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SOLAAR Software Manual 9499 400 30011
SOLAAR Software Manual 9499 400 30011
Software
Manual
010508
Chapter 2 SOLAAR Installation
Spectrometer software...............................................................2 - 3
GFTV software......................................................................2 - 3
SOLAARsecurity software......................................................2 - 3
Software installation.................................................................2 - 3
SOLAAR Data Station software.............................................2 - 3
Installing the USB drivers on the Data Station.......................2 - 4
Installing the USB drivers on the Data Station (Vista)...........2 - 6
Determining the COM port of the Spectrometer...................2 - 8
Determining the COM port of the Spectrometer using Vista 2 - 8
Installing the Data Station software.........................................2 - 9
Initialising the installation.....................................................2 - 9
Selecting the Installation folder............................................2 - 11
Downloading software to the spectrometer..........................2 - 11
Installing the Support Documentation.................................2 - 13
Installing the Adobe Acrobat Reader....................................2 - 13
The Thermo SOLAAR program group...................................2 - 14
Repairing and removing the SOLAAR software...................2 - 17
SOLAAR software and printers..............................................2 - 18
Getting Help for installing a new printer.............................2 - 18
Starting the SOLAAR application..........................................2 - 19
Starting SOLAAR................................................................2 - 19
Creating a desktop shortcut to SOLAAR.............................2 - 19
Starting SOLAAR automatically with Windows..................2 - 20
Logging in to SOLAAR software............................................2 - 21
Startup option.....................................................................2 - 22
Chapter 3 SOLAAR Software
Overview...................................................................................3 - 3
Dual Analyses........................................................................3 - 4
SOLAAR Wizards.....................................................................3 - 4
Methods....................................................................................3 - 6
Sample Details.......................................................................3 - 6
Results...................................................................................3 - 6
Working with SOLAAR............................................................3 - 7
SOLAAR Status windows......................................................3 - 8
SOLAAR Method property sheet...........................................3 - 9
This manual shows you how to install and use the SOLAAR Data
Station and OQ Tests software. It should be used in conjunction with
the other AA Series User Documentation supplied with your system, in
particular:
Windows Your SOLAAR Data Station software operates under the Microsoft
Windows 2000 (SP4), Windows XP (SP2) and Windows Vista
Ultimate operating systems. SOLAAR software has been designed to
use these operating systems and makes optimal use of their facilities.
Windows Help All versions of Windows are provided with extensive On-line Help,
which covers all aspects of day-to-day operation.
Displaying Help for Windows To display the On-line Help system for using Windows:
4. Click or double click on the topic that you want to view to select
and display it.
For more help in using the Windows On-line Help refer to the
information in the Windows basics Tips for using Help topic.
GFTV software Your AA Series Atomic Absorption Spectrometer may be fitted with
the Graphite Furnace Television (GFTV) accessory. This is included as
a standard feature on many instruments and can also be provided as a
factory-fitted upgrade. The video from the GFTV accessory is displayed
within the SOLAAR software itself.
SOLAARsecurity software If you have purchased the SOLAARsecurity software package, please
refer to the documentation included in that package for installation
instructions.
The software will have been fully tested, both in our factory before
shipping and again during installation by our trained Service Engineers
in your laboratory.
Software If you have supplied your own computer, the Service Engineer will
install and test the software during installation.
installation You will only have to install the software yourself if:
you want to move the software from one computer to another
SOLAAR Data Station software
Installing the USB drivers on the The USB drivers are required so that the Data Station can communicate
Data Station with the spectrometer. The drivers may have been installed on your
computer when the SOLAAR Data Station software was installed, either
at the factory if it was part of a complete system or by one of our Service
Engineers if you supplied your own computer. However, there may be
situations where you need to install the drivers yourself, such as moving
the SOLAAR software to another computer. To carry out the USB driver
installation on your computer you will need the SOLAAR Software
Installation CD-ROM.
1. Ensure that the Spectrometer is off.
2. Connect a USB lead between your computer and the USB
socket on the Spectrometer. A suitable USB lead is provided
with the Spectrometer.
3. Insert the SOLAAR Software Installation CD-ROM into the
CD-ROM drive of your PC
If the SOLAAR Installation program automatically starts,
select Exit.
4. On your computer, launch the Control Panel.
5. In the control panel window, double-click on the System icon.
6. In the System Properties window. Select the Hardware tab,
and click on the Windows Update button.
7. In the Connect to Windows Update window, select the Ask
me to search Windows Update every time I connect a new
device and then click OK.
8. The System Properties window and Control Panel window
can now be closed.
9. Turn on the Spectrometer.
10. The Found New Hardware Wizard window will appear. Select the
No, not this time radio button and then select the Next button.
12. In the next window, select the Search for the best driver
in these locations radio button. Ensure that the Search
removable media (floppy, CD-ROM…) is ticked. Then select
the Next button.
13. The wizard will now search for the drivers. Once the wizard
has completed, select the Finish button.
14. As there are two or three drivers to install, depending on
whether your Spectrometer is fitted with a GFTV. Follow steps
5 to 8 until the computer has found all the new hardware.
15. Your computer is now ready to be used with the Spectrometer.
Installing the USB drivers on the 1. Ensure that the Spectrometer is off.
Data Station (Vista) 2. Connect a USB lead between your computer and the USB
socket on the Spectrometer. A suitable USB lead is provided
with the Spectrometer.
3. Insert the SOLAAR Installation CD-ROM into the CD-
ROM drive of your PC. If the SOLAAR Installation starts
automatically, select Exit.
Installing the 4. USB Ondrivers on a Datalaunch
your computer Station the(VISTA)
Control Panel.
5. In the Control Panel window, double click on the System icon
1. Ensure that andthe Spectrometer
then double click is on
off.the Advanced System Settings on
2. Connect
Installing theTaska USB
USB Listlead between your
drivers on a Data Station computer
(VISTA)and the USB socket on the
Spectrometer. A suitable USB lead is provided with the Spectrometer.
3. Insert 6. theInSOLAAR
the System Properties
Installation
1. Ensure that the Spectrometer is off.
CD-ROMwindow into select the Hardware
the CD-ROM drive of tab
yourandPC. If the
SOLAAR Installation
click on the starts
Windowsautomatically,
Update select
Driver Exit.
Settings
2. Connect a USB lead between your computer and the USB socket on the button
4. On your computerAlaunch
Spectrometer. suitablethe
USB Control Panel. with the Spectrometer.
lead is provided
5. In the7. In
Control the Windows
Panel window, Update
double
3. Insert the SOLAAR Installation CD-ROM into Driver
click onSettings
the window
the System
CD-ROM driveselect
icon and Ask
then
of your PC.double
If the click
on the me Installation
Advanced
SOLAAR each System
timestarts
I connect
Settings a on
new
automatically, device
Task List
select before checking for
Exit.
6. In4. the
OnSystem
your computer
drivers. launch
Properties
Click the Control
OKwindow selectPanel.
the Hardware tab and click on the
Windows Update Driver Settings button on the System icon and then double click
5. In the Control Panel window, double click
7. In 8. Windows
on
the
theThe System
Advanced
Update Properties
System andonControl
Settings
Driver Settings
Task List
window Panel
select windows
Ask mecan eachnowtime I
6. In the System Properties window select the Hardware tab and click on the
connect
Windows
be closed.
a new device
Update before
Driver checking
Settings buttonfor drivers. Click OK
8. The
7. In System
9.
theTurn Properties
on the
Windows and Control
Spectrometer
Update Driver Panel
Settings windows
window selectcan
Asknow
me be closed.
each time I
9. Turnconnect
on the Spectrometer
a new device before checking for drivers. Click OK
10. The 10.
8. The
FoundTheNew
SystemFound New and
Properties
Hardware Hardware
Control
Wizard Wizard window
Panel will
window windows canwill
appear. nowappear.
be Locate
Select closed. and install
9. Turn
driver on the Spectrometer
software.
