ICP Expert Help
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Overview of How to Create a Method

A method defines the conditions for sample analysis. You must develop a method before you can begin analyzing your samples. The following outlines how to develop a basic method.

You should ensure that your instrument is sample introduction area is setup for use before beginning an analysis.

To create a method:

  1. Open a new worksheet or one from a template.
  2. On the Configuration page, select the options needed for your analysis.
  3. On the Elements page, select the element(s) to be included in the method, as well as suitable analysis lines for their measurement. Elements to be used as internal standards are also entered on this page.
    1. The element will appear in the table with the primary line and default settings selected. Make any required adjustments to each element including selecting a different wavelength, entering additional information into the ‘Label’ column, selecting whether the element selected is an analyte, interferent (if IEC is enabled) or internal standard.
    2. Check for possible interferences. Check that there are no interferents or other analytical lines close to the selected analytical line. Their relative intensity will govern how close the lines can be to each other. For example, if your matrix contains an element that is not of analytical interest, but is a potential interferent and has a line close to one of your analytical lines, the concentration of that element in your matrix will determine whether you need to choose another analytical line.
  4. Click the Conditions tab to modify common settings for the analysis, which type of background correction is to be used and settings for each element.
  5. Click QC to set up the QC tests and parameters for each test to be used to monitor the quality of your analytical data. This only appears if Enable QC has been selected on the Configuration page.
  6. Click IEC to set up the analyte and interferent standards. This only appears if Enable IEC has been selected on the Configuration page.
  7. Click Standards to define the analytical calibration information for the method. Use this page to select your calibration mode, enter your standards and define the standard units to be used in your analysis. You can also set the parameters for fitting your calibration curves.
  8. Click Sequence to specify the end of run actions, number of samples, edit the sample labels and rack tube locations and select the required QC tests. If you are using ICP Expert Pro, add in your rate generated QC tests to the sample list.
  9. Click the Autosampler tab to select the rack types and probe depth (if needed). This only appears if you selected 'Autosampler' in the 'Sample introduction' field on the 'Conditions' page.
  10. Click FACT to manually create FACT models for background correction or to select from solutions defined in your method. This tab only appears if you have selected FACT as the background correction on the Conditions tab.
  11. Save as either a method or a template.
  12. Run the analysis.

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