Optimizing Separations Using Coupled Columns and Window Diagramming

In this month's "GC Connections," guest columnist Dean Rood writes about optimizing separations using combinations of two columns connected in a series. These coupled column systems produce peak separations that are a combination of separations achieved on each column individually. He describes the geographical window diagramming approach to determining the optimal combination of column lengths for several separations and column combinations and compares the results with those obtained using mixed stationary-phase chemistry.