupling while achieving dramatically improved lifespan (over 10^9 pulses versus 10^7 for nitrogen lasers) and higher repetition rates (up to 10 kHz versus 100 Hz for nitrogen lasers).
2Ease of operation
If nitrogen lasers are used in MALDI mass spectrometers, then the laser can be easily operated at the required wavelength, but the repetition rate is limited to around 100 hertz
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the laser system by replacing the nitrogen laser medium with a solid-state laser medium (such as Nd:YAG or Nd:YVO4 crystals). This parameter change enables the laser to operate at the required 337 nm wavelength through frequency quadrupling while achieving dramatically improved lifespan (over 10^9 pulses versus 10^7 for nitrogen lasers) and higher repetition rates (up to 10 kHz versus 100 Hz for nitrogen lasers).
3Device complexity
If nitrogen lasers are used, then the laser system is simple to implement, but the intensity distribution on the sample is spatially inhomogeneous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the beam profile parameter by replacing the nitrogen laser's inherently flat-top profile with a solid-state laser that naturally produces a Gaussian intensity distribution. This parameter change results in more homogeneous intensity distribution on the sample surface, improving ionization uniformity without requiring additional beam-shaping optics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical elements (lenses, mirrors) to replicate and distribute the laser intensity pattern across the sample surface, creating multiple intensity peaks that cover the entire analysis area uniformly. This copying approach ensures homogeneous ionization across the sample while maintaining the benefits of the solid-state laser source.
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
The solid-state laser system extends the lifespan and increases the repetition rate of ion generation, maintaining analytical performance comparable to nitrogen lasers while allowing seamless transition from nitrogen to solid-state lasers without altering preparation or measurement specifications.
Implementation Method 1
a solid-state laser system, which emits a pulsed laser beam in the wavelength range between 332 and 342 nanometers
Implementation Method 2
The prepared MALDI sample is irradiated with a short laser pulse, which is strongly absorbed by the matrix molecules
Implementation Method 3
By the pulsed irradiation, the solid matrix is explosively transferred into the gaseous phase of a vaporization cloud (desorption)
Implementation Method 4
The analyte molecules are usually ionized by being protonated or deprotonated in reactions with matrix molecules or matrix ions
Implementation Method 5
matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization
Data Source
AI summary
An ion source generating ions by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) comprising a MALDI sample support and a solid-state the laser system generating a pulsed laser beam, which has a wavelength in the range between 332 and 342 nanometers and is spatially shaped in the solid-state laser system such that the spatial intensity distribution of the laser beam on the MALDI sample support exhibits more than one intensity peak.