• Introduction
  • Getting Started
• Making a Measurement
• Uploading Data to LIMS
• QE Pro Calibration

Introduction

The SHMSL (Section Half Multisensor Logger) makes point-source, contact measurements of magnetic susceptibility and color reflectance; as well as a surface laser profile. Split core surfaces, predominantly from the archive half, are measured.

Procedures

• Preparing the Instrument

1. Open MUT and login using ship credentials. For more information see the "Uploading Data to LIMS" section below.
2. Double-click the IMS icon on the desktop (Figure 1). IMS initialize's the instruments and checks the movement of both Exlar actuators. Once initialized, the logger is ready to measure a section.

Figure 1.- IMS Icon

• QE Pro Calibration

1. The Instrument Calibration screen appears automatically if the QE Pro is out of calibration,.
2. Click Calibrate Instruments to begin the calibration process, starting with the White calibration. The QE Pro integrating sphere lowers over the QE Pro calibration standard until contact. The Integration Time should be less than 0.55 seconds (Figure 12).
   Figure 12.- White Calibration
   Note: If the integration time increases, contact the PP technician.
3. Click Accept.
4. After the White Calibration is complete, the Dark Calibration will begin (Figure 13). The difference between the calibration values of Dark Pixels and the Spectral Mean should be less than 100. If this difference is higher or if negative values appear on the spectrum, please contact the PP technician.
   When finished click Accept. Figure 13.- Dark Calibration
5. After the Dark Calibration is complete, the normalize spectra will appear (Figure 14). Click Accept to apply the calibration.
   Figure 14.- Normalize spectra

• Making a Measurement

NOTE: If you would like to change measurement parameters, please contact the PP technician.

1. Place section in the core tray. Make sure the section is oriented blue endcap up, and is flush against the benchmark (Figure 2). Figure 2.- Benchmark
2. Adjust the section so that it is parallel to the benchmark.
3. Click START. The Section Information screen is displayed (Figure 3).  Figure 3.- Section Information Screen
4. Place the cursor in the SCAN field and scan the section label. SAMPLE ID and LIMS ID automatically fills. These ID tags contain information on expedition, site, hole, core, section number and length.

Additional entry field options are the LIMS and MANUAL tags.
Optional entry fields include:
Comment: Notes and observations
Missing Top: Used if material is missing or was sampled at the top of the section. If used, the software automatically adjusts the offset.
Exclude Intervals: Enter section intervals to be excluded, like foam-voids. Excluded intervals will be not be measured.
Measure Control Set: Measurement control for the spectrometer. This option is used exclusively by the PP technician.

1. Click MEASURE
2. The sensor assemby moves to the bottom of section. A surface profile, taken by the laser, will be acquired (Figure 4). 

Figure 4.- Laser Profile
NOTE: If the system prompts for a QE Pro calibration (Figure 5) please refer to the calibration instructions (shown below).
Figure 5.- Asking for calibration window

1. After profile completion, a pop-up is displayed, containing the measured section length. Confirm this length visually (Figure 6) and adjust if needed.
2. Using the pre-cut GLAD wrap, cover the section surface (Figure 7). Click >>>GO to begin MS and color reflectance measurements.

Figure 6.- Confirmation length window
NOTE: Wrap MUST have a proper seal. Any bubbles or wrinkles WILL affect measurements. Sediment contamination within the sensors WILL cause DAMAGE. Figure 7.- Final Core Preparation

1. MS and Color reflectance data graphs are displayed in real time during acquisition (Figure 8.)

NOTE: the QE Pro has indindividual display tabs for each component of the color reflectance. Display tabs can be toggled back and forth.
Figure 8.- Main window with measurement profiles

1. After data acquisition, measurements of MSP (Magnetic Susceptibility Point) and white standards are performed. Placement of the sensors to their respective standard is extremely important. For the MSP measurement, this corresponds to the insertition of the sensor into the standard.

NOTE: MSP data can be drift corrected if necessary. Please contact the PP technician for further instructions.
Figure 9.- Correct position of sensor on the top of the standards

1. All instrument data (laser profile, MSP, color reflactance, and standards) are stored in C:\DATA\IN.
2. Data is automatically uploaded to the LIMS database, and is available to view on LORE and LIVE. If data is not instantly visible, please contact the PP technician.
3. Upon upload, data is moved to C:\DATA\Archive. If upload is unsuccessful, data is automatically moved to C:\DATA\Error. Please contact the PP technician if this occurs.

Uploading Data to LIMS

1. Click the MUT Icon (Figure 10). Log in using database credentials.
   
   Figure 10.- MUT Icon
2. Once activated, the list of files from the C:\DATA\IN directory is displayed. Files are marked ready for upload by a green check mark (Figure 11).
   
   Figure 11.- Main MUT screen
3. To manually upload files, check each file individually and clip upload. To automatically upload files, click on the Automatic Upload checkbox.
4. If files are marked by a purple question mark or red and white X icons, please contact a technician.
   Purple question mark: cannot identify the file. Red and white X icons: contains file errors.

Credits

Version 2 of this document was edited by T.Cobb during expedition 368 (2016). Credits for subsequent changes to this document are given in the page history.

All improvements to the Quick Start Guides and User Guides are a communal effort, with honorable mention to the group of LOs, ALOs, and technicians who have helped.

Archived Versions