Creating A New Configuration: Table 3-6

Configurator
Experiment Configurator
Table 3-6. Experiment Configurator commands, continued

Commands Description
To load all current Configurations.
To view, compare and export the history of a

Configuration. See “Viewing History Entries” on
page 3-9 for details.
❖ To open the Experiment Configurator
1. From the Configurator list of applets, select Experiment

Configurator.
Creating a new Configuration

A Configuration provides Qtegra ISDS Software with the hardware
parameters of your instruments. As Administrator, make sure that a
Configuration based on your instrument is available.
❖ To create a new Configuration
1. From Configurator > Experiment Configurator, click New to add

a new Configuration:
Figure 3-11. Add new Configuration
2. Type a name and click anywhere outside the field.

-or-
Thermo Scientific iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ICP-MS Software Manual (P/N BRE0015332, Revision D) 3-21
Configurator
Press <Enter> to confirm.

The name is accepted as there are no restrictions with regard to the
character range. The Configuration is displayed in the
Configuration Details view.
3. Type a Description in Configuration Details.
4. From the right-hand pane of available Instruments, select your

instrument, see Figure 3-10.
All supported instruments and peripherals are listed in the

Instruments tab.
5. Drag iCAP Q / iCAP RQ from the Instruments tab to your new

Configuration and drop when is shown:
Figure 3-12. Adding the instrument to your Configuration
The Configuration item is expanded and shows one instrument.
6. Drag the peripheral you wish to add from the Instruments tab to
your new Configuration.
Figure 3-13. Instrument and autosampler added to your Configuration
3-22 iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ICP-MS Software Manual (P/N BRE0015332, Revision D) Thermo Scientific
Configurator
❖ To rename a Configuration
1. Select the Configuration you wish to rename.

The Configuration Details window shows the name and
description.
2. In the Name field, change the name accordingly.
3. Optionally, change the Description.
Editing the Settings of Instruments

In the Experiment Configurator applet, your Administrator edits the
settings for the instrument in the Configurations field.
❖ To edit the instrument or peripheral settings
1. From Configurator > Experiment Configurator, open the list of

Configurations and right-click the instrument or peripheral you
wish to edit the settings for.
Figure 3-14. Right-click the instrument item to edit the settings
Configurator
2. Click Edit settings to open the Settings dialog.
Figure 3-15. Settings dialog for iCAP Q / iCAP RQ in Configurator
3. The setting parameters are grouped, for example, Fast Uptake and
Wash, or General. When changing the values, take the description
in the lower tile into account.
4. Click a cell to change the value.

If a drop-down menu is available for this cell, the drop-down arrow
is shown.
If the cell represents a Boolean variable, just double-click to switch
between True and False.
Figure 3-16. Drop-down menu of Settings in the Experiment

Configurator
Configurator
5. Select an item from the list.
6. Some peripherals provide several setting pages. Select the tabs, for
example, FAST Setup and Autosampler to set up all parameters.
Setting the Averaging Strategy Type Value
For example, for iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ICP-MS you may set the
AveragingStrategyType value, see Figure 3-17.
The Spike Tolerance defines how Qtegra shall evaluate the intensity
when the Measurement Mode is switched to the analog mode due to
very high intensity.
The iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ICP-MS detector (SEM, secondary electron

multiplier) consists of 26 dynodes to count the events per second. To
prevent the detector from abrasion caused by very high intensities it
switches into the analog mode that uses only the first half of the detector
and measures the mean electron current on the analog electrode. The
voltage is internally recalculated into counts per second and therefore
comparable with the counting mode.
Figure 3-17. Averaging Strategy Type setting
Select Zero Spike Tolerance so that the mean intensity reported for a
main run is calculated from analog mode values only (counting mode
values are ignored) when more than 1 sweep intensity is recorded in
analog, otherwise counting mode values are used.
Select 50% Spike Tolerance so that the mean intensity reported for a
main run is calculated from analog mode values when more than 50%
of sweep intensities are recorded in analog mode, otherwise both analog
and counting mode values are used.
Such high intensities are indicated by a bold font in the Intensities view
of the Evaluation Results window, see “Evaluation Results” on
page 7-35.
This option is not available for tQuant or trQuant Templates.
Figure 3-18. Example for measurement with very high intensity
Configurator
Setting the Bubble Sensor Mode
From the Bubble Sensor Mode for an iCAP RQ instrument only, select
a value to set its state, see Figure 3-19. The bubble sensor is used to
monitor if the drain from the spray chamber works correctly. If no
bubbles are detected, a clogged drain line is indicated, which could cause
flooding of the spray chamber and as a consequence an excessive amount
of liquid within the torch stressing the generator. Additionally, a clogged
drain line could cause spalling of the drain tube at the connection
between the tube and the peristaltic pump tubing.
Figure 3-19. Bubble sensor mode setting
• Select Disable bubble sensor if this sensor should not be used.
• Select Display warning if the bubble sensor should be used. A

warning message will be shown in a separate window. A log entry is
created, too. This message window is automatically closed when the
bubble sensor changes its state as soon as the clogged drain tube
problem is resolved. Your measurement will not be interrupted by
the bubble sensor warning.
• Select Initiate shutdown to shut down the instrument when the

bubble sensor detects a sequence of 3 signals with each at least
1 minute. In this case, the instrument will be shut down and an
error log entry is created.
In addition to these bubble sensor mode settings, the behavior of the

Peristaltic Pump After Interlock can be set.
• Select Default Speed (40 rpm) if the peristaltic pump should keep
the default speed although an interlock was activated. This setting
ensures continuously emptying the drain line.
• Select Off to switch off the peristaltic pump in case of an interlock.
You can also set the Peristaltic Pump Shutdown Behavior in case of
the automatic shutdown procedure on an empty Scheduler queue or a
LabBook error. This setting does not refer to the start up procedure.
• Select Minimal Speed to switch the peristaltic pump speed to 1 rpm.
• Select Default Speed to switch the peristaltic pump speed to the

default speed (40 rpm).
• Select Off to switch off the peristaltic pump.
Configurator
The current state of the bubble sensor is shown in the Interlocks section
on the Qtegra Dashboard.
Figure 3-20. Bubble Sensor Error indicator on the Dashboard
The Bubble Sensor Error indicator shows green when the bubble sensor
is working correctly. The indicator shows red if an error occurs.
The settings in the Configuration do not change the behavior in the

Dashboard view, for example, although the bubble sensor is not used.
❖ To reset settings to factory default
1. Open the list of Configurations and right-click the instrument or

peripheral you wish to reset the settings for, see Figure 3-14.
2. Click Edit settings.
3. In the Settings dialog, click to reset all values to the

defaults as set from the factory.
Managing Configurations
In the Experiment Configurator applet, Configurations can be loaded
from the database, saved and activated as a preset, and deleted.
❖ To load all Configurations from the database
1. From Configurator > Experiment Configurator, click Load to

load all Configurations from the database.
The Configurations list is updated.
For typical applications with the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ICP-MS

instrument, pre-configured system combinations are made available in
the Preset Configurations tab by the Thermo Fisher Scientific field
service engineer upon delivery of the system.
Configurator
❖ To create a preset Configuration
1. Open the list of Configurations and right-click the Configuration

you wish to add to the list of Preset Configurations.
2. Select Add to preset configuration from the shortcut menu to add
the Configuration to the list of Preset Configurations.
❖ To activate a preset Configuration
1. Select the Preset Configurations tab.
2. Select the preset Configuration you wish to work with.
3. Drag the preset Configuration to Configurations.
Figure 3-21. Selecting a preset Configuration
The preset Configuration is now added to the Configurations list.
❖ To delete a Configuration
1. Select the Configuration you wish to delete.

2. Click Delete to delete the selected Configuration.
A confirmation dialog opens.
3. Click Yes to delete the Configuration.

