Use of chemometrics to optimize the operation of an ion source.

A chemometric approach has been used to optimize the Agilent multimode ion source. Initial factorial experimental design studies indicated that there was a significant degree of curvature in the experimental region, so further central composite design experiments were performed. Optimum conditions were found using statistical optimization tools, and these results were then validated. As a result, recommendations have been made for the value of each operational parameter in order to optimize response.