When the MS is used as a detector for a liquid chromatograph, a mass spectrum is associated with each data point in the chromatogram.
To obtain high quality, accurate mass spectra, the MS must be optimized to
Tuning is the process of adjusting MS parameters to achieve these goals.
The LC/MS has two sets of parameters that can be adjusted. One set of parameters is associated with the formation of ions. These parameters control the spray chamber and fragmentor. The other set of parameters is associated with the transmission, filtering, and detection of ions. These parameters control the skimmer(s), the octopole, the lenses, the quadrupole mass filter, and the HED electron multiplier (detector).
Tuning is primarily concerned with finding the correct settings for the parameters that control the transmission, filtering, and detection of ions. It is accomplished by introducing a calibrant into the LC/MS and generating ions. Using these ions, the tune parameters are then adjusted to achieve sensitivity, resolution, and mass assignment goals. With a few exceptions, the parameters that control ion formation are not adjusted. They are set to fixed values known to be good for generating ions from the calibrant solution.
For the LC/MSD iQ, manual tuning is not supported. Also, you cannot save the tune file to a different name.
The product of tuning is a tune file containing two or more collections of parameter settings: one for positive ionization and one for negative ionization. The software automatically loads the settings appropriate for the ion polarity and scan mode specified by the method. Autotune, the automated tuning algorithm, also generates a report. The tune file is stored in the MS instrument. If an MS is started on a new PC, the MS already has its tune parameters.
During data acquisition, the parameters associated with ion formation are controlled by the data acquisition method. The parameters associated with ion transmission are controlled by the tune file assigned to the data acquisition method.
Autotune is an automated tuning algorithm that tunes the LC/MS for good performance over the entire mass range.
You can also run a Checktune.
What do you want to do?
Tune the MS automatically (LC/MS)