Method optimization
PlasmaQuant MS product family
76
Summary 13
Performance: PlasmaQuant MS Elite S, PlasmaQuant MS Elite
Element
Sensitivity
PlasmaQuant MS Elite S
PlasmaQuant MS Elite
Tuning solution
Be, Mg, Co, Ba, Ce, In, Pb
1 µg/L
1 µg/L
Sensitivity
9
Be
>3,5
∙
10
4
c/s
>5,0
∙
10
4
c/s
115
In
>1,1
∙
10
6
c/s
>1,5
∙
10
6
c/s
208
Pb
>4,5
∙
10
5
c/s
>5,8
∙
10
5
c/s
232
Th (without AMR option)
>0,7
∙
10
6
c/s
>1,0
∙
10
6
c/s
Doubly-charged ratio
138
Ba
++
/
138
Ba
+
<3 %
<3 %
Oxide ratio
140
Ce
16
O/
140
Ce
<2 %
<2 %
Background
m/z = 5
<0,7 c/s
<1 c/s
8.1
Instrument initialization and solution preparations
Before starting the method optimization, check the following:
1.
Verify that the PlasmaQuant MS is warmed up and set up properly. See section
"Optimizing hardware" p. 58 for details.
Verify the torch alignment.
Verify the mass calibration settings.
Verify the mass resolution settings.
Verify detector settings.
2.
Prepare the tuning solution:
The standard tuning solution is required when using the auto optimization routine.
Alternatively, a user-defined tuning solution can be used when tuning the
instrument manually.
In general, the concentration of a tuning solut
ion should not exceed 1 μg/L (1 ppb)
of each analyte of interest and should be freshly prepared in a clean environment.
3.
Proceed to section 8.3 for automatic optimization or section 8.2 for manual
optimization.
8.2
Manual optimization
8.2.1
Copy and paste optimization settings
If possible, it is recommended to use "known well" settings. If there is an existing
worksheet that has settings that result in good sensitivity and stability, those settings
can be copied to begin the optimization process. If there are no worksheets to use, the
system setup worksheet or factory test records supplied with the instrument can be
used as initial settings.
Manually entering instrument settings into a worksheet can be a time-consuming
process. To copy from an existing worksheet: