Liquid chromatographic method and system

Abstract

A chromatographic monitor includes an array of flow cells with individual light sensors that are collectively an array of photodiodes. The output from the photodiodes are multiplexed. To prevent losing information, the photodiodes are each connected to a different one of a plurality of inputs to the multiplexer through a corresponding one of a plurality of circuits that stores energy during the time the one inlet is not connected through the multiplexer to the signal processing circuitry that forms a part of an absorbance monitor. Preferably, the energy storing circuit is a non-switching circuit with low bandwidth and a flat-topped response to an impulse. This improves the signal to noise ratio. A one pole low pass filter with a (1-1/e) Dirac pulse fall time and equal to the multiplex entire cycle repeat time can perform this function and a one pole low pass filter provides satisfactory results. Still better results can be obtained from a three pole, one or two percent overshoot filter with combined minimum frequency bandwidth and fast rise time. A rise time equal to ½ the multiplex entire cycle.