Select Locate and install driver software.
10. The Found New Hardware Wizard window will appear. Select Locate and install
driver software.
12. When the next wizard dialogue box appears click Next.
12. When the next wizard dialogue box appears click Next.
13. Once the driver has been installed the Found New Hardware
13. Once the should
Wizard driver has been
advise installed
you Found Newis Hardware
theinstallation
that the complete. Wizard shoul
13. Once theyou
driver
thathas
the been installed
installation the Found New Hardware Wizard should advise
is complete.
you that the installation is complete.
14. Once the wizard has completed, select the Close button.
14. Once 14. Once
theAs
15. wizard theare
there has
wizard has completed,
completed,
two or threeselect
drivers
select
thetoClose the
install,
Close button.
button.
depending on whether your Spe
15. As thereisare two or three drivers to install, depending on whether
15. Asfitted
therewith
areatwoGFTV. Follow
or three stepsto10install,
drivers to 14 until onyour Spectromete
the computer
depending has found a
is fitted with a
hardware.GFTV. Follow steps 10 to 14 until the computer has found all the ne
hardware. whether your Spectrometer is fitted with a GFTV. Follow steps
16. Your computer is now ready to be used with the Spectrometer.
10 to 14
16. Your computer untilready
is now the computer
to be usedhaswithfound all the new hardware.
the Spectrometer.
16. Your computer is now ready to be used with the Spectrometer.
Determining the COM port of the To determine which COM port the Spectrometer has been assigned on
Spectrometer your computer:
Determining the COM port of the When setting up the communications port in the SOLAAR Data
Spectrometer using Vista Software, select the COM port that is assigned to the spectrometer.
Determining the COM port of the Spectrometer using VISTA
To determine which COM port the Spectrometer has been assigned on
your computer:
Determining the COM port of the Spectrometer using VISTA
1. ToConnect the Spectrometer to your computer using the
determine which COM port the Spectrometer has been assigned on your computer:
supplied
Determining the COMUSB portcable.
of the Spectrometer using VISTA
2. Ensure
To determine2.whichthe
1. Connect
COM
Ensure
Spectrometer
the is turned
Spectrometer to your
port the Spectrometer
the Spectrometer
on.
computer using
is turned on. has
the supplied USB cable.
been assigned on your computer:
3. Click on the
3. Click
button on the desktop and then select
Control USB
Panel.cable.
1. Connect theon the
Spectrometer button on the
to your desktop and
computer thenthe
using select
supplied
Control
the Panel.
4. In the Control
2. Ensure
Panel window, double click on the System icon.
Spectrometer is turned on.
5. In the System Properties window, click on the Device Manager button.
4. In the Control Panel window, double click on the System icon.
3.5. Click
In the button onwindow,
System Properties
on the click
the desktop andon the
then Device
select Control Panel.
4. In Manager Panel window, double click on the System icon.
the Control button.
5. In the System Properties window, click on the Device Manager button.
6. In the Device Manager window, click on the + next to Ports (COM &LPT).
7. The COM port that is assigned to your Spectrometer is the first in the list labelled
Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge (COMx). Where COMx is the COM port
number.
6. In the Device Manager window, click on the + next to Ports (COM &LPT).
7. The COM port that is assigned to your Spectrometer is the first in the list labelled
2 - SOLAAR Series Software Manual Thermo Fisher Scientific
Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge (COMx). Where COMx is the COM port
number.
Installing the Data Station software
If you are installing the SOLAAR Data Station software only (i.e.,
you are NOT installing the data station for operation with the full
SOLAARsecurity package), select the No option and click OK.
If you ARE installing the data station for operation with the full
SOLAARsecurity package, then you should refer to the installation
instructions included in the user documentation supplied with the
package.
When the Installation Wizard has all the information that it needs, the
Wizard will display the Start Installation dialogue. You can use the
Back button on this dialogue to return to any of the previous dialogues
to change the information you have entered. When you click on the
Next button, the installation will start.
When the installation has been completed, the Wizard will display
a final dialogue confirming that the installation has been successful.
Click the Finish button to complete the installation.
4. Use the drop down list at the left of the dialogue to select the Data
Station’s USB/serial port that you are using.
5. Use the four radio buttons in the middle of the screen to select the
type of download that you want to perform.
Use the first radio button to download new software to the
spectrometer.
Use the second radio button to download new software to a
Graphite Furnace accessory connected to the spectrometer.
Use the third radio button to download a new version of
the Local Control software. You must have a Local Control
module fitted before you can do this.
Use the fourth radio button to download new software to the
VP100 vapour accessory.
6. When you have selected the type of download required, click on the
Download button to display the dialogue below.
Installing the Support The Support Documentation contains a wealth of Applications data,
Documentation Technical information and On-line versions of the system Manuals.
The Installation program will create shortcuts to these from the
SOLAAR program group and optionally copy the files on to your hard
drive.
Installing the Adobe Acrobat The Support Documentation is provided as Portable Document
Reader Format (.pdf ) files. To access these files you must install the Adobe
Acrobat Reader. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the
installation of the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Click on the item in the menu to start the application or view the
document.
The following table gives a very brief summary of what each of the main
icons represents.
The main SOLAAR application – select this to start
the SOLAAR software.
1. Turn on your Data Station and wait until Windows has started.
2. Click on the button to display the Start menu.
Note: This procedure will NOT remove any data files created by
the SOLAAR software – to remove, back up or copy these, refer
to the Windows On-line Help. For this reason, it is likely that the
c:\solaarm folder and one or more files or folders contained in
it will remain on your hard disk. If you are sure that there are no
necessary data files in these folders, remove them using the normal
Windows techniques for deleting files and folders.
SOLAAR software and The SOLAAR Data Station software will work with any type of printer
that is supported by the Windows operating system.
printers
Getting Help for installing a new Before you can use a printer, you must first install it into your Windows
printer system. The Windows On-line Help system will guide you through this
process if you have to install a new printer.
To get Help for installing a new printer:
1. Turn on your Data Station and wait until Windows has started.
2. Click on the button on the taskbar to display the Start
menu.
3. Click on the Help and Support command to display the Windows
Help dialogue box.
4. Click on the Printing and Faxing link in the Help topics menu on
the left-hand side of the screen.
5. On the Printing and Faxing Help screen click on Printing and then
on Basic Printing Tasks. This will bring up a menu that allows you
to select Help topics for either connecting a printer directly to your
computer, or connecting to a printer on a network.
6. Edit the name for the shortcut to read SOLAAR and click on Finish.
The new shortcut will appear on the desktop:
Starting SOLAAR automatically To make SOLAAR start automatically when Windows is started:
with Windows 1. Click on the button on the taskbar to display the Start
menu.
2. Navigate to the Thermo SOLAAR program group.
3. Right-click on the SOLAAR icon and select Create Shortcut:
Logging in to When SOLAAR starts up, it first displays the Login dialogue box so
that you can log in as the current user.
