ELSD Detectors

Evaporative Light Scattering Detectors (ELSDs) are universal detectors used in liquid chromatography for the analysis of non-volatile and semi-volatile compounds. The detector operates by nebulising the eluent, evaporating the mobile phase, and measuring the intensity of light scattered by the remaining analyte particles. ELSDs provide a mass-sensitive response that is independent of the compound’s optical properties, making them particularly suitable for detecting analytes lacking chromophores, such as lipids, sugars, and polymers. When used with HPLC or UHPLC systems, ELSD offers reliable quantification and broad applicability across diverse analytical fields.