Au-assisted visible laser MALDI

The excitation of UV-absorbing MALDI matrixes with visible laser (532 nm wavelength) and the desorption/ionization of biomolecules were performed by coating the analytes doped matrix with Au thin film (5–10 nm) using ion sputtering deposition. The Au film was first ablated with the laser of higher fluence, resulting in a crater/hole about the size of the laser beam spot on the target. After a few initial laser shots, analytes and matrix related ions were observed from the crater even at lower laser fluence. Electron microscopy inspection on the laser ablated region revealed the formation of nanoparticles with sizes ranging from <10 to 50 nm. Compared with the infra-red laser (1064 nm) excitation, the visible laser produced much higher abundance of matrix radical ions, and less heating effect as measured by the thermometer molecules. The results suggest the photo-excitation and photo-ionization of matrix molecules by the visible laser, possibly assisted by the gold nanoparticles and nanostructures left on the ablated crater.     

Effect of laser pulse energies in laser induced breakdown spectroscopy in double-pulse configuration

In this paper, the effect of laser pulse energy on double-pulse laser induced breakdown spectroscopy signal is studied. In particular, the energy of the first pulse has been changed, while the second pulse energy is held fixed. A systematic study of the laser induced breakdown spectroscopy signal dependence on the interpulse delay is performed, and the results are compared with the ones obtained with a single laser pulse of energy corresponding to the sum of the two pulses. At the same time, the crater formed at the target surface is studied by video-confocal microscopy, and the variation in crater dimensions is correlated to the enhancement of the laser induced breakdown spectroscopy signal. The results obtained are consistent with the interpretation of the double-pulse laser induced breakdown spectroscopy signal enhancement in terms of the changes in ambient gas pressure produced by the shock wave induced by the first laser pulse.     

Enhancements in laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry based on laser properties and ambient environment

Analytical performance of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) depends critically on the interaction between the laser light and the sample. The analyte emission line intensity in ICP-AES depends on the quantity of mass ablated. The effect of laser parameters (wavelength, pulse duration, and power density) was investigated for increasing the quantity of ablated mass. For fixed laser beam energy, the ablated mass can change 2 to 3 orders of magnitude by changing the laser beam spot size on the sample. The ablated mass quantity also depends on laser pulse duration and wavelength; and on ambient gas in the sample chamber. The shorter the pulse duration and wavelength, the higher the quantity of ablated mass. By using He in the chamber, the amount of mass increases by a factor of 2 for 30 ns excimer laser ablation and by an order of magnitude for ps-laser ablation.     

Yb3+ doped fluorophosphate laser glasses with high gain coefficient and improved laser property

Yb³⁺ doped fluorophosphate glasses with high stimulated emission cross-section, large gain coefficient and low hydroxyl absorption coefficient were prepared by high temperature melting for fiber laser applications, and their spectral, general laser parameters were investigated accordingly by means of fluorescence emission spectrum, decay cure and infrared absorption spectra. Compared with previously reported fluorophosphate glasses, the investigated fluorophosphate glasses have highest grain coefficient and maintain a maximum laser systematical factor over other various types of laser glasses. The introduction of fluorides to fluorophosphate glasses results in the low level of hydroxyl absorption coefficient and concentration. All these advantages might mean that Yb³⁺ doped fluorophosphate glasses are a good candidate as an active laser media for short pulse, high power laser generation used for next generation nuclear fusion.     

Infrared laser heterodyne systems

This paper gives a review of mid-infrared laser heterodyne systems. The advantages of using heterodyne detection are described and the different techniques corresponding to the choice of the local oscillator are presented. A thorough discussion of the gas laser heterodyne systems is followed by the presentation of tunable diode laser systems capabilities. Many experiments in the mid-infrared region are reviewed covering the astronomical and atmospheric, ground-based and airborne investigations as well as the laboratory measurements.     

The role of the laser pulse duration in infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

The role of the laser pulse duration in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry with infrared lasers (IR-MALDI-MS) emitting in the 3 microm wavelength range has been evaluated. Mass spectrometric performance and characteristics of the IR-MALDI process were examined by comparing a wavelength-tuneable mid-infrared optical parametric oscillator (OPO) laser of 6 ns pulse duration, tuned to wavelengths of 2.79 and 2.94 microm, with an Er:YAG laser (lambda = 2.94 microm) with two pulse durations of 100 and 185 ns, and an Er:YSGG laser (lambda = 2.79 microm) with a pulse duration of 75 ns. Threshold fluences for the desorption of cytochrome C ions were determined as a function of the laser pulse duration for various common IR-MALDI matrices. For the majority of these matrices a reduction in threshold fluence by a factor of 1.2-1.9 was found by going from the 75-100 ns long pulses of the Erbium lasers to the short 6 ns OPO pulse. Within the experimental accuracy threshold fluences were equal for the 100 and the 185 ns pulse duration of the Er:YAG laser. Some pronounced pulse duration effects related to the ion formation from a glycerol matrix were also observed. The effect of the laser pulse length on the duration of ion emission was furthermore investigated.     

