Run the Affirma calibration check
After you complete the background measurement, run the calibration check with the Pearl HTRN accessory installed to verify sample pathlength.
Materials required:
- FT-IR Squalane Liquid Calibration Kit (includes high purity squalane and dropper bottle)
- Clean, non-abrasive laboratory wipes (unscented and lotion-free; paper napkins work well)
- Powder-free nitrile gloves
 |
Avoid chemical exposure. Squalane is a chemical irritant. When handling squalane:
|
Use only high grade (>95%) squalane. Do not sample squalane directly from its original container. Pour it into another clean, labeled container for routine use.
To run the calibration check
- Make sure the Pearl HTRN accessory is installed in the spectrometer sample compartment.
- Clean the sample windows. See Clean the sample windows for instructions.
- Make sure the appropriate Background workflow has been performed. See Perform a background measurement. If a message indicates that a new background measurement is needed, follow the instructions in that section and restart the calibration workflow.
- In OMNIC Paradigm software Operator mode, select the HTRN Setup category and then select the Calibrate Cell HTRN workflow.
Figure 1-1: Calibrate Cell HTRN workflow
The workflow shows its historical results, if any exist.
- Follow on-screen prompts to continue.
- When the workflow asks you to load squalane, open the sample tray, move the top window housing to the load position and add three drops of high grade squalane to the sample cup in the bottom window assembly.
Figure 1-2: Sample cup in load position
- Place the top window housing in the sampling position and close the sample tray.
Click to start the measurement.
Do not touch the sample tray until all measurements are completed. When the measurements are completed, the report is displayed.
- If all the results are within the specified limit(s), click to continue.
- Clean the sample windows and click to complete the workflow. See Clean the sample windows for details.
If one or more calibration test results are outside the specified limit(s), rerun the calibration test. If the system fails again, contact us.
The system is now ready for you to perform a sample analysis. Before you do that, review the remaining sections in this document which describe the software, explain the safety and operating precautions, and provide tips for running samples as well as cleaning and maintaining the system.