DART Operation Manual
3
DART Operation Manual
Up until this point the software has been in Standby Mode. To
adjust voltages you must click the Standby/Run button in the
Status Bar to activate Run Mode.
•The needle and electrodes will automatically be energized
upon turning on Run Mode with default settings
Needle
•For positive ion analysis a voltage between 3000 and 4000
Volts generally works best. A lower voltage seems to work
well for negative ion, between 2000 and 3000 Volts.
Electrodes: Grid and Discharge
•In either positive or negative ion mode, voltages between
150 and 250 Volts generally work well
Keep in mind that these voltages may not necessarily be the best
for your specific compound, and experimentation is always
recommended.
Set voltage values will not change when switching in and out of
Standby Mode.
oSave Settings: Methods
You can save your settings to a ‘Method’, and load them again for
later use.
•See DART Software Manual for more detail regarding
Methods
-Data Acquisition
oOnce all the parameters have been set you are ready to acquire data
oStandby Mode:
While in Standby prepare your sample for introduction to the
DART gas beam, and your mass spectrometer software for an
acquisition
oRun Mode:
Turn on Run Mode and present samples to DART for ionization
oOnce you are finished ionizing your samples set the DART back to
Standby to prepare for another run, or to shut down for later use.
-Troubleshooting
oNozzle Cap Contamination
The exit nozzle of the DART can become accidentally
contaminated by touching a sample to the hot surface on the tip.
The nozzle cap is ceramic and it can be removed for cleaning. The
ceramic is fragile and care must be used when handling it. Due to
potential contamination and background from fingerprints, it is
recommended that gloves be worn when applying a clean cap.
Firstly turn off the DART source and let it cool. The cap can be
unscrewed from the nozzle and either cleaned using solvent, high
Artisan Technology Group - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisantg.com
