BD FACSymphony A5 SE - Cytometer settings workflow

Cytometer settings workflow
Introduction
This topic describes how to optimize cytometer settings. The optimization is performed using the
BD
®
Cytometer Setup Software, Application Settings, and Compensation Setup features of BDFACSDiva™
software.
When to optimize settings
Before you record data for a sample, optimize the cytometer settings for the sample type and fluorochromes
used.
Manual compensation
Compensation setup automatically calculates compensation settings. If you choose to perform compensation
manually, not all of the following instructions apply. For detailed instructions, see the BDFACSDiva™ Software
Reference Manual.
First-time users
If you are performing the procedures in this workflow for the first time, you should be familiar with
BDFACSDiva™ software concepts: workspace components, cytometer and acquisition controls, and tools for
data analysis.
For additional details, see the BDFACSDiva™ Software Reference Manual.
Before you begin
Start the cytometer and perform the setup and QC procedures. See Cytometer setup (page 23).
Workflow for optimizing settings
Cytometer optimization consists of the following steps.
Step Description
1 Verifying the configuration and user preferences (page 69)
2 Running a performance check (page 71)
3 Setting up a compensation experiment (page 74)
4 Creating application settings (page 77)
5 Recording compensation controls (page 78)
6 Calculating compensation (page 81)
Note: Application settings are optional and do not have to be saved for the experiments. However, they are
useful for optimizing cytometer settings.
68 BD FACSymphony™ A5 SE User's Guide