Tip #230: Working with QDa Data in Empower

Welcome back to Get Empowered! In the last Empower tip-of-the-week blog for Empower Chromatography Data System, we learned how to truncate numbers in Custom Fields (Tip #229).

In this week’s tip, we review working with QDa data in Empower

The QDa mass detector can collect 2D SIR data and/or 3D scan data analogous to the PDA detector. I’ve had numerous questions recently about working with QDa data and thought it was a good time to revisit this topic  (Refer to Tips #100 & 101, 103-119, 123, and 56-62 for more detail).

Here are a few highlights of the topics we’ve covered.

Let’s get started.

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).

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).

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).

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).

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).

Figure 5. Data collected using an ACQUITY UPLC with PDA and QDa.

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

It’s that easy!

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

Learn more about the ACQUITY™ QDa™ Mass Detector and take advantage of our special ACQUITY™ QDa™ offer

Please rate this Empower Tip of the Week

Next week in Empower Tip #231: I will answer another Empower user question about setting a Minimum Area for Group Peaks.

JOIN US for a webinar on June 17, 2021

Accelerate Your Method Development and Validation with Empower Chromatography System

Learn More and Register

More Empower Resources:

• Get the latest Empower projects, options, and more. Check out the New Waters Marketplace.
• Want to learn more? Check out our Empower training courses and eLearning.
• Minimize your lab downtime and protect your business against potentially expensive disruptions with the Empower Enterprise Software Extended Critical Support Plan with 24 x 7 x 365 coverage – Learn more
• Build your technical skills and professional network. Share, ask, and interact with peers from around the globe in dynamic discussions by joining our Informatics Community Forum.