Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for using a detector designed for use with liquids to detect resolved analytes in an effluent stream from a gas chromatography instrument. The gaseous stream is entrained by a flowing liquid solvent, and at least a portion of the analytes are transferred from the gas phase to the liquid phase. The liquid solvent containing the analytes is then conveyed to a detector designed for liquid analysis. Thus, the present invention gives the analyst more options for detecting an analyte or a group of analytes, thereby providing greater flexibility in optimizing the sensitivity or selectivity of the analysis. Furthermore, the present invention allows gaseous effluents to be analyzed by detectors which more readily permit sample recovery than the detectors currently being used to analyze gaseous effluents.

Abstract: The invention is an optical sensor useful for the detection of ionizing radiation emitted from an analyte in a fluid. The sensor is composed of a permeable scintillator having a high surface area to scintillator volume ratio and an optical waveguide located in working relation to the scintillator to collect light photons generated in response to an ionizing radiation source. The sensor is especially useful for biomedical applications. Increased sensitivity allows for miniaturization and implantation in a blood vessel of a small experimental animal.