The Configuration is deleted from the Configurations list but
remains in the Preset Configurations list.
Configurator
File Access Rights
File Access Rights

The File Access Rights applet of the Configurator tool introduced with
Qtegra ISDS Software version 2.10 allows to manage the file access by
permissions. Especially the Qtegra System Administrator uses this applet
as he has no access to the Qtegra File Manager.
With the File Access Rights applet, the responsible person defines the
file access rights by selecting a principal and setting the permissions
respectively on the file or folder level currently selected. Figure 3-22
shows a typical structure.
Figure 3-22. Layout of the File Access Rights applet
Refer to “Setting File Permissions” on page 5-57 for a detailed

description on how to manage file permissions. Adapt the folder
structure from the Qtegra File Manager page accordingly.
Configurator
Hardware Configurator
The Hardware Configurator applet of the Configurator tool gives
access to hardware databases on electro-technical items level.
Tip Generally, these settings are factory-set and do not need to be
modified.
Tip By default, Enable global compliance is set to True. The

Configurator will therefore only show a reduced list of applets. To see
all applets as shown here, switch off the global compliance parameter.
The Hardware Configurator applet (see Figure 3-23) comprises all

settings of interfaces and hardware devices.
Figure 3-23. Layout of the Hardware Configurator applet
The commands available in the Hardware Configurator are summarized

in Table 3-7.
Table 3-7. Hardware Configurator commands
To create a new hardware Configuration.
To open Hardware Configurations saved in the

configurations data base in the file format *.imhwd.
Import *.csv file.
Configurator
Table 3-7. Hardware Configurator commands, continued

To save the current hardware Configuration.
To import settings.
To export settings.
❖ To open the Hardware Configurator
• From the Configurator list of applets, select Hardware

Configurator.
Configurator
Hardware Panel Configurator

The Hardware Panel Configurator applet of the Configurator tool
defines how the hardware panels of the devices or instrument sets are
displayed.
The Hardware Panel Configurator applet (see Figure 3-24) assigns

graphical views or panels to Virtual Instruments and Hardware Items
and aligns scripts to these.
Figure 3-24. Layout of the Hardware Panel Configurator
The commands available in the Hardware Panel Configurator are

summarized in Table 3-8.
Table 3-8. Hardware Panel Configurator commands
To create a new Hardware Panel Configuration.
To open a Hardware Panel Configurations saved in the

configurations database in the file format *.panel.
Configurator
Table 3-8. Hardware Panel Configurator commands, continued

To save the current Hardware Panel Configuration.
To save as the current Hardware Panel Configuration.
❖ To open the Hardware Panel Configurator
1. From the Configurator list of applets, select Hardware Panel

Configurator.
Configurator
Molecules
Molecules
The Molecules applet of the Configurator tool allows the Administrator
to create molecules (or polyatomics), which are automatically added to
the Molecules tab of the Method Parameter Analytes (see “Analytes” on
page 9-6) and in Instrument Control (see “Analytes tab” on page 4-71).
The Molecules applet, see Figure 3-25, shows the periodic table as well
as the fields to enter elements and molecules.
Figure 3-25. Layout of the Molecules applet
Molecules and double charged ions created can subsequently be selected

in Instrument Control and for acquisition in the Qtegra ISDS Software.
Creating molecules, often based on the matrix components expected in
samples, can help the analyst visualize where interferences can occur and
help correct for the interferences.
Tip Molecules are usually created by the Administrator.
❖ To open the Molecules applet
1. From the Configurator list of applets, select Molecules.
❖ To create molecules
1. From Configurator > Molecules, click the elements in the periodic

table to select the elements for the molecule to be created.
-or-
Configurator
Molecules
Type in the relevant symbols for the elements of the molecule,

separated by a period ‘.’:
Figure 3-26. Elements entered for new molecule
2. If an element exists more than once in the molecule, select the

element from the periodic table again.
The elements are automatically separated by a period.
-or-
Type the element including a period as separator the equivalent
number of times.
3. If the molecule is double charged, select Double Charged before

you add the molecule to the list.
Some elements have a second ionization potential lower than the
15.8 keV of Ar and as a result M++ ions may also be observed in the
mass spectrum as interference since they appear at ½ the mass of the
parent element, for example, 138Ba++ occurs at mass 69.
4. Click Add to add the molecules to the Polyatomics list.

The distribution of ions in the newly created molecule and the
masses are displayed in the lower right panel:
Figure 3-27. Polyatomics list in Molecules applet
5. Click before you enter the elements for another

molecule.
6. For user defined symbols, type Symbol and Mass, see Figure 3-28.
Do not type a period ‘.’ to separate elements, type the formula with
letters and digits only, for example, ThO, SO, PO, AsO,
Configurator
Molecules
TiNHNH33 (without parentheses), SeO, FBa, TiO2, GeNH2, CoO,

CrO, PH4.
Figure 3-28. User-defined symbol in Molecules applet
7. Click Add.
The user defined symbol is added to the Polyatomics list.
8. Under Symbol, right-click this new item and select Add from the
shortcut menu to add isotopic masses, see Figure 3-29.
Your symbol is placed in the text box, see Figure 3-28. Type the mass
of another isotope and click Add.
Figure 3-29. Adding isotopes of user defined symbol
9. To delete a molecule from the Polyatomics list,

first select the desired molecule or symbol and
then select Delete from the shortcut menu.
Configurator
Reports
Reports
The Reports applet of the Configurator tool allows you to create new
Report templates or to edit existing templates.
The Reports applet determines the layout of the Reports.
Figure 3-30. Layout of the Reports applet
The commands available in the Reports applet are summarized in

Table 3-9.
Table 3-9. Reports commands
To create a new Report template.
To open/load a Report in the file format *.imrep.
To save the current Report template.
To load a template from the XML database.
❖ To open the Reports applet
1. From the Configurator list of applets, select Reports.
Configurator
Reports
❖ To create a new Report template
1. From Configurator > Reports, click Create to create a new Report

template.
2. Type a Report name.
3. Configure the layout.

4. Click Save to save the Report template.
The file is saved in the file format *.imrep.
❖ To edit an existing Report template
1. From Configurator > Reports, click Load and browse for the
Report file.
2. Select the Report file you wish to edit.
3. Click OK to open the file.
4. Edit the file.

5. Click Save to save the Report template.
Configurator
Script Editor
Script Editor
The Script Editor applet of the Configurator tool allows you to create
and compile C# scripts for virtual instruments.
The Script Editor is intended for persons experienced with C# scripts.
Figure 3-31. Layout of the Script Editor applet
❖ To open the Script Editor
1. From the Configurator list of applets, select Script Editor.
Configurator
Settings
Settings
The Settings applet of the Configurator tool controls default settings,
for example, the default directory path for Qtegra or the default settings
for dwell time.
The Settings applet gives access to the settings database (registry).
Figure 3-32. Layout of the Settings applet
❖ To open the Settings applet
1. From the Configurator list of applets, select Settings.
2. Scroll through the list of settings and select the item you want to
change. Details of the selected item are displayed in the right-hand
pane.
3. Click into the field where you want to change the value. In some
cases, a listbox offers the values to be selected. In other cases, type
the desired value. Be sure to type only valid values.
❖ To enable debug messages
1. From the Settings applet, expand Settings > Logging and click
ShowAll.
2. Set the Misc value to True.
❖ To enable extended debug logging in the Sample List
1. From the Settings applet, expand Settings > Logging and click
SampleListSynchronisationLoggingEnabled.
Configurator
Settings
2. Set the Misc value to True.

Tip Activate this logging feature only if you experience
unexpected issues in the Sample List. Better leave it False because
otherwise a significant amount of log messages is added to the log
files, which need to be stored.
Compliance Settings
For details, see “Compliance with your SOP” on page 2-40.
Viewing History Entries

For details, see “Viewing History Entries” on page 3-9.
Instrument Health Monitoring

To monitor the stability of your instrument, optional health monitoring
data is gathered during routine operation of the installed iCAP RQ
ICP-MS.
This service is an optional add-on to the standard delivery of your

instrument. The service is offered and performed by a Thermo Fisher
Scientific service partner. Qtegra ISDS Software provides data and
criteria for alerts. The retrieved data is used to monitor trends in a series
of specific hardware parameters, which could lead, for example, to an
unusual performance of your instrument.
Configurator Settings
Instrument health monitoring (IHM) can be activated from

Settings > InstrumentHealthMonitoring.
The setting parameters are summarized in Table 3-10.

Table 3-10. Instrument Health Monitoring parameters
Setting Parameter Description
Enabled Toggle to activate or deactivate the instrument
health monitoring feature.
Default: False, i.e. that the feature is
deactivated.
Configurator
Settings
Table 3-10. Instrument Health Monitoring parameters, continued

Setting Parameter Description
IntervalForAutomatic Time period (hours) at which instrument
MonitoringInHours health parameters are gathered.
Default: 24, i.e., every 24 hours instrument
health data is gathered.
Tip When the Enabled parameter is set to
False, the setting of the time period is ignored.
Data Handling
In addition to the automatic monitoring interval, the Instrument

Health data is written after the following events occur:
• After the specified time interval expires.
• After a sample has been measured.

