Method and apparatus for conducting electrochemiluminescent measurements

An apparatus for measuring electrochemiluminescent phenomena of a sample, comprising:

• (a) cell means for holding the sample;
• (b) voltage control means, including a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode, said working electrode being located within said cell means so as to be exposable to said sample for triggering electrochemiluminescence therein, said reference electrode being located so as to sense the voltage substantially adjacent said working electrode, and said voltage control means being adapted to apply a controlled voltage waveform at said reference electrode with respect to said working electrode, said controlled voltage waveform being substantially sinusoidal in shape in the voltage range for which electrochemiluminescence is triggered;
• and
• (c) radiation detection means for detecting electrochemiluminescent radiation from said sample.

Apparatus for measuring electrochemiluminescent phenomena of a sample, comprising:

• (a) cell means for holding the sample;
• (b) voltage control means, including a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode, said working electrode being located within said cell means so as to be exposable to said sample for triggering electrochemiluminescence therein, said reference electrode being located so as to sense the voltage substantially adjacent said working electrode, and said voltage control means being adapted to apply a controlled voltage waveform at said reference electrode with respect to said working electrode, said controlled voltage waveform being substantially smooth within a portion of the voltage range for which electrochemiluminescence is triggered;
• and
• (c) radiation detection means for detecting electrochemiluminescent radiation from said sample.