Clarity Lite Software GETTING STARTED

Significance of the Topic

The Clarity Lite Chromatography Station software serves as an essential platform for acquiring, processing, and evaluating data from gas and liquid chromatographs, enabling precise data integration, calibration, and reporting, which supports quality control and research activities in analytical laboratories.

Objectives and Overview

The Getting Started guide aims to familiarize users with Clarity Lite installation, configuration, and basic workflows. It covers software and hardware requirements, qualification procedures, method setup, single analysis, calibration creation, sequence automation, and troubleshooting.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Clarity Lite runs on Windows with .NET Framework 4.8 or higher, requiring USB ports for hardware key and optional A/D converter. The Colibrick A/D converter interfaces up to four detector signals (symmetrical inputs), markers, and relay outputs. Instrument connections include analog outputs from detectors, external start/stop, and autosampler integration. The software is configured via the Clarity Lite main window, Single Analysis dialog, Data Acquisition interface, and Chromatogram windows.

Instrumentation Used

• Colibrick A/D converter (INT7) for analog signal acquisition
• Gas or liquid chromatograph with up to four detectors
• Autosampler for sequence measurements
• PC running Windows with .NET Framework 4.8+

Main Results and Discussion

Users can perform a single analysis by configuring sample metadata, selecting a method, and running data acquisition. Real-time monitoring via the Data Acquisition window and interactive peak integration in the Chromatogram window allow manual adjustments and snapshot creation. Calibration is established by importing multiple standard chromatograms, annotating peaks, assigning concentrations (including internal standard methods), and generating multi-level linear calibration curves. Methods can be linked to calibration files to automate data processing. The Sequence window supports automated batch analysis, leveraging variables for file naming, method selection, and post-run actions. Validation includes an Installation Qualification report accessible via the Help menu. Common issues such as missing hardware key, incorrect user code, and expired trial are addressed in the troubleshooting section.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Cost-effective solution for single-instrument chromatography data acquisition
• Advanced integration algorithms with customizable parameters
• Internal and external standard calibration for quantitative accuracy
• Automated sequences and post-run options for high-throughput workflows
• Customizable reporting templates for professional result presentation
• Quick startup with guided installation and qualification procedures

Future Trends and Applications

Integration with cloud-based data management, expanded detector support, enhanced automation through AI-driven peak detection and quantification, real-time process monitoring, remote system diagnostics, and interoperability with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) are anticipated to further streamline chromatographic workflows and data integrity.

Conclusion

Clarity Lite provides an intuitive and versatile environment for chromatography data acquisition and processing on a single workstation. By guiding users through installation, qualification, method configuration, data acquisition, calibration, and batch measurement, the software ensures reliable and reproducible analytical results for research, QA/QC, and industrial applications.

References

1. DataApex Ltd. Clarity Lite Getting Started Manual, Code/Rev. M012/100C, 2025.
2. DataApex Ltd. Clarity Lite User Guide.
3. DataApex Ltd. Clarity Lite Datasheet D016.