Agilent Technologies 1220 Infinity II LC User Manual page 125

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Detector Description
Agilent 1220 Infinity II LC Diode Array Detector (DAD)
The signals comprises a series of data points over time, with the average
absorbance in the sample wavelength band minus the average absorbance of
the reference wavelength band.
Signal A in the detector default method is set to sample 250,100, reference
360,100, that is, the average absorbance from 200 – 300 nm minus the average
absorbance from 300 – 400 nm. As all analytes show higher absorbance at
200 – 300 nm than at 300 – 400 nm, this signal will show you virtually every
compound which can be detected by UV absorbance.
Many compounds show absorbance bands in the spectrum. Figure 38 on
page 125 shows the spectrum of anisic acid as an example.
To optimize for lowest possible detectable concentrations of anisic acid, set
the sample wavelength to the peak of the absorbance band (that is, 252 nm)
and the sample bandwidth to the width of the absorbance band (that is,
30 nm). A reference of 360,100 is adequate. Anisic acid does not absorb in this
range.
If you work with high concentrations, you may get better linearity above
1.5 AU by setting the sample wavelength to a valley in the spectrum, like
225 nm for anisic acid.
Figure 38 Optimization of Wavelength Setting
1220 Infinity II LC System User Manual 125