Comparison of Competitor

1. Comparison of Competitor Refractive Index Detectors

2. Current Manufacturers selling RI Detectors All of the major HPLC companies sell an RI detector. These are listed below: These companies manufacture their own detector These companies use Shodex detector/parts • Shodex • Waters • Shimadzu • Knauer • Jasco • Hitachi • Thermo Scientific • Dionex • Agilent (RI block) 2

3. Overview of RID Sales Global ELSD Market - ca. 2500 units/year

4. Key RI performance Parameters • Comparing performance specifications between RI detectors is difficult. • Ideally specifications should be quoted to ASTM standard • However, key performance indicators such as • Short Term Noise • Drift • These are rarely quoted to ASTM standard and often noise values are quoted with long response times (e.g. 4 s) to give the impression of better performance. 4

5. Key RI performance Parameters • Short term noise is the best indicator of detector performance, it is typically quoted with no liquid flowing (static) • Low short term –better S/N • The best detectors have short term noise <2.5 nRIU • Good short term noise has to be matched with excellent baseline stability (drift) • Drift is measured with flowing water at 1 mL/min • Low drift –better S/N and reproducibility • The best detectors have short term noise <100 nRIU/hr • The majority of vendors don’t state drift value 5

6. Key RI performance Parameters • Cell volume is important in determining peak shape • Low cell volume – lower dispersion and better S/N • Cell volumes are typically 8 µL, but can be higher for prep RI • Low cell volumes have to matched with low dead volume at inlet • Accurate temperature control is essential for good detector performance • Adjustable temperature range is needed for different thermal environments • 30-50 °C is standard range for RI detectors • Poor temperature control will be evident by high drift 6

7. Key RI performance Parameters • The majority of RI detectors have similar performance specifications • The key differentiators between instruments are the added features, e.g. • Fully integrated software control into LC system • Different sensitivity modes • Automatic start-up/shutdown • Performance validation • Easy maintenance control • Recycling valve 7

8. Overview of Shodex RI-101 • Model(s) • RI-101 Analysis (0.2 to 3.0 mL/min) • RI-104 Semi-micro (0.2 to 1.0 mL/min) • RI-102 Preparative (1.0 to 50 mL/min) • Performance • Noise: <2.5 nRIU • Drift: <100 nRIU/hr • Cell Volume: 8 µL (2.5 µL RI-104) • Temperature Range: OFF, 30-50 °C NOTE: Dionex have a re-sale agreement with Shodex for this detector http://www.shodex.com/english/db0301a.html 8

9. Overview of Shodex RI-101 • Features • Automatic start-up function • Two sensitivity modes • Easy validation and calibration of the unit. • External input and output terminals • RS232C communication ports, enabling automation by combining the detector with various chromatographs. • Software • Standalone Detector • Only front panel display for control http://www.shodex.com/english/db0301a.html 9

10. Overview of Waters 2414 RID • Model • 2414 RI Detector • Performance • Noise: <1.5 nRIU • Drift: <100 nRIU/hr • Cell Volume: 10 µL • Temperature Range: 30-55 °C • Features (Waters Web site) • Lowest dispersion volume – However the cell volume is a large 10 µL • Innovative thermodynamics ensures temperature stability and performance reproducibility. • Specially designed electronics and software in the optics bench neutralizes the effects of ambient temperature changes on signal response. • Recycling valve http://www.waters.com/WatersDivision/ContentD.asp?watersit=JDRS-5KJNWU 10

11. Overview of Waters 2414 RID • Software • Fully automation and control via Alliance system running Empower • Integrated into Breeze system running Breeze software http://www.waters.com/WatersDivision/ContentD.asp?watersit=JDRS-5KJNWU 11

12. Overview of Shimadzu RID-10A • Model • RID 10-A • Performance • Noise: <2.5 nRIU • Drift: <100 nRIU/hr • Cell Volume: 9 µL • Temperature Range: OFF, 30-60 °C • Features • The RID-10A offers a unique, patented 4-partition photodiode technology that offers excellent linearity over a wide concentration range. • It provides three operating modes for versatility over many applications: • Analytical • Analytical to semi-preparative (< 20 mL/min) • Preparative (to 150 mL/min, with optional bypass valve) http://www.ssi.shimadzu.com/products/product.cfm?product=rid10a 12

