Validation and correction of spectrometer performance using a validation cell

摘要

Light intensity data quantifying intensity of light generated by a light source and received at a detector during a validation mode of an absorption spectrometer can be compared with a stored data set representing at least one previous measurement in a validation mode of an analytical system. The validation mode can include causing the light to pass at least once through each of a zero gas and a reference gas contained within a validation cell and including a known amount of a target analyte. The zero gas can have at least one of known and negligible first light absorbance characteristics within a range of wavelengths produced by the light source. A validation failure can be determined to have occurred if the first light intensity data and the stored data set are out of agreement by more than a predefined threshold amount. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a validation cell positioned such that a light path generated by a light source passes through the validation cell at least once in transmission of the light path from the light source to a detector, the validation cell containing a reference gas comprising a known amount of a target analyte; a flow switching apparatus to direct a sample gas into the light path during a sample analysis mode and a zero gas into the light path during a validation mode, the zero gas having at least one of known and negligible first light absorbance characteristics within a range of wavelengths produced by the light source; and a controller to perform operations comprising: receiving light intensity data quantifying intensity of the light received at the detector during the validation mode, comparing the light intensity data with a stored data set representing at least one previous measurement in the validation mode; and determining that a validation failure has occurred if the first light intensity data and the stored data set are out of agreement by more than a predefined threshold amount.