Tip Depending on your settings under Experiment
Configurator > Configuration > General > During acquisition
hardware readbacks are exported the readback values are written
per sample, per Measurement Mode, or per main run.
• After tune settings have been applied to a Measurement Mode.
• After a detector setup has been executed.
• After an autotune has been executed.
• After a Performance Report has been executed.
The data is stored as plain XML with the file extension .drm in the
folder
C:\ProgramData\Thermo\Qtegra\_Application Data\InstrumentHealthData.
Each new DRM file is given a unique number.
No personal or measurement data is stored in the DRM files.
Configurator
Signature Workflow
Signature Workflow
Signatures allow to document that a workflow stage has been performed
by a known person. By default, Qtegra ISDS Software provides the three
stages Acquired, Verified and Approved. Each stage can be revoked. In the
Signature Workflow applet of the Configurator, the stages are defined.
In the Access Control applet of the Configurator, the access rights for
signing and revoking are set individually for all user groups.
❖ To define Signature Workflow stages
1. Open Configurator > Signature Workflow.

The currently available stages are shown.
Figure 3-33. Default definition of the Signature Workflow
2. To rename the item, select an existing item and edit the Display
Name if desired.
The selected item gets yellow highlighted.
Tip When changing the Display Name, always make sure that the
items represent hierarchical levels. A typical signing workflow
(Acquired, Verified, Approved) is shown by default. Do not re-order
the workflow by renaming the items.
Tip After changing the Display Name, the access rights remain as
originally defined.
3. Tick Signing locks the LabBook to protect the LabBook against

any changes after signing.
In some cases it makes sense to lock a LabBook beginning with a
higher level. After a LabBook is locked by signature, it always
remains locked when getting the next signature.
As Qtegra ISDS Software provides three workflow items by default, you

can add additional items or remove existing items.
Configurator
Signature Workflow
❖ To add workflow items

2. Click Add.
A new line is appended to the list.
3. Change the Display Name according to your needs and tick

Signing locks the LabBook if desired.
4. Drag the selected item to the desired position to represent the

correct stage, that means, select the item and move the mouse
pointer while the mouse button is pressed.
Tip To make the new settings available, the Configurator tool
must be restarted before the next step is performed.
5. Set the access rights for Sign and Revoke under Access
Control > User Actions > LabBooks > Electronic Signatures. See
“Granting Access Rights” on page 3-4.
❖ To delete workflow items

2. Select the stage you want to delete.

The selected stage gets yellow highlighted.
3. Click Delete.
4. Click Yes.
The workflow item is removed from the Signature Workflow view.
❖ To view the workflow history

2. Click View History.
The Signature Workflow History window opens a list of available
history entries.
3. Select the entries (press <Ctrl> to select multiple entries).
4. Click Export if you want to export the history as HTML, PDF,

RTF, or XML.
-or-
Click Compare to show the differences between the Signature
Workflow items.
To view, compare and export the history of the Configuration, see

“Viewing History Entries” on page 3-9.
Configurator
Standards
Standards
The Standards applet of the Configurator tool gives access to the
standards database. New standard files, Internal Standard files and
isotope dilution standard files are created here.
The Standards applet shows a list of standards on the left. On the right
pane, the associated elements and their concentration in the standard
solution are displayed as well as the periodic table.
Figure 3-34. Layout of the Standards applet
Configurator
Standards
The Standards commands are summarized in Table 3-11.

Table 3-11. Standards commands
To create a new standard, Isotope Dilution
Standard or Internal Standard.
To delete the selected standard(s) row.

To load all standards from the preset standard

database.
To save the standards files to the database.
To open the History for Standards dialog, where

you can view, compare and export history
entries. See “Viewing History Entries” on
page 3-9 for details.
Tip Some standards offered to be created with the menu

are designed for other instruments rather than the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ
ICP-MS instrument.
❖ To open the Standards applet
1. From the Configurator list of applets, select Standards.
❖ To load all standards from the standard database
1. From Configurator > Standards, click Load to load all standards

from the database.
❖ To save standards to the standard database
1. From Configurator > Standards, change or add standards

accordingly.
2. Click Save to save the standards to the database.
❖ To delete standards from the standard database
1. From Configurator > Standards, open the Standard(s) list and

select the row you wish to delete.
2. Click Delete.
3. Click Yes.
The standard is deleted from the database.
Configurator
Standards
❖ To select molecules as standard
1. From Configurator > Standards, open the Standard(s) list and on

the top right, click the collapse button to expand the Molecules list.
The Molecules list opens, see Figure 3-34.
2. To add molecules to your standard, tick Use in standard of the

Molecules list.
The molecule is immediately copied to your standard list.
3. Define the concentration and unit of the analytes as required.
4.
5.
1.
Configurator
Standards
4
Instrument Control
The Instrument Control tool is used to perform instrument calibrations

and to edit general instrument controls such as tune settings and
Measurement Modes or change stabilization times.
Contents
• User Interface of the Instrument Control Tool on page 4-2
• Experiment Configuration Ribbon on page 4-4
• The iCAP Q / iCAP RQ Ribbon on page 4-5
• Window Ribbon on page 4-68
• Data View Region on page 4-71
• Log View Region on page 4-78
• Control Panel on page 4-79
• Status Panel on page 4-91
❖ To open the Instrument Control tool
1. Click Start > Thermo Qtegra > Instrument Control to open the
Instrument Control tool.
Instrument Control
User Interface of the Instrument Control Tool

The Instrument Control tool gives quick access to system controls and
log messages for the instrument and peripherals loaded with the
Configuration.
The Instrument Control tool shows four regions.

1
4 3
Labeled Components: 1=ribbon tabs, 2=data view region, 3=Log View region, 4=Control Panel and Status Panel
Figure 4-1. User interface composition of Instrument Control
The ribbons (1 in Figure 4-1) are displayed in accordance with the

Configuration loaded. By default the Experiment Configuration and
the Window ribbon are displayed. Additional ribbons are added for
each instrument.
The data view region (2 in Figure 4-1) displays tabs with instrument
parameters and data being acquired in real time according to the
Configuration loaded.
The Log View (3 in Figure 4-1) displays the log files, such as messages,
errors and warnings.
Instrument Control
The Control Panel and Status Panel (4 in Figure 4-1) display the
controls of the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ICP-MS instrument and the status
of the scripts of the Configuration loaded.
Instrument Control
Experiment Configuration Ribbon
Experiment Configuration Ribbon

In the Experiment Configuration ribbon of the Instrument Control
tool, select a Configuration created in the Configurator tool to display
the associated instrument controls.
1 2
Labeled Components: 1=Experiment Configuration ribbon, 2=instrument and

peripheral tab
Figure 4-2. Experiment Configuration ribbon
❖ To load a Configuration
1. Select the Experiment Configuration ribbon.

2. In the Select section, expand the listbox to display available
Configurations.
3. Select the Configuration of your iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ICP-MS

system.
The controls of the Configuration stored in the hardware database
for your instrument are loaded into Instrument Control.
Instrument Control
The iCAP Q / iCAP RQ Ribbon

Instrument Control displays the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon when an
iCAP Q / iCAP RQ based Configuration is loaded. The ribbon is
divided into a series of sections.
Figure 4-3. The iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon
❖ To open the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon
1. In the data view section, select the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon.

The iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon is activated.
Control Section
The Control section of the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon, see Figure 4-4,
provides basic control of the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ICP-MS. The results
are displayed in real time.
Figure 4-4. Control section of the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon
The currently active state is indicated by highlighting the active button’s

background.
Instrument Control
The Control buttons for the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ICP-MS instrument

are summarized in Table 4-1.
Table 4-1. Control buttons for iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ICP-MS instrument
Button Command Description
On Switches the plasma on.
The confirmation window opens.
Ensure the required action is performed and

click Yes to switch the plasma on.
Off Switches the plasma off.
The confirmation window opens.
Ensure the required action is performed and

click Yes to switch the plasma off.
Tip The Off button remains disabled while a
LabBook is running.
Run Starts an acquisition in the real-time display.
Stop Stops the real-time display acquisition.
Restart Restarts the real-time display acquisition.
Tip To start the plasma, refer also to the Qtegra chapter. See “Getting
Ready” on page 5-6.
Instrument Control
Measurement Mode Section

Measurement Modes are managed in the Measurement Mode section
of the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon. KED/KEDS and CCT/CCTS are
the modes of operation that can be employed for your instrument fitted
with a collision/reaction cell (QCell).
Figure 4-5. Measurement Mode section of the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon
Items of the Measurement Mode section are described in Table 4-2.