Double pulse laser ablation and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy: A modeling investigation

A numerical model, describing laser–solid interaction (i.e., metal target heating, melting and vaporization), vapor plume expansion, plasma formation and laser–plasma interaction, is applied to describe the effects of double pulse (DP) laser ablation and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Because the model is limited to plume expansion times in the order of (a few) 100 ns in order to produce realistic results, the interpulse delay times are varied between 10 and 100 ns, and the results are compared to the behavior of a single pulse (SP) with the same total energy. It is found that the surface temperature at the maximum is a bit lower in the DP configuration, because of the lower irradiance of one laser pulse, but it remains high during a longer time, because it rises again upon the second laser pulse. Consequently, the target remains for a longer time in the molten state, which suggests that laser ablation in the DP configuration might be more efficient, through the mechanism of splashing of the molten target. The total laser absorption in the plasma is also calculated to be clearly lower in the DP configuration, so that more laser energy can reach the target and give rise to laser ablation. Finally, it is observed that the plume expansion dynamics is characterized by two separate waves, the first one originating from the first laser pulse, and the second (higher) one as a result of the second laser pulse. Initially, the plasma temperature and electron density are somewhat lower than in the SP case, due to the lower energy of one laser pulse. However, they rise again upon the second laser pulse, and after 200 ns, they are therefore somewhat higher than in the SP case. This is especially true for the longer interpulse delay times, and it is expected that these trends will be continued for longer delay times in the μs-range, which are most typically used in DP LIBS, resulting in more intense emission intensities.     

In situ investigation of laser ablation

The complex system of in situ diagnostic methods such as SEM, ballistic microbalance, electric probe and high speed photography is necessary for measurement of basic parameters of laser target interaction. Only the knowledge of these basic parameters allows the discussion of microscopical processes on the target surface by laser irradiation. The results are discussed for our synchronised double laser system and for aluminium target. The mass relation of atoms, ions and droplets emitted by the target was determined. This relation is the base of a complete energy balance of laser target interaction.     

Basic investigations for laser microanalysis: IV. The dependence on the laser wavelength in laser ablation

The fourth harmonic wavelength at 266 nm as well as the fundamental radiation at 1.06 m of a pulsed Nd: YAG laser has been used for ablation of solid samples. Using different buffer gases and different samples, the ablated masses and plasma temperatures obtained with the two different laser wavelengths are compared. The analytical application of 266-nm laser pulses is studied by the measurement of aluminium and manganese in steel and boraxglass (Na₂B₄O₇) samples.     

In situ investigation of laser ablation

The complex system of in situ diagnostic methods such as SEM, ballistic microbalance, electric probe and high speed photography is necessary for measurement of basic parameters of laser target interaction. Only the knowledge of these basic parameters allows the discussion of microscopical processes on the target surface by laser irradiation. The results are discussed for our synchronised double laser system and for aluminium target. The mass relation of atoms, ions and droplets emitted by the target was determined. This relation is the base of a complete energy balance of laser target interaction.     

Two-photon laser photochemistry of a coumarin laser dye

Irradiation of 7-dimethylamino-4-methylcoumarin (1), a commercially available laser dye, in ethanol solution with the focused output of an XeCl excimer laser at 308 nm resulted in the formation of yellow oligomeric material derived from the ethanol solvent. The efficiency of formation of the yellow material was shown to be dependent on the intensity of the laser light, indicating that the photochemistry involved absorption of two photons. The oligomeric material is proposed to be a substance which interferes with stimulated emission in coumarin dye lasers. In addition, acetaldehyde and several gaseous products, principally hydrogen and butane, were formed. A product resulting from the coupling of 1 with the ethanol solvent was also isolated and characterized. Excimer laser irradiation of 1 in methanol yielded formaldehyde, hydrogen and solvent oligomers, while irradiation of 1 in benzene resulted in the formation of a black precipitate. The non-oligomeric products are similar to those observed from the direct irradiation of the solvent in the vacuum-UV region. A mechanism is proposed for the observed photochemistry in which 1 absorbs, sequentially, two photons from the laser pulse, resulting in the formation of a highly excited state which then transfers energy to the solvent.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using a visible laser

Visible matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (VIS-MALDI) was performed using 2-amino-3-nitrophenol as matrix. The matrix is of near-neutral pH, and has an optical absorption band in the near-UV and visible region. A frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser operated at 532 nm wavelength was used for matrix excitation and comparisons were made with a frequency-tripled Nd:YAG laser (355 nm). Visible and ultraviolet (UV)-MALDI produce similar mass spectra for peptides, polymers, and small proteins with comparable sensitivities. Due to the smaller optical absorption coefficient of the matrix at 532 nm wavelength, the optical penetration depth is larger, and the sample consumption per laser shot in VIS-MALDI is higher than that of UV-MALDI. Nevertheless, VIS-MALDI using 2-amino-3-nitrophenol as matrix may offer a complementary technique to the conventional UV-MALDI method in applications where deeper laser penetration is required.     

