How to Use the Signal Monitor Function in MassHunter 5.x

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent ICP-MS systems (7700/7800/7850/7900)

Issue

The signal monitor function in MassHunter can help with troubleshooting low sensitivity, carry over, contamination, or high background. It can also be used to optimize specific masses of interest. Understanding and using the signal monitor function in MassHunter is a critical tool for any Agilent ICP-MS user.   

Steps to follow

Tips: When monitoring the tune masses 7, 89, 205 ensure that the probe or peri-pump tubing is in Agilent tune solution.

Signal Monitor in Acquisition Queue Real-Time Display

1. Navigate to the Acquisition Queue and expand the Real Time Display window (Figure 1).

   
   
   Figure 1. Navigate to the Acquisition Queue
   
   

2. Right click the graph and from the contextual menu, click Change Monitored Masses, then select the masses of interest (such as 7, 89, 205 if using the Agilent Tune Solution) (Figure 2).

   
   
   Figure 2. Select Masses for Signal Monitor
   
   

3. Click the Start Signal Monitor button (Figure 3).

   
   
   Figure 3. Starting signal monitor
   
   

Signal Monitor in Acquisition Batch

This signal monitor uses the batch/method tune parameters. Useful for sensitivity issues related to gas modes or signal optimization for manual tuning of batch tune parameters.

To monitor carry over or contamination, you can select multiple masses for the same element.

1. Open a MassHunter batch file (Figure 4).

   
   
   Figure 4. Description for figure X 
   1. Open MassHunter batch file
   
   

2. Navigate to the Tune Modes tab (Figure 5).

   
   
   Figure 5. Navigate to the Tune Modes tab
   
   

3. Select which tune mode you wish to use the signal monitor and select the masses of interest (Figure 6).

   
   
   Figure 6. Select tune mode and masses for signal monitor
   
   

4. Click the Start Signal Monitor button and auto scale the graph (Figure 7).

   
   
   Figure 7. Start Signal Monitor
   
   

Learn how to effectively operate your Agilent ICP-MS system with MassHunter:  Agilent 7800/7850/7900 ICP-MS with MassHunter eLearning path available from Agilent education