Table 4-2. Buttons of Measurement Mode section
CCT The CCT Measurement Mode
pressurizes the cell with gas which
may lead to a chemical reaction of
the generated ions to reduce the
amount of spectral interferences.
KED The KED Measurement Mode
pressurizes the cell with gas and
applies an energy discrimination
barrier to remove unwanted
polyatomic spectral interferences.
STD The STD Measurement Mode is
Selecta the standard mode of operation
(and does not pressurize the cell).
Cold_Ins Uses reduced plasma intensity of
cold plasma.
CCTR CCT Robust mode.
KEDR KED Robust mode.
STDR STD Robust mode.
CCTS CCT Sensitivity mode.
KEDS KED Sensitivity mode.
STDS STD Sensitivity mode.
Edit Displays Measurement Mode
settings in the data view region.
Measurement Mode settings can
be viewed and edited in the data
view region.
Instrument Control
Table 4-2. Buttons of Measurement Mode section

Apply Tune Saves tune settings modified in the
Settings Control Panel to the current
Measurement Mode.
Tune Settings Gives access to all tune settings
defined.
a
For a description of Measurement Modes, see Table 9-3.
❖ To load a Measurement Mode into the Instrument Control
1. In the data view region, select the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon.

2. In the Measurement Mode section, expand Select and select a
mode from the drop-down menu.
The settings last saved for this Measurement Mode are loaded into
Instrument Control.
Viewing Tune Settings

The details of the tune settings can be viewed in Instrument Control.
See also “Control Panel” on page 4-79.
❖ To view the tune settings

2. In the Measurement Mode section, click Tune Settings.
The Settings dialog opens.
Figure 4-6. Tune settings
Instrument Control
The settings currently loaded in this dialog are indicated with in

the list on the left. In this example CCT.
3. Select the Tune Setting you wish to view on the left, for example,
STD.
Figure 4-7. Selecting new Tune setting
4. In the Settings tab, click Load.

The selected settings are loaded and Last Loaded Tune Settings
shows the corresponding Tune Setting, in this example, STD.
Figure 4-8. Tune settings loaded
5. When you click New in the Settings tab, a new Tune Setting is
created based on the current values. The new setting additionally is
indicated with .
Instrument Control
6. In the Settings tab, click History to view, compare and export the
history of these settings.
Tip According to the SOP compliance viewing and exporting the
history is only allowed for specified user sections.
7. To compare the history entries, press <Ctrl> or <Shift> and select

the range of history entries you wish to compare.
Qtegra ISDS Software allows to select more than two entries for
comparison purposes.
8. Click Compare to compare the selected entries.
The Comparison dialog opens and shows all selected entries
column by column.
9. Resize or maximize the Comparison window to make all entries

visible. The column header shows the date of selected entry with the
oldest version left and the newest version right.
10. Click the triangle in front of the items to collapse and expand the
items to focus on the interesting parts.
11. Select Show differences only if you wish to view only the
differences, which is the default setting.
When removing the tick, Qtegra ISDS Software needs a few seconds
to update the list and to show all history entries. Differences then
are shown in bold letters.
12. Click Close to close the Comparison dialog.
13. On Export, click the triangle to open the shortcut menu and select
the file format for the history export.
a. Select Save as HTML to compile an HTML history that is

displayed in your browser.
The Save As dialog is opened to select the file format for the
history export.
b. Select Save as PDF to compile a PDF history that is shown in

your PDF viewer.
The Save As dialog is opened to select the folder and to type the
file name of the PDF file.
c. Select Save as RTF to generate a history that is displayed in

Microsoft Word or your alternative RTF viewer.
The Save As dialog is opened to select the folder and to type the
file name of the RTF file.
d. Select Save as XML to generate a history that is displayed in the

Internet Explorer.
The Browse For Folder dialog is opened to select the folder
where you want to save the XML output.
Instrument Control
14. Click Close to close the History dialog.
15. In the Settings tab, click Save to save the settings.
❖ To close the tune settings

2. In the Measurement Mode section, click Tune Settings.
The tab Measurement Modes in the data view region closes.
Change Tune Settings of a Measurement Mode

The tune settings of a Measurement Mode that can be loaded can
directly be adjusted via the Control Panel of Instrument Control. See
also “Control Panel” on page 4-79.
❖ To change the Tune Settings of a Measurement Mode

2. In the Measurement Mode section, expand Select and select a
mode you wish to change from the drop-down menu.
The settings last saved for this Measurement Mode are loaded into
Instrument Control.
3. Adjust the settings via the Control Panels as needed.

See “Control Panel” on page 4-79 for details.
4. Click Apply Tune Settings to store the current settings to the
selected Measurement Mode.
Editing a Measurement Mode

In the Measurement Mode section of the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon
in Instrument Control, click the Edit button to open a new tab
Measurement Modes in the data view region, see Figure 4-9. Here, new
Measurement Modes can be changed, created or deleted. The newly
Instrument Control
created Measurement Modes are based on the pre-configured

Measurement Modes and can be modified to suit the needs of your
application.
Figure 4-9. Edit Measurement Mode in data view region
The Measurement Mode drop-down list includes all modes defined.

For each Measurement Mode, you can define the Added stabilization
time [s], a delay time that is used when switching from one mode to
another within an analysis. The Excluded Ranges table shows the
Begin and End range for each excluded range. The excluded ranges refer
to protected zones of the mass spectrum, which are not scanned in a
survey run.
The Current tune setting table shows a history of tune settings defined
for this Measurement Mode, according to their creation date.
All changes are automatically applied to the selected mode in the Edit
view of the data view region, no extra saving is necessary. The changes
have no effect on the currently loaded settings.
❖ To open the Edit mode for a Measurement Mode

The ribbon is activated.
2. In the Measurement Mode section, click Edit.
A new Measurement Modes tab opens to show the Edit view in the
data view region.
❖ To edit a Measurement Mode in the Edit mode
1. In the Edit view, select the mode you wish to edit from the
Measurement Mode drop-down list.
Instrument Control
2. Change the values for Added stabilization time as appropriate.

The changes are automatically applied to the Measurement Mode
selected. The changes have no effect on the currently loaded
settings.
3. Change the values for Excluded Ranges if necessary.

The changes are automatically applied to the Measurement Mode
selected. The changes have no effect on the currently loaded
settings.
4. Select the Source autotune configuration from the drop-down

menu.
Figure 4-10. Source autotune settings
This relates a previously defined Source Autotune routine to the

selected Measurement Mode, if special conditions make specialized
autotune procedures necessary, for example, for Laser Ablation. For
details on creating a new Source Autotune, see “Autotune Wizard”
on page 4-28.
Tip The Source autotune configuration available is mainly
dependent on the hardware adopted for your iCAP Q / iCAP RQ
ICP-MS instrument.
5. Select the Master in source tune section check box to use the
parameters determined by the Source autotune configuration
routine for other related Measurement Modes, for example, modes
based on KED and CCT but adopted likewise to special conditions.
This check box is by default selected for STD and STDS.
❖ To add a new Measurement Mode in the Edit mode
1. In the Edit view, click Add new mode.

The Add Measurement Mode dialog opens.
Figure 4-11. Add Measurement Mode dialog
2. Type a Name for the new Measurement Mode.
Instrument Control
3. Click OK to add the new Measurement Mode to the list.
❖ To delete a Measurement Mode in the Edit mode
1. In the Edit view, select the mode you wish to delete from the
Measurement Mode drop-down list. Default Measurement Modes
cannot be deleted.
2. Click Delete selected mode to open a confirmation dialog.
3. Click Yes to delete the selected Measurement Mode from the list.
❖ To close the Edit mode
1. In the Measurement Mode section, click the activated Edit button.

