When a specific wavelength is set on an diode array detector (DAD), the total number of wavelengths actually registered by the photodiode is refered to as the bandwidth. For example, a wavelength set at 254 nm with a bandwidth of 4 nm (254/4 nm) results in average absorption of 252-256 nm. The selection of the bandwidth is a balance between sensitivity and selectivity. Narrower bandwidths increase selectivity, whereas broad bandwidths increase sensitivity. The default bandwidth for the AZURA DAD family is set to 8 nm.The bandwidth should not be confused with the spectral bandwidth, which is a physical property of a given detector.