SOLAAR software To log in with the Security System disabled:
1. Start SOLAAR and wait until the Login dialogue box is displayed.
Startup option Once you have logged in, SOLAAR will start up. You will be able to
choose what happens when the program opens, but the default is for
the Wizard Launcher dialogue box to be displayed – see SOLAAR
Software / Overview / SOLAAR Wizards section for an overview of the
SOLAAR Wizards.
If you want to choose another Startup option, you will need to close the
Wizard Launcher dialogue box first.
To do this:
Click on Close in the Wizard Launcher dialogue box.
To choose the Startup option:
1. Click on Options on the View menu to display the Options
dialogue box.
2. Click on the Startup tab to display the Startup page:
Development
Developmentof theofanalytical methodology
the analytical shouldshould
methodology cover cover
the whole
the whole
analysis, including
analysis, samplesample
including collection, samplesample
collection, preparation, selection
preparation, of theof the
selection
elements
elements to be measured, the instrument and accessories to beand
to be measured, the instrument and accessories to be used used and
the values of their
the values of operating parameters.
their operating SOLAAR
parameters. software provides
SOLAAR software manymany
provides
tools to help you select and optimise the instrument parameters, but
tools to help you select and optimise the instrument parameters, but the the
process of developing
process methodology
of developing is outside
methodology the scope
is outside of thisofmanual.
the scope this manual.
Standard and sample
Standard preparation
and sample techniques
preparation are discussed
techniques in some
are discussed in some
detaildetail
in theinAtomic Absorption Methods Manual and will not be
the Atomic Absorption Methods Manual and will not be
discussed further
discussed here. here.
further
Instrument setup setup
Instrument and alignment is described
and alignment in detail
is described in theinHardware
in detail the Hardware
manual, while while
manual, techniques for aligning
techniques the system
for aligning and accessories
the system are also
and accessories are also
described in the How to… section of the SOLAAR On-line Help
described in the How to… section of the SOLAAR On-line Help system.system.
Setting up anup
Setting analysis usingusing
an analysis SOLAAR software involves
SOLAAR software changing
involves changing
the default values of parameters and options to suit the methodology
the default values of parameters and options to suit the methodology
defined for theforanalysis.
defined The information
the analysis. that SOLAAR
The information handles is
that SOLAAR handles is
grouped into distinct functions, shown below:
grouped into distinct functions, shown below:
When the analysis is run, the results are stored in a database and can
be viewed in a Results window. You can choose which results to view
and what data to see for each result. You can display a detailed view of
the results showing several or all of the result parameters, or a summary
showing a selected parameter for each of the elements in the analysis.
Dual Analyses Some models in the AA Series range of spectrometers are equipped
with dual sample compartments. The SOLAAR software enables you
to run a Method in the left-hand compartment and then automatically
switch to the right-hand compartment and run a second method. This
is referred to as a Dual Analysis.
Results SOLAAR Results:
• are generated when you run an analysis of your samples using a
Method
• are saved in a Results database. The following data is stored with the
results:
– the Sequence parameters
– all Method parameters
– the Sample Details used
Working with SOLAAR software provides several ways to interact with the Atomic
Absorption system:
SOLAAR
Status Windows are used to display information about the
system and the analysis and do not generally require you to enter
information.
• The Status Bars at the bottom of the screen display the System
Status, the sample being measured and a progress indicator showing
the percentage of the current analysis that has been completed. If a
flame or furnace analysis is being undertaken they will also display
information about the parameters being used in the analysis.
• Dialogue boxes, including Property Sheets and their Property
Pages, allow you to enter information such as parameter values and
to select options. Unlike Status Windows dialogue boxes always
contain at least one button, usually labelled OK. Clicking this
button will close the dialogue box and implement the changes to
parameter values or carry out the actions set in the dialogue box.
Most dialogue boxes also have a Cancel button. Clicking this will
close the dialogue box, discarding any changes you have made to
settings and without carrying out any actions.
• Menu commands and Tool Bar buttons are used to issue
commands to the system to cause things to happen, such as an
analysis to start or a dialogue box to open.
Status windows:
• are used to display information:
– about your analysis
– about the system hardware
• can be opened or brought to the front of the display:
– by double-clicking the relevant icon if the window is minimised
– by clicking on the name of the window on the Windows menu
• have associated menus, which:
– appear on the menu bar when the window is active
– contain commands relevant to the window’s content
• have context menus, which:
– appear when you right-click inside the window
– contain commands relevant to the window’s content
SOLAAR Status windows SOLAAR provides eight Status windows, although the windows that
are displayed on the screen at any time will depend on the type of
analysis being undertaken. The Status windows are:
• the Spectrometer Status window provides facilities for monitoring
the Spectrometer optical system
• the Vapour Status window shows the status of the vapour system
• the Calibration window shows the calibration graph and
calibration statistics
• the Signal window shows the analytical signal as it changes with
time
• the Flame Optimisation Graph window shows the signal as it
changes during a gas flow/burner height optimisation and has the
title Gas Flow Graph or Burner Height Graph depending on the
data it shows
• the QC Protocol window shows the QC Control Chart for
all the results selected for display in the Results window for the
element selected in the Results window. The chart plots corrected
concentration (Y axis) for each result (X axis), with results ordered
chronologically with the earliest results first
• the Results window shows the analytical results for the current
analysis, or from a Results file
• the Ash Atomise window displays the results of an Automatic Ash
Atomise experiment during and immediately after the experiment,
or when you have loaded an Ash Atomise file
SOLAAR dialogue boxes SOLAAR dialogue boxes are used to view and edit other associated
groups of parameters. There are many dialogue boxes used throughout
the SOLAAR software, but the following are some examples that you
will use frequently:
• The Log In dialogue box allows you to identify yourself and when
SOLAAR is started.
• The Setup Dual Analysis dialogue box allows you to specify
Methods for each sample compartment of a dual sample
compartment instrument, and then run both Methods automatically.
• The Sample Details dialogue box allows you to view and edit the
Sample Identification, Mass correction factors and Dilution Ratio
for each sample in your analysis.
• The Reagent Details dialogue box allows you to view and edit the
names of the reagents used in the Furnace Autosampler.
• The Autosampler Volumes dialogue box allows you to view the
volumes of the different solutions that will be used by either
the Flame Autosampler and Diluter accessory, or the Furnace
Autosampler.
• The Autosampler Loading Guide dialogue box allows you to view
and edit the layout of the different solutions in both Flame and
Furnace Autosamplers.
ActionFlameFuel Up increases the fuel flow rate to the flame by 0.1L/min, unless
the fuel flow rate is at the maximum for the current type of
flame
ActionFlameFuel Down decreases the fuel flow rate to the flame by 0.1L/min, unless
the fuel flow rate is at the minimum for the current type of
flame
ActionFlameBurner Up raises the position of the burner by 0.1mm, unless the burner is
at its highest position
ActionFlameBurner Down lowers the position of the burner by 0.1mm, unless the burner
is at its lowest position
ActionPause Analysis pauses the current analysis when the current sample
measurement has been completed
ActionContinue Analysis continues the current analysis after it has been paused
ActionRun Dual Analysis displays the Setup Dual Analysis dialogue box so that you can
set up and run a dual analysis using both spectrometer
compartments on a dual atomiser instrument
EditGFTV displays the GFTV dialogue box so that you can switch the
GFTV accessory on or off
EditLamps displays the Lamp Configuration and Status dialogue box so
that you can control and specify the properties of the lamps
EditMethod displays the Method property sheet so that you can view or edit
the current method, save the current method or load a saved
method
HelpWizards displays the Wizard Launcher dialogue box so that you can
start one of the SOLAAR Wizards
ViewCustomise Toolbars allows you to edit the buttons placed on the main toolbar and
save customised toolbar designs
HelpAbout SOLAAR displays the About dialogue box showing details of the version
of the program you are running
HelpWhat’s This? changes the pointer to the Help pointer, which causes the Help
topic for the next item you click to be displayed.
