US4243887A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for analyzing a sample with the aid of pulsed laser irradiation
Assignee: Balzers und Leybold Deutschland Holding AG
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Filing: 1979-05-01
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Granted: 1981-01-06
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Expires: 1999-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for analyzing a sample comprising the steps of irradiating a selected area of the sample with a first burst of laser energy to vaporize the sample, condensing the vaporized sample on the surface of an intermediate carrier and analyzing the condensed sample material deposited on the intermediate carrier.
Inventors
- 👤 Franz Hillenkamp
- 👤 Raimund Kaufmann
- 👤 Eberhard Unsold
- 👤 Rainer Nietsche
- 👤 Reiner Wechsung
- 👤 Henning Vogt
- 👤 Walter Bank
- 👤 Lothar Aberle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/62; G01N27/64; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/2813; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/71; G01N21/718
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of analyzing a sample comprising the steps of: irradiating a selected area of said sample with a first burst of energy from a pulsed laser, said selected area being vaporized by the energy impinging thereon; condensing the vaporized sample material on the surface of an intermediate carrier; and analyzing the condensed sample material deposited on said intermediate carrier.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of analyzing a sample comprising the steps of: irradiating a selected area of said sample with a first burst of energy from a pulsed laser, said selected area being vaporized by the energy impinging thereon; condensing the vaporized sample material on the surface of an intermediate carrier; and analyzing the condensed sample material deposited on said intermediate carrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method defined by claim 1 wherein said analyzing step includes irradiating the condensed sample material on said intermediate carrier with a second burst of energy from said pulsed laser to produce ions of said sample material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method defined by claim 2 which includes the step of determining the mass of said ions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method defined by claim 2 wherein a selected quantity of the sample material on said intermediate carrier is analyzed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method defined by claim 2 wherein all of the sample material on said intermediate carrier is analyzed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method defined by claim 2 wherein the sample material on said intermediate carrier is irradiated a plurality of times, and which includes the step of summing the mass spectra produced thereby.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
45 words
The method defined by claims 2 or 6 wherein during said analyzing step a portion of said intermediate carrier is vaporized by said second burst of energy from said pulsed laser source, said vaporized portion of said intermediate carrier being used for calibration during analysis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method defined by claim 1 wherein said intermediate carrier is transparent to the energy from said pulsed laser.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
109 words
The method defined by claims 2 or 6 wherein the energy from said pulsed laser is projected through a lens system and said analysis is carried out by means of a spectrometer, said method comprising the further steps of positioning said sample at an optimum distance from said lens system prior to irradiation by said sample with said first burst of laser energy, and positioning said intermediate carrier at an optimum distance from the inlet of said spectrometer following irradiation of said sample by said first burst of laser energy and prior to irradiation of said condensed sample on said intermediate carrier with said second burst of laser energy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus for analyzing a sample, comprising an evacuatable housing, means for introducing brusts of laser energy into said housing, sample support means located within said housing for positioning said sample to receive a first burst of laser energy, an intermediate carrier located within said housing adjacent said sample support means for depositing thereon vapor produced by said first burst of laser energy, and means for recording the charged particles or quanta produced by a second burst of laser energy impinging on said intermediate carrier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus for analyzing a sample, comprising an evacuatable housing, means for introducing brusts of laser energy into said housing, sample support means located within said housing for positioning said sample to receive a first burst of laser energy, an intermediate carrier located within said housing adjacent said sample support means for depositing thereon vapor produced by said first burst of laser energy, and means for recording the charged particles or quanta produced by a second burst of laser energy impinging on said intermediate carrier.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 10 wherein said intermediate carrier comprises material which is transparent to said laser energy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 10 which further comprises movable intermediate carrier support means located within said housing for supporting a plurality of said intermediate carriers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 12 wherein said carrier support means is rotatable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 10 wherein said sample support means supports a plurality of samples and is moveable with respect to said housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 14 wherein said sample support means is rotatable.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
164 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 10 wherein said sample support means supports a plurality of samples on the periphery thereof, said sample support means being rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of said housing and translatable in a direction normal to the axis of said housing; said apparatus further comprising intermediate carrier support means located within said housing for supporting a plurality of said intermediate carriers on the periphery thereof, said carrier support means being rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of said housing and translatable in a direction parallel to the axis of said housing, said rotatable and translatable sample and intermediate carrier support means permitting said samples and intermediate carriers to be positioned prior to said first burst of laser energy for optimum vaporization and condensation of a desired area of said sample on an intermediate carrier and prior to said second burst of laser energy for optimum analysis of the sample material deposited on said intermediate carrier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-01-06 | 1984-07-07 | 1985-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-06 | 1988-07-07 | 1989-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-06 | 1992-07-07 | 1993-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |