Independent of Chromaphores

Independent of chromaphores or fluorophores, differential Refractive Index (dRI) detectors measure concentrations of all types of samples in almost all solvents. The microOptilab brings the universal detection capabilities, unsurpassed concentration range, and superb sensitivity and linearity – familiar from the Optilab – to the domain of UHPLC.

SEC-MALS with UHPLC

Like standard SEC, UHPLC-SEC analysis relying on column calibration with molecular standards is unreliable when the standards do not accurately reflect your samples in terms of conformation, non-ideal (e.g., hydrophobic) column interactions or reversible association. SEC-MALS employs a microDAWN MALS detector downstream of the SEC column and UV detector, to determine molar mass / molecular weight distributions of macromolecules independently of column calibration.

Key Benefits

• Very low band broadening, < 4 µL, to maintain the resolution of very narrow UHPLC peaks
• Extraordinary dRI measurement range, -4.7 x 10-3 to +4.7 x 10-3 RIU (comparable to 25 mg/mL protein in PBS)
• Highly sensitive, ± 1.5 x 10-9 RIU across the entire measurement range
• Measures solvent refractive index, require for MALS calculations
• Measures at the same wavelength as the MALS detector, for maximum accuracy in MALS calculations
• Temperature range 4°C to 65°C for proteins and polymers that require a range of temperatures
• High-resolution, touch-screen front panel displays data graphs and diagnostics, even with the host computer turned off

Unparalleled Features

Considering the extremely small peak volumes of UHPLC, band broadening in the microOptilab is kept to the absolute minimum, at less than 4 µL, as compared to 20 – 40 µL or more for standard RI detectors. As a result, the superior resolution from UHPLC columns and instruments will not be compromised with the microOptilab RI detector.

Even though the microOptilab offers a dRI measurement range orders of magnitude beyond that of other UHPLC dRI detectors, unlike other detectors there are no range or gain settings in the microOptilab. The full range of instrument detection is always present, and the full sensitivity exists over the entire range. The small flow cell and proprietary temperature regulation enable stable RI baselines and signals which further enhance the detector’s sensitivity.

Unlike all other dRI detectors, the microOptilab also measures absolute refractive index in order to determine solvent RI, necessary in light scattering calculations and useful in assessing the accuracy of mixing of solvent gradients.

The microOptilab can be operated below ambient temperatures as easily as above ambient. No hassle temperature control can be programmed down to 4°C or as high as 65°C.

The microOptilab is compatible with all UHPLC systems.

Independent of Chromaphores

Independent of chromaphores or fluorophores, differential Refractive Index (dRI) detectors serve as accurate and versatile concentration detectors in all types of solvents. dRI is part of standard instrumentation for a variety of macromolecular characterization techniques including standard chromatography, SEC-MALS, FFF-MALS and CG-MALS.

Unique dRI Detector

The Optilab® is a unique dRI detector for standard HPLC/GPC with 256 times the detection power and 50 times the dynamic range of every other RI detector for chromatography in existence today, making it a valuable addition to any MALS setup.

Key Benefits

• Extraordinary dRI measurement range, -0.0047 to +0.0047 RIU (comparable to 25 mg/mL protein in PBS)
• Highly sensitive, ±7.5 x 10-10 RIU across the entire measurement range
• Measures solvent absolute refractive index, required for MALS calculations
• Measures at the same wavelength as the MALS detector, for maximum accuracy in MALS calculations
• Band broadening < 20 µL preserves SEC resolution
• Temperature range 4°C to 65°C for proteins and polymers that require a range of temperatures
• High-resolution, touch-screen front panel displays data graphs and diagnostics, even with the host computer turned off

Unparalleled Features

Even though the Optilab offers a dRI measurement range orders of magnitude beyond that of other dRI detectors, unlike other detectors there are no range or gain settings in the Optilab. The full range of instrument detection is always present, and the full sensitivity exists over the entire range.

The Optilab can also do something no other on-line refractive index detector can: it can measure the absolute refractive index of a solution. In addition, it can measure the dn/dc of a solvent at the same wavelength of light as the light scattering instrument. And just to make sure it can’t be matched, you can replace the light source in the Optilab for other wavelengths (e.g., 690, 633, 488, etc.) in just minutes!

The Optilab can go below ambient temperatures as easily as above ambient. No hassle temperature control can be programmed from 4°C to 65°C. Compatible with all HPLC systems.