Thermo
ThermoFisher
FisherScientific
Scientific SOLAAR
SOLAARSeries
SeriesSoftware
SoftwareManual
Manual3 3- 13
- 13
SOLAAR Status Bars
SOLAAR also provides facilities for you to create your own tool bars
and buttons, to provide convenient access to commands that you use
frequently. You can access these facilities from the Customise Tool Bars
dialogue, which you can open by clicking the shortcut button on the
Tool Bar, by selecting the Customise Tool Bars command from the
View menu, or by right-clicking on the tool bar area of the screen and
selecting the Customise command from the context menu displayed.
Click on the Help button to access the On-line Help system, where you will
find detailed instructions for creating and maintaining your own Tool Bars.
SOLAAR Status Bars The SOLAAR Status Bars appear at the bottom of the screen.
The right-hand end of the bottom Status Bar gives information about
the current status of the software and the system, including the current
element, the current sample identification and resample number, and
the System Status. When an analysis is running, the centre area of
the Status Bar contains a progress indicator showing the approximate
percentage of the analysis that has been completed. The left-hand end
of the Status Bar is used to give a brief Help message for the Tool Bar
tool or Menu command underneath the pointer.
The flame and furnace Status Bars are displayed only when a burner
or furnace are fitted to the instrument. The flame Status Bar shows
the status of the flame, the fuel flow rate, the type of burner fitted, the
burner height and the status of each of the gases (air, acetylene and
nitrous oxide). Several of these status sections are labelled either red
or green, providing a simple, visual indication of the condition of that
parameter.
The furnace Status Bar displays information about the furnace phase,
temperature, gas type and gas flow rate, number of cuvette firings and
the status of the Autosampler.
Learning to use the Windows provides an On-line Help file explaining the basics of using
On-line Help system the On-line Help system. SOLAAR gives you direct access to this file
from the Using Help command on the Help menu.
To learn how to use the On-line Help System:
1. Start SOLAAR, and close the Wizard Launcher dialogue box (click
on Close) or Method property sheet (click on Cancel) if either was
opened automatically.
5. Click in the left-hand pane on the topic for which you want help,
to display the Help in the right-hand pane.
Other versions of Windows provide similar facilities, but the details of
the dialogue box displayed may be different.
Opening the Help Topics: To display the SOLAAR Help Topics: SOLAAR dialogue box:
SOLAAR dialogue box 1. Start SOLAAR, and close the Wizard Launcher dialogue box (click
on Close) or Method property sheet (click on Cancel) if either was
opened automatically.
2. Click on Help on the menu bar to open the Help menu.
The Help Topics: SOLAAR dialogue box has three pages – you can use:
• the Contents page to view a structured list of the main topics in the
Help system so that you can select the topic giving the information
you need.
– The topics in the list are grouped together in books. To open a
book, simply slick on the relevant book.
– To display a Help topic from the Table of Contents, click on
the topic.
– See the next section for a description of the structure of the
Contents table.
• the Index page to find a topic using a keyword.
• the Search page to search the text in the Help system for a
particular word or phrase.
If you need Help in using the Index and Find pages, consult the
Windows On-line Help for using Help (see the SOLAAR Software /
On-line Help / Learning to use the on-line help system section) or the
context-sensitive Help on those pages (see the SOLAAR Software / On-
line help / Context-sensitive help section).
SOLAAR Help Table of The topics in the On-line Help system are grouped into five sections:
Contents and Help topics • Overviews – these topics provide brief descriptions of the major
features of the software.
• How to – these topics provide detailed, step-by-step instructions for
carrying out everyday tasks with SOLAAR.
• Troubleshooting – these topics help you to identify and correct
common problems experienced when making Atomic Absorption
spectrometry measurements.
• Cook Book – these topics give summaries of the instrumental
parameters, performance figures and known interferences for all
the elements that can be measured by your SOLAAR Atomic
Absorption system.
• Application Notes – this link provides access to a large library of
applications support documentation. It is highly recommended
that new users, or experienced users analysing an unfamiliar sample,
should look through this information.
Many of the Help topics contain underlined phrases. These underlined
sections provide links to related topics. For example, many of the
Overview topics provide links to How to topics showing how a particular
software feature is used to carry out a task and many of the How to
topics have links to relevant overviews. Troubleshooting topics also
contain links to other Troubleshooting topics to guide you through
the troubleshooting procedure and to How to topics that can provide
solutions to the problems.
When you move the pointer over these it changes to a pointing hand:
There is one more type of link you will find in the Help system. A few
topics have pictures that have links built in to them. For example, the
Status Bar topic has a picture of the Status Bar. When you move the
pointer over these pictures, the pointer again changes to a pointing
hand showing that they contain links. If you click on the picture, Help
for the item clicked on will be displayed in a pop-up window.
When you are using the program you may come across a feature
Context-sensitive Help
that you are not sure how to use, such as a Tool Bar tool or a menu
command, a control in a dialogue box, or even a whole dialogue box, or
Status window. When this happens you can use Context-sensitive Help to
display specific help for the item.
There are several different ways to display Context-sensitive Help,
depending on the type of item for which you need Help and, to some
extent, personal preference. The following paragraphs describe how to
display Context-sensitive Help in different circumstances.
Menu Commands, Status To display Context-sensitive Help for items in the main program
windows and Tools window (Menu Commands, Status windows and Tools):
1. Click on What’s This? in the Help menu or click on the What’s
This? button in the Tool Bar.
The pointer will change to the Help pointer:
2. Use the pointer to click on the Tool or Status window or select the
command.
Help for the selected item will be displayed in a pop-up window or one
of the main Help windows.
Some of the pop-up Help topics have underlined, coloured phrases,
which you can click to close the pop-up and display further Help in one
of the main Help windows. Otherwise, to close a pop-up window, click
anywhere.
You can also display the Context-sensitive Help for a:
• Status window by selecting it and pressing F1 on the keyboard
• Menu command by clicking on the menu in the Menu Bar to
display it, moving the pointer over the command, pressing (but not
releasing) the mouse button and then pressing F1 on the keyboard.
Note: As well as the Help described above, brief help is given in the
Status Bar when you move the pointer over a tool or menu command.
You can also get Tool Tip Help for the Tool Bar tools by moving the
pointer over the tool button and waiting for a few seconds – the name
of the button will be displayed in a popup.
Dialogue boxes and Property To display Context-sensitive Help for a dialogue box or Property page:
pages 1. Open the dialogue box or the property sheet and tab to the relevant
property page.
2. Click on the Help button.
Help for the dialogue box will be displayed in one of the main Help
windows.
Note: The function of some simple dialogue boxes is self-
explanatory, so they do not have Help buttons.
Controls on dialogue boxes and To display Context-sensitive Help for a control on a dialogue box or
Property pages Property page (for example, a text box for entering data, a check box, a
radio button or a push button):
1. Click on the What’s This? Help button at the top right-hand
corner of the dialogue box to change the pointer to the context-
sensitive Help pointer:
2. Click on the control in the dialogue box for which you want help.
The Help will be displayed in a pop-up window.
