Optimization of detectors for modern liquid chromatography

The development of modern liquid chromatographic methods depends strongly on the development of suitable measuring systems for the separated compounds. This is the case as generally an on-line coupling of separation and detection is preferred because of ease of operation, reliability and more efficient data handling. Unfortunately, the best conditions for the separation are often not optimal from the detection point of view. Conflicts arise in various respects and compromises have to be made. Depending on the complexity, cost and performance of each, either the chromatographic separation, or the detection process, has to be adapted, the one to the other. A number of contemporary developments in the techniques of liquid chromatography tend to sharpen these conflicts. Further reduction in particle size, reduction of the column diameter, introduction of multicolumn operation and the exploration of open tubular liquid chromatography can be mentioned in this respect. From this point of view a broad discussion of the role of detection techniques in the development and performance of liquid chromatographic analytical procedures is given.