Making measurements - a tutorial Chapter 4
Mastersizer 2000 Page 4-11
1. Pump clean dispersant through the cell using the pump and stirrer controls on
the dispersion unit, before starting the measurement.
2. Part way through a measurement the dialogue asks the user to add sample to
the dispersion unit’s tank. Depending on the SOP design, the user is asked to
add a specific quantity to the tank or add sample to the tank until the obscura-
tion bar
is in the green section. Depending on the SOP design, the user may
be asked to alter the dispersion unit controls.
3. Once the correct amount of sample has been added, press the Start button
to start the actual measurement.
4. Depending on the SOP, a dialogue may appear asking the user to document
the measurement (add comments and observations).
If specified, an SOP measurement will automatically measure the background,
align the optics, calculate the size distribution, and save the record to a measure-
ment file. All the user has to do is wait for a prompt from the SOP to perform the
actions detailed above.
SOP summary
To summarise, an SOP measurement generally follows the steps indicated below.
Make sure that the system is connected and powered up before starting.
1. Select Measure-Start SOP.
2. A browse dialogue appears; select an appropriate SOP file from this directory:
C:\Program files\Malvern Instruments\Mastersizer 2000E\SOP
3. Select OK.
4. The SOP measurement asks the user to clean the cell and then pump in fresh
dispersant using the dispersion unit controls.
5. Press Start when the system is clean and ready to start a measurement.
6. The SOP automatically measures an electrical background, aligns the optical
system and measures the optical background.
7. The Add Sample tab appears and the SOP asks the user to add the sample to
the tank. Add enough sample (add one drop at a time) to make the blue Laser
Obscuration bar show green (try and achieve a mid value).
8. Once satisfied that enough sample has been added, press the Start button. The
sample will be measured and the result (size distribution) will be calculated.
The measurement record will automatically be saved to a measurement file.
9. The measurement is now complete - the user can now select the record and
view the results by selecting one of the report tabs.
MAN0384-1.0 Mastersizer 2000.book Page 11 Tuesday, March 20, 2007 8:56 AM
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