Term: resolution
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05317

Definition:
A characteristic of the separation of two adjacent peaks. It may be expressed according to the equation: \[R_{\text{AB}} = 2\ \frac{|d_{\text{R}}\left(\text{B}\right)\,-\,d_{\text{R}}\left(\text{A}\right)|}{|w\left(\text{B}\right)\,+\,w\left(\text{A}\right)|}\] where R AB is the resolution, dR(A) and dR(B) are the retention distances (time or volume) of each eluted component A and B, and w A and w B are the respective widths of each peak at its base.

Source: PAC, 1990, 62, 2167. 'Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990)' on page 2211 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199062112167)

Citation: 'resolution' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05317

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