Techniques for determining equilibration and stability in scientific instrument systems

A method of performing experiments on samples comprising:

• receiving first criteria defining a first starting state for performing a first experiment in a system including one or more scientific instruments comprising a liquid chromatograph, wherein the first criteria includes sets of one or more conditions defining a state of equilibrium of the system;
• performing first processing that determines whether the first starting state is established in the system, the first processing performed until the first starting state is established in the system or an amount of elapsed time waiting to establish the first starting state exceeds a maximum amount of time, said first processing comprising:
• performing automated monitoring of a parameter for a selected data channel;
• determining whether the parameter meets specified conditions of the first criteria;
• and
• upon determining the first starting state is established in the system, transmitting a control signal to the system configured to place components of the system in a suitable operating state to allow the system to proceed with the first experiment that analyzes a first sample using the one or more scientific instruments of the system wherein the first criteria includes a first set of one or more conditions defining a state of equilibrium of the liquid chromatograph, wherein the one or more scientific instruments includes a detector coupled to the liquid chromatograph, and the first criteria includes a second set of one or more conditions defining any of a state of equilibrium and stability of the detector.