The Measurement Modes tab in the data view region closes.
Display Section
The Display section of the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon allows you to
select different views for the real-time display data in both the Data
Display tab and the Average Intensities view of the data view region.
Figure 4-12. Display section of the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon
Instrument Control
The buttons of the Display section are summarized in Table 4-3. They
take effect in all modes.
Table 4-3. Buttons of Display section
Calibrated The real-time display analytes are cross
calibrated. These are the analytes which are
selected in the Analyte View and which are
shown in both the graphic and tabulated
RTDs.
Analytes are acquired in the appropriate

detector mode depending on the absolute
count rate for the respective analyte signal.
The calibrated intensity is shown in cps.
Analog The ion counting section of the detector is
switched off and real-time display analytes
are acquired with the analog section of the
detector only.
Ion The analog section of the detector is
Counting disabled and real-time display analytes are
acquired in ion-counting only.
If the signal is sufficient to trip and gate the

detector, the signal reads -33.
Show Displays the analog signal as well as the
Analog calibrated signal in the Average Intensities
view and in the Spectrum window of the
Data Display. The Chromatogram window
of the Data Display still only displays
calibrated signals.
Normal Sets mode in the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ tab
Data Display to Normal. Each scan is
shown individually.
Average Sets mode in the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ tab
Data Display to Average. From the moment
Average is selected, scans are averaged where
Spectrum
the number of averaged scans is displayed in
red in the top left corner of the spectra.
History Sets mode in the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ tab
Data Display to History. The latest scan is
shown in full color and preceding scans are
shown in gradually fading color.
The Spectrum display is modified and presented according to the mode

selected from the Spectrum drop-down list.
Instrument Control
For details on the data view region display, see “Data Display tab” on
page 4-73.
❖ To switch between different detector modes
2. In the Display section, click Calibrated, Analog or Ion Counting

to select the desired detector mode.
The Data Display tab of the data view region presents the data
according to your selection. The Average Intensities list changes
respectively.
❖ To set the real-time display

2. Expand Spectrum and select a mode from the drop-down list, for
example, Average.
The data in the Data Display tab of the data view region is presented
according to your selection.
Wizards Section
The wizards available in the Wizards section of the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ
ribbon help tuning the system.
Figure 4-13. Wizard section of the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon
Instrument Control
The buttons of the Wizards section are summarized in Table 4-4.

Table 4-4. Buttons of Wizard section
Autotune Offers direct access to Source
Autotune.
Opens the Autotune Wizard via
the drop-down list. The wizard
guides you through the steps
necessary to create, edit or run an
autotune sequence for the
instrument.
Detector Setup Opens the Detector Setup wizard.
The wizard guides you through the
steps necessary to set up the
detector and carry out a cross
calibration. Make sure that the
Measurement Mode STD or
STDS is selected before starting
the wizard.
Mass Calibration Opens the Mass Calibration
wizard. The wizard guides you
through the steps necessary to
carry out a mass calibration of the
quadrupole. Make sure that the
Measurement Mode STD or
STDS is selected before starting
the wizard.
Performance Opens the Performance Report
Report wizard. The Report wizard guides
you through the steps necessary to
create, edit or run a Performance
Report.
Performance Report Wizard

The Wizards section of the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon gives access to
the Performance Report wizard. Performance Reports (.impr files) are
edited and created in the Instrument Control tool to acquire
Performance Report data. Depending on the instrument, the files are
located in different folders:
• iCAP Q: C:\ProgramData\Thermo\Qtegra\_Application Data\

PluginData\BrigidMS\PerformanceReport
• iCAP RQ: C:\ProgramData\Thermo\Qtegra\_Application Data\

PluginData\BrigidMS\Model\iCAPRQ\PerformanceReport
Instrument Control
The data acquired by a Performance Report is stored in a *.imprdat file.

These are stored in:
• C:\ProgramData\Thermo\Qtegra\_Application Data\
Workspace\Reports\PerformanceReport
The results from a Performance Report are displayed and printed from a
Report template (.qrpt files). Depending on the instrument, the
PerformanceReport.qrpt is located in different folders:
• iCAP Q: C:\ProgramData\Thermo\Qtegra\_Application Data\

PluginData\BrigidMS\Reports
• iCAP RQ: C:\ProgramData\Thermo\Qtegra\_Application Data\

PluginData\BrigidMS\Model\iCAPRQ\Reports
Performance Reports are normally performed every day before analysis

takes place. This ensures that the instrument is operating consistently
and is delivering the desired sensitivity and performance characteristics.
Four wizards assist you to edit or run a Performance Report. The colors
in the diagram indicate each way.
1 3
2 4
Figure 4-14. Performance Report wizard: Flow chart
Instrument Control
Labeled Components: A=Start page, B=Finish page, 1=Select Report (run

mode), 2=Load status / Acquisition status (run mode), 3=Select Report (edit
mode), 4=Select element / Select molecule / Define ratios / Define tests /
Define mass calibration tests / Perform vacuum check / Save Report (edit
mode)
Figure 4-14. Performance Report wizard: Flow chart
Starting from the top diamond (A in Figure 4-14), the blue way to the
right indicates editing mode, the red way to the left indicates the run
mode. Both the edit and the run mode may be bypassed by the selection
of an existing Report, see orange (1 in Figure 4-14) and green (3 in
Figure 4-14) ways. After stepping through the wizard, 2 steps when
running (2 in Figure 4-14), 7 steps when editing (4 in Figure 4-14), the
final page to finish the Performance Report wizard is opened, see lower
parallelogram (B in Figure 4-14).
In the following the modes are described in detail.
❖ To open the first page of the Performance Report wizard

2. In the Wizards section, click Performance Report to open the first
page of the wizard.
Two edit modes are available.
Instrument Control
❖ To edit or create a Performance Report with the Performance Report

wizard
1. In the Performance Report wizard, select Edit an existing

Performance Report, see Figure 4-15 or, Create a new
Performance Report if you do not want to change existing Reports.
Figure 4-15. Performance Report wizard: Welcome page
2. Click Next.
3. In order to edit an existing Report, select a Performance Report.
Figure 4-16. Performance Report wizard: Selecting a Report
Tip If you wish to delete an autotune sequence, select it in the

field Available sequences and press <Delete> on your keyboard.
Instrument Control
4. Click Next to open the next wizard pages that describe the “blue”
mode.
5. In the Elements tab, select the analytes to be monitored from the
periodic table.
Figure 4-17. Performance Report wizard: Selecting analytes
6. In the Molecules tab, select molecules to be monitored in the

Performance Report, if appropriate.
Figure 4-18. Performance Report wizard: Selecting molecules
7. Click Next.
Instrument Control
8. Drag analytes from Selected analytes to Defined ratios to define

the ratios for the analytes needed to determine, for example, the
oxide ratio or the ratio of doubly charged ions.
Figure 4-19. Performance Report wizard: Defining ratios for the analytes
9. Click Next.
10. Define the test criteria.
Figure 4-20. Performance Report wizard: Defining tests
The instrument needs several runs to be tuned correctly. Here, you

may specify more tolerant limits for the first run to keep the tuning
run successful. Initially, the limit of all other runs is set as default.
11. To edit the limits, double-click the desired cell in the Limit or 1st
Run Limit column, and type the new value.
Instrument Control
12. Click Next.

13. Define the mass calibration test criteria.
Figure 4-21. Performance Report wizard: Defining mass calibration tests
14. Click Next.

15. Check whether you want to perform the vacuum check to be added
to the performance test.
Figure 4-22. Performance Report wizard: Adding vacuum check
Instrument Control
The result of the vacuum check is listed in the Performance Report.

The check runs against specified pressure values, that means, the
analyzer pressure needs to be lower than 10-6 mbar.
Figure 4-23. Performance Report wizard: Vacuum Check section
16. Click Next.

17. Select a Performance Report from the list.
For Name, you can also type a new name for the Report.
Figure 4-24. Performance Report wizard: Naming the Report
Tip For the Performance Report to be started with Run

Performance Report from active Measurement Mode, it must
have the same name as the Measurement Mode.
18. Type the Description for the new Report, and details about the
required solution as appropriate.
19. Click Next to save the Performance Report.
Instrument Control
20. Click Finish to end the Performance Report wizard.
Figure 4-25. Performance Report wizard: Completing the wizard
❖ To run a Performance Report with the Performance Report wizard
1. In the Performance Report wizard select Run an existing

Performance Report (see Figure 4-26), or Run Performance
Report from active Measurement Mode if you use the active
mode.
Figure 4-26. Performance Report wizard: Welcome page
2. Click Next.
Instrument Control
3. When you have selected to run existing Performance reports, then

select a Performance Report.
Figure 4-27. Performance Report wizard: Selecting the Report
4. Click Next.to open the next wizard page that describes the “red”
mode, too.
The Performance Report requires the probe to be placed.
Figure 4-28. Performance Report wizard: Loading the sample
Instrument Control
5. Place the probe into the solution and click Next.

