Shimadzu LC-10/20 Series Detectors (PDA, RID, and Fluorescence Detectors) – Refurbished & Certified

Overview

The Shimadzu LC-10/20 Series Detectors represent a foundational generation of high-stability, modular HPLC detection systems originally engineered for robust routine analysis in pharmaceutical QC, academic research, and industrial quality control laboratories. This refurbished offering includes three detector variants—Photodiode Array (SPD-M10A/M10AVP), Refractive Index (RID-10A), and Fluorescence (RF-10A/AXL)—each designed to interface seamlessly with Shimadzu’s LC-10AT, LC-10AVP, LC-20AT, and LC-20AP pump and autosampler modules. All units undergo comprehensive functional requalification: optical alignment verification, baseline noise and drift assessment, wavelength accuracy validation (for PDA), refractive index linearity testing (for RID), and excitation/emission wavelength calibration (for FLD). No firmware upgrades or hardware modifications are performed; original Shimadzu firmware and mechanical architecture are preserved to ensure full method transfer compatibility with legacy LC-10/20 systems.

Key Features

• Photodiode Array Detector (SPD-M10A/M10AVP): 190–800 nm spectral range, 1 nm resolution, real-time chromatogram + spectral overlay capability, dual-wavelength quantitative mode, and peak purity assessment via spectral correlation.
• Refractive Index Detector (RID-10A): Temperature-controlled flow cell (±0.01 °C stability), linear response across 1.33–1.50 RI units, compatible with non-UV-absorbing analytes (e.g., sugars, polymers, organic acids) and gradient-elution conditions when used with solvent compensation.
• Fluorescence Detector (RF-10A/AXL): Programmable excitation (200–650 nm) and emission (220–650 nm) wavelengths, adjustable slit widths (1–20 nm), high-sensitivity PMT detection with auto-gain optimization, and built-in deuterium lamp for wavelength calibration.
• All detectors feature analog voltage output (0–1 V or 0–5 V), RS-232C communication interface, and native compatibility with Shimadzu Class-VP™ software (v6.x–v7.x) and legacy LCsolution Lite environments.
• Refurbishment includes replacement of critical consumables: flow cells (quartz for PDA/FLD, sapphire for RID), lamp assemblies (deuterium & tungsten-halogen for PDA; xenon for FLD), and O-rings/seals; all replaced components are genuine Shimadzu OEM parts.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

These detectors support standard HPLC mobile phases including aqueous buffers, acetonitrile, methanol, THF, and chlorinated solvents (within material compatibility limits). The RID-10A requires matched refractive index solvents for gradient work and is not recommended for high-pH (>8.0) or highly viscous (>5 cP) mobile phases. The SPD-M10A and RF-10A operate under standard GMP/GLP-aligned workflows when paired with audit-trail-enabled data systems. While the original hardware does not natively support FDA 21 CFR Part 11 electronic signatures, it fully complies with data integrity principles when integrated into validated Class-VP installations with external electronic lab notebook (ELN) or LIMS linkage. All units meet JIS Z 8015 (Japanese Standard for Analytical Instrument Performance Verification) and align with ISO 9001 maintenance protocols during refurbishment.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and processing rely on Shimadzu’s Class-VP software suite, supporting integration with LC-10/20 hardware via dedicated driver modules. Raw detector signals are acquired as analog waveforms or digital chromatograms (depending on configuration) and stored in native .chd or .txt formats. Spectral libraries (PDA), peak integration templates (FLD), and RI calibration curves (RID) are user-configurable and exportable in CSV or ASCII for third-party analysis tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python pandas). System suitability tests—including noise (≤ ±0.5 × 10⁻⁵ AU), drift (<1.0 × 10⁻⁴ AU/hr), and retention time repeatability (RSD < 0.2%)—are documented per unit in the included validation summary report.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical QC: Assay and impurity profiling of APIs using PDA-based peak identification and FLD-based trace-level quantification (e.g., serotonin, riboflavin).
• Food & Beverage Analysis: Sucrose/fructose quantification in soft drinks (RID), polyphenol fingerprinting in wines (PDA), and mycotoxin detection (FLD with post-column derivatization).
• Polymer Characterization: Molecular weight distribution of PEG or PVP via SEC-RID coupling.
• Environmental Testing: PAHs in soil extracts (FLD), glyphosate metabolites in water (PDA after derivatization), and glycols in wastewater (RID).
• Academic Teaching Labs: Cost-effective platform for introducing HPLC fundamentals, detector physics, and method development without compromising analytical fidelity.

FAQ

Are these detectors compatible with modern Shimadzu Nexera or LC-MS systems?
No—LC-10/20 detectors use proprietary analog/RS-232 interfaces and lack USB/Ethernet connectivity or API support required by current platforms. They are exclusively intended for use with legacy LC-10AT/AVP and LC-20AT/AP systems.
Does the refurbishment include new lamps and flow cells?
Yes—each unit ships with newly installed OEM Shimadzu lamps (deuterium/tungsten for PDA; xenon for FLD) and flow cells (quartz or sapphire, type-matched to detector function). Lamp usage hours are reset and logged in the validation report.
Can I obtain a certificate of calibration traceable to NIST standards?
While the detectors are calibrated against Shimadzu’s internal reference standards (traceable to JCSS), full NIST-traceable calibration requires third-party metrology lab services—an optional add-on available upon request prior to shipment.
Is remote diagnostics or firmware update support available?
No—these are legacy hardware platforms with fixed firmware. Remote assistance is limited to operational troubleshooting guidance; no firmware patches or updates are issued or supported by Shimadzu or this supplier.
What documentation accompanies the unit?
Each detector ships with a refurbished unit certificate, functional test report (including noise/drift/spectral accuracy metrics), packing list, safety manual excerpt, and Shimadzu’s original operation manual (English PDF copy).