What is "electron capture detector"

n. (context analytical chemistry English) An item of laboratory equipment used coupled to a gas chromatograph for the detection and quantification of very minute amounts halogenated organic compounds.

An electron capture detector (ECD) is a device for detecting atoms and molecules in a gas through the attachment of electrons via electron capture ionization. The device was invented in 1957 by James Lovelock and is used in gas chromatography to detect trace amounts of chemical compounds in a sample.