Device built-in

Agilent 1260 Infinity Liquid Chromatography System Introduction

The Agilent 1260 Infinity Liquid Chromatography System is a high-performance HPLC product series developed by Agilent Technologies, available in various configurations including isocratic, binary, and quaternary systems, as well as upgraded versions like Infinity II and Infinity III. Renowned for its outstanding performance, flexible modular design, and broad application scope, this system has become the analytical instrument of choice in research, pharmaceuticals, food safety, and environmental monitoring.

System Features and Performance

The 1260 Infinity series adopts a modular design, allowing users to select configurations ranging from simple isocratic systems to complex quaternary gradient systems. With a maximum operating pressure of 600 bar (800 bar for some models like Infinity III Prime), the system supports UHPLC columns packed with sub-2 μm particles while maintaining compatibility with conventional HPLC columns, enabling seamless transition from HPLC to UHPLC. The wide flow rate range (0.05-5 mL/min at 600 bar; 5-10 mL/min at 200 bar) accommodates diverse separation needs from analytical to semi-preparative scales.

The detection system offers multiple options including UV detector (80 Hz data acquisition rate), Diode Array Detector (DAD), Fluorescence Detector (74 Hz), and Evaporative Light Scattering Detector (ELSD). The DAD detector features a 60 mm pathlength cartridge flow cell with baseline noise as low as ±0.6 µAU/cm, delivering 10× higher sensitivity than conventional detectors. The system also serves as an ideal front-end for LC/MS applications.

Technological Innovations and User Convenience

The 1260 Infinity series incorporates several groundbreaking technologies:

• Intelligent System Emulation Technology (ISET): Enables seamless method transfer between different brands of HPLC/UHPLC systems without method redevelopment
• BlendAssist function: Automates mobile phase blending to simplify UHPLC workflows and accelerate method development
• Early Maintenance Feedback (EMF): Continuously monitors instrument status to predict maintenance needs
• InfinityLab Assist: Streamlines daily operations with task-oriented online assistance

Designed with user experience in mind, the system features an easily accessible front panel for quick maintenance part replacement without instrument disassembly. A multimedia CD-ROM provides comprehensive installation, performance verification, operation, and maintenance guidance, with full system qualification (OQ/PV) completed in under 4 hours. The high-capacity autosampler accommodates up to 16 microplates (6,144 samples), while the dual-needle design significantly reduces cycle times.

Application Fields

The Agilent 1260 Infinity LC system finds extensive applications in:

• Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences: API and formulation assay, impurity testing, analysis of biomolecules like amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids
• Food Safety: Pesticide residue detection, food additive analysis, nutritional component testing
• Environmental Monitoring: Water quality analysis, air pollutant detection, organic contaminant separation
• Petrochemical Industry: Chemical product quality control, chemical reaction monitoring
• Online Process Analysis: Biopharmaceutical fermentation monitoring, continuous flow reaction real-time monitoring (Infinity II Prime Online LC)

With its high performance, reliability, and user-friendly operation, this system meets diverse analytical needs from routine QA/QC testing to method development. The modular design protects user investment by allowing future expansion and upgrades as requirements evolve.