HPLC light scattering detector for biopolymers

A high angle light scattering detector using classical Rayleigh scattering. A high intensity arc light source, filtered to leave only one wavelength illuminates a flow cell. Through the flow cell, very small particles such as biological proteins flow in solution after separation by HPLC or some other means. A UV detector generates data regarding the weight concentration of the eluting particles and a scattered light detector collecting scattered light at angles of approximately 90 DEG generates a scattered light signal. The incident light intensity is also measured. The average molecular weight is then computed using the scattered and incident light data the weight concentration data and a simplified mathematical relationship from which the size factor P and the viral coefficients have been eliminated.