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Open the SHMSL application by double-clicking the IMS icon on the desktop (Figure 1). IMS will begin by initializing the Acuity AR700 laser, the Bartington MS2K point source susceptibility probe, and the Ocean Optics QE Pro spectrometer. Please ask the PP Tech for assistance in changing the instrument's measurement parameters. Once initialized, the logger is ready to measure a section.

Figure 1: IMS Icon

Making a Measurement -

1. Place the archive section in the core tray with the blue endcap up against the benchmark (Figure 2).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Figure 2. Benchmark
   
   
2. Adjust the section so that it is as flat as possible with respect to the plane of the benchmark.
3. Click the Start button to open the Section Information screen.
    
   Figure 3. Section Information Screen
   
   
4. Place the cursor in the SCAN text field (center of Figure 3) and scan the section label, the information automatically fills for Expedition, Site, Hole, and so on. 
5. Enter Comments (field is optional). 
6. Missing Top: If a sample taken at top of section (material is missing), position the section half all the way up to the benchmark. Enter missing length, software will automatically adjust.
7. Exclude Intervals: enter section intervals to be excluded. Specify Interval: enter specific intervals to be measured. Measure Control Set: Measurement control for the QE Pro. 
8. When ready, click the Start Measurement button. Double check to make sure the Label Length matches the LIMS Length. If the QE Pro does not require calibration (see QE Pro Calibration), proceed to the next step.
9. The sensor assembly moves down the track while the laser acquires a profile of the split surface of the section (Figure 4). 
   

   Figure 4. Laser Profile

   
   

10. After the surface profile is completed, the measured section length is displayed. Confirm length (Figure 5, below). Adjust if needed. Apply Glad Wrap to the surface of sediment cores. Click GO!!!
    IMPORTANT!!!  Glad rap must have a good seal to the surface of the core; any bubbles or wrinkles will affect the measurement. Any mud that gets inside the integration sphere will ruin it!!!
11. Click GO!
     
    
    
    Figure 5. Final Sample Preparation
    
    
12. The measurement sequence begins. For efficiency, measurements begin at the bottom of the section and move upcore. Results are displayed during acquisition on instrument graphs on screen as shown in Figure 6, below.
    Note that the QE Pro has several tabs that display different views of the color reflectance data. Tabs can be changed during the measurement sequence.
13. After the section has been measured, the logger takes measurements of the MS2K and white standards as verification. 

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