Quadrupole Residual Gas Analyzer Calculator

Analyze residual gases with corrected pressure estimates. Compare masses, abundance shares, and detection thresholds instantly. Export results, inspect trends, and document vacuum composition confidently.

Calculator Inputs

Use chamber settings first. Then enter gas peaks below.

Reset

Gas Entry 1

Gas Entry 2

Gas Entry 3

Gas Entry 4

Gas Entry 5

Gas Entry 6

Example Data Table

These values are included through the example loader button.

Gas Mass Measured Current (A) Sensitivity (A/Torr) Fragmentation Transmission
Hydrogen 2 8.20E-10 8.50E-5 1.00 1.02
Water Vapor 18 2.10E-10 7.80E-5 0.95 0.99
Nitrogen 28 9.50E-11 7.20E-5 1.00 1.00
Oxygen 32 5.20E-11 7.10E-5 0.98 1.00
Argon 40 2.60E-11 6.90E-5 1.00 1.01
Carbon Dioxide 44 1.80E-11 6.40E-5 0.85 1.03

Formula Used

1. Net ion current: Inet = max(Imeasured - Ibaseline, 0)

2. Effective current: Ieffective = Inet / Gain

3. Corrected partial pressure: Pi = Ieffective / (Si × Fi × Ti)

4. Relative abundance: Ai(%) = Pi / ΣP × 100

5. Normalized pressure: Pnorm = Ptotal × Ai / 100

This workflow estimates gas contributions from corrected ion signals. Instrument calibrations, cracking patterns, and actual detector response may require lab-specific refinement.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter the total chamber pressure in Torr.
  2. Set detector gain and baseline noise values.
  3. Add one row for each relevant mass peak.
  4. Enter measured current and sensitivity for every gas.
  5. Adjust fragmentation and transmission when needed.
  6. Submit the form to calculate partial pressures.
  7. Review abundance share, normalized pressure, and status.
  8. Export the result table as CSV or PDF.

FAQs

1. What does this calculator estimate?

It estimates corrected partial pressures for gases detected by a quadrupole residual gas analyzer. It also reports abundance share, normalized pressure, and a simple detection status for each listed mass peak.

2. Why is detector gain included?

Detector gain changes the relationship between measured current and true signal. Dividing by gain gives a cleaner estimate of effective current before converting that value into partial pressure.

3. What is the baseline noise current?

Baseline noise represents background current not caused by the gas peak itself. Subtracting it prevents inflated pressure estimates when the measured signal is very weak.

4. Why use fragmentation and transmission factors?

Fragmentation accounts for cracking pattern effects. Transmission reflects mass-dependent instrument response. Together, they improve the raw signal correction and produce more realistic pressure estimates.

5. What does normalized pressure mean?

Normalized pressure redistributes the entered chamber pressure using each gas abundance percentage. It helps compare calculated species contributions against the total chamber reading.

6. Can this replace instrument calibration?

No. This page is a practical estimation tool. Formal calibration, verified sensitivity constants, and instrument-specific response curves are still required for high-confidence laboratory reporting.

7. Why might the summed partial pressure differ from total pressure?

Differences usually come from incomplete gas selection, imperfect sensitivities, background drift, cracking overlaps, or real instrument bias. The coverage ratio highlights how closely the selected peaks explain the chamber reading.

8. What does the status label mean?

The status compares each calculated partial pressure to the chosen detection limit. It classifies values as below limit, trace, moderate, or strong for faster review.

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Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.