Some of the pop-up Help topics have underlined, coloured phrases,
which you can click to close the pop-up and display further Help in
one of the main Help windows. Otherwise, to close a pop-up window,
click anywhere.
You can also display this Context-sensitive Help by selecting the control
(you can select a button control without ‘pressing’ it by moving the
pointer over the button, pressing the mouse button but not releasing
it until you have moved the pointer off the button) and pressing F1 on
the keyboard.
A simple flame This section will guide you through the process of setting up and
performing a simple flame analysis for copper.
analysis Before starting, make sure that your AA Series Spectrometer system
has been correctly installed and tested, and that the various services are
correctly connected.
To carry out a simple flame analysis you have to:
• set up a Method and, optionally, save it in the Methods database.
• install a hollow cathode lamp.
• light a flame.
• optimise the burner and nebuliser impact bead positions.
You can then run the analysis, view the results and finally print a Report
of the results.
To work through the example described below, you will need:
• a copper hollow cathode lamp.
• three copper standard solutions containing 1.00, 2.50 and 5.00
mg/L of copper in 0.1% v/v nitric acid.
• sample solutions containing unknown copper concentrations in the
range 0 – 5 mg/L of copper.
• a blank solution containing 0.1% v/v nitric acid.
• deionised water.
Refer to the safety notices dealing with flame operation in the operator
manual and ensure that you understand the hazards involved and the
Before starting precautions necessary.
Flame analyses are always carried out in the left-hand sample
compartment of dual atomiser spectrometers.
Start the SOLAAR software and log in as described in the SOLAAR
Installation / Starting the SOLAAR Application and SOLAAR
Installation / Logging in to SOLAAR Software sections.
Close the Wizards dialogue box if necessary.
You will set up the Method using the Method property pages provided
on the Method property sheet. For this analysis you will use the default
values for the most of the parameters, then save the Method in the
Setting up the Method Methods database.
To display the Method property sheet so that you can set up the
method:
1. Click on the Show Method button to open the Method
property sheet.
The following subsections describe how to set the parameters on each of
the pages in the Method property sheet.
3. Select Cu from the Periodic Table and confirm that the Technique
is set to Flame. Click OK to close the dialogue and return to the
General page of the Method.
4. Type in a Method Name for the Method.
5. If required, edit the name in the Operator field – it shows the name
of the logged in user by default.
6. Type a description of the analysis in the Description field.
7. Set the remaining controls to the following values:
Segmented Flow Injection = unchecked
Autosampler = None
Rack Code = this is disabled when
Autosampler is
set to None
Flame Dilution = None
Shared Standards = unchecked
Sequence Method parameters You can specify the element for which you want to run the analysis and
the actions to be carried out during the analysis on the Sequence page.
1. Click on the Sequence tab to display the Sequence Method
property page:
The first (and only) element column will now show Cu and there
will be a Cu element button on the right-hand side of the property
page – the element buttons are used to switch the property pages to
different sets of parameters in multi-element methods.
The next step is to define the sequence of actions that will be carried
out during the analysis. SOLAAR software offers you two methods
of doing this
a) You can define the sequence before you start the analysis. This
is the most convenient method when you know how many
The next step gives you the opportunity to give the samples your
own Solution IDs. If you do not want to do this you can go
straight to the next set of instructions.
5. Click on Sample Details to display the Sample Details dialogue box:
Note: The Sample Mass, Dilution Ratio and Nominal Mass fields
allow you to specify factors that SOLAAR will use to calculate a
corrected concentration. However, we will not use this feature in this
experiment – see the Help system if you want to learn how to use it.
You can repeat Step a. for the other samples, but the remaining
steps show how SOLAAR provides a shortcut if you just
want to use the same root name for all the samples with an
increasing number to distinguish them.
b. Click in the first row and then SHIFT-click in the last row to
select all the rows.
Note: You can also select a range of rows by dragging or all the
rows by clicking in one of the headings.
Flame Method parameters To view the Flame parameters for the method:
1. Click on the Flame tab to display the Flame property page:
2. Review the default parameters, but do not change any at this stage.
You have now completed all the necessary tasks on the Flame
Parameters page.
The next step is to set up the Calibration Parameters for the analysis.
Calibration Method parameters To set the Calibration parameters for the method:
1. Click on the Calibration tab to display the Calibration property page:
Saving and loading The Method you have defined will remain as the Current Method until
Methods you edit it, load a saved Method or create a new Method. This means
that it doesn’t matter if you have closed the Method property sheet
before saving the Method – if you open the Method property sheet
again it will show the settings you made before closing it.
Note: A default Methods database is created for you when the
software is installed, but you can set up as many different Methods
databases as you require. For further information open the SOLAAR
On-line Help Contents window and view the SOLAAR How to…
work with Methods To work with Methods databases topics
(this list shows the Help contents books you need to open to find the
topics).
Saving a Method in the Methods 1. Click on the General tab to display the General property page:
Database
2. Click on Save.
3. You will be asked to confirm that you want to save the Method in
the database using the name in the Method Name box:
4. Click on Yes to save the Method and close the dialogue box and
return to the General Method property page.
5. Click on OK to close the Method property sheet.
Note: When you save the Method a new record is created for it in
the SOLAAR Methods Database – it is not saved as a separate file.
The record is identified by the Method name and by the date and time
it was saved. This means that you do not need to give the Method a
unique name; though in practice this will make identifying the Methods
easier at a later date if you do give them unique and meaningful names.
Loading a previously saved 1. Click on the Methods button or click on Method in the Edit
Method menu to open the Method property sheet at its General property page.
2. Click on Load to display the Method Library dialogue box. This
lists the Methods saved in the Methods database.
3. Click on the required Method in the list – the description entered
when you created the Method will be shown in the Description
box to help you identify the Method.
4. Click on Load to close the dialogue box and load the Method.
Installing a lamp To perform any atomic absorption analysis, you must first install
a hollow cathode lamp in the Spectrometer. The procedure below
describes the installation of a Thermo Scientific coded hollow cathode
lamp. Refer to the How to… section of the On-line Help system to
learn how to install other types of lamps.
To install the hollow cathode lamp:
1. Check the Status Bar and confirm that the Data Station is ON
If the Status Bar says OFF LINE, click on Connect in the Action→
Communications submenu.
2. Click on the Lamps button or click on Lamps… in the Edit
menu to open the Lamp Configuration and Status dialogue box.
3. Select the Carousel Position that you want to use for the lamp and
make sure that Automatic Lamp Alignment is checked.
4. If there are any lamps fitted already and their State is On, click in
their State boxes to set them to Off.
5. Refer to the Hardware manual and remove any lamps fitted.
6. Fit the new lamp.
• If you are using an uncoded lamp, you will need to define its
characteristics. For details, open the On-line Help Contents
window and view the SOLAAR → How to…→work with
lamps→ To install Hollow Cathode Lamps topic.
7. Confirm that:
– the element(s) in the lamp are displayed in the Element field.
– the Type field shows Coded or Uncoded as appropriate.
– the Max Current field shows the maximum current marked on
the lamp.
11. Click on the lamp’s elements in the periodic table to select them.
You can select more than one element by clicking on them in turn.
If you accidentally select an incorrect element, click on it again to
deselect it.
12. Click on OK to close the dialogue box and return to the Add Lamp
Serial Number dialogue box.
13. Enter the lamp’s Serial Number.
14. Click on Add to close the Add Lamp Serial Number dialogue box
and return to the Lamp Usage dialogue box.
