Using the Calibration Curve Window in MassHunter Quantitative Analysis Software

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent MassHunter Quantitative Analysis Software

Issue

The Calibration Curve window tools help with setting an appropriate calibration curve for each compound in the calibration table.

The Calibration Curve window displays the following information for the current compound:

• Calibration points with curve fit
• Curve fit type, origin, and weighting
• Curve fit equation and metrics
• Number of levels and levels used
• Number of points and points used
• Optionally QC, CC, and ISTD points.

Steps to follow

1. View the Calibration Curve window. If the Calibration Curve window does not appear in the layout, click View > Calibration Curve.

   

2. Change the Scale and Zoom plot: 

   Autoscale the full data range click Turn On/Off auto scale in Calibration pane menu bar button.
   Zoom either or both the horizontal and vertical scale right click and drag the area to be zoomed on the calibration plot.
   Adjust just the horizontal or vertical scale range right click and drag the scale up or down.
   Adjust just the horizontal or vertical scale position left click and drag the scale up or down.
   Undo the horizontal or vertical zoom or scale position click the Auto Scale X-Axis or Auto Scale Y-Axis menu bar button. 

   See this video:

    

3. Navigate between compounds

    In the Calibration Curve menu bar, click left or right blue arrow menu bar buttons 

   

4. Change calibration curve type.

    In the Calibration Curve menu bar, click Type and select from the drop-down list.

   

5. Change calibration Origin type

   In the Calibration Curve menu bar, click Origin and select from the drop-down list.

   

6. Change the weighting of calibration data points in the calibration curve

   In the Calibration Curve menu bar, click Weight and select from the drop-down list

   

   Tip: When a large calibration range is used, the lower concentration calibration accuracy (residuals) may be improved by selecting a 1/x or 1/x^2 weight rather than the default of None.

7. Display the ISTD response, QC, and CC points

   In the Calibration Curve menu bar, click ISTD of the current compound for each data point of the calibration curve (applicable only to ISTD calibration methods).
   In the Calibration Curve menu bar, click QC.
   In the Calibration Curve menu bar, click CC.

   

8. Curve Fit Assistant

   Right click the calibration plot and enable the Curve Fit Assistant. 
   Click a Curve Fit table row to display the alternate curve fit on the calibration plot (zoom select areas of the plot to further assess). Review alternate settings for Type, Origin, Weight and # of Disabled Points to select the settings specified in your calibration protocol. Alternatively, evaluate alternate settings for improved calibration curve fit.
   Right click the calibration plot and select Accept Assistant Curve if you decide to use the currently viewed alternate curve fit.
   Right click the calibration plot and disable the Curve Fit Assistant to close the Curve Fit table. 

   Tip: The Curve Fit Assistant table can be: - Sorted by any of the column headings. Left click the column heading.  - Filtered by one or more column values. Left click the column heading filter drop-down menu.

   The following video demonstrates the operation of Curve Fit Assistant.

    

Learn how to effectively operate MassHunter software: Agilent 5977 GC/MSD with MassHunter Workstation e-learning path available from Agilent education GCMS-MH-2150scV3 - Agilent MassHunter Quantification for Single Quadrupole GC/MS with Cloud Laboratory (Version 10.1) e-learning course available from Agilent education