Two-dimensional correlation analysis useful for spectroscopy, chromatography, and other analytical measurements.

Application of generalized two-dimensional (2D) correlation in various analytical fields is explored. 2D correlation is a powerful and versatile technique applicable to spectroscopy, chromatography, and other measurements. Construction of 2D spectra is relatively straightforward, requiring only a series of systematically varying analytical signals, like spectra or chromatograms, induced by an external perturbation applied to the system of interest. Perturbation can take many different forms, like change in temperature, pressure or concentration, chemical reactions, electrical or mechanical stimuli, and so on. A set of analytical signals collected under a perturbation are then converted to 2D correlation spectra, which provide rich and useful information about the presence of coordinated or independent changes among signals, as well as relative directions and sequential order of signal intensity variations. The signal resolution is also enhanced by spreading overlapped bands along the second dimension. Illustrative examples of 2D correlation are given for spectroscopic and chromatographic applications.