Categories of exhibits
MALDI source ion & laser optics
Exhibit no. 702
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) is an ionization technique that uses a laser to irradiate molecules embedded in a solid or liquid matrix. UV lasers such as nitrogen (337 nm) or frequency-tripled Nd:YAG (355 nm) lasers are commonly used. An X-Y stage moves the target plate to select a spot. The laser beam is then directed through an aperture onto the plate and ions generated by desorption/ionization processes are accelerated to the mass analyzer. MALDI sources usually allow observing the selected spot using a video camera.
The exhibit is an assembly with lenses and mirrors of laser optics, illumination and camera optics, and metal potential plates for applying source voltages. The round plate electrode contains center aperture for the ion beam, and four larger, radially symmetrical apertures used for laser light pulse, illumination light, and video camera observation. This exhibit comes from MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer Reflex IV (Bruker Daltonics) manufactured in the 2000s.
Wikipedia: matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization
Holle A., Coster K., Franzen J.: Method for improved mass resolution with a TOF-LD source (US patent)
.jpg)
