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Next: 4.3.1 Basic Inlet Techniques Up: 4. Basic GC Theory Previous: 4.2.3 Retention Index and   Contents

4.3 Sample Introduction Into the Gas Chromatograph

Most often, a solution containing the sample is injected. The target concentration is dependent on the detector used and the operational parameters of the detector. Some detectors can be damaged by injection of solutions that are too concentrated.

Aqueous solutions are not used.

Most often, the sample is flash vaporized in the inlet for deposition onto the column. The inlet is therefore heated; analytes should be sufficiently volatile to be vaporized. Some compounds may decompose at the inlet temperature, these require different introduction techniques.

There are three basic inlet techniques used with capillary GC: split, splitless and pulsed splitless. There are other techniques as well.



Subsections

John S. Riley, DSB Scientific Consulting