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MICHAEL J. TUBERGEN, NARDOS H. TEUMELSAN, MISLE M. TESSEMA, ANDREW R. CONRAD, JOVAN L. THOMPSON, Department of Chemistry, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242.
Laser ablation has previously been coupled with Fourier-transform microwave spectrometers to record rotational spectra of metal oxides, metal halides, carbonyl metal halides, as well as amino acids. We report here on the construction of a new Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer at Kent State University to accommodate a laser vaporization beam source suitable for larger biological molecules. Sample is prepared in thin films of matrix material and coated onto a drum which rotates and translates to expose fresh sample matrix to each pulse. Irradiation with the second harmonic of an Nd: YAG laser vaporizes the sample, which is entrained in He/Ne carrier gas and expanded coaxially into the Fabry-Perot cavity. Sample drums can be easily exchanged when the matrix is consumed.