Data Reduction and Analysis Software

The newly enhanced GeoPro Data Reduction and Analysis Software Package is a user friendly application for reducing LA-ICP-MS spectra into meaningful scientific data. The GeoPro software package allows the user to import raw data files from all ICP-MS manufacturers and designate flexible integration limits for blank, signal, and matrix. With GeoPro the user can build and edit calibration curves produced from external standards (generated with up to 5 Standard Reference Materials), calculate quantitative data, and generate reports. Data can easily be viewed in both numeric and spectral form. In addition, the GeoPro software package includes two useful tools: Isotope Ratio and Mapping (for graphical viewing of data). Unlike other data reduction software, GeoPro is highly adaptable to user needs, is very simple and easy to use, and offers the user the essential components needed to quickly and easily generate meaningful results from raw data. GeoPro provides flexibility in data handling without sacrificing simplicity.

From the main screen the user can access the Data Integration (for defining flexible blank, signal, and background integration areas) and the Quantitative Analysis (for importing integrated data files and standard files, choosing the calibration type, designating the choice of internal standard element from the method, entering various internal standard values, viewing and editing calibrations, and generating reports) spreadsheets. Additional data handling features (Isotope Ratios and Mapping) can also be accessed from this screen.

Data Integration
When a user imports a LA-ICP-MS data file into GeoPro, the spectra is shown with 6 moveable bars used to define integration areas of the background, signal, and matrix. The displayed isotopes in the spectra and legend can easily be chosen and edited using a pulldown menu. 

In this section the user can save integrals after integration areas have been defined. Also, the user can define a template for blank, signal, and matrix integration areas which will automatically be recorded in the spreadsheet (red box). This allows subsequent LA-ICP-MS spectra obtained with identical acquisition times to be quickly integrated and saved.

A template for creating new Standard Reference Material (SRM) files is included. This allows the user to easily include new SRM’s for data analysis and reduction.

Quantitative Analysis
The Quantitative Analysis section allows the user to load samples with previously defined integration areas and designate the SRM (green box) to be used for calibration. The user can choose if the blank or matrix (or neither) is subtracted from the signal and if an internal standard will be used. After entering in concentration values for the internal standard element (red box) calibrations can be performed (see below). A “Stats” column (blue box) is included which enables the user to define replicates into groups for calculation of the Mean, Standard Deviation, and % Relative Standard Deviation. Finally sample reports can be generated with a simple click of the “Reports” tab.

Here is an example of calibration graphs generated for each method isotope from analysis of the SRM.  Data points can easily be edited (outliers can be removed, ect.) using a convenient pulldown menu.

Here is an example of the Reports page showing the quantitative results as well as the Mean, Standard Deviation, and % Relative Standard Deviations for the defined replicates.

Sample Reports can be viewed in either “Column” format (shown here) or “Row” format (shown above).

Isotope Ratio
The Isotope Ratio section reads the integrated data files from the Signal Handling and calculates the isotope ratios and statistics for the specified isotopes.

Sample Mapping
The Mapping section enables the graphical viewing of the data as signal intensity maps for easy identification of features