Run the Affirma calibration check
After you complete the background measurement and prepare the flow-through cell for sampling, run the calibration check 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)
- Clean 10 ml Luer-Lok syringe (latex and silicone-oil free)
- Powder-free nitrile gloves
- Safety glasses
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Avoid chemical exposure. Squalane is a chemical irritant. When handling squalane:
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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 FTRN accessory is installed in the spectrometer sample compartment and ready for sampling, and make sure the flow-through cell is clean.
- 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 FTRN Setup category and then select the Calibrate Cell FTRN workflow.
Figure 1-1: Calibrate Cell FTRN workflow
- Follow the on-screen prompts.
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Splash hazard. Avoid applying excessive pressure to the flow-through cell (via the syringe). Sudden leaks can cause a skin and eyes splash hazard. |
- When the workflow asks you to load squalane, draw 1–2 ml of high grade squalane into a clean syringe, screw the end of the syringe into the adapter on the flow cell inlet tubing and slowly inject enough of the squalane to fill the cell (0.3-0.4 ml).
Continue injecting squalane until it starts to flow into the outlet tubing. If bubbles appear in the outlet tubing, continue injecting until no more bubbles are expelled.
Figure 1-2: FTRN accessory squalane injection
- Follow the on-screen prompts to start the measurement.
Do not disconnect the syringe until all measurements are completed.
When the measurements are completed, the report is displayed.
- Clean the flow-through cell and click to complete the workflow. See Clean the flow-through cell for instructions.
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.