Contactless conductivity detector with transmitter/receiver electrode

Abstract

A contactless conductivity detector uses a signal electrode arranged longitudinally between two ground electrodes. Conveniently, the ground electrodes can be integral with a metal housing that electrically shields the detector electronics from external electrical noise. The ground electrodes are defined at the locations where a capillary separation channel extends through the housing. The signal electrode is coupled to an AC transmitter through a sense resistor; the signal electrode is also coupled to a receiver that provides an output corresponding to the magnitude of the AC signal developed at the signal electrode. The signal electrode is located at a voltage-divider node between the sense resistor and the resistances of the sample fluid between the signal electrode location and the ground electrode locations. Thus, the signal developed at the signal electrode reflects the sample fluid resistance, which is the inverse of its conductivity. This single-electrode configuration provides a relatively flat response to frequency so that a single-frequency can be used for detection, as opposed to a frequency sweep, which can be required for other contactless conductivity detectors. The result is a simpler and more cost effective contactless conductivity detector suitable for use with electrophoresis and other chemical-analysis systems.