MASH

This manual describes the MASH (Mass Spectrometer Handler) system, an interactive data acquisition, processing, and report-generating system designed to interface a PDP-12 computer with a mass spectrometer (or mass spectrometer/gas chromatograph). The system is divided into two main parts:

Part I (MASH Phase I) outlines the original system's core programs:

• Calibration (CALIB): Enables spectroscopists to assign mass numbers to Hall Voltages for accurate mass spectrometer calibration, supporting both manual and automatic modes with features like parameter specification, line spectra frame management (intensity threshold, mass number assignment, deletions), and curve fitting (linear or spline).
• Acquisition (ACQUI): Handles high-speed data gathering and processing from the mass spectrometer, saving mass peak coordinates. It supports multiple or single scan modes and includes a Total Ion Current (TIC) vs. Time Plot for real-time monitoring.
• Report Generator (LOOK): Displays and manipulates scan results in a line spectra format, offering commands for editing, printing, and visual data manipulation.

Part II (MASH Phase II) details extensions to the system, primarily enhancing reporting and file creation capabilities. New features include:

• Advanced Report Generation: Provides printed mass tables, functionality for chaining consecutive files, normalization options (to sum of intensities or highest sum), ordered printouts of highest peaks, and the ability to examine mass chromatographs.
• Plotter Capability: Supports CALCOMP/Houston plotters and Electrostatic Printer/Plotters for hard copy output.
• New File Creations: Introduces programs like MCHROM for generating mass chromatographs (intensity vs. scan for specified masses), TICGEN for calculating total ion current as a sum of intensities vs. scan number (for systems without direct TIC output), and BCKSUB for background subtraction of noise from scan data.

The document also covers hardware requirements, software support categories, error messages, curve fit algorithms, system conventions, and assembly instructions for the MASH programs, all operating under the standard AIPOS System.