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Fluorolog-3 v. 2.2 (11 Jul 2002)
System Operation
3-3
Checking system performance
Introduction
Upon installation and as part of routine maintenance checks, examine the performance of
the Fluorolog
®
-3. Jobin Yvon Inc. recommends checking the system calibration before each
day of use with the system. Scans of the xenon-lamp output and the Raman-scatter band of
water are sufficient to verify system
calibration
,
repeatability
, and
throughput
.
•
Calibration
is the procedure whereby the drive of each spectrometer is reference to
a known spectral feature.
•
Repeatability
is the ability of the system to produce consistent spectra.
•
Throughput
is the amount of signal passing through and detected by the system.
The throughput is correlated to the signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity of the
system.
The Fluorolog
®
-3 is an
autocalibrating
spectrofluorometer. This means the system initial-
izes its monchromator’s drives, locates the home position of the each drive, and assigns a
wavelength value to this position from a calibration file. While the system usually maintains
calibration by this method, it is wise to check the calibration prior to the day’s session with
the instrument. For the calibration checks detailed here, a single-sample mount or automated
sample changer should be the only sample-compartment accessories used.
The scans shown herein are
examples
. A Performance Test Report for your new instrument
is included with the documentation. Use the Performance Test Report to validate the spec-
tral shape and relative intensity taken during the calibration checks.
These scans are described for systems with the default 1200-grooves/mm gratings and an
R928P PMT emission detector with coverage from the UV to high visible. If the mono-
chromators contain gratings with groove densities other than 1200 grooves/mm, with differ-
ent wavelength sensitivity, or with a different emission detector, please consult the Perform-
ance Test Report for appropriate scan parameters.
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