Agilent Technologies introduces diode-array and multiwavelength detectors for ultrafast HPLC analyses

80 Hz sampling rate increases resolution 100 percent

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 16, 2005

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced a new diode-array detector and multiwavelength detector for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These photodiode array (PDA) detectors enable analytical laboratories to significantly increase productivity while maintaining or improving both data quality and security.

With a signal sampling rate of 20 Hz and a spectral sampling rate of 10 Hz, today's PDA detectors are not fast enough to keep up with the separation speed delivered by ultrafast LC, which results in ultrafast peaks narrower than 0.5 second. To overcome this limitation, Agilent's new 1100 Series DAD SL detector offers multiple-wavelength and full spectral detection at a sampling rate of up to 80 Hz. Compared with 10 Hz and 20 Hz sampling rates, operation at 80 Hz increases chromatographic resolution by up to 100 percent. The DAD SL at the same time enables precise identification, quantification and peak purity analysis of trace-level peaks as narrow as 0.2 second for compliance with the strictest regulatory performance requirements.

"The new 1100 Series DAD-SL reflects Agilent's open-platform strategy," said Karlheinz Bruederle, general manager of Pharmaceutical Solutions for Agilent. "We encourage third-party laboratory software providers to implement full instrument control to serve our mutual customers most effectively."

The Agilent 1100 Series MWD and DAD SL offer additional advantages in the field of data security and traceability:

• Unique data recovery functionality prevents data loss in case of communication breakdowns between instrument and PC. This "data-never-lost" insurance is achieved by automated, full-spectral data buffering on a memory card embedded in the detector.
• Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for flow cells and a UV lamp provide a new level of data traceability. The RFID tags record parameters such as product and serial number, production date, cell dimensions, lifetime and usage of the lamp, and the last date of a successful cell or lamp test. This information is saved with each individual raw data file.
• A built-in LAN connection directly interfaces the detector with the user's local network.

Availability

The Agilent 1100 Series diode-array detector SL and 1100 Series multi-wavelength detector SL are available for order now and shipments are expected to begin later this month.

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 28,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $7.2 billion in fiscal year 2004. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

# # #

LSCA Imagelibrary: Image #74

Contact:

Stuart Matlow
+1 408 553 7191
stuart_matlow@agilent.com