DIOS - A new ionization strategy for biomolecular mass spectrometry has been developed based on pulsed laser desorption/ionization from porous silicon surfaces. Desorption/ionization on silicon (DIOS) uses silicon to trap analytes deposited on the surface and laser radiation to vaporize and ionize these molecules. DIOS is demonstrated for biomolecules with little or no fragmentation, in contrast to what is typically observed with other direct desorption/ionization approaches. The ability to perform these measurements without a matrix also makes it more amenable to small molecule analysis. The ease of chemically and structurally modifying silicon has also been used to optimize the ionization characteristics of the surface for biomolecular applications. Overall, desorption/ionization on silicon permits analysis of a wide range of molecules with good sensitivity and a potential for automation, as well as compatibility with microfluidics and microchip technology on silicon.
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