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 | 92% |
| Dual beam | 12% |
| Handheld | 12% |
| Other | 4% |
Top 10 UV-Vis spectrophotometer uses according to survey respondents:
| Chemical Analysis | 23% |
| Biochemistry and biology | 22% |
| Environmental | 16% |
| Biochemical | 6% |
| Clinical analysis | 5% |
| Cell culture analysis | 4% |
| Food safety and testing analysis | 4% |
| QA/QC | 4% |
| Color / dyes | 3% |
| Other | 3% |
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 Reproducibility | 83% |
| Wavelength Accuracy | 80% |
| Better Sensitivity and Resolution | 74% |
| Ease-of-use | 72% |
| Ease of Maintenance/Low Operating Costs | 68% |
| Price | 57% |
| Safety | 57% |
| Warranties | 50% |
| Service/Support in General | 49% |
| Faster Acquisition and Analysis of Data | 36% |