13. Overview of Shimadzu RID-10A • Features • Double temperature-controlled housing to minimize baseline drift and enable fast instrument warm-up. • System checks include automatic optical balance adjustment, a ROM /RAM memory check, a ROM version indication, and a display of lamp hours and lamp energy. • Software • Plug-and-Play fiber optic connections to System Controller(SCL-10Avp). • Controlled via EZStart™ Software http://www.ssi.shimadzu.com/products/product.cfm?product=rid10a 13

14. Overview of Agilent 1200 RID • Model • 1200 RI Detector • Performance • Noise: <2.5 nRIU • Drift: <200 nRIU/hr • Cell Volume: 8 µL • Temperature Range: 5-55 °C • Features • Autozero can be programmed as part of a method, which balances the photodiodes electrically, and ensures unattended operation of the detector. • Electronic temperature regulation maintains a steady optical unit temperature up to 55 °C. • Countercurrent heat exchangers keep the optical unit – and the flow cells – at a constant temperature. NOTE: Agilent use the Shodex optical block in their detector 14 http://www.chem.agilent.com/Scripts/PDS.asp?lPage=230

15. Overview of Agilent 1200 RID • Features • Optimum light level is adjusted automatically to compensate for lamp degradation and flow cell staining. • Digital signal without the need for external A/D converters. • Initial setup in typically less than two hours. Warm-up of the module is generally less than one hour for fast startup. • Recycle valve helps to save solvent costs. • System can purge the reference cell automatically. • User-settable limits on time between purging. • Software • Agilent Chemstation • ASTM noise calculations can be performed via chemstation 15 http://www.chem.agilent.com/Scripts/PDS.asp?lPage=230

16. Overview of Knauer 2300 • Model • Smartline 2300 • Performance • Noise: <40 nRIU • Drift: Not Stated • Cell Volume: 9 µL & 15 µL (prep) • Temperature Range: Not Stated • Features • None stated - this is a simple standalone RI detector with analogue output • Software • Standalone only http://www.knauer.net/e/e_index.html 16

17. Overview of Hitachi L-2490 • Model • L-2490 • Performance • Noise: <2.5 nRIU • Drift: <100 nRIU/hr • Cell Volume: 8 µL • Temperature Range: OFF, 30-50 °C • Features • Same as Shodex R-101 • Software • USB connection to LaChrom Elite software NOTE: Hitachi use the Shodex optical block in their detector http://www.hitachi-hta.com/pageloader~type~product~id~362~orgid~45.html 17

18. Overview of Jasco RI 2031 • Model • RI-2031 • Performance • Noise: Not Stated • Drift: Not Stated • Cell Volume: Not Stated • Temperature Range: Not Stated • Features • Maximum Flow Rate of 50 mL/min • Wide dynamic range and extended maximum flow rate enables semi-preparative applications. • Time Programming Capability • Software • EZChrom Elite software 18 http://www.jascoinc.com/products/ch_detect7.html

19. Overview of Thermo-Scientific RI-150 • Models • RI-150 • Performance • Noise: <2.5 nRIU • Drift: <100 nRIU/hr • Cell Volume: 8 µL • Temperature Range: OFF, 30-50 °C • Features • Low dead-volume flowcell • Automatic lamp brightness compensation for flowcell stains • Soft keypad for solvent resistance • Digital display offers local user control • Software • Atlas™ Chromatography Data System and A/D converter can collect the analog signal produced by the RI-150 NOTE: The Thermo RI-150 is a Shodex OEM 19 http://www.thermo.com/com/cda/product/detail/0,1055,10867,00.html

20. Summary of RI Market Shodex are the market leader in refractive index detection, with many major HPLC companies choosing to OEM their detector. The main application areas for RI detection are GPC and the food & beverage (e.g. sugar) markets. http://www.shodex.com/english/db0301a.html 20

21. Overview Table 21