Thermo Electron Nicolet 380, User Manual, Page: 41 / 135

Selecting an
experiment
The parameter settings for collecting spectra are stored in
experiment files. You load the settings you wish to use when you
select an experiment from the Experiment drop-down list box below
the OMNIC menu bar.
A number of experiments are included with OMNIC for performing
a wide variety of data collections. You can open these experiments
by choosing Open in the Experiment Setup dialog box. Experiment
Setup is available in the toolbar and in the Collect menu. You can
also use Experiment Setup to set up and save your own experiments,
or to check or change the parameter settings after you select an
experiment.
If you install a Smart Accessory , the correct experiment is selected
automatically (or a list of appropriate experiments is made available
for your selection).
If you want to check or change the parameters after selecting an
experiment, use Experiment Setup in the Collect menu.
To learn more, view the “Collecting a Spectrum” tutorial, available
through Learning OMNIC in the Help menu.
If you need to change the source or detector, see Spectrometer Help
Topics for step-by-step instructions.
Collecting a
background
spectrum
A sample spectrum is usually ratioed against a background
spectrum. The background spectrum measures the response of the
spectrometer without a sample in place. Dividing the sample
spectrum by the background—called “ratioing”—removes the
effects caused by the instrument and atmospheric conditions so that
the peaks in the final spectrum are due solely to the sample.
Here is a typical mid-IR background spectrum:
Nicolet 380 User’s Guide
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