The new lamp will be added to the list of lamps showing its
Element(s) and Serial Number – as it is a new lamp the usage (mA
Hours) will be 0.
15. Click in the new lamp’s row to select it and click on Close to
close the Lamp Usage dialogue box and return to the Lamp
Configuration and Status dialogue box.
The Lamps grid will show the selected Serial Number with 0 mA
Hours.
16. Click in the State field for the new lamp to set it to On and confirm
that the lamp has come on.
17. Click on OK to close the Lamp Configuration and Status
dialogue box.
The hollow cathode lamp is now installed and ready to be aligned with
the Spectrometer optical system.
Setting up the lamp All Thermo Scientific AA Series spectrometers provide automatic lamp
alignment facilities. Before setting up the lamp, check the Spectrometer
Sample Compartments to confirm that the optical path is clear of
obstructions. We recommend that you remove any Sample Compartment
accessories before attempting to align a hollow cathode lamp.
1. Set up a Method using the default parameters for copper as
described above, or load the previously saved Method.
2. Click on the Lamp button or click on Lamps… in the Edit
menu to open the Lamp Configuration and Status dialogue, and
confirm that the Automatic Lamp Alignment checkbox is checked.
3. Click on the Optical Setup button .
– confirm that the System Status changes to BUSY during the
optical setup.
Lighting the flame and It is good practice to optimise the burner position and the nebuliser
impact bead before starting work. The Optimise burner and nebuliser
optimising the burner
positions wizard can help you to do this.
parameters The best procedure to follow is to light the flame, then aspirate a test
solution and monitor the absorbance signal while adjusting the burner
position and impact bead controls to obtain the maximum possible signal.
Before lighting the flame, you must first check that:
• an intact explosion disk is fitted in the back of the spray chamber.
• the correct gases are:
– connected to the Spectrometer.
– set to the correct pressures.
• the drain trap is full.
• the drain is flowing freely.
• the burner is clean and fitted correctly.
• the Spectrometer Sample Compartment door is fitted and closed.
Refer to the Hardware manual to learn how to carry out these checks
and note the relevant safety warnings.
Running the analysis Before running the analysis you should install and align the lamp, and
set up and optimise the burner and nebuliser as described above.
The analysis uses the Current Method – you can see the definition of the
Current Method by opening the Method property sheet. If you do not
want to use this method, use the Method property sheet to define the
required Method or to load a previously saved one.
Before starting, turn on the lamp and light the flame. Aspirate
deionised water for at least ten minutes to allow the instrument to
warm up and stabilise.
Ensure that your blank, standard and sample solutions are available and
clearly labelled.
To run the flame analysis:
1. Open the Results window so that you can see your results as they
are measured, and the Calibration window to see the calibration
plot as it is built up from the standard solution results.
2. Click on the Analyse button to display the Start Analysis
dialogue box:
or for samples:
(This dialogue box allows you to set or edit the Sample Details as the
analysis is run.)
Aspirate each solution as you are prompted and click on OK.
The solution will be measured, and the result will appear on the
Results window.
8. When all the solutions have been measured, a prompt will be
displayed for you to specify your next action:
Viewing the results When you run an analysis the results are saved automatically in the Results
database. You can view any or all of the results stored in the database in the
Results window in any combination. However, when you run an analysis
SOLAAR automatically restricts the results shown in the Results window
to the results for the current analysis (this is the default; if you wish you can
add results from other analyses as the current analysis is running).
To view the results of your analysis:
1. Open the Results window – the mean results for each solution will
be displayed in the upper table:
2. Use the scroll bar to the right of the upper table to scroll through
the results.
3. To display the resample results for a sample, click on its mean result
in the upper table – its resamples will be displayed in the lower table.
4. Open the Calibration window. Confirm that the calibration graph
is displayed in the upper part of the window and the Calibration
Details are displayed in the lower part of the window.
Printing the results Before printing from the SOLAAR application, ensure that your printer is
correctly installed in Windows, that it is turned on and that it is loaded with
paper. Make sure that the printer is ready to accept data – most printers
have an indicator labelled ON LINE, which should be illuminated.
You can print results at any time, even while another analysis is in progress.
Note: Printed SOLAAR Reports contain details of the results
currently displayed in the Results window. Immediately after you
have run an analysis these will just be the results for that analysis,
which is what we want for this example. However, you can click on
Options in the Results menu to display the Results Display Options
dialogue box to select which results to include from the whole
Results database – see the Help system for details.
To print a Results Report:
1. Click on Print Setup on the File menu to open the Print Setup
dialogue box, then:
a. make any necessary changes to the parameters displayed in the
dialogue box to match those of the printer that you want to use.
b. Click on OK to close the Print Setup dialogue box.
2. Click on Print Options on the File menu to display the Report
Printing Options dialogue box:
3. Click on the options that you want to use and click on OK to close
the dialogue box.
4 Either:
a. Click on Results in the File→Print Preview menu, to check
that the Report contains the information that you want to print.
b. Click on the Print button on the top left corner of the Print
Preview display to print the Report as it is shown, or click on
Close to return to the normal display.
or
Click on Results in the File→Print menu to send the report to
the printer.
Your report containing the results of the analysis will be printed.
A simple furnace This section will guide you through the process of setting up and
performing a simple graphite furnace analysis. This is in many ways
analysis similar to setting up a flame analysis and we suggest that you first read
Section 2.1 above, if you have not already done so.
To carry out a simple furnace analysis, you must:
set up a Method
install and align a hollow cathode lamp
install and align the Graphite Furnace
install and align the Graphite Furnace Autosampler
load the sample solution into the Autosampler.
You can then run the analysis, save the results and print a Report of the
results.
To work through the example described below, you will need:
• a manganese hollow cathode lamp
• three manganese standard solutions containing 1.0, 5.0 and
10.0 µg/L of manganese in 0.1% v/v nitric acid
• sample solutions containing unknown manganese
concentrations in the range 0 – 10 µg/L of manganese
• a blank solution containing 0.1% v/v nitric acid
• a ridged, coated cuvette for the Graphite Furnace.
It is usually accepted that the use of an Autosampler for Graphite
Furnace analysis is essential to make full use of the capabilities of
modern furnace designs. We have assumed in the following section
that a Furnace Autosampler is available.
There are a range of Graphite Furnace systems available for Thermo
Scientific AA Spectrometers. Although the furnaces differ in
mechanical design, the principles involved in using them and the
software that controls them are identical. The Hardware manual covers
the details of the mechanical controls of all designs of furnace.
Before starting Check that your AA Spectrometer system, Graphite Furnace accessory
and Furnace Autosampler have been correctly installed, and that
the necessary services are correctly connected and adjusted to their
normal operating conditions. Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption
Spectrometry is an inherently safe procedure, as no inflammable
or explosive gases are used. However, you should still review the
appropriate sections of the Hardware manual and ensure that you
understand the hazards involved and the precautions necessary.
Graphite Furnace analyses are always carried out in the left-hand
sample compartment of dual atomiser spectrometers.
Start the SOLAAR application, and log in as described in the SOLAAR
Installation / Starting the SOLAAR Application and SOLAAR
Installation / Logging into SOLAAR sections.
Setting up the Method Set up the Method using the Method property pages provided on
the Method property sheet. For this example analysis you will use the
default values for most of the parameters, then save the Method in the
Methods database.
To set up the furnace Method:
Click on the Methods button to open the Method
property sheet.
The following subsections describe how to set the parameters on the
Method property sheet pages.
General Method parameters To set general analysis parameters for the method:
1. If the General Method property page is not displayed, click on the
General tab.
