Dynamics of matrix-assisted laser desorption as revealed by the associated acoustic signal

Some characteristics of the commonly used ultraviolet matrices for matrix-assisted laser desorption were determined, including solubilities in methanol and solid-phase absorption spectra. Differences between frontside and rearside desorption geometries are observed. Acoustic and quartz crystal microbalance signals were investigated as possible means of quantification of the amount of material vaporized by each laser pulse. Evidence for the existence of desorption thresholds is presented. Threshold values were determined to be in the 2–3 MW/cm2 range.