Calibrators and controls play vital roles in ensuring the accuracy, precision, and reliability of analytical results. Calibrators are known solutions with precise concentrations of target analytes, used to create a calibration curve. This curve is essential for translating the instrument's response into accurate quantitative data for unknown samples. By analyzing calibrators at different concentrations, a relationship between the instrument signal and analyte concentration is established, allowing for the determination of analyte levels in unknown samples based on their responses.

Controls, are samples with known concentrations of analytes that are run alongside unknown samples to monitor the performance of the LC-MS system and the accuracy of the method. There are typically two types of controls: quality control (QC) samples and internal controls. QC samples are analyzed periodically to ensure the system remains stable and the method remains valid throughout the analytical run. Internal controls are included in every batch to monitor for any variations during sample preparation and analysis. Together, calibrators and controls are indispensable for maintaining the integrity and quality of LC-MS analyses.