Set up an analysis
Method, bottles, types, Analyze.
An analysis is a method plus a batch of bottles. The method says what to look for and how to build the curve. The batch is the sequence you actually ran.
Bottle types
Quanto has four sample types. Cap color in these drawings matches the method defaults (silver blank, coral calibration, blue QC, green sample).
| Type | What is in the bottle | What Quanto does with it |
|---|---|---|
| Blank | Solvent or matrix. Optional ISTD spike. | Confirms the target is absent. Not a curve point. |
| Calibration | Known target amount. Dose name C1, C2, … | Builds the curve. |
| QC | Known target amount, treated as a check. | Read from the curve. Recovery / residual flags. |
| Sample | Unknown amount. | Read from the curve. Reported concentration. |
Blue drops in the drawings are target analyte. Pink drops are ISTD. A bottle can hold several analytes; each analyte has its own curve.
Build the method
Method → Load / Import
- Open a saved Quanto package (
.qtm), or - Import a vendor method (MassHunter, MassHunter data method, SCIEX WIFF), or
- Append another method as a new AcqKey (second instrument or second acquisition method).
Then check these method tables:
| Table | Set this |
|---|---|
| Analytes | Name, type (Target / ISTD / Surrogate), units, extraction window |
| Quants | QntKey (ion / transition), curve fit, which ISTD Quant to use |
| Doses | Shared names: C1…C5 for curve levels, reserved IS for the ISTD spike |
| Quant doses | Which levels that Quant actually uses on the curve |
| Sample types | How file names / metadata become Blank, Calibration, QC, Sample |
| AcqKeys | One set per imported method or instrument |
| Calibration mode | Initial calibration (one curve) or Bracketing (a curve per cal set) |
A Quant with no ISTD link is ESTD. A Quant that points at an ISTD Quant is ISTD. You can mix both in one method.
Load the bottles
- Batch → Add samples and pick the data files (or a sequence folder).
- Each file becomes one sample. Type and dose are matched from the method, then from the file.
- Fix leftovers on the Samples grid: Type, Dose, Dilution, AcqKey, SmpKey.
Calibration bottles must have a dose name that exists on the analyte. Samples and blanks usually have no curve dose; ISTD bottles still use dose IS.
Analyze
Analyze integrates, fits each Quant’s curve, quantitates, and flags. After that:
- Open the calibration plot for the current result.
- Clear Use on a bad cal point and Analyze again.
- Open Key Review when the same sample exists on several AcqKeys, QntKeys, or dilutions.
Which guide next
| You are doing | Read |
|---|---|
| One instrument, no ISTD, C1–C5 then unknowns | ESTD initial calibration |
| ISTD spiked in every bottle | ISTD initial calibration |
| Cal, samples, cal, samples | Bracket calibration |
| Two instruments or several ions per analyte | Key Review |
| Re-run only some levels in later batches | Multi-batch dose responses |
| Spreadsheets, vendor files, Excel / PDF | Reports, import, and export |
Grid gestures (fill, sort, freeze) are in Grids.