Transmission-Geometry Ion Source for Higher Yield, Cleaner Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mass spectrometry techniques, such as MALDI-2 and transmission-mode MALDI, face challenges in achieving high sensitivity and ionization efficiency, particularly for imaging applications, due to limitations in ionization yield and contamination of optical elements.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a transparent substrate for desorption and post-desorption ionization, where electromagnetic waves pass through the substrate to interact with desorbed sample material, extending the interaction path and enhancing ionization probability, and incorporating a vacuum chamber with gas feed for controlled environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electromagnetic waves are directed from the front onto the specimen slide for ablation, then ionization efficiency is improved, but optical elements are contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional front-side ablation approach by directing the ablation laser beam from the rear side of the specimen slide through the transparent substrate to the sample. This reversal allows optical elements to be positioned away from the desorption site, eliminating contamination while maintaining ionization efficiency through subsequent post-desorption ionization beams applied from the front
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the ablation process from the front-side optical path by performing it through the transparent substrate from the rear. This separation removes the source of contamination (ablation debris) from the optical elements that detect ions, allowing clean optical detection while maintaining effective sample ablation and ionization
2Quantity of substance
If post-desorption ionization beams are applied from the front above the specimen slide, then ionization yield is improved, but optical elements are exposed to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the function of post-desorption ionization from direct contact with the sample surface by applying it through the transparent substrate from the rear side. This allows high ionization yield to be achieved while optical elements remain positioned away from contaminated zones
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent substrate acts as an intermediary medium that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through for both ablation and post-desorption ionization while physically separating the optical elements from the sample surface, preventing contamination while maintaining effective ionization
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ablation laser beam passes through the specimen slide from the rear, then optical elements are protected from contamination, but ionization efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by implementing a two-stage process: first ablation from the rear creates desorbed material, then immediate post-desorption ionization from the front (through the transparent substrate) converts neutrals to ions. This continuous sequence maintains high ionization efficiency while the transparent substrate protects optical elements throughout the process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by employing different electromagnetic wave parameters for ablation versus post-desorption ionization. The ablation beam uses parameters optimized for material removal from the rear, while the subsequent ionization beam uses parameters optimized for ion production through the transparent substrate, maximizing both protection and efficiency
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
Enhances ionization yield and reduces contamination of optical elements, improving sensitivity and detection capabilities for mass spectrometry, especially in imaging applications.
Implementation Method 1
said desorption device being arranged and designed to desorb deposited sample material from a desorption site on the substrate using at least one energy burst
Implementation Method 2
said ionization device being arranged and designed to irradiate the desorbed sample material above the substrate after the at least one energy burst using electromagnetic waves
Implementation Method 3
the electromagnetic waves pass through the substrate, before encountering the desorbed sample material
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus to generate ions from sample material deposited on a substrate which is at least partially transparent to electromagnetic waves, comprises: —a support device having a holder for the substrate, —a desorption/ionization unit including a desorption device and an ionization device, said desorption device being configured to desorb deposited sample material from a desorption site on the substrate using at least one energy burst, and said ionization device being configured to irradiate the desorbed sample material above the substrate with electromagnetic waves after the at least one energy burst, wherein the electromagnetic waves pass through the substrate before encountering the desorbed sample material at a location which corresponds to the desorption site, and —an extraction device which is arranged and designed to extract ions from the desorbed sample material and transfer them into an analyzer. The invention also relates to a correspondingly arranged method.