Peak Profile for Identifying an Analyte in a Chromatogram

A system for determining an identity of a first analyte in a sample, the system comprising:

• a chromatographic column;
• a chromatographic detector configured to detect an amount of an analyte from the chromatographic column, wherein the chromatographic detector is configured to detect a peak profile of the analyte, wherein the peak profile is defined by a plurality of measured data points each having an x and y coordinate configured to plot onto a coordinate system;
• a data processor configured to:
• receive the plurality of measured data points from the chromatographic detector,
• adjust the y coordinates of each of the plurality of measured data points of the first analyte to form a normalized peak profile, and
• compare the normalized peak profile of the first analyte with a normalized peak profile of a second analyte.

A method of determining an identity of a first analyte in a sample, wherein the sample is flowed through a chromatographic column, the method comprising:

• detecting a signal curve of the first analyte by a chromatographic detector, wherein the signal curve includes a peak profile of the first analyte, wherein the peak profile is defined by a plurality of measured data points;
• normalizing the plurality of measured data points of the peak profile to form a normalized peak profile, wherein the normalized peak profile includes adjusting a component of each of the plurality of measured data points to define a plurality of normalized data points;
• correlating the normalized peak profile of the first analyte with a normalized peak profile of a second analyte, wherein correlating includes comparing a first shape defined by the normalized peak profile of the first analyte with a second shape defined by the normalized peak profile of the second analyte;
• and
• determining whether the sample includes the second analyte based upon the correlation.