Systems and methods for laser assisted sample transfer to solution for chemical analysis

摘要

Systems and methods are described for laser ablation of an analyte from a specimen and capturing of the analyte in a dispensed solvent to form a testing solution. A solvent dispensing and extraction system can form a liquid microjunction with the specimen. The solvent dispensing and extraction system can include a surface sampling probe. The laser beam can be directed through the surface sampling probe. The surface sampling probe can also serve as an atomic force microscopy probe. The surface sampling probe can form a seal with the specimen. The testing solution including the analyte can then be analyzed using an analytical instrument or undergo further processing.

主权项

1. A method of extracting an analyte from a specimen, comprising:
providing a specimen having a specimen surface; providing a solvent dispensing and extraction system including a surface sampling probe for dispensing and extracting a solvent solution to and from the specimen surface so as to directly contact the specimen surface with solvent solution and form a continuous flowing liquid microjunction between the specimen surface and the probe; directing a laser beam to ablate a portion of the analyte from the specimen; capturing the ablated analyte after exposure to said laser beam in the solvent in the liquid microjunction; and, extracting the analyte-containing solvent from the specimen surface.