Patent ID: 6707031
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A laser optical bench for use with a laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometer, the laser optical bench comprising:a laser for producing light; focusing and beam expanding means that receives light from the laser and focuses it predominantly in a single plane, wherein the plane is defined by a major axis and a minor axis; a gradient neutral density filter (GNDF) having an optical density gradient, wherein the focusing and beam expanding means orients the light on the GNDF such that the major axis is aligned with the optical density gradient in a neutral density orientation; beam steering means for directing light from the GNDF to a target; and a first focusing element for focusing light from the beam steering means on the target, thereby producing a target image; wherein the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of the target image is in a range of 5:1 and 20:1.