Irradiative damage characterization of a lysozyme during high-power THz ablation using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

High-power pulsed THz waves which are generated by free electron laser near 2.2 THz are found to induce the nondestructive ablation of lysozyme. The peak electric field strength exposed on the sample is estimated over 10 kV/cm. The aerosol phase nanoparticles (ablated lysozyme) size is measured using real-time condensation particle counter, and the ablated lysozyme is analyzed using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to characterize irradiative damage during THz ablation process. The mass spectrum of ablated lysozyme shows no difference with control, but the sample remaining on the substrate shows thermal oxidation. These results confirm the nondestructive THz ablation of lysozyme; they suggest possible THz biological application such as mass spectrometry or electrospray using high-power pulsed THz waves.