In this article, the authors review recent developments in the research of whole-column-imaging detection for capillary electrophoresis (CE). Whole-column-imaging detection was developed for capillary isoelectric focusing, for which it proved to be an ideal detector. Several whole-column-imaging detectors -- including refractive index gradient imaging, UV-absorption imaging, and fluorescence imaging detectors -- have been studied. The capillary isoelectric focusing UV-absorption imaging technique even has been commercialized. The development of whole-column-imaging detection itself facilitates CE studies in many directions such as in electrophoretic dynamics within narrow channels, new separation modes, and two-dimensional separations. Whole-column-imaging detection also finds application in capillary zone electrophoresis.
