Quadrupole cleaning Technique

QUADRUPOLE CLEANING TECHNIQUE

-Remove the quadrupole and its housing as a unit. Remove the R.F. posts from the poles. The Quad is held in its housing by a single screw near the exit end. Remove this screw and slide the Quad out of its housing. If the quad sticks DO NOT FORCE IT. Jiggle it gently from side to side and up and down till it is free and continue removal.

-Under no circumstances should you remove the screws that hold the poles in there ceramic collars.

-Visible deposits will usually be confined to the first 2 cm of the entrance end of the quadrupole.

-The most effective way to remove these visible deposits is to scrub with a cotton swab and a paste of 95% pumice : 5% "Alconox". Try to confine your scrubbing motion to going around the circumference of the poles and avoid scrubbing in a longitudinal direction.

-When the visible deposits have been removed give the quad a general overall scrubbing with pumice/alconox paste. Rinse thoroughly in tap water and swab with "Dynasoap". Rinse thoroughly with tap water and then with distilled water. Watch for the formation of a uniform, continuous film of water. Formation of individual droplets indicates the presence of hydrocarbons. If all looks well rinse with methanol, dry with the hair dryer and place on a clean kimwipe for reassembly.

-Do not ultrasonically clean for extended periods as this may loosen the collar screws.

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