How Does the AriaMx Warm up Feature Work?

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent AriaMx, Software version 1.8 and later

Issue

The Aria Warm up Feature was introduced with Aria SW/FW 1.8 to reduce baseline drift. The warm-up feature is used to speed up the heating process that would normally take up to 3 hours after the instrument is turned on.

Background

Sometimes, the baseline fluorescence signals gradually decrease across the baseline cycle range (see Figure 1). Warming up the optical modules may help signals remain steady throughout the baseline cycle range.

Figure 1. Baseline drift

Resolution 

The Aria Warm-up Feature can be enabled to reduce signal drifting.

To enable this feature, press Settings > System Settings > Warm Up Settings, then select Yes and press OK (see Figure 2). 

Figure 2. Warm Up Settings

During this step, the system turns on the optical module LED lights so that the modules are fully warmed up before starting an experiment. The warm-up is repeated each time the instrument is powered on (after completion of health checks) and after the optical module door is closed.

The process takes approximately 15 minutes, and once reached, the temperature (46ºC) is maintained indefinitely.

Note: Be aware that the warm up feature may not resolve all baseline drift issues.

 If warming up exceeds 15 minutes, the user will be prompted to run a diagnostic test (see Figure 3).

Figure 3. Warm Up error

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

PR7001-1212