Introduction

This guide is written to help guide scientists and technicians in setting up for and measuring section measurements with IMS version 9.2. For more detailed information regarding the SRM – IMS software, please refer to the SRM-IMS User guide.

Initializing the Program

Figure 1. IMS-SRM desktop shortcut.

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Once the program launches, the user will see the main IMS-SRM window (Figure 2). The leftmost panel contains the controls for changing the setup and for starting the SRM measurements. The center panel allows the user to view the data as it is collected and monitor the measurement process. The right panel display indicates which measurement sequence is selected and which step is being executed, as well as other pertinent information.

Setting Up for a Measurement

Prior to measuring section halves or discrete samples in the SRM the user must:

• Set the measurement interval
• Take a background measurement of the empty tray
• Create or select a measurement sequence
• Create or select a sample type preset

Set a measurement interval

1. Select DAQ > Measurement Editor from the drop-down menu. The Measurement Editor window will open (Figure 3).
   
   
   Figure 3. Measurement Editor Window.
   
   
2. Set the desired sample interval, number of points to average, leader/trailer length, and measurement speed.
3. If the sample interval has changed, you will likely receive a warning (DAQ Valid? indicator). When the DAQ Valid? indicator is red, the user must measure the tray background.
4. Click OK to exit the Measurement Editor window.

Measure the Background

To take a background measurement, select Instruments > SRM: Section Tray Background or Instruments > SRM: Discrete Tray Background (depending on the tray type used). The window in Figure 4 will appear.

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1. Set the desire demagnetization level.
   The default action for the tray background measurement is to demagnetize the tray and then to measure the empty tray. The user may adjust the demagnetization level (maximum of 80 mT) or chose to measure without demagnetizing the tray.
2. Select START to begin the background measurement.
3. When the measurement has finished the user will be asked if they wish to SAVE the new tray data.

Create A Sample Preset Shape

The user must define the shape and orientation of the samples to be measured. In most cases this will be Section Half–Archive, but alternative shapes and orientations are available.

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Figure 6. Edit Preset Button Name

Create a Measurement Sequence

Figure 7. Sequence Editor Window 

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1. To create a new measurement sequence, select DAQ > Sequence Editor (Figure 7).
2. Select a sequence action from the sequence action list.
   An NRM measurement is equivalent to a Measure Only. When adding an in-line AF demag step you will be given the option to set the field. Maximum field is 80 mT, but we do not usually go above 30 mT.
3. Use the Add to list button to add the step to the sequence list
   A step may be removed using the Remove From List button
4. Once user has created the finalized sequence, select Ok…Save and the user will be prompted to name the sequence and then returned to the main screen (Figure 2).

Start a Measurement

Once the user has a measurement sequence, a selected measurement interval, and a background measurement completed, a measurement sequence can be started. To display SRM plots during a measurement, select Instruments > SRM: Display Plots on the main SRM-IMS window or open MagSpy from the desktop (Figure 8).

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