Systems and methods for refractive index detection
AssigneeWaters Technologies Corporation
InventorsAnthony C. Jeannotte, Mark Basile, Senthil Bala, Colin Fredette
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides differential refractive index detectors and methods for the use of differential refractive index detectors. In an exemplary embodiment, a differential refractive index detector includes a flow cell body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a flow axis extending between the proximal and the distal end. The flow cell body includes a first chamber and a second chamber and the fluid conduits coupled to the flow cell body can be tapered to reduce dispersion.
Claims16
A differential refractive index detector, comprising:
- a flow cell body having a proximal end, a distal end and a flow axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the flow cell body comprising a flow cell assembly having discrete optically transmissive elements and comprising:
- a first assembly including a sample chamber having a cross-sectional profile that includes at least a curved portion and is configured to permit a sample flow in a direction parallel to the flow axis;
- and
- a second assembly including a reference chamber to receive a reference liquid, the reference chamber having a cross-sectional profile that is different from the cross-sectional profile of the sample chamber,
- wherein the first assembly and the second assembly are joined, and the discrete optically transmissive elements provide for passage of an optical beam which interrogates a refractive index of the sample flow and a reference liquid in a direction perpendicular to the flow axis.
A differential refractive index detector, comprising:
- a flow cell body having a proximal end, a distal end and a flow axis extending between the proximal and the distal end, the flow cell body comprising a flow cell assembly having discrete optically transmissive elements and including:
- a sample chamber;
- a first connector having a tapered connector bore and being in fluid communication with the sample chamber;
- a reference chamber;
- a second connector having a tapered connector bore and being in communication with the reference chamber;
- a first window fluidically separating the sample chamber from the reference chamber;
- a second window preventing fluidic leakage from the sample chamber outside of the flow cell body;
- and
- a third window preventing fluidic leakage from the reference chamber outside of the flow cell body;
- the flow cell assembly comprising:
- a first assembly including the sample chamber and second window, the first assembly configured to permit a sample flow in a direction parallel to the flow axis;
- a second assembly including the reference chamber and the third window, the second assembly configured to permit a reference flow in a direction parallel to the flow axis;
- wherein the first assembly and the second assembly are joined by a fastener and a cross-sectional profile of the sample chamber taken perpendicular to the flow axis includes at least one curved portion, the reference chamber having a cross-sectional profile that is different from the cross-sectional profile of the sample chamber, and the discrete optically transmissive elements provide for passage of an optical beam which interrogates a refractive index of the sample flow and a reference liquid in a direction perpendicular to the flow axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.