Generic Pulse Experimental Sequence

  1. The Framework creates a runner window, and either theGalvanostatic Generic Pulse.exp or the Potentiostatic Generic Pulse.exp script is run in this window.
  2. The script creates the Setup dialog box, which becomes the active window and accepts changes in the experimental parameters. This Setup box remembers the experimental settings from the last time this script was run. To restore the parameters to the values defined in the script, click the Default button. If the Advanced Pstat Setup is on, a second Setup dialog box containing hardware-configuration details becomes the active window, so you can modify the hardware configuration.
  3. Using the experimental parameters, the script calculates the approximate number of data points to be collected during the experiment. If the number of data points exceeds the maximum, an error message is displayed.
  4. The script now obtains the use of the potentiostat and opens the data file using the Output File name. If the potentiostat is in use, or the file cannot be opened, the script returns you to the Setup dialog box. By default, the potentiostat’s cell switch is turned Off when the potentiostat is attached to the script.
  5. All header information is written to the data files. Header information consists of the analysis tag, the time and date the experiment was started, and a list of the setup parameters.
  6. If you selected a purge time greater than zero, the potentiostat’s control bits for purge-gas flow and stirring are turned on. The script delays for the purge time, then turns OFF the stirring and purge-gas control bits.
  7. If the electrode is an HMDE, a new drop is formed by momentarily activating the potentiostat’s New Drop control bit.
  8. The script delays for a time set by the Quiet Time parameter.
  9. The potentiostat is initialized. In Potentiostatic mode, the current range is set to a range that allows the measurement of currents as big as the value of the Max I Setup parameter.In Galvanostatic mode, the current range is set to a value which can be used to apply the requested current
  10. The actual scan occurs.
  11. The potential of the sample is set to the DC Offset. The current (potential) measurement is made as specified in the Setup.
  12. The pulse is applied and the current (potential) measurement is made as specified in the Setup.
  13. Steps 11 and 12 are continued until the Experiment Time has elapsed.