TIC/XIC visualizer

Description

This tool displays a two-dimensional plot, where the x-axis corresponds to retention time and the y-axis is the intensity level of the signal. This visualization of the raw data corresponds to the chromatographic appearance of the data.

This type of plot is generally used in MZmine to display chromatographic peaks.

Parameters

Raw data files
List of raw data files to display in the TIC visualizer, with the possibility of choosing one, many or all of them. The TIC will display all the chromatograms in the same plot.
MS level
This refers to the scan level (MS1,MS2,... ,MSn) to display in the plot.
Plot type
Type of y-axis value calculation. TIC shows the sum of intensities, base peak shows the maximum intensities.
Retention time
Retention time (x-axis) range.
m/z range
Range of m/z values. If this range does not include the entire scan m/z range, the resulting visualizer is XIC type.
Selected peaks
List of chromatographic peaks to display in the TIC visualizer. This list is available only if a peak list related to the selected raw data file exists in the current project.

Additionally, the parameters window has a Set automatically button that allows you to set all the ranges to the maximum ranges represented in the raw data.

Functionality

The following zoom functions are available:

Zoom function

To the right of the plot is a set of buttons whose functionality is also available via a pop-up menu that appears when you click the right-mouse button in the plot area.

When the mouse cursor passes over a plot line or peak, a tool-tip is displayed with information about the data point. Left-clicking will select a data point in the plot. Using the top button from the right panel it is possible to visualize the mass spectrum for the selected data point. Double-clicking near a data point will have the same result.

Mass spectrum function

Use the second button on the right panel to display a marker for each data point.

Display data point markers

Use the third button on the right panel to display labels on the data points. By default m/z labels are displayed for major peaks. If the plot includes selected peaks from a peak list then those peaks can be labeled with their identities. Pressing the labels button will cycle between displaying m/z labels, peak identity labels (if any) or no labels.

Use the fourth button in the right panel to manually modify the axis ranges.

It is possible to display data from other raw data files by using the Add plot of file... item from the pop-up menu.

Add plot of file menu

Multiple data files plot

The pop-up menu also includes a Set same range to all windows item, which applies the same ranges to all TIC plot windows in the current project.

The submenu also includes an Export chromatogram... item that allows you to select a chromatogram to export. Choose a chromatogram and you'll be prompted to select a file name to export the chromatogram values (RT, intensity) to.