Ultraviolet/visible light absorption (UV): Limit of detection 10⁻⁹ g/mL
Fluorescence: Limit of detection 10⁻¹² g/mL
Refractive index detector (RI): Limit of detection 10⁻⁶ g/mL
Evaporative light scattering: Limit of detection 10⁻⁹ g/mL
Amperometric detector: Limit of detection 10⁻¹⁰ g/mL
Mass spectrometry detector (MS): Limit of detection 10⁻⁹–10⁻¹² g/mL
Part 2: All Types of Detectors With Sensitivity
Detector
Sensitivity
Cell Volume (µl)
Remarks
Ultraviolet (visible) spectroscopy (AUFS)
1 ng ml⁻¹, 1 × 10⁻³
4.5–20
Common detector; selection of wavelength improves the accuracy of quantitative analysis, wavelength scanning or photodiode array permits qualitative analysis. W-lamp or complex lamp is suitable for visible region detection.
Fluorescence spectroscopy
10 pg ml⁻¹, 1 × 10⁻⁴ FS
7–60
Sensitive for fluorescent compounds
Refractive Index
10 ng ml⁻¹, 1.6 × 10⁻⁷ RIU
5–14
All purpose; temperature control for high sensitive detection, usually used for preparative LC or size exclusion LC, eluent must be isocratic
Polarimeter
20 µg ml⁻¹
Specific for optical isomers
Infrared spectroscopy
10 ng ml⁻¹
Suitable for carbonyl compounds; NaCl, CaF₂ and sapphire cells are available
Conductivity
10 ng ml⁻¹
1.5
Detection limit 0.001 µmho is equivalent to 0.01 ppm NaCl, suitable for ion detection