2. Set the Technique to Furnace:
Sequence Method parameters The next step is to specify the element for which you want to run
the analysis, the actions to be carried out during the analysis and the
Sample Details. You do this in exactly the same way as for a Flame
Method.
See the instructions for setting the Sequence Method parameters
in Section 2.1.2 and set up a Sequence for a manganese analysis
containing a Calibration action, and at least three Sample Actions.
Additional actions are available for you to use in a Furnace Method. In
particular, it is good practise start the Action List with a Cuvette Clean
action, which will cause a Cuvette Clean cycle to be run automatically
before making any measurements. This will ensure that the cuvette is
clean and that the components in the Graphite Furnace have reached
their normal operating temperatures.
Spectrometer Method To view the Spectrometer parameters for manganese analysis in the
parameters method:
1. Click on the Spectrometer tab to display the Spectrometer
property page:
3. Confirm that the other settings are set to their default values, as in
the picture above.
Furnace Method parameters To view the Furnace parameters for the method:
1. Click on the Furnace tab to display the Furnace property page:
2. Review the default parameters, but do not change any at this stage.
Calibration Method parameters To set the Calibration parameters for the method:
1. Click on the Calibration tab to display the Calibration property page:
Sampling Method parameters To set the Sampling parameters for the method:
Installing and aligning the This completes the definition of the Method – see Getting Started / A
lamp Simple Flame Analysis / Saving and Loading Methods Section for how
to save the Method in the Methods database.
Ensure that the optical path in the left-hand (flame) sample
compartment of your dual atomiser instrument is clear. If you have a
tilt mounted furnace you can ensure that the optical path in the right-
hand compartment is also clear while aligning the lamp by tilting the
Furnace Head forward towards the front of the instrument. If you have
a furnace on the fixed mount, confirm that a cuvette is correctly fitted
and that the furnace windows are clean.
If you have a single atomiser instrument, the combined Autosampler
and Furnace System will be fitted in the sample compartment. If you
are not confident that the alignment of the Furnace is approximately
correct, remove the furnace before attempting to align the lamp. Refer
to the Operators Manual for instructions as to how to do this.
See Getting Started / A Simple Flame Analysis / Installing the Lamp
and Getting Started / A Simple Flame Analysis / Setting up the lamp
sections for how to install and align the hollow cathode lamp.
Installing and aligning the Your Furnace system will have been installed on to your dual atomiser
Spectrometer by the Thermo Scientific Service Engineer.
Graphite Furnace
When the Furnace on a dual atomiser instrument has been installed
in the Spectrometer, it will have been aligned with the optical system.
Once aligned, the Furnace should not go out of alignment during
normal use.
However, you may have cause to remove the Furnace to use another
accessory in the Right Hand Sample compartment of the spectrometer.
You can remove and refit the Furnace System without losing the
alignment; nevertheless, it is good practice to check the alignment at
regular intervals.
A trained Service Engineer will install and align the Furnace system on
your single atomiser instrument. You can remove and refit the Furnace
System without losing the alignment; nevertheless, it is good practice to
check the alignment at regular intervals.
Alignment procedures for all types of Furnace system are provided in
the Operators Manual.
Aligning the Graphite You must align the Graphite Furnace Autosampler so that the capillary
tip enters the injection hole in the cuvette vertically, without touching
Furnace Autosampler the sides of the injection hole. This adjustment may have been set up
on installation, however you should check it at regular intervals and
whenever you change the autosampler Capillary Tip.
You must then set the vertical position of the tip inside the cuvette, so
that the sample solution is deposited correctly on to the floor of the
cuvette.
The GFTV accessory will greatly simplify this process. If this is not
available you can use a small dental mirror, positioned to the right of
the furnace head, to view the capillary tip inside the cuvette.
You will need:
• either:
– the GFTV accessory fitted,
or
– a small dental mirror.
• a small torch or desk lamp positioned over the furnace head will also
be useful if the lighting is poor.
Before starting to align the Autosampler, you should:
• install and align a hollow cathode lamp.
• install and align the Graphite Furnace in the Spectrometer.
• install and align a cuvette.
• check that the communications, power, cooling and gas supply
services are properly connected to the Graphite Furnace.
Loading the sample After you have defined a Method, SOLAAR determines the default
solution on to the positions for the solutions on the Autosampler. You can find out what
these are using the Autosampler Loading Guide, usually abbreviated to
Autosampler ASLG. If you need to change the positions of any samples or standards
you can simply drag them from their original place on the schematic of
the autosampler (right-hand side of the screen), and drop them in a new
location. The list view on the left-hand side of the screen will automatically
update as you modify the locations of samples, standards or blanks.
To look at the Autosampler Loading Guide:
Click on ASLG in the View menu:
Note: You can also open the Autosampler Loading Guide by clicking
on ASLG on the Sequence property page of the Method property
sheet.
Running the analysis Before running the analysis, you should install and align the lamp, the
Graphite Furnace and the Graphite Furnace Autosampler, as described above.
The analysis uses the Current Method – you can see the definition of the
Current Method by opening the Method property sheet. If you do not
want to use this Method, use the Method property sheet to define the
required Method or to load a previously saved one.
Before starting
1. Turn on the lamp and allow the instrument to stabilise for at least
ten minutes.
2. Confirm that your solutions have been correctly loaded into the
Autosampler.
3. It is good practice to carry out an Autosampler Wash and a Cuvette
Clean cycle immediately before starting the analysis by clicking the
Autosampler Wash button and Cuvette Clean button . If
you have included these as Actions in your Sequence, they will take
place automatically when you start the analysis.
Note that the absorbance signal will only be displayed on the Signal
window for the Atomise phase of the furnace program when the
GFTV accessory is in use.
Viewing and printing the The procedures for viewing and printing the results of a furnace analysis
are identical to those used to view and print the results of a flame
results
analysis – see Getting Started / A Simple Flame Analysis /Viewing the
Results and Getting Started / A Simple Flame Analysis / Printing the
Results sections.
Viewing absorbance When you select a resample result in the Results window, the
signals absorbance signal peak recorded during the atomise phase will be
displayed in the Signal window. Examining the shape of this peak is
often a good way to identify problems with furnace analysis.
You can adjust the display in the Signal window using the commands
and options available in the Signal Options dialogue box.
To adjust the signal display:
1. Right-click in the display area of the Signal window to display the
Signal window context menu.
2. Click on the Options command to open the Signal Options
dialogue box:
3. Set the options that you want to use and click on OK to adjust the
Signal window display.
A simple vapour This section will guide you through the process of setting up and
performing a vapour analysis.
analysis
Vapour analyses can be carried out using either flame or electric heating
(mercury analysis can be carried out without heating).
Flame heated Vapour analyses are always carried out in the left-
hand (flame) sample compartment of dual atomiser spectrometers.
Electrically heated vapour analyses and mercury vapour analyses
can be carried out in either sample compartment, provided that the
appropriate mounting kits for supporting the atomisation cells are
fitted.
If you are using flame heating, the procedure is in many ways similar to
setting up a flame analysis and we suggest that you first read the Getting
Started / Simple Flame Analysis section, if you have not already done so.
To carry out a simple vapour analysis using flame heating you must:
install and align a hollow cathode lamp
install and align the VP100 Vapour accessory
set up a Method
If you want to use electrical heating, you must also:
install and align the EC90 Electrically Heated Atom Cell
You can then run the analysis, save the results and print a Report of the
results.
