Detectors used in HPLC

•   MS – provides additional information of molecular weight and structure by fragmentation pattern
•  Photodiode Array (PDA) – Like a UV detector but gives UV traces for all wavelengths from 210 nm to 500 nm at the same time
•  Refractive Index – used for samples that don’t have any light absorbing characteristics, typically very insensitive
•  Electrochemical – detects oxidation/reduction of sample, extremely sensitive but difficult to use
•  Any detector can be added on at any time, modular.