FWHM is a measure of the width of a peak on a graph at half of its maximum height. It is commonly used in science, particularly in fields such as spectroscopy and chromatography, to quantify the width of a signal.
FWHM is important for non-Gaussian peaks because it allows for the accurate quantification of the peak width, which can provide valuable information about the underlying physical or chemical processes that produced the signal. Additionally, FWHM is often used as a measure of instrument resolution and can impact the accuracy and precision of data analysis.
The most common method for finding FWHM for non-Gaussian peaks is by fitting a Gaussian curve to the peak and then calculating the width at half of the maximum height. However, there are also other methods such as using a Lorentzian curve or using a numerical algorithm to estimate the FWHM.
Non-Gaussian peaks can occur in a variety of situations, including when there is a complex mixture of compounds or when there are interactions between the analyte and the instrument or matrix. Non-Gaussian peaks may also be caused by experimental error or limitations in the detection system.
While FWHM is a commonly used measure for peak width, it does have some limitations when applied to non-Gaussian peaks. For example, FWHM assumes a symmetrical peak shape, which may not always be the case. Additionally, the choice of fitting function and method can also impact the accuracy of FWHM calculations for non-Gaussian peaks.