Are the control sample analyses within an acceptable range?
• Are the chemical yields within an acceptable range? If all of the above are true, then it is possible to infer that the unknown sample was indeed properly handled and analyzed correctly. This is the basis of data validation for isotope specific alpha analysis. General Concepts Validation protocols require the management of a large amount of data. It is important that data validation does not become an unusually large burden upon a laboratory. Therefore, an automated method of tracking this data is absolutely necessary. Figure 2 Control chart representing spectrometer performance over a 3 month period, and documenting a specific failure. Both AMS and the Alpha Analyst maintain a series of Quality Control files which make up a database of key validation parameters. These standard functions include the automatic distribution of key parameters to the validation database to minimize technician interaction and therefore improve accuracy and efficiency. Furthermore, two classes of data are
