Abstract: A mounting device for mounting a sample separation unit configured for separating, preferably chromatographically separating, compounds in a fluidic sample includes a first fluid connector configured for being mechanically and fluidically coupled with a first fluid interface of the sample separation unit, a second fluid connector configured for being mechanically and fluidically coupled with a second fluid interface of the sample separation unit, and a swivel mechanism configured for swivelling the first fluid connector between a mounting orientation for mounting the first fluid interface of the sample separation unit at the first fluid connector and an alignment orientation for aligning the second fluid interface of the mounted sample separation unit with the second fluid connector for subsequently coupling the second fluid interface with the second fluid connector.

Abstract: In a sample separation apparatus for separating a fluidic sample using a mobile phase provided from at least one mobile phase container, a method of determining a density of the mobile phase includes determining a weight and volume reduction behavior according to which weight and volume of mobile phase in a mobile phase container are reduced during conveying mobile phase from the mobile phase container in the sample separation apparatus. The density of the mobile phase is determined based on the determined weight and volume reduction behavior.

Abstract: In a sample separation apparatus for separating a fluidic sample, a mobile phase container is identified by determining a weight and volume characteristic of the mobile phase container, and identifying the mobile phase container based on a comparison of the determined weight and volume characteristic of the mobile phase container with a pre-known reference weight and volume characteristic of one or more reference mobile phase containers with pre-known identity. A mobile phase is identified by determining a weight and volume reduction behavior according to which weight and volume of mobile phase in a mobile phase container are reduced during conveying mobile phase from the mobile phase container in the sample separation apparatus, and identifying the mobile phase based on a comparison of the determined weight and volume reduction behavior with pre-known reference weight and volume reduction behavior of one or more reference mobile phase materials with pre-known identity.

Abstract: A temperature control chamber includes a heat impact unit configured for heat impacting a sensor unit in accordance with a heat profile, the sensor unit configured for sensing heat impact response data over time in response to being heat impacted with the heat profile, and a determining unit configured for determining information indicative of a heat transfer characteristic in the temperature control chamber based on the sensed heat impact response data.

Abstract: A mobile phase supply device, for supplying a mobile phase for a sample separation apparatus for separating a fluidic sample, includes a fluidically normally closed cap device configured to be mounted on a mobile phase container containing a mobile phase, and a fluidically normally closed port device configured for being mechanically connected with the cap device in such a way that, upon establishing a mechanical connection between the port device and the cap device, both the port device and the cap device are converted into a fluidically opened configuration.

Abstract: A method of controlling a sample separation apparatus, for separating a fluidic sample using a mobile phase provided from at least one mobile phase container, includes determining a weight and volume reduction behavior according to which weight and volume of mobile phase in a mobile phase container are reduced during conveying mobile phase from the mobile phase container in the sample separation apparatus, and determining a tare weight of the mobile phase container based on a gross weight information, a volume information, and the determined weight and volume reduction behavior. The gross weight information is indicative of an initial gross weight of the mobile phase container including its mobile phase, and the volume information is indicative of an initial mobile phase volume in the mobile phase container.

Abstract: A process which, on the basis of a provided test sample including a mix of a plurality of preknown sample components and on the basis of provided absolute sample separation properties for each of the sample components, includes experimentally determining a real sample separation result by executing a sample separation method for separating the test sample by a sample separation apparatus, and determining a real value of at least one operation parameter based on a comparison between the absolute sample separation properties and the real sample separation result for characterizing a real course of the sample separation method.

Abstract: A process of controlling a sample separation apparatus for separating a fluidic sample includes determining whether the sample separation apparatus is appropriate for carrying out a predefined operation, by simulating the operation of the sample separation apparatus, and taking an action depending on a result of the determining.

Abstract: A mounting device for mounting a sample separation unit configured for separating, preferably chromatographically separating, compounds in a fluidic sample includes a first fluid connector configured for being mechanically and fluidically coupled with a first fluid interface of the sample separation unit, a second fluid connector configured for being mechanically and fluidically coupled with a second fluid interface of the sample separation unit, and a swivel mechanism configured for swivelling the first fluid connector between a mounting orientation for mounting the first fluid interface of the sample separation unit at the first fluid connector and an alignment orientation for aligning the second fluid interface of the mounted sample separation unit with the second fluid connector for subsequently coupling the second fluid interface with the second fluid connector.

Abstract: A thermal impact assembly for a sample separation apparatus for separating a fluidic sample in a mobile phase by a sample separation unit includes a thermal impact device configured for thermally impacting the fluidic sample and/or the mobile phase and the sample separation unit, and a control unit configured for controlling the thermal impact device for thermally impacting the fluidic sample and/or the mobile phase on the one hand and for thermally impacting the sample separation unit on the other hand independently from each other.

Abstract: A process of determining a modified separation method for a sample separation apparatus based on an initial separation method, including carrying out the initial separation method on a sample separation apparatus, detecting sensor data at the sample separation apparatus during carrying out the initial separation method, and carrying out a numerical analysis for determining the modified separation method by modifying at least one operation parameter of the initial separation method and by using the detected sensor data.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses and methods for introducing particles into a microdevice conduit. Also provided are microdevices containing a plurality of particles that occupy at least about 25 volume percent of a microconduit. In some instances, particles may controllably form a particle bridge in a bridging zone within a microdevice.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses and methods for introducing particles into a microdevice conduit. Also provided are microdevices containing a plurality of particles that occupy at least about 25 volume percent of a microconduit. In some instances, particles may controllably form a particle bridge in a bridging zone within a microdevice.

Abstract: A system and method of improving the thermal characteristics of a system having at least two electronic devices (100, 102; 300, 302) connected to a common substrate (104; 304). Thermal characteristics include the amount of heat transferred from one device to another and spatial uniformity of heat transferred from one device to another. Thermal conductive paths between two electronic devices are lengthened by forming an opening (200; 306) through the substrate between the two devices. Heat conduction between the devices is reduced due to increased radiation and convection in the longer thermal conductive paths. The uniformity of heat distribution between the devices is improved due to a narrower range of conducting path lengths. In a specific embodiment, heat conduction is reduced between amplifiers and photosensors used in spectrometers. In the specific embodiment, a temperature sensor (308) is used to further reduce thermal effects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting an optical sensor in an optical instrument. The optical sensor is attached to a rigid substrate. The substrate has two locator holes, with the sensor mounted between the holes. Rigid locator pins attached to the housing of the instrument protrude into the locator holes. A spring pushing against the substrate forces the locator holes against corresponding locator pins, aligning the substrate within a plane. In a first embodiment, the holes are positioned so that the optical sensor is rigidly held at its midpoint, minimizing dimensional deviations along the length of the sensor with temperature change. The sensor assembly is easily removable and the mounting apparatus does not mechanically stress the substrate or the sensor with temperature changes. The mounting apparatus is easily manufactured, allows precise alignment, and is inexpensive.

Abstract: A photodiode structure for the detection of radiation comprises a semiconductor base layer of p-type conductivity with a high doping density, an epitaxial layer of p-type conductivity with a relatively low doping density, areas of n-type conductivity and oxide layers covering the areas of n-type conductivity. The oxide layers comprise doping impurities of the same conductivity type as the areas below them. The doping density in the areas of n-type conductivity decrease towards the junction with the epitaxial layer. Due to this decrease in doping density, an electric field gradient is produced which guides the charge carriers to the junction. The generation of a field gradient and the creation of a surface charge result in an improved quantum efficiency. The invention is preferably used in photodiode arrays.