Technical data

Instrument Preparation 2
Tuning choices
Agilent 6200 Series TOF and 6500 Series Q-TOF LC/MS System Concepts Guide 55
Initial Autotune
See the Installation Guide for
instructions on how to do an Initial
Autotune
When you select this option after installation or major service,
the system automatically adjusts all the tunable parameters to
optimize signal, resolution and mass axis calibration.
Table 2 on page 53 shows all of the sources that you can use to
run an Initial Tune. On all instrument models, you can perform
an Initial Tune with a Dual ESI source.
You set the Instrument Mode to Extended Dynamic Range in
the Instrument State tab before running an Initial Tune (TOF).
You only use Initial Tune (TOF) or Initial Quad Tune under
special circumstances because the process takes a long time to
complete.
• After you install the hardware and software
• After your TOF analyzer has been vented for maintenance or
service
• If you no longer have the previous tune files or parameters
• If Standard Autotune does not work
During the Initial Tune process for the TOF, the system goes
through the following steps without your intervention.
a Resets any current tune parameters to original defaults
b Performs a coarse TOF mass axis calibration
c Adjusts all the tunable parameters automatically
d Performs a final TOF mass axis calibration
e Prints a tune report at the end of the Autotune process
Instrument Time for Initial Tune (TOF) Time for Initial Quad Tune
Agilent 6538A, 6540A
and 6550A Q-TOF
up to 60 minutes for each
polarity
up to 60 minutes
Other Q-TOF
instruments
up to 30 minutes for each
polarity
up to 60 minutes
TOF instruments up to 30 minutes for each
polarity
N/A