I was just reading that RID was "the only universal detector in HPLC", yet it is possible that some compouds are "invisible to the detector" if their RI is close to that of the mobile phase. So what is the widely accepted definition of a universal detector? And how is RID more universal than ELSD or MS?
There is NO such thing as a 'universal detector'! It is just sales BS. Even MS requires that you fragment the molecule and put on a charge (sometimes hard to do).
Universal detector does not exist. Choosing the detector depends on your application. In each chromatographic book is a description of common LC detectors and their comparison.
Thanks for the answers! I do know a bit about detectors and how to choose one for specific analytes, this was more of a philosofical question about the logic behind calling a detector "universal". I guess that experienced chemists see no logic behind it at all :)
ELSD and MS was always used for analyzing sample, and ELSD was suitable for gradient elution and isocratic elution. However, RID was often used for preparing samples, and only suitable for isocratic elution.
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