Influence of the laser fluence in infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization with a 2.94 microm Er : YAG laser and a flat-top beam profile

The dependence of the signal intensity of analyte and matrix ions on laser fluence was investigated for infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (IR-MALDI) mass spectrometry using a flat-top laser beam profile. The beam of an Er : YAG laser (wavelength, 2.94 microm; pulse width, 90 ns) was coupled into a sapphire fiber and the homogeneously illuminated end surface of the fiber imaged on to the sample by a telescope. Three different laser spot sizes of 175, 350 and 700 microm diameter were realized. Threshold fluences of common IR matrices were determined to range from about 1000 to a few thousand J m(-2), depending on the matrix and the size of the irradiated area. In the MALDI-typical fluence range, above the detection threshold ion signals increase strongly with fluence for all matrices, with a dependence similar to that for UV-MALDI. Despite the strongly different absorption coefficients of the tested matrices, varying by more than an order of magnitude at the excitation laser wavelength, threshold fluences for equal spot sizes were found to be comparable within a factor of two. With the additional dependence of fluence on spot size, the deposited energy per volume of matrix at threshold fluence ranged from about 1 kJ mol(-1) for succinic acid to about 100 kJ mol(-1) for glycerol.     

Nonlinear effects of laser radiation and physical model of laser agglomeration process

Nonlinear effects of pulsed and continuous laser radiation on mineral samples from technogenic placers in the Amur river region, containing submicron gold which cannot be extracted by modern gravity separation methods, were studied. The formation of self-organized gold structures on the surface of silicate matrix was detected, and general relations for the agglomeration and concentration of “nonrecoverable” gold species were found. The agglomeration process was simulated by a nonlinear heat conduction equation for onedimensional case including laser radiation parameters.     

Electrochemical characterisation of laser welding tracks

The advantages of laser welding are high process velocity, the possibility to joint alloys, which are not solderable, and the high bonding strength. During the laser welding process a high energy input in a very short time and a small area is performed, resulting in possible changes of structure and composition. Direct information of the change of the electrochemical behaviour of dental alloys after Laser welding procedure does not exist. The aim of this work was, therefore, to assess the electrochemical behaviour of laser welded joints in comparison with the bulk material using the mini-cell system. The logI vs. E curves performed on the bulk material show a complete change concerning the characteristic data, the shape and the position in comparison to such curves measured on the laser track. The characterisation of the electrochemical behaviour of laser welding tracks seems to be very easy by using the mini-cell system.     

Matrix-free infrared soft laser desorption/ionization

Infrared soft laser desorption/ionization was performed using a 2.94 µm Er : YAG laser and a commercial reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The instrument was modified so that a 337 nm nitrogen laser could be used concurrently with the IR laser to interrogate samples. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI), laser desorption/ionization and desorption/ionization on silicon with UV and IR lasers were compared. Various target materials were tested for IR soft desorption ionization, including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, silicon, porous silicon and polyethylene. Silicon surfaces gave the best performance in terms of signal level and low-mass interference. The internal energy resultant of the desorption/ionization was assessed using the easily fragmented vitamin B₁₂ molecule. IR ionization produced more analyte fragmentation than UV-MALDI analysis. Fragmentation from matrix-free IR desorption from silicon was comparable to that from IR-MALDI. The results are interpreted as soft laser desorption and ionization resulting from the absorption of the IR laser energy by the analyte and associated solvent molecules. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

几种碳卤化物多通道激光化学的研究

本文用CW和TEA CO2激光器研究了F12(CF2Cl2)、F114(CF2ClCF2Cl)和F22(CF2HCl)等碳卤化合物的激光诱导解离反应, 实验发现, 在激光作用下, 这些化合物的解离方式不仅与化合物的性质有关, 还与激光的能量密度密切相关; F22的激光解离为一级反应,并存在“瓶颈效应".     

Applications of laser microprobe mass spectrometry in organic analysis

The ability to focus the laser accurately onto the sample with a small beam diameter (2.0–3.0 μm) enables laser mass spectrometry to be used as a microprobe. Results from a fully automated ion-mapping system for laser mass spectrometry are described. These results show that the spatial resolution of the laser microprobe is primarily limited by the diameter of the laser beam. Factors such as laser power density, laser focus, sample preparation, and chemical environment influence the reproducibility of laser mass spectra significantly. Calibration curves obtained in the analysis of mixtures of phenanthrolines demonstrate that laser mass spectrometry can be used to quantify organic components. Preliminary results on the detection of neutral molecules resulting from metastable decomposition in the flight tube are also presented.