Mass Spectrometry,Review of the Basics: Electrospray,MALDI, and Commonly Used Mass Analyzers

Abstract

Mass spectrometry (MS) has progressed to become a powerful analytical tool for both quantitative and qualitative applications. The first mass spectrometer was constructed in 1912 and since then it has developed from only analyzing small inorganic molecules to biological macromolecules, practically with no mass limitations. Proteomics research, in particular, increasingly depends on MS technologies. The ability of mass spectrometry analyzing proteins and other biological extracts is due to the advances gained through the development of soft ionization techniques such as electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) that can transform biomolecules into ions. ESI can efficiently be interfaced with separation techniques enhancing its role in the life and health sciences. MALDI, however, has the advantage of producing singly charges ions of peptides and proteins, minimizing spectral complexity. Regardless of the ionization source, the sensitivity of a mass spectrometer is related to the mass analyzer where ion separation occurs. Both quadrupole and time of flight (ToF) mass analyzers are commonly used and they can be configured together as QToF tandem mass spectrometric instruments. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), as the name indicates, is the result of performing two or more sequential separations of ions usually coupling two or more mass analyzers. Coupling a quadrupole and time of flight resulted in the production of high-resolution mass spectrometers (i.e., Q-ToF). This article will historically introduce mass spectrometry and summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of ESI and MALDI along with quadrupole and ToF mass analyzers, including the technical marriage between the two analyzers. This article is educational in nature and intended for graduate students and senior biochemistry students as well as chemists and biochemists who are not familiar with mass spectrometry and would like to learn the basics; it is not intended for mass spectrometry experts.     

Mass Spectrometry,Review of the Basics: Ionization

Abstract: Mass spectrometry (MS) has become an integral tool in life sciences. The first step in MS analysis is ion formation (ionization). Many ionization methods currently exist; electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) are the most commonly used. ESI relies on the formation of charged droplets releasing ions from the surface (ion evaporation model) or via complete solvent evaporation (charge residual model). MALDI ionization, however, is facilitated via laser energy and the use of a matrix. Despite wide use, ESI cannot efficiently ionize nonpolar compounds. Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and atmospheric pressure photo ionization (APPI) are better suited for such tasks. APPI requires photon energy and a dopant, whereas APCI is similar to chemical ionization. In 2004, ambient MS was introduced in which ionization occurs at the sample in its native form. Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) and direct analysis in real time (DART) are the most widely used methods. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of the main ionization methods and the mechanisms of ion formation. This article is educational and intended for students/researchers who are not very familiar with MS and would like to learn the basics; it is not for MS experts.     

Effects of band mixing on the radiative properties of a quantum well

The effect of band mixing and non-parabolicity on quantum well gain and spontaneous emission is studied using k.p theory. Spectra of gain and spontaneous emission are strongly modified but the relation of maximum gain versus nominal current density is not strongly affected.     

ZL108镍基粉末激光表面合金化气孔与裂纹的研究

ZL10 8表面镍基粉末激光合金化的实验研究表明 :激光合金化层的显微组织由两部分组成 ,与基体金属交界处是垂直于熔合线生长的具有定向凝固特征的树枝状晶 ,合金化区是细小的等轴状晶。在树枝状晶相邻间的凹陷处和基体金属未熔化晶粒的界面上最有可能产生气泡核 ,熔池保护不良 ,合金粉末或粘接剂中残存水分 ,均是影响气泡生成的主要因素。对于合金层中的裂纹 ,主要是在熔池凝固末期 ,已凝固合金化层金属塑性不足并在残余拉应力作用下造成的低塑性脆化裂纹。     

激光在测定液体表面张力系数及折射率中的应用

实验发现 :激光束照射在振动的液面上 ,表面波对入射光可产生衍射 ;用扩束后的激光束入射在插入细针的液面区 ,其反射光场中心分布近似为一暗椭圆形。以上两种实验现象机理 ,可用于液体表面张力系数的测定。激光经小孔透射样品池中的液体介质 ,在液体上表面发生遮光效应 ,根据其机理 ,建立了一种测量液体折射率的新方法     

GaAs外延薄膜的As缺位研究

研制太赫兹量子级联激光器的核心是制备以GaAs为代表的量子阱超晶格,在制备GaAs为代表的量子阱超晶格过程中,需要解决As缺位等基础性物理问题。采用激光分子束外延技术制备了GaAs外延薄膜,研究了实验参数对GaAs薄膜性能,特别是As缺位的影响。在线RHEED测试结果表明,GaAs可以实现外延生长。原位XPS和UPS等测试研究结果表明,激光分子束外延技术制备GaAs外延薄膜过程中存在As缺位问题,激光能量对GaAs薄膜中As含量具有明显的影响,要获得理想成分比的GaAs外延薄膜,需要较高的脉冲激光能量(600 mJ)。     

飞秒激光细胞操作与手术系统

本文介绍了激光镊子和激光微手术刀的工作原量，评价了激光镊子和激光微手术结合构成的激光细胞操作与手术系统构成的激光细胞操作与手术系统在细胞生物学领域取得的研究成果及飞秒激光细胞操作手术系统。     

引信作用方式自适应控制技术研究

介绍了为信作用方式自适应技术研制的系统的设计思想及工作原理，本系统的研制通过引信自适应一些不确定的作战条件，作战参数的变化，准确判别目标，在最佳时刻，最佳距离，选择最佳方式，最大限度地发挥战斗部对目标的毁伤能力，针对系统设计中的问题进行了说明，就三支路小视场探测方式，光信号基准时刻精度提取，抗海浪干扰，海情识别等关键技术进行了分析，同时分析了系统的原理框图及软件流程，系统的各项性能指标达到方案要求并经过了测试验证。     

基于MODBUS协议的激光雕刻切割系统HMI人机交互设备

近年来,国内激光雕刻切割控制器技术发展迅速,基于PC的传统控制器已相当成熟.为了显著提高工业生产效率,适应工业生产规模扩张的需要以及工业对系统稳定性要求的提高,目前国内几家专业运动控制器厂家已经实现了激光雕刻切割控制器的完全脱机运行.本文针对脱机控制器的需要设计一款人机交互设备,该设备采用AT89C55WD单片机为主控制器,采用标准的MODBUS协议实现HMI与脱机控制器的可靠通讯.     

铝基刚挠结合板制作工艺探讨

金属铝基由于其良好的散热性能,广泛应用于LED方面;但随着PCB技术进一步向短、小、轻、薄的方向发展,其平面安装技术在安装空间方面受到了极大的限制,因此,如何实现金属基板三维折叠安装成为业界新的研究课题。对铝基＋软硬结合板的制作工艺进行了可行性探讨,通过铝基表面复合处理工艺＋纯胶预贴局部撕胶十二氧化碳激光切割技术有效实现了金属铝基与挠性电路的有机结合,满足了客户对金属基板实现三维安装的特种需求。