METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED LASER DESORPTION IONIZATION TANDEM MASS SPECTROMETRY

摘要

Laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometer instruments that includ e source, probe (16), bulk head (42), proble holder (40), and chambers (44, 20 ) are presented, as are analytical methods that employ such instruments to achieve increased sensitivity and ion yield. Also presented are laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry methods that improve sensitivity and relative ion yield by combining affinity capture probes with matrices having low melting point energy absorbing molecules combined with alkali metal scavengers.