Monolithic micro gas chromatographic separation column and detector

We present the design, fabrication, and operation of the first monolithic gas chromatography (GC) separation column and detector. The monolithic integration of a high sensitivity detector with a separation column has many potential advantages over the discrete components of a traditional chromatography system. In high-speed GC systems, component interconnections can cause crucial errors which increase with the square of analysis speed causing critical loss of resolution. A monolithically integrated device would eliminate the requirement for helium-tight interconnections, which are bulky and labor intensive. Additionally, batch fabrication of integrated devices would eliminate the requirement for a separate, expensive, and fragile detector, which decreases the cost of micro GC systems through economies of scale.