MOTORIZED TRACKING OF SAMPLE CELL WITHIN SPECIMEN CHAMBER AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME

摘要

A sampling apparatus (100) employs a cell-positioning system to move a sample capture cell (138) relative to a specimen positioning system (124). The cell-positioning system may be controlled to move sample capture cell (138) opposite to movement of the specimen positioning system (124) to maintain alignment of the sample capture cell (138) with an optical path of a laser beam of a sample generator (108). Alternatively or additionally, the cell-positioning system may be controlled to move sample capture cell (138) in response to alignment deviation of a reference beam on a quadrant detector (404).

主权项

1. An apparatus for handling specimen material removed from a laser ablation site of a specimen, the apparatus comprising:
a specimen stage configured to support the specimen; and a sample capture cell configured to receive specimen material removed from the laser ablation site when the sample capture cell is operably proximate to the laser ablation site; a cell-positioning system configured to move the sample capture cell relative to the specimen stage, the cell-positioning system including at least one actuator for imparting motion to the sample capture cell.