The acquisition status is shown.
Figure 4-29. Performance Report wizard: Acquisition status
When the acquisition is completed, the Next button is activated.
Figure 4-30. Performance Report wizard: Acquisition completed
6. Click Next.
Instrument Control
7. Check Open Report if desired, and click Finish to complete the

Performance Report wizard.
Figure 4-31. Performance Report wizard: Completing the wizard
Autotune Wizard
the Autotune wizard.
An autotune procedure can be necessary when the performance of the

instrument falls below the limits specified in the Performance Report
and all other measures like cleaning or exchanging of the sample
introduction system have been exhausted.
Furthermore, a special Source Autotune procedure is recommended to

be run when parts of the sample introduction system like nebulizer or
cones, have been exchanged, or the system is being equipped with a
different gas type (for example O2/He mixture instead of pure He) for
operation of the QCell.
The Autotune Wizard guides you through creating, editing or running

an autotune sequence.
❖ To edit an existing Autotune sequence with the Autotune wizard
1. Expand Wizards > Autotune and select Autotune Wizard.
Instrument Control
2. The Autotune wizard opens.
Figure 4-32. Autotune wizard: Welcome page
3. Select Edit an existing Autotune sequence. Click Next.
4. From the list of Available sequences, select the autotune sequence

to be edited.
Figure 4-33. Autotune wizard: Selecting autotune sequence
Tip If you wish to delete an autotune sequence, select it in the

Available sequences list and press <Delete> on the keyboard.
Instrument Control
5. Select the controls and ranges for the autotune sequence. Changed
controls are highlighted.
Figure 4-34. Autotune wizard: Selecting controls and ranges of

sequence
Tip If you run an autotune, which tunes two lenses (starting with
lens-1, followed by lens-2), the potential applied to lens-2 during
the lens-1 tune depends on the selection of Use Default.
If Use Default is selected, the lens-2 potential is set to the default
values in the Select Controls table.
If Use Default is not selected, the lens-2 potential remains on the
current value (in normal cases the value of the last tune file) and is
therefore not changed.
Instrument Control
6. Select the analytes used to tune the instrument from the periodic
table and select the dwell time for each.
Figure 4-35. Autotune wizard: Selecting dwell time for analytes
7. In the Molecules tab, select the molecules to tune the instrument, if

appropriate.
Figure 4-36. Autotune wizard: Selecting molecules
Instrument Control
8. Drag the analytes from Selected analytes to Defined ratios to

define the ratios for your analytes.
Figure 4-37. Autotune wizard: Defining ratios
The Define conditions wizard page opens.
Figure 4-38. Autotune wizard: Defining conditions for autotune

sequence
9. Define the conditions for all stages and click Next each time.
The final Next leads to the Save the Autotune sequence dialog.
Tip The Fine Scan will only be executed if Retune is selected.
10. Select an existing autotune sequence from the list if you wish to
overwrite it.
Instrument Control
-or-
Type a new name.
Figure 4-39. Autotune wizard: Defining a name for autotune sequence
11. Type a Description and the Solution required for the new
autotune.
Figure 4-40. Autotune wizard: Autotune sequence is saved
12. Click Finish to close the wizard.
❖ To create a new autotune sequence with the Autotune wizard
Instrument Control
3. Select Create a new Autotune sequence. Click Next.
4. Select the controls and ranges for your new autotune sequence.
Changed controls are highlighted.
Figure 4-42. Autotune wizard: Selecting controls and ranges of

sequence for new autotune sequence
5. Specify appropriate default values for controls that are kept constant
during the autotune procedure.
Instrument Control
6. Select the analytes used to tune the instrument from the periodic
table and select the dwell time for each.
Figure 4-43. Autotune wizard: Selecting dwell time for analytes for new
autotune sequence
7. In the Molecules tab, select the molecules used to tune the

instrument, if appropriate.
Figure 4-44. Autotune wizard: Selecting molecules for new autotune

sequence
Instrument Control
8. Drag analytes from Selected analytes to Defined ratios to define

the ratios for your analyte.
Figure 4-45. Autotune wizard: Defining ratios for a new autotune

sequence
The Define conditions wizard page opens.
Figure 4-46. Autotune wizard: Defining conditions for a new autotune

sequence
9. Define conditions for all stages and click Next each time.
The final Next leads to the Save the Autotune sequence dialog.
Tip The Fine Scan will only be executed if Retune is selected.
Instrument Control
10. Type the Name and Description for the new autotune sequence,
and details about the required solution as appropriate.
Figure 4-47. Autotune wizard: Defining a name for a new autotune

sequence
Tip If you choose SourceTune+<space> at the beginning for Name,

this autotune sequence appears in the drop-down list for Source
autotune configuration when you edit Measurement Modes (see
“Editing a Measurement Mode” on page 4-11). All characters after
the space are shown.
11. Type a Description and the Solution required for the new
autotune sequence.
Figure 4-48. Autotune wizard: New autotune sequence is saved
Instrument Control
❖ To run existing autotune sequence with the Autotune wizard
3. Select Run an existing Autotune sequence. Click Next.
4. Select the autotune sequence you wish to run.
Figure 4-50. Autotune wizard: Selecting the sequence to run
Instrument Control
5. The Load the sample wizard page opens. Load the tuning solution
and click Next.
Figure 4-51. Autotune wizard: Loading the sample
6. The Tune Data View wizard page opens.
Figure 4-52. Autotune wizard: Tune Data View
The effect of the modification of each tuned parameter can be

observed in real time.
When the tuning process is completed, you can browse through the
results of the Tune Data View.
7. Click the arrows top left to view the results.
Instrument Control
The Acquisition status wizard page shows the progress of the data
acquisition.
Figure 4-53. Autotune wizard: Tuning results
8. On the final wizard page, select Yes to save the results.
Figure 4-54. Autotune wizard: Autotune sequence completed
9. Select Open Report if you wish to open the Report with the next
step.
Instrument Control
Source Autotune
The Wizards section of the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon tab in
Instrument Control gives access to the Source Autotune wizard.
For the modes STD, CCT and KED, Source Autotune will be started
with High Matrix, for STDS, CCTS and KEDS with High Sensitivity,
for the Robust modes STDR, CCTR and KEDR with very high matrix
load, or as defined, see “Editing a Measurement Mode” on page 4-11.
A source autotune is executed every time the Performance Report of the

Get Ready function fails, that is, the performance of the instrument falls
below the limits specified in the Performance Report, although they can
be performed more regularly if desired. Each Measurement Mode has a
defined autotune (with the same name), which you can modify.
❖ To run the Source Autotune wizard

2. Expand Wizards > Autotune and select Source Autotune.
-or-
Click Autotune to open the Source Autotune wizard directly.
3. The Source Autotune wizard opens.
Figure 4-55. Source Autotune wizard: Start page
Instrument Control
4. Load the tuning solution and click Next.

The Tune Data View wizard page opens.
Figure 4-56. Source Autotune wizard: Tune Data View
The effect of the modification of each tuned parameter can be

observed in real time.
When the tuning process is completed, the Tune Data View waits
for you to browse through the results.
5. Click the arrows on the top left side to view the results.
6. The Acquisition status page shows the progress of the data
acquisition.
Figure 4-57. Source Autotune wizard: Acquisition status
Instrument Control
7. On the final wizard page, select Yes to save the results.
Figure 4-58. Source Autotune wizard: Completed sequence run
8. Select Open Report if you wish to open the Report with the next
step.
Detector Setup Wizard

the Detector Setup wizard.
The detector setup should only be performed when the instrument

sensitivity is starting to decline and when other reasons, for example,
those related to the sample introduction system, can be excluded. The
procedure is performed on average once a month and typically, the
automated procedure will increase the voltage applied to the pulse
counting section of the detector so that it just lies on the plateau of a
detector gain curve. The voltage of the analog section of the detector is
normally also increased to ensure the cross calibration is accurate and
maintained at a defined level.
❖ To perform a detector cross calibration with the Detector Setup wizard
1. In the Instrument Control tool, be sure to change to STD/STDS

mode before starting the wizard.
Instrument Control
2. In the Wizards section, click Detector Setup.

