Mash

This document provides a comprehensive user guide for the Mass Spectrometer Handler (MASH) system, designed for use with Digital Equipment Corporation's PDP-12 computer. MASH is an interactive system developed for data acquisition, processing, and report generation when connected to a mass spectrometer (or mass spectrometer/gas chromatograph).

The manual is organized into three primary operational modules:

• Calibration (CALIB): Details both manual and automatic calibration procedures to adjust for drift in the mass spectrometer and align mass numbers with Hall Voltages. It explains how to set parameters, handle peak data, and apply curve-fit algorithms (linear or spline) to finalize calibration.
• Acquisition (ACQUI): Describes the procedures for gathering and processing scan data. It covers configuration requirements, starting the acquisition program, using the DYSP display subroutine, and monitoring Total Ion Current (TIC) via a real-time plot to determine when scans should be initiated.
• Report Generator (LOOK): Explains how to use the line spectrum display program to visualize, manipulate, print, and edit the collected mass spectral data.

Additionally, the document includes:

• Hardware Requirements: Outlines the minimum configuration for a PDP-12 system and supported peripheral devices.
• Appendices: Provides an index of error messages with recovery steps, technical descriptions of the curve-fit algorithms, and interface conventions for the mass spectrometer.
• Glossary: Defines key terminology used throughout the MASH system.