To work through the example described below, you will need:
an arsenic hollow cathode lamp
two arsenic standard solutions containing 10.0 and 20.0 µg/L
of arsenic in 5% v/v hydrochloric acid
sample solutions containing unknown arsenic concentrations
in the range 0 – 20 µg/L of arsenic, also containing 5% v/v
hydrochloric acid
a blank solution containing 5% v/v hydrochloric acid
at least 500 mL of sodium borohydride reductant reagent
containing 0.5% m/v of sodium borohydride in 0.1% sodium
hydroxide – this reagent should be freshly prepared
at least 1 L of acid blank reagent containing 5% v/v of
hydrochloric acid
Before starting
Refer to the Safety notices concerned with Flame and Vapour operation
in the Hardware manual and ensure that you understand the hazards
involved and the precautions necessary.
Start the SOLAAR application and log in as described in the SOLAAR
Installation / Starting the SOLAAR Application and SOLAAR
Installation / Logging in to SOLAAR Software section.
Sequence Method parameters The next step is to specify the element for which you want to run
the analysis, the actions to be carried out during the analysis and the
Sample Details. You do this in exactly the same way as for a Flame or
Furnace Method.
See the instructions for setting the Sequence Method parameters in the
Getting Started / A Simple Flame Analysis / Setting up the Method
section, and set up a Sequence for an arsenic analysis containing a
Calibration action and at least three Sample Actions.
Spectrometer Method To view the Spectrometer parameters for arsenic analysis in the
parameters Method:
1. Click on the Spectrometer tab to display the Spectrometer
property page:
2. Confirm that the settings are set to their default values, as in the
picture above.
3. Click on Cook Book to display a Help window with the Cook
Book information for arsenic.
Vapour Method parameters To set the Vapour parameters for arsenic analysis in the Method:
1. Click on the Vapour/SFI tab to display the Vapour/SFI property page:
Calibration Method parameters To set the Calibration parameters for the method:
1. Click on the Calibration tab to display the Calibration property
page:
Lighting the flame Unless you are using the EC90 Electrically Heated Atomisation Cell
accessory, the Atom Cell is heated by a normal air/acetylene flame.
Before lighting the flame, you must first check that:
the right gases are:
– connected to the Spectrometer
– set to the correct pressures
the drain trap is full.
the drain is flowing freely.
the burner is clean and fitted correctly.
an intact explosion disk is fitted in the back of the spray
chamber.
the Spectrometer Sample Compartment door, window and
chimney are correctly fitted.
the Atom Cell is in the parked position, away from the flame.
Refer to the Hardware manual to learn how to carry out these checks
and note the relevant safety warnings.
1. Set up a Method for arsenic analysis, ensuring that you have
selected the Vapour Technique with the Vapour Mode set to Flame
Heating, as described above, or use the Load command on the
General page of the Method to load a previously saved Method.
2. Look at the Flame Status Bar and:
– confirm that the correct Burner Type is displayed.
– confirm that the Gas Pressures for the necessary gases are OK.
or for samples:
(This dialogue box allows you to set or edit the Sample Details as
the analysis is run.)
Aspirate each solution as you are prompted and click on OK.
The solution will be measured, and the result will appear on the
Results window.
8. When all the solutions have been measured, a prompt will be
displayed for you to specify your next action:
Viewing and printing the The procedures for viewing and printing the results of a vapour analysis
results are identical to those used to view and print the results of a flame
analysis – See Getting Started / A Simple Flame Analysis / Viewing the
Results and Getting Started / A Simple Flame Analysis / Printing the
Results Sections.
A simple dual Dual atomiser systems can automatically run a Method in the left-hand
sample compartment, followed by a Method in the right-hand sample
analysis compartment – this is known as a Dual Analysis.
Before starting
To carry out a Dual Analysis you must first set up the Methods and
save them in the Methods Database, then install and align the necessary
lamps and finally, set up each sample compartment, as described above.
Setting up and running a The most common combination of methods in a Dual Analysis involves
Dual Analysis running a Flame Method in the left-hand sample compartment,
followed by a Furnace Method in the right-hand sample compartment.
The following example shows you how to run the copper Flame Method
and manganese Furnace Methods that you have created as a Dual
Analysis.
To set up and run a Dual Analysis:
1. Refer to Getting Started / A Simple Furnace Analysis and Getting
Started / A Simple Furnace Analysis section for details of lamps,
sample solutions and installation and alignment procedures for
these Methods.
2. Set up and align the lamps and the atomisers in each sample
compartment.
3. When you are ready to run the analysis, click on the Run Dual
Analysis button or click on Run Dual Analysis in the Action
menu.
4. The Setup Dual Analysis dialogue box will be displayed. The box
at the top-right corner of the dialogue box lists the Methods saved
in the Methods Library.
5. Locate the copper flame Method that you created and saved earlier
and drag it to the box at the bottom of the picture of the left-hand
sample compartment:
6. Drop the method in the box – the method name will be shown in
the box.
7. Similarly, locate and drag the manganese furnace Method to the
right-hand sample compartment:
Dual Analysis Results Results from a Dual Analysis are saved in the Results database as two
separate analyses, and can be viewed, edited and printed using the
normal commands and facilities.
Note: There is no automatic indication in the Analysis Results that
the results were obtained from a Dual Analysis. If it is important that
this information should be saved, use the Description fields for each
method on the Dual Analysis Setup dialogue to record it.
1. Turn on your Data Station, and wait until Windows has started.
2. Turn on the Spectrometer and its services if required.
3. Click on the button to display the Start menu.
4. Click on All Programs to display the list of program groups, then
Thermo SOLAAR to display the SOLAAR icons:
Using the OQ Tests The use of this software for performing the OQ Validation Tests
is described in detail in the Validator Log Book supplied with the
Application Validator product.
The OQ Test application can also be used to run a suite of Customer
Diagnostic Tests to check your instrument for simple faults. The
Customer Diagnostics Tests include a manual Gas Leak Test. It is
important for your own safety that you run the Manual Gas Leak
Test at regular intervals and whenever the gas connections to your
instrument have been disturbed.
The OQ Test application also includes a Wizard that will re-calibrate
the Burner Height mechanism and/or the Monochromator mechanism
of your spectrometer. It is unlikely that you will need to use this
Wizard regularly, but if you suspect that either the Burner Height
mechanism or the Monochromator are not working correctly it may be
possible to solve the problem by using the re-calibration Wizard.
Database considerations
Databases created by earlier versions of the SOLAAR software will
appear as READ ONLY when opened with the upgraded SOLAAR
Data Station software. You will be able to view, print and export the
records contained in these databases, but you will NOT be able to add
new records, nor change existing records.
If you want to bring such historical data into the same databases that
are available for the new records created by the upgraded software, you
must copy the records from the old database into a new database created
by the new version of SOLAAR. Analysis Results records copied in
this way will take their existing Audit Trails with them and a new entry
will be added showing where the record has been copied from. Other
records created in earlier versions of SOLAAR do not have audit trails.
When these are copied, a new audit trail will be created for each record.
The first entry in the new audit trail will record that the record has been
copied and the source database from which it was copied.
Security
Earlier versions of SOLAAR Data Station and SOLAAR OQ Tests
applications had a limited security system that allowed users to be
identified and granted permission to use certain facilities. This security
system has been removed from the SOLAAR software and replaced
by the upgraded and improved security facilities provided by the
SOLAARsecurity package.
If you previously used these security features and would like to continue
to have them available, you must upgrade to the full SOLAARsecurity
package.