3D Field

A Photodiode Array Detector (PDA) simultaneously measures the different absorptions in a wavelength range at the time t. The two-dimensional view of a chromatogram (retention time and absorption height) is extended by another dimension (wavelength). Each recorded data point contains information about the detected wavelength, in addition to the retention time and the absorption value.

The resulting 3D field stretches in x, y, and z-direction.

Dionex photodiode array detectors record data points via the 3DFIELD signal. You may use Signal Parameters to influence signal recording in the same way as for any other signal.

Recording a 3D field can produce an enormous amount of data that depends on the selected Sampling Rate, the detector's Optical Resolution, and the selected wavelength range. This not only requires special data compression procedures (see Data Management  Raw Data Compression), but also makes it impossible to control photodiode array detectors via conventional serial interfaces. That is why powerful special connectors and separate interface cards are used for the PC connection for Dionex photodiode array detectors, such as the UVD 340U detector. This connection even allows online representation of the 3D field on a Control Panel.

You can display and evaluate existing 3D fields in different modes (see: 3D Field: Presentation Modes). The PPA (Peak Purity Analysis) pane is available for this.