2017 UV-VIS Spectrophotometer Survey Results
Find out readers’ top 10 uses and more from our latest UV-Vis spectrophotometer survey results.
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:
Single beam | 66% |
Dual beam | 47% |
Array based | 11% |
Handheld | 6% |
Other | 2% |
Top 10 UV-Vis spectrophotometer uses according to survey respondents:
Chemical Analysis | 52% |
Biochemistry and biology | 21% |
QA/QC | 19% |
Environmental | 17% |
Proteins | 13% |
Biochemical | 12% |
Color / dyes | 11% |
Cell culture research | 9% |
Microbiology | 8% |
Food safety and testing analysis | 7% |
Nearly 55% of respondents are engaged in purchasing a new UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The reasons for these purchases are as follows:
Replacement of an older spectrophotometer | 56% |
Addition to existing systems | 15% |
Need an instrument that provides faster acquisition and analysis of data | 5% |
Need an instrument that is simple to operate and maintain | 4% |
Need an instrument that provides excellent reproducibility | 2% |
Need an instrument that has a broad range of accessories | 2% |
Other | 16% |
Top 10 features/factors respondents look for when purchasing a UV-Vis spectrophotometer:
Excellent Reproducibility | 82% |
Wavelength Accuracy | 75% |
Ease-of-use | 70% |
Better Sensitivity and Resolution | 69% |
Ease of Maintenance/Low Operating Costs | 64% |
Price | 53% |
Service/Support in General | 47% |
Safety | 47% |
Warranties | 47% |
Onsite Service/Support | 34% |