Inventors:
Yanfeng Chen - Atlanta GA, US
M. Cameron Sullards - Atlanta GA, US
Thomas M. Orlando - Atlanta GA, US
Joseph A. Hankin - Denver CO, US
Robert C. Murphy - Denver CO, US
Robert M. Barkley - Boulder CO, US
Assignee:
Georgia Tech Research Corporation - Atlanta GA
International Classification:
H01J 49/04
Abstract:
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for depositing solvent-free molecules on surfaces of samples, with particular application to imaging mass spectrometry. A vacuum chamber is configured to have controllable matrix translation apparatus for controlling the position of one or more solvent-free matrices within the chamber. Sublimation apparatus is used to sublimate molecules from the solid phase matrices. One or more samples are placed separately from the solvent-free matrices within the chamber. Condensation apparatus individually cools the samples to deposit sublimated molecules on the samples. Controllable sample translation apparatus is used to control the position of the samples within the chamber. Rotatable sample holding apparatus may be used to hold and move the samples to allow deposition of molecules on multiple samples at substantially the same time. Rotatable matrix holding apparatus may also be used to hold and move a plurality of matrices to create a homogenous mixture of molecules that are deposited onto one or more samples.