Excedr’s leasing program is designed for labs. Request a lease estimate today and see how leasing can save you time and money.
In chemistry, spectrophotometry is the quantitative and qualitative measurement of a material’s reflection or transmission properties as a function of wavelength.
Materials that are commonly analyzed include nucleic acids like DNA and RNA and protein solutions. It is more specific than the term electromagnetic spectroscopy in that it deals with different wavelengths, such as x-ray, visible light, ultraviolet, near-ultraviolet, infrared, and near-infrared. It’s essential to understand the distinction between these wavelengths of light, as they play an important part in how a spectrophotometer can be used. And knowing how a spectrophotometer operates will help you optimize your work.
Spectrophotometry uses photometers (referrred to as spectrophotometers) to measure a light beam’s intensity as a function of its color (wavelength). Important features of these instruments are spectral bandwidth (the range of colors it can transmit through the test sample), the percentage of sample transmission, the logarithmic range of sample absorption, and sometimes a percentage of reflectance measurement.
A standard spectrophotometer’s uses include the measurement of transmittance or reflectance in solutions and solids. These models measure gases as well. However, spectrophotometers are also designed to measure the diffusivity on any of the listed light ranges that cover around 200 nm – 2500 nm, using different controls and calibrations.
Within these ranges of light, calibrations are needed on the machine using standards that vary in type depending on the wavelength of the photometric determination.
An example of an experiment in which spectrophotometry is used is the determination of the equilibrium constant of a solution. A certain chemical reaction within a solution may occur in a forward and reverse direction where reactants form products and products break down into reactants.
At some point, this chemical reaction will reach a point of balance called an equilibrium point. To determine the respective concentrations of reactants and products at this point, the light transmittance of the solution can be tested using spectrophotometry.
In other words, researchers can observe how much light is absorbed by measuring the intensity of light the sample emits as the light passes through the sample solution. This is indicative of the concentration of certain chemicals in the solution that do not allow light to pass through.
Spectrophotometer uses span various scientific fields, such as physics, materials science, chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology. They are widely used in many industries, including semiconductor, laser, and optical manufacturing, as well as printing and forensic examination. Furthermore, they are utilized in laboratories for the study of chemical substances.
Ultimately, depending on the control or calibration, these tools can determine what substances are present in a target and exactly how much through calculations of observed wavelengths.
More specifically, spectrophotometry is an important technique used in many biochemical experiments involving DNA, RNA, protein isolation, enzyme kinetics, and biochemical analyses. A brief explanation of the procedure includes comparing the absorbency of a blank sample that does not contain a colored compound to a sample that contains a colored compound. The spectrophotometer is used to measure colored compounds in the visible region of light (between 350 nm and 800 nm); thus, it can find more information about the studied substance.
In biochemical experiments, a chemical and/or physical property is chosen. The procedure used is specific to that property and can derive more information about the sample, such as the quantity, purity, enzyme activity, etc.
It is a helpful procedure for protein purification and can also be used to create optical assays of a compound. Because the reader measures the wavelength of a compound through its color, a dye-binding substance can be added so that it can undergo a color change and be measured.
These instruments have been developed and improved over the decades and have been widely used among chemists. It is considered to be a highly accurate instrument that is also very sensitive and therefore extremely precise, especially in determining color change.
This method is also convenient for use in laboratory experiments because it is an inexpensive and relatively simple process.
The most common spectrophotometers are used in the ultraviolet and visible regions of the spectrum, while others can be used in the near-infrared region.
Visible region 400–700 nm spectroscopy is used extensively in colorimetry science. It is known that it operates best at the range of 0.2-0.8 O.D. Ink manufacturers, printing companies, textiles vendors, and many more need the data provided through colorimetry.
They take readings in the region every 5–20 nanometers along the visible area and produce a spectral reflectance curve or a data stream for alternative presentations. These curves can be used to test a new batch of colorants to check if it makes a match to specifications, e.g., ISO printing standards.
Traditional visible region spectrophotometers cannot detect if a colorant or the base material has fluorescence. This can make it difficult to manage color issues if one or more of the printing inks is fluorescent.
Where a colorant contains fluorescence, a bi-spectral fluorescent system is used. There are two major setups for visual spectrum machines, d/8 (spherical) and 0/45. The names are due to the geometry of the light source, observer, and interior of the measurement chamber.
Scientists use this instrument to measure the amount of compounds in a sample. If the compound is more concentrated more light will be absorbed by the sample; within small ranges, the Beer-Lambert law holds, and the absorbance between samples varies with concentration linearly.
In the case of printing measurements, two alternative settings are commonly used- without/with UV filter to control better the effect of UV brighteners within the paper stock.
Samples are usually prepared in cuvettes; depending on the region of interest, they may be constructed of glass, plastic (visible spectrum region of interest), or quartz (far UV spectrum region of interest).Additional applications of ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy include: Estimating dissolved organic carbon concentration, measuring specific ultraviolet absorption for metric of aromaticity, and Bial’s Test for concentration of pentoses.
Spectrophotometers designed for the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum are quite different because of the technical requirements of measurement in that region.
One major factor is the type of photosensors available for different spectral regions. Still, infrared measurement is challenging because virtually everything emits IR light as thermal radiation, especially at wavelengths beyond 5 micrometers (μm).
Another complication is that quite a few materials such as glass and plastic absorb infrared light, making it incompatible as an optical medium.
Ideal optical materials are salts, which do not absorb strongly. Samples prepped for IR may be smeared between two discs of potassium bromide or ground with potassium bromide and pressed into a pellet. Where aqueous solutions are to be measured, insoluble silver chloride is used to construct the cell.
Our lease agreements are founder-friendly and flexible, helping you preserve working capital, strengthen the cash flow of your business, and keep business credit lines open for expansions, staffing, and other crucial operational expenses and business development opportunities.
Leases range from 2 to 5 years. Length will depend on several factors, including how long you want to use the equipment, equipment type, and your company’s financial position. These are standard factors leasing companies consider and help us tailor a lease agreement to fit your needs.
We don’t carry an inventory. This means you’re not limited to a specific set of manufacturers. Instead, you can pick the equipment that aligns with your business goals and preferences. We’ll work with the manufacturer of your choice to get the equipment in your facility as quickly as possible.
Bundle preventive maintenance and repair coverage with your lease agreement. You can spread those payments over time. Easily maintain your equipment, minimize the chances something will break down, repair instrumentation quickly, and simplify your payment processes.
At the end of your lease, you have multiple options. You can either renew the lease at a significantly lower price, purchase the machine outright based on the fair market value of the original pricing, or call it a day and we’ll come the pick up the equipment for you free of charge.
Our leases do not include loan-like terms, which can be restrictive or harmful in certain situations. We do not require debt covenants, IP pledges, collateral, or equity participation. Our goal is to maximize your flexibility. When you lease with us, you’re collaborating with a true business partner.
Our underwriting is done in-house. You can expect quicker turnaround, allowing you respond to your equipment needs as they arise. We require less documentation than traditional lenders and financiers and can get the equipment you need in operation more quickly.
