Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry is arguably the most common as well as one of the oldest forms of absorption-based analysis. UV and visible regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are contiguous: UV wavelengths range from 10 to 4000 angstroms; visible wavelengths range from 4000 to 7000 angstroms
Top 5 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a UV-VIS Spectrophotometer
- For what applications will you be using the instrument for? This will help you determine the detection range you require. Don’t forget to consider future applications that may require a broader range
- What range of stray light performance are you comfortable with for your application and budget?
- Consider what sort of samples you’ll be working with in order to determine what absorbance range you will need in your UV-Vis spectrophotometer. For example, if it is a turbid or concentrated liquid or a solid sample that is optically thick, you may require a working absorbance range between 5 Å and 8 Å or higher.
- What level of throughput and reliability do you need?
- How much will the instrument cost? Don’t forget to factor in the cost of maintenance, etc. along with the cost of acquisition.
Types of UV-VIS spectrophotometers used by survey respondents:
| Dual beam | 60% |
| Single beam | 58% |
| Array based | 13% |
| Handheld | 8% |
Top 10 spectrophotometer uses according to survey respondents:
| Chemical Analysis | 33% |
| Biochemistry and biology | 25% |
| Environmental | 22% |
| Color / dyes | 18% |
| QA/QC | 18% |
| Biochemical | 16% |
| Proteins | 15% |
| Food safety and testing analysis | 8% |
| Microbiology | 8% |
| Polymer science | 7% |
Nearly 66% of respondents are engaged in purchasing a new UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The reasons for these purchases are as follows:
 | Replacement of an older spectrophotometer | 59% |  |
 | Addition to existing systems | 21% | |
 | Need an instrument that provides faster acquisition and analysis of data | 3% | |
 | Need an instrument that provides excellent reproducibility | 3% | |
 | Need an instrument that has a broad range of accessories | 3% | |
 | Need an instrument that is simple to operate and maintain | 2% | |
 | Other | 9% |
Top 10 features/factors respondents look for when purchasing a UV-VIS spectrophotometer:
| Excellent Reproducibility | 90% |
| Wavelength Accuracy | 83% |
| Ease of Maintenance/Low Operating Costs | 68% |
| Ease-of-use | 67% |
| Better Sensitivity and Resolution | 63% |
| Price | 52% |
| Warranties | 48% |
| Service/Support in General | 45% |
| Safety | 39% |
| Onsite Service/Support | 36% |
For more information on UV-VIS spectrophotometers, including useful articles and a list of manufacturers, visit www.labmanager.com/spectrophotometers
