Capillary array electrophoresis with confocal fluorescence rotary scanner.

A capillary array electrophoresis system with a rotary confocal fluorescence scanner is reported. A high speed direct current rotary motor, combined with a rotary encoder and a reflection mirror, has been designed to direct the excitation laser beam precisely to a round array of capillaries which are symmetrically distributed around the motor. The rotary encoder is introduced to accurately orientate the position of each capillary and its output signal triggers the data acquisition system to record the fluorescence signal corresponding to each capillary. Separation of enantiomers of glutamic acid, methionine and tryptophan with different additives are demonstrated by this system. The experimental results indicate that this setup can be used to optimize separation methods for capillary electrophoresis as quickly as possible.