The wizard opens.
Figure 4-59. Detector Setup wizard: Welcome page
Tip If the plasma power status is On, Detector Cross Calibration,

Detector HV Setup and Cross Calibration, and Full Detection System
Calibration are enabled. If the plasma power status is Off, only
Install new Detector is enabled.
3. Select Detector Cross Calibration. Click Next.
Instrument Control
The periodic table page opens.
Figure 4-60. Detector Setup wizard: Selecting analytes
Tip The analyte list presets shown above the periodic table of
elements control your cross calibration analyte data. There are
three different preset types you may use for your laboratory
environment.
• The default analyte list used in your previous version of Qtegra has
no name and will appear as a blank entry. The default analyte list
may be changed and saved with new settings.
• Additional user-defined analyte list presets may be created within

this wizard.
• The factory default analyte list shipped with the instrument may
be loaded by clicking the Reset button. This factory default never
can be modified and is therefore copied into the currently selected
analyte list preset.
❖ Working with analyte list presets
a. To create a new analyte list preset, type a name for the preset
into this box. An information line “(new analyte list preset)” is
displayed beneath the Reset button to indicate changes
regarding the name.
As soon as you click Next the preset is saved.
b. All prior saved presets can be selected from this list.

To get the default cross calibration analyte list, clear the box,
which means that the default entry is selected and may be
changed.
Instrument Control
c. To reset the currently selected analyte list preset to the factory

default analyte list, click Reset.
The name of your current analyte list preset remains unchanged,
but the settings are copied from the factory default analyte list.
d. To delete the currently selected analyte list preset, click Delete.
The default analyte list will be loaded.
e. For cross calibration, you must select analytes that represent at
least 4 mass ranges, 4-12, 50-80, 100-150, and 200-245 amu. If
your selection does not represent all 4 mass ranges, an
information line is displayed below the list of elements and Next
cannot be clicked.
Figure 4-61. Detector Setup wizard: Information message for

missed mass ranges
The information line is updated according to your selection of

analytes and displays only the relevant needs. Make sure to select
analytes that have atomic mass units (amu) in the missed range.
The Load the Sample wizard page opens.
Figure 4-62. Detector Setup wizard: Loading the sample
4. Place the probe into the setup solution if not already done so.
Instrument Control
The Waiting for sample uptake page opens.
Figure 4-63. Detector Setup wizard: Waiting for sample uptake
The Detector Setup wizard applies a minimum delay time for

sample uptake in order to assure that enough sample has entered the
plasma.
5. Click Pause to delay further if more time is needed.

Click Continue when ready.
6. To begin the setup before the delay time elapsed, click Next.
The Analog Offset Determination starts.
Figure 4-64. Detector Setup wizard: Analog Offset Determination
Instrument Control
The Cross Calibration starts.
Figure 4-65. Detector Setup wizard: Cross calibration start
The progress of the cross calibration is shown.
Figure 4-66. Detector Setup wizard: Cross calibration progress
If the detector cross calibration cannot be completed successfully, a

procedure for setting up the detector voltages is automatically
started.
Instrument Control
7. Click Next when the button is activated.

The Summary of the Detector Setup is shown.
Figure 4-67. Detector Setup wizard: Detector setup summary
8. Click Finish to store the calibration factors and leave the Detector
Setup.
❖ To perform a detector high voltage setup and cross calibration with the
Detector Setup wizard
1. In the Instrument Control tool, be sure to change to STD or

STDS mode before starting the wizard.
2. In the Wizard section, click Detector Setup.
The wizard opens.
Instrument Control
3. Select Detector HV Setup and Cross Calibration. Click Next.
4. The periodic table page opens.
Figure 4-69. Detector Setup wizard: Selecting analytes
The defined analytes for the detector cross calibration are displayed
and can be modified if required.
The Load the Sample page opens.
Instrument Control
6. The Waiting for sample uptake page opens.

plasma.

The analog baseline determination starts.
Figure 4-72. Detector Setup wizard: Analog baseline determination
Instrument Control
The analog baseline determination is followed by a coarse and fine

adjustment of the detector voltages.
Figure 4-73. Detector Setup wizard: Coarse and fine adjustment of

detector voltage
Afterward, a cross calibration factor determination is performed.

The summary of the detector High Voltage setup and cross
calibration is shown.
Figure 4-74. Detector Setup wizard: Summary of detector HV setup and

cross calibration
Instrument Control
The setup is finished.
Figure 4-75. Detector Setup wizard: Detector HV setup and cross

calibration are finished
9. Click Finish to store the detector voltages and the cross calibration
factors. You are leaving the Detector Setup.
❖ To perform a detector setup with the Full Detection System Calibration

wizard

2. In the Wizard section, click Detector Setup.
The wizard opens.
Instrument Control
3. Select Full Detector System Calibration.
4. Click Next to open the periodic table page.
Figure 4-77. Detector Setup wizard: Select analytes
The defined analytes for the detector cross calibration are displayed
and can be modified if required.
Instrument Control
The Waiting for sample uptake page opens.

plasma.

The analog baseline and analog amplifier determination for the
analog offset determination starts.
Figure 4-80. Detector Setup wizard: Analog offset determination
Instrument Control
The analog offset determination is followed by a coarse and fine

adjustment of the counting amplifier threshold of the detector
voltages.
Figure 4-81. Detector Setup wizard: Counting threshold determination
Afterward, the detector voltages are adjusted by searching an

appropriate plateau of the counting detector voltage and a coarse
adjustment of the analog voltage.
Figure 4-82. Detector Setup wizard: Acquisition status of the detector

voltage adjustment routine
Instrument Control
The determination of the detector voltages is followed by an

adjustment of the counting gate level.
Figure 4-83. Detector Setup wizard: Counting gate level setup
The cross calibration progress is shown.
Figure 4-84. Detector Setup wizard: Cross calibration progress
Instrument Control
The summary is shown.
Figure 4-85. Detector Setup wizard: Summary page
The setup is finished.
Figure 4-86. Detector Setup wizard: Full Detection system calibration is

finished
8. Click Finish to store the determined offset values, the detector

voltages and the cross calibration factors. You are leaving the
Detector Setup.
Instrument Control
Mass Calibration Wizard

the Mass Calibration wizard.
It is necessary to perform a mass calibration whenever the peak width

determination specified in the Performance Reports fails or the mass
peaks are not aligned correctly. Thermo Fisher Scientific recommends
performing the mass calibration after defined time intervals, for
example, every month. A mass calibration is also executed every time the
Performance Report of the Get Ready function fails and Autotune did
not improve the performance.
The software uses a mass calibration equation so that when a mass is

selected for measurement, the control electronics can set the quadrupole
to transmit that mass. The mass calibrations are stored such that any
experiment can access them when the experiment is being run.
A deviation from the linear mass calibration is due to the nature of the
quadrupole. The deviation is calculated with a fit that divides the entire
mass range into four areas (scan regions).
The analytes selected for the measurement and those in the setup
solution provide the fit parameters in these scan regions. The calculated
parameters or coefficients and the deviation are then shown in
Views > Mass Calibration.
If you select Execute a Coarse Mass Calibration first, the polyatomics

40Ar.40Ar and 40Ar.16O instead of the analytes are taken for a rough
calculation.
The Mass Calibration wizard executes the mass calibrations for both the
normal- and high-resolution quadrupole modes.
❖ To perform a mass calibration with the wizard

Instrument Control
2. Click Wizard > Mass Calibration.

The wizard opens.
Figure 4-87. Mass Calibration wizard: Welcome page
3. Click Next.
The Coarse Mass Calibration page opens.
Figure 4-88. Mass Calibration wizard: Coarse mass calibration option
4. If you select Execute a Coarse Mass Calibration first, the second

check box Load Tune Settings becomes available.
This option only needs to be selected if the mass calibration is
Instrument Control
expected to be significantly different, for example, due to new

hardware, or if a mass calibration without this option has failed.
Figure 4-89. Mass Calibration wizard: Coarse calibration selected
5. If you select Load Tune Settings, select a tune setting from the
Autotune sequence drop-down list.
If you do not select a setting from the list, the tune settings currently
loaded will be used.
6. Click Next.
Figure 4-90. Mass Calibration wizard: Loading the sample
Instrument Control
7. Place your probe into the sample solution if not already done so and
click Next.
Figure 4-91. Mass Calibration wizard: Waiting for the sample uptake
The Mass Calibration wizards applies a minimum delay time for

plasma.

