PerkinElmer Spotlight 400 Series, User Manual

Page: 61 / 120

Preparing Samples . 61
Preventing liquids from spreading
If the amount of liquid being transferred to the salt plate is very small, restrict it to a small
area of the plate. There are several ways to do this:
• Use a microbrush to transfer solutions. The bristles of the microbrush hold the liquid in
a small region of the salt plate until the solvent evaporates.
• Repeatedly jab a small area of the salt plate with a tungsten probe. Leave the resulting
small salt particles in the well that is produced.
The capillary spaces between the salt particles retain the liquid and minimize spreading.
•
Place the salt plate on a small metal washer that is being gently heated.
Because there is more heat at the outside of the salt plate than near the center (over the
hole in the washer), the droplet of liquid is forced toward the center.