HPLC Detector Optical SLIT WIDTH Selection

A few notes on HPLC Optical Slit Width selection:

   Notes: 

1. The chosen slit width setting determines the amount of light which is directed to the detector.
2. For most HPLC methods, a slit width value of 4 nm is suggested. 
3. Bandwidth should be set at least as wide as the optical slit width.

Characteristics of Narrow Optical Slit Widths:

• Less light falls on the detector
• Less signal intensity
• Increased baseline noise
• S/N ratio decreases
• Spectral resolution improves which allows for more accurate spectral identification.

Characteristics of Wide Optical Slit Widths:

• More light falls on the detector
• Greater signal intensity
• Decreased baseline noise 
• S/N ratio improves
• Spectral resolution decreases and detail is lost. Less accurate spectral identification and an increase in errors for spectral library matching.