Tips for working with QDa data in Empower - Tip230

OBJECTIVE or GOAL

The QDa mass detector can collect 2D SIR data and/or 3D scan data analogous to the PDA detector.  The following are some highlights of topics that might be helpful.  

ENVIRONMENT

• Empower
• Empower Tip of the week #230 

PROCEDURE

STEP 1
When using a PDA and QDa mass detector in series, you can obtain base peak (m/z) from the peaks in the UV chromatogram using a PDA Processing Method (figure 1).

 
Data collected using an ACQUITY UPLC with PDA and QDa. 

STEP 2
While working with the UV chromatogram, you can view both UV and MS spectra for the peaks in the Mass Analysis window. (Be sure to correct for the offset between the two detectors) (figure 2).

 Data collected using an ACQUITY UPLC with PDA and QDa. 

STEP 3
CODA, or Component Detection Algorithm, is a mathematical algorithm which helps extract peaks from noisy TIC plots (figure 3).

 Data collected using an ACQUITY UPLC with PDA and QDa. 

STEP 4
Component based expected mass processing is done by entering the expected masses for the components in the Processing Method (figure 4).

 
Data was collected using an Agilent 1290 LC with QDa.

STEP 5
MS Peak Tracking is useful when doing method development and you want to track your peaks by Assigned Mass (figure 5). 

Data collected using an ACQUITY UPLC with PDA and QDa. 

Other actions that can be done include injection based expected mass processing, creating MS libraries to help identify peaks, and calculating MS Ion ratios.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Final Note: You can use either the Pro or QuickStart interface for this tip.