Lab Manager | Run Your Lab Like a Business

Lab Trends

Lab Manager Analytical Product Surveys

Top 10 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer Features

Learn the most common applications and more from the latest survey results

by Jason Kerkhof

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

  1. 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
  2. What range of stray light performance are you comfortable with for your application and budget?
  3. 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.
  4. What level of throughput and reliability do you need?
  5. 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 beam92%
Dual beam12%
Handheld12%
Other4%

Top 10 UV-Vis spectrophotometer uses according to survey respondents:

Chemical Analysis23%
Biochemistry and biology22%
Environmental16%
Biochemical6%
Clinical analysis5%
Cell culture analysis4%
Food safety and testing analysis4%
QA/QC4%
Color / dyes3%
Other3%

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
20%
Need an instrument that has a broad range of accessories
6%
Need an instrument that is simple to operate and maintain
4%
Need an instrument that provides faster acquisition and analysis of data
2%
Need an instrument that provides excellent reproducibility
1%
Other
11%

Top 10 features/factors respondents look for when purchasing a UV-Vis spectrophotometer:

Excellent Reproducibility83%
Wavelength Accuracy80%
Better Sensitivity and Resolution74%
Ease-of-use72%
Ease of Maintenance/Low Operating Costs68%
Price57%
Safety57%
Warranties50%
Service/Support in General49%
Faster Acquisition and Analysis of Data36%

For more information on UV-Vis spectrophotometers, including useful articles and a list of manufacturers, visit www.labmanager.com/spectrophotometers

See results from previous surveys: