chromatographic separations are often characterized by multiple detectors through which the sample flows serially . as the sample flows between detectors , it becomes progressively diluted due to mixing and diffusion . this phenomenon is traditionally called interdetector “ band broadening ” and often results in significant distortion of the sample &# 39 ; s derived physical properties such as molar mass . this method to characterize the broadening present in a chromatographic system , and an algorithm whereby the narrow peaks of the upstream detector are numerically broadened so they can be compared to the broadened peaks of the downstream detector , is described . although the technique results in some loss of resolution , its stability and generality allow it a broad range of application . examples are presented for data collected by dri , mals , uv , and viscometric detectors .