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The intersection of grey dotted lines marks our target of 40 mg and an edge step of 1.0 absorption units. Each of the dots on the coloured lines represents a different diltution (you can inspect the values for mass and edge step in the table to locate each dilution on the plot). The results suggest that a total absorption of a little less than 2.0, i.e. ~1.85 and a dilution with cellulose to between 10 and 20 wt. % will give the optimum result. However, we do not have to stick to making only 40 mg pellets, nor do we have to stick to edge steps of 1.0. Depending on your material and your skill making pellets, lower masses will also work. As an accomplished presser of pellets, I wouldattempt would attempt to make a pellet with only 20 mg of material and a dilution of 20 wt % and a total absorption of 1.5 abs. units. Alternatively, for this sample, I could make a 40 mg pellet with a total absorption of 1.5 abs units, and accept an edge step of ~0.7 which will give excellent data at MEX1.
Think of 40 mg as a good starting point for a mass of a pellet that should almost always work, however if you find you can successfully make lower mass pellets, take advantage of the extra flexibility it offers. Similarly, whilst an edge step of 1.0 is ideal, MEX1 can return good data at edge steps as low as 0.1, (or lower for the more adventurous/less discerning user).