matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation

matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation

A process in mass spectrometry in which sample molecules are mixed with an excess of an energy-absorbing matrix and co-crystallised in a thin film on an inert metal support. Repeated irradiation of the film with a pulsed laser releases ions from the surface, which can be accelerated into a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Because the matrix is usually a solid organic acid, the predominant mode of ionisation is protonation of the sample molecule M to form M H.