US 12,272,538 B2
Systems and methods for imaging and ablating a sample
Alexander Makarov, Bremen (DE); Michael Ward, Eugene, OR (US); and Rainer Daum, Wessling (DE)
Assigned to Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmBH, Bremen (DE); Life Technologies Corporation, Carlsbad, CA (US); and FEI Deutschland GmbH, Dreieich (DE)
Appl. No. 17/755,179
Filed by Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH, Bremen (DE); Life Technologies Corporation, Carlsbad, CA (US); and FEI Deutschland GmbH, Dreieich (DE)
PCT Filed Nov. 10, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/081657
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 22, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/104855, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 3, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/941,189, filed on Nov. 27, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0399197 A1, Dec. 15, 2022
Int. Cl. H01J 49/04 (2006.01); G01N 21/64 (2006.01); H01J 49/16 (2006.01); G01N 1/04 (2006.01)
CPC H01J 49/0418 (2013.01) [G01N 21/6452 (2013.01); H01J 49/165 (2013.01); G01N 2001/045 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for imaging and ablating a sample in a manner that allows for analysis of an ablated portion of the sample, the device comprising:
a sample stage having a first side configured for placement of a sample thereon and a second side disposed opposite the first side;
an optical assembly including an objective, the objective being disposed on the second side of the sample stage and being configured to enable microscopic imaging of the sample placed on the sample stage, the optical assembly also including a laser,
wherein the laser is disposed on the second side of the sample stage, the laser being configured to direct laser light through the objective, through the sample stage and into the sample to selectively ablate at least a portion of the sample; and
a receiver disposed on the first side of the sample stage, the receiver being configured to receive ablated material ejected from the sample to enable further analysis of the ablated material, wherein the device is configured to dynamically vary at least one of laser pulse frequency, laser pulse energy level and laser pulse depth during ablation.