A chromatography detector is a device used in gas chromatography (GC) or liquid chromatography (LC) to visualize components of the mixture being eluted off the chromatography column. There are two general types of detectors: destructive and non-destructive. The destructive detectors perform continuous transformation of the column effluent (burning, evaporation or mixing with reagents) with subsequent measurement of some physical property of the resulting material (plasma, aerosol or reaction mixture). The non-destructive detectors are directly measuring some property of the column effluent (for example UV absorption) and thus affords for the further analyte recovery.

Destructive detectors:

• Flame ionization detector
  Flame ionization detector
  A flame ionization detector is a type of gas detector used in gas chromatography. The first flame ionization detector was developed in 1957 by scientists working for the CSIRO in Melbourne, Australia....
  
  . The column effluent is injected into hydrogen flame and the flame conductivity is measured. Only used in GC.
• Aerosol-based detector [NQAD]. The column effluent is nebulized, the mobile phase evaporated, a water shell condensed on it and then it is detected. Very sensitive detection for reverse phase applications.
• Flame photometric detector, FPD
  FPD
  FPD may refer to:* Fairbanks Police Department * Fixed partial denture* Flame-photometric detector, a type of chromatography detector* Flat panel display* Flat panel detectors* Fire Power Demonstration...
  
  . Column eluate is burned in hydrogen flame. The light of the flame is filtered through an optical filter. Allows the detection of sulfur and phosphorus.
• Atomic-emission detector (AED). The column effluent is injected into plasma and the plasma spectrum is recorded. This detector allows for immediate determination of the elements present in the analyte.
• MS detector. The column effluent is continuously injected into mass spectrometer
  Mass spectrometry
  Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique that measures the mass-to-charge ratio of charged particles.It is used for determining masses of particles, for determining the elemental composition of a sample or molecule, and for elucidating the chemical structures of molecules, such as peptides and...
  
  . This detector allows for immediate determination of the molecular weight of analyte and/or fragmentation pattern thus providing a significant amount of information about analyte.
• Nitrogen Phosphorus Detector
  Nitrogen Phosphorus Detector
  The nitrogen phosphorus detector is a form of gas chromatography in which thermal energy is used to ionize an analyte. With this method, nitrogen and phosphorus can be selectively detected with a sensitivity that is 104 times greater than that for carbon....
  
  , used only in GC.
• Evaporative light scattering detector (ELD). The column effluent is continuously evaporated and the light scattering
  Light scattering
  Light scattering is a form of scattering in which light is the form of propagating energy which is scattered. Light scattering can be thought of as the deflection of a ray from a straight path, for example by irregularities in the propagation medium, particles, or in the interface between two media...
  
   of the resulting aerosol is measured. Only used in LC.

Non-destructive detectors:

• UV detectors, fixed or variable wavelength, which includes diode array detector (DAD or PDA). The UV absorption of the effluent is continuously measured at single or multiple wavelength. These are by far most popular detectors for LC.
• Thermal conductivity detector
  Thermal conductivity detector
  The thermal conductivity detector , also known as a Katharometer, is a bulk property detector and a chemical specific detector commonly used in gas-liquid chromatography. This detector senses changes in the thermal conductivity of the column effluent and compares it to a reference flow of carrier gas...
  
  , (TCD). Measures the thermal conductivity of the effluent. Only used in GC.
• Fluorescence detector
  Fluorescence spectroscopy
  Fluorescence spectroscopy aka fluorometry or spectrofluorometry, is a type of electromagnetic spectroscopy which analyzes fluorescence from a sample. It involves using a beam of light, usually ultraviolet light, that excites the electrons in molecules of certain compounds and causes them to emit...
  
  . Irradiates the effluent with a light of set wavelength and measure the fluorescence of the effluent at a single or multiple wavelength. Used only in LC
• Electron Capture Detector
  Electron capture detector
  An electron capture detector is a device for detecting atoms and molecules in a gas through the attachment of electrons via electron capture ionization. The device was invented in 1957 by Dr. James E...
  
  , ECD
  ECD
  The acronym ECD can refer to:* Early Childhood Development* East Caribbean dollar, an alternative but incorrect abbreviation for XCD* Eastern Continental Divide, a drainage divide that demarcates the watersheds of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Seaboard...
  
  . The most sensitive detector known. Allows for the detection of organic molecules containing halogen, nitro groups etc.
• Conductivity monitor. Continuously measures the conductivity of the effluent. Used only in LC when conductive eluents (water or alcohols) are used.
• Refractive index
  Refractive index
  In optics the refractive index or index of refraction of a substance or medium is a measure of the speed of light in that medium. It is expressed as a ratio of the speed of light in vacuum relative to that in the considered medium....
  
   detector (RI or RID). Continuously measures the refractive index of the effluent. Used only in LC. The lowest sensitivity of all detectors. Useful when nothing else works and at high analyte concentrations.
• Radio flow detector. Measures radioactivity of the effluent. This detector can be destructive if a scintillation cocktail
  Liquid scintillation counting
  Liquid scintillation counting is a standard laboratory method in the life-sciences for measuring radiation from beta-emitting nuclides. Scintillating materials are also used in differently constructed "counters" in many other fields....
  
   is continuously added to the effluent.
• Chiral detector. Continuously measures the optical angle of rotation of the elutant. Used only in LC when chiral compounds are being analyzed.