title: Implementation of a Gaussian beam laser and aspheric optics for high spatial resolution MALDI imaging MS.
abstract: We have investigated the use of a Gaussian beam laser for MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry to provide a precisely defined laser spot of 5 μm diameter on target using a commercial MALDI TOF instrument originally designed to produce a 20 μm diameter laser beam spot at its smallest setting. A Gaussian beam laser was installed in the instrument in combination with an aspheric focusing lens. This ion source produced sharp ion images at 5 μm spatial resolution with signals of high intensity as shown for images from thin tissue sections of mouse brain.
authors.affiliation: Mass Spectrometry Research Center, National Research Resource for Imaging Mass Spectrometry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zavalin
authors.forename: Junhai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haase
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holle
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caprioli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000737:chemistry; D007834:Lasers; D051379:Mice; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins