Thermo Scientific LTQ XL, Getting Started

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Tuning and Calibrating Automatically in the ESI/MS Mode
Setting Up the MS Detector in the Xcalibur Data System for Tuning and Calibration
Thermo Electron Corporation LTQ XL Getting Started 47
Setting Up the MS
Detector in the
Xcalibur Data System
for Tuning and
Calibration
You first tune manually with calibration solution to establish a stable spray
of solution and to ensure that enough ions are detected to calibrate the MS
detector. You then calibrate the MS detector automatically to optimize the
parameters that affect ion detection. With the optimized MS detector, the
Xcalibur data system can isolate and fragment ions and determine their
mass-to-charge ratios. Perform a calibration periodically, every one to three
months, for optimum performance of the MS detector.
Set up the MS detector in the Xcalibur data system for tuning and
calibration in the ESI/MS mode
1. If you have not already done so, open the Tune Plus window from the
Start button on your Windows XP task bar, as follows:
a. Choose Start > Programs > Xcalibur > Xcalibur to display the
Xcalibur Home Page – Roadmap view.
b. Click the Instrument Setup button to display the Instrument Setup
window.
c. Click the Finnigan LTQ XL button to display the New Method
page.
d. Click the Tune Plus button to display the Tune Plus window. See
Figure 18 .
2. In the Tune Plus window, on the Control/Scan Mode toolbar, click the
On/Off/Standby button to take the MS detector out of the Standby (or
Note The following procedures assume that you are familiar with your
LTQ XL instrument and the Tune Plus window. If you need additional
guidance, see LTQ XL online Help,
LTQ XL Getting Connected , and/or
the LTQ XL Hardware Manual .
CAUTION
Before you begin normal operation each day, ensure that you
have sufficient nitrogen for your API source. If you run out of nitrogen,
the LTQ XL MS detector automatically turns Off to prevent the
possibility of atmospheric oxygen from entering the ion source. The
presence of oxygen in the ion source when the MS detector is On could
be unsafe. (In addition, if the LTQ XL MS detector automatically turns
Off during an analytical run, you could lose data.)
On Off Standby