Fluorescence detection setups in capillary electrophoresis and microscale liquid chromatography: Developments over the past decade

Abstract

Properly adjusted and operated fluorescence detectors may provide higher sensitivity than mass spectrometers and far better sensitivity and selectivity than absorbance detectors. Therefore, various fluorescence detectors are being continuously developed and adapted for high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. This mini-review summarizes recent developments in fluorescence detectors applicable in capillary scale separation systems with emphasis on the technical details of the optical arrangements, excitation light sources, appearance of the detection zone, multi-wavelength detection schemes, and fluorescence monitoring in tandem with other detection principles. Microchip configurations are not covered.