Apparatus and method for sub-micrometer elemental image analysis by mass spectrometry
First Claim
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1. A mass spectrometer system for elemental analysis of a planar sample, the mass spectrometer system comprising:
- a) a sample interface comprising a holder that is configured to hold a substrate comprising a planar sample;
b) a primary ion source capable of irradiating a segment on the planar sample with a beam of primary ions that is less than 1 mm in diameter, wherein irradiation of the planar sample with the primary ions results in the production of secondary elemental atomic ions derived from staining elements associated with the planar sample;
c) an orthogonal ion mass-to-charge ratio analyzer positioned downstream of sample interface, the analyzer being configured to separate secondary elemental atomic ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio by time of flight;
d) a main ion detector for detecting the secondary elemental atomic ions and producing mass spectra measurements; and
e) a synchronizer that associates the mass spectra measurements with positions on the planar sample,wherein the system is configured so that so that the beam of primary ions scans across the planar sample in two dimensions.
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Abstract
A mass spectrometer system having: a primary ion source capable of irradiating a segment on a planar sample with a beam of primary ions, an orthogonal ion mass-to-charge ratio, the analyzer being configured to separate secondary elemental atomic ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio by time of flight; an ion detector for detecting secondary elemental atomic ions and producing mass spectra measurements; and a synchronizer. In the system, the beam of primary ions scans across the planar sample in two dimensions and the synchronizer associates the mass spectra measurements with positions on the planar sample.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A mass spectrometer system for elemental analysis of a planar sample, the mass spectrometer system comprising:
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a) a sample interface comprising a holder that is configured to hold a substrate comprising a planar sample; b) a primary ion source capable of irradiating a segment on the planar sample with a beam of primary ions that is less than 1 mm in diameter, wherein irradiation of the planar sample with the primary ions results in the production of secondary elemental atomic ions derived from staining elements associated with the planar sample; c) an orthogonal ion mass-to-charge ratio analyzer positioned downstream of sample interface, the analyzer being configured to separate secondary elemental atomic ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio by time of flight; d) a main ion detector for detecting the secondary elemental atomic ions and producing mass spectra measurements; and e) a synchronizer that associates the mass spectra measurements with positions on the planar sample, wherein the system is configured so that so that the beam of primary ions scans across the planar sample in two dimensions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for reconstructing an image of a planar sample, comprising:
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(a) placing said planar sample comprising staining elements into the holder of the mass spectrometer system comprising; i. a sample interface comprising a holder that is configured to hold a substrate comprising a planar sample; ii. a primary ion source capable of irradiating a segment on the planar sample with a beam of primary ions that is less than 1 mm in diameter, wherein irradiation of the planar sample with the primary ions results in the production of secondary elemental atomic ions derived from staining elements associated with the planar sample; iii. an orthogonal ion mass-to-charge ratio analyzer positioned downstream of sample interface, the analyzer being configured to separate secondary elemental atomic ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio by time of flight; iv. a main ion detector for detecting the secondary elemental atomic ions and producing mass spectra measurements; and v. a synchronizer that associates the mass spectra measurements with positions on the planar sample, wherein the system is configured so that so that the beam of primary ions scans across the planar sample in two dimensions; (b) producing a data file containing mass spectra measurements for an area of the planar sample using the mass spectrometer system, wherein said mass spectra measurements are associated with positions on the planar sample; and (c) reconstructing an image of said of the planar sample using the mass spectra measurements. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification