通过质谱成像可视化分子二维分布的方法发展迅速，并在生物学、医学和材料表面科学中产生新的应用。大多数质谱成像仪逐点获取高质量分辨率光谱，从而扫描物体的表面。因此，成像是缓慢的并且图像重建仍然是麻烦的。在这里，我们描述了一个成像质谱仪，利用真正的成像能力的离子光学手段的飞行时间质量分离。质谱仪配备ASIC Timepix芯片作为阵列检测器，以获取通过MALDI直接从目标样品成像到检测器上的离子的位置、质量和强度。该成像质谱仪对样品的空间分辨能力为（84 \pm 35）μm，质量分辨率为45，可将原子或有机化合物定位在约2 cm 2的表面积上。结构化样本上约5 mm2的扩展激光光斑允许对所选质量进行平行成像。数字成像质谱仪证明了高命中多重性，简单的图像重建和其在4 kHz或更高的高速读出的潜力。该设备演示了一种像数码相机一样获取真实图像的简单方法。该技术可能在不久的将来实现对生物分子样品的快速分析。
英文摘要：
Methods to visualize the two-dimensional distribution of molecules by mass spectrometric imaging evolve rapidly and yield novel applications in biology, medicine, and material surface sciences. Most mass spectrometric imagers acquire high mass resolution spectra spot-by-spot and thereby scan the object's surface. Thus, imaging is slow and image reconstruction remains cumbersome. Here we describe an imaging mass spectrometer that exploits the true imaging capabilities by ion optical means for the time of flight mass separation. The mass spectrometer is equipped with the ASIC Timepix chip as an array detector to acquire the position, mass, and intensity of ions that are imaged by MALDI directly from the target sample onto the detector. This imaging mass spectrometer has a spatial resolving power at the specimen of (84\pm35) μm with a mass resolution of 45 and locates atoms or organic compounds on a surface area up to ~2 cm2. Extended laser spots of ~5 mm2 on structured specimens allowed parallel imaging of selected masses. The digital imaging mass spectrometer proves high hit-multiplicity, straightforward image reconstruction and its potential for high-speed readout at 4 kHz or more. This device demonstrates a simple way of true image acquisition like a digital photographic camera. The technology may enable a fast analysis of biomolecular samples in near future.