9. To begin the calibration before the delay time elapsed, click Next.
The data acquisition for the mass calibration starts.
10. In the data view region, select the real-time Data Display tab, which
shows the actual data acquired.
Figure 4-92. Data Display of mass calibration
Instrument Control
11. The Result page opens automatically after the calibration is

finished.
Figure 4-93. Mass Calibration wizard: Result page
12. Click Finish to finish the mass calibration and store the acquired
parameters.
Figure 4-94. Mass Calibration wizard: Completing the wizard
The mass calibration results can be viewed in detail in the “Views

Section” on page 4-64.
Instrument Control
Views Section
The Views section of the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon allows for viewing
instrument calibrations, Performance Reports and a real-time readback
plot of the Control Panel parameters.
Figure 4-95. View section of the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ribbon
The buttons of the Views section are summarized in Table 4-5.

Table 4-5. Buttons of Views section
Readback Opens the Readback Plot tab in the data
Plot view region. Specific instrument
parameters can be viewed in real time.
The toolbar and the shortcut menu of the Report offer

options, for example, to scale the y-axis, change the grid
display, show the legend or to print or export data.
Select an item form the HardwareObjectList drop-down

list and select the check box for the parameter you wish to
view.
Instrument Control
Table 4-5. Buttons of Views section, continued

Performance Opens the Performance Report tab in the
Report data view region. Completed Performance
Reports can be viewed, exported or
printed.
The toolbar of the Report offers options, for example, to

view the Report, or print or export data.
The Report Name drop-down list lists all Reports

previously created.
Autotune Opens the Autotune Report tab in the data
Report view region. Completed Autotune Reports
can be viewed, exported or printed.


previously created.
Instrument Control

Detector Opens the Detector Report tab in the data
Setup view region. Shows the results of the
Report detector setup.


previously created.
Cross Opens the Cross Calibration View tab in
Calibration the data view region. Shows the currently
Factors valid and previous cross calibrations.
The shortcut menu offers options, for example, to save

the graph as image, show point values, or copy or print
the graph.
Instrument Control

Click a point in the graph to view the details.
Tick Use to include this value.

Clear the Use check box to exclude this value, and then
tick or clear the Do not use the measured factor for this
mass check box.
Click Previous or Next to step through all measured

points.
Mass Opens the Mass Calibration View tab in
Calibration the data view region. Shows the currently
valid and previous mass calibrations.
The shortcut menu provides options, for example, to save

the graph as image, show point values, or copy or print
the graph.
Instrument Control
Window Ribbon
Window Ribbon
The Window ribbon allows for changing the appearance of the
Instrument Control tool, to store favorite display settings and layouts,
and to access the Qtegra ISDS Software version information.
Figure 4-96. Window ribbon
❖ To select the layout
1. In the data view region, select the Window ribbon.

2. Expand Layout to display the list of available layout and select a
layout.
The layout is changed accordingly.
❖ To add a layout

2. In the Layout section, click Add this Layout to add the current
layout to the list of layouts.
The Enter Name For Layout dialog opens.
Figure 4-97. Enter Name For Layout dialog
3. Type a name for your layout.
4. Click OK to save your layout under this name.
❖ To delete a layout
Instrument Control
Window Ribbon
2. Click Remove Layouts.

A dialog opens for selection.
Figure 4-98. Select Layouts to be removed dialog
3. Tick the check box to select the layout you wish to delete.
❖ To change the appearance of the Instrument Control tool

2. Expand Palette > Base and select the base color (blue, black, silver)
from the list of preset colors.
The base color changes.
3. Expand Palette > Select Blend and select a blend of color from the
palette to change the color blend of the window.
❖ To display the Qtegra information
2. In the Help section, click About Qtegra to display the software

details.
A window opens to display copyright and version information.
❖ To maximize and minimize the ribbon
1. Select the Window ribbon, for example, but note that this function
is valid for all ribbons of the Instrument Control tool.
2. Right-click anywhere in the ribbon to display the shortcut menu.
Figure 4-99. Window ribbon of Instrument Control tool
Instrument Control
Window Ribbon
3. Select Minimize the Ribbon.

A check mark is shown before Minimize the Ribbon and the
ribbon is minimized.
The next time you want to click an item from the ribbon, you first
click the menu to show the ribbon and then select the command as
desired.
Instrument Control
Data View Region
Data View Region

The data view region of the Instrument Control tool shows a real time
display for all configurable data of the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ICP-MS
instrument. Different instrument data is provided on tabbed pages and
can be accessed by clicking the appropriate tab.
By default, the data view region is empty when no Configuration is

loaded. When a Configuration is loaded, this pane displays the settings
available for the selected tab.
Settings for iCAP Q / iCAP RQ in the Data View Region

In the data view region, the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ tab offers two main
views on tabbed pages, the Analytes and the Data Display page.
Figure 4-100. Periodic table in the data view region
Tip The Average Intensities pane is always displayed with the

iCAP Q / iCAP RQ tab.
Analytes tab
The Analytes view in the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ tab of the data view
region is divided into two parts.
Instrument Control
Data View Region
The upper part shows the periodic table on the Elements tab and
polyatomics on the Molecules tab. The lower part shows the Analyte
Table and Formula Table tabs. Each can be edited as required.
Figure 4-101. iCAP Q / iCAP RQ tab Analytes showing the Elements page
❖ To open the Analytes view
2. In the data view region, click the Analytes tab (activated by default).
The upper Elements and Molecules tabs and lower Analyte Table
and Formula Table tabs are now accessible.

Creating A New Configuration: Table 3-6

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Configurator

Table 3-6. Experiment Configurator commands, continued

To view, compare and export the history of a

❖ To open the Experiment Configurator

1. From the Configurator list of applets, select Experiment

Creating a new Configuration

❖ To create a new Configuration

1. From Configurator > Experiment Configurator, click New to add

Figure 3-11. Add new Configuration

2. Type a name and click anywhere outside the field.

Press <Enter> to confirm.

3. Type a Description in Configuration Details.

4. From the right-hand pane of available Instruments, select your

All supported instruments and peripherals are listed in the

5. Drag iCAP Q / iCAP RQ from the Instruments tab to your new

Figure 3-12. Adding the instrument to your Configuration

The Configuration item is expanded and shows one instrument.

Figure 3-13. Instrument and autosampler added to your Configuration

1. Select the Configuration you wish to rename.

2. In the Name field, change the name accordingly.

3. Optionally, change the Description.

Editing the Settings of Instruments

❖ To edit the instrument or peripheral settings

1. From Configurator > Experiment Configurator, open the list of

Figure 3-14. Right-click the instrument item to edit the settings

2. Click Edit settings to open the Settings dialog.

Figure 3-15. Settings dialog for iCAP Q / iCAP RQ in Configurator

4. Click a cell to change the value.

Figure 3-16. Drop-down menu of Settings in the Experiment

5. Select an item from the list.

Setting the Averaging Strategy Type Value

The iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ICP-MS detector (SEM, secondary electron

Figure 3-17. Averaging Strategy Type setting

Figure 3-18. Example for measurement with very high intensity

Setting the Bubble Sensor Mode

Figure 3-19. Bubble sensor mode setting

• Select Disable bubble sensor if this sensor should not be used.

• Select Display warning if the bubble sensor should be used. A

• Select Initiate shutdown to shut down the instrument when the

In addition to these bubble sensor mode settings, the behavior of the

• Select Off to switch off the peristaltic pump in case of an interlock.

• Select Minimal Speed to switch the peristaltic pump speed to 1 rpm.

• Select Default Speed to switch the peristaltic pump speed to the

• Select Off to switch off the peristaltic pump.

Figure 3-20. Bubble Sensor Error indicator on the Dashboard

The settings in the Configuration do not change the behavior in the

❖ To reset settings to factory default

1. Open the list of Configurations and right-click the instrument or

2. Click Edit settings.

3. In the Settings dialog, click to reset all values to the

❖ To load all Configurations from the database

1. From Configurator > Experiment Configurator, click Load to

For typical applications with the iCAP Q / iCAP RQ ICP-MS

❖ To create a preset Configuration

1. Open the list of Configurations and right-click the Configuration

❖ To activate a preset Configuration

1. Select the Preset Configurations tab.

2. Select the preset Configuration you wish to work with.

3. Drag the preset Configuration to Configurations.

Figure 3-21. Selecting a preset Configuration

The preset Configuration is now added to the Configurations list.

1. Select the Configuration you wish to delete.

3. Click Yes to delete the Configuration.