argon detector

a sensitive detector used in gas chromatography that depends on the unique ionization properties of argon whereby its long-lived metastable excited atoms can transfer their energy of excitation by collision to other gas molecules of lower excitation potential. Thus argon can be used as the chromatographic carrier gas, the detector being an ionization chamber containing a source of ionizing radiation. Detectable changes of the level of ionization occur when the argon issuing from the column has another gas mixed with it. The detector was invented by James E. Lovelock. Its great advantage is that it does not depend on the chemical nature of the substances being separated.

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