Chromatography Detectors Extend Range for HPLC and LC/MS

With their universal response, full gradient and solvent compatibility, and excellent baseline stability, the new detectors have advantages over conventional ultraviolet (UV) and refractive index (RI) detectors for busy analytic and pharmaceutic laboratories. In addition, they complement electrospray detection in liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) for compounds that are difficult to ionize.

With the capability to deliver sub-ambient evaporation down to 10 °C, the new 385-LC provides maximum sensitivity for compounds with significant volatility below 30 ºC, giving it the widest application range of all ELSDs. The new 380-LC is the instrument of choice for nonvolatile compounds, including analyses where elevated temperature offers higher sensitivity.

Both instruments are flexible and sensitive, delivering a universal response down to the low ng range for trace analysis. Real-time gas management eliminates solvent effects for constant response across a gradient. Digital data collection enables the detectors to be interfaced with multi-vendor analysis platforms and removes the need for analog to digital interfaces.

The new instruments were released by Varian, Inc. (Palo Alto, CA, USA) at Pittcon 2008, which took place on March 3-5, 2008, in New Orleans (LA, USA). They save time and improve productivity with on-the-fly adjustment of light source intensity for sample mixtures with a wide concentration range. Excellent reproducibility (plus or minus < 2%) greatly enhances productivity. Fast data output rates and extremely low dispersion are suitable for high speed LC, an increasingly important analytic technique.

Martin O'Donoghue, senior vice president, Scientific Instruments, Varian, said, "Varian's new 380-LC family of detectors brings sensitive and accurate detection capability to an even wider range of applications.”


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