Detection limit

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-003079",
  "term": "Detection limit",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The smallest quantity or concentration of an analyte that produces an analytical signal distinguishable from the background noise of a blank measurement. It is statistically determined as the signal value that is a specified number of standard deviations above the average signal from multiple blank samples. A common convention sets the detection limit at three times the standard deviation of the blank, corresponding to a specific confidence level that the analyte is present.",
  "subject": "Physical and Biophysical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "limit of detection",
    "probability",
    "relative detection limit"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1989, 61, 1657. 'Nomenclature for automated and mechanised analysis (Recommendations 1989)' on page 1663 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198961091657)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/detection-limit/"
}