Pittcon Review, Appendix XII: UV-Visible and X-ray
Additional information from the UV-visible and X-ray section of the Pittcon Review article.
Manufacturer: Applied Rigaku Technologies, Inc.
Product name: NEX QC VS
Product type: Benchtop EDXRF spectrometer
For: Laboratory analysis
Portable: 13 X 17 X 9 in., 35 lb
Measurement mode: X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
Special features: Portability, touch screen user interface, data transfer
Suggested applications: Jewelry and metals analysis, RoHS rapid screening of plastics, general quality control applications
Primary benefits: Low cost, small spot, non-destructive elemental analysis
Unique features: Small spot collimators, CCD camera, and fundamental parameters
Manufacturer: Applied Rigaku Technologies, Inc.
Product name: MiniFlex
X-ray diffraction (XRD)
For: Laboratory analysis
Measurement mode: Reflection
Special features: Sample changer, graphite monochromator, 300-W or 600-W X-ray tube, high speed silicon strip detector (optional).
Suggested applications: Phase identification, quantitative analysis of polycrystalline phases.
Primary benefits: New fifth-generation design, benchtop form factor; low cost-of-ownership; 110-V power requirement; no external cooling (300-W model); ideal teaching instrument for universities and colleges.
Unique features: In this category of benchtop XRD, the new fifth generation MiniFlex uniquely offers a graphite monochromator (for high S/N) and a sample changer (for high throughput)
Manufacturer: Avantes
Product name: AvaSpec-RS series
UV–vis–-NIR rechargeable slit spectrometer
For: Lab, process, handheld applications
New this year: The rechangeable slit allows you to adapt the spectrometer on you changing needs; higher throughput or higher resolution
Primary benefits: It really supports customer demands for flexibility and configurability.
Unique features: Configurable spectrometer with an exchangeable slit
Manufacturer: Horiba Scientific – OEM Division
www.horiba.com/VS7000+ or www.horiba.com/us/en/scientific/products/oem-mini-ccd-spectrometers/ccd-pda-spectrometers/details/vs7000-16395/
Product name: VS-7000+ Mini CCD Spectrometer
UV–vis–NIR spectrometer
For: Process and handheld applications
New this year: Unmatched 7000:1 dynamic range back-Illuminated CCD for high-end OEM applications
Portable: 2.9 × 4.1 × 4.3 in. (73.0 × 103.2 × 109.4 mm)
Accessory/component: SMA fiber-optic coupling and USB-2 high-speed interface
Measurement mode: Emission, fluorescence, or absorbance
Special features: On-board averaging
Suggested applications: Semiconductor, medical, biotechnology OEM applications. Ideal for industrial low-light applications such as fluorescence, emission, absorbance, and reflectance.
Primary benefits: High throughput (f/2.8); ultralow stray light from UV to NIR; new tall back-illuminated CCD with amazing dynamic range in its category.
Unique features: Outperforms current mini-spectrometers based on front-illuminated Sony or Toshiba CCDs, or low-cost back-illuminated CCDs.
Manufacturer: Ibsen Photonics
Product name: FREEDOM
Available as: OEM spectrometer module for UV, visible, and NIR
Used for Process analysis
Portable: 20 x 40 x 50 mm (0.8 x 1.6 x 2.0 in.)
Specialty accessory design: Fiber, fiber bundle, control electronics, software
Measurement mode: Supports transmission, reflection, Raman, and fluorescence measurements.
Special features: Available as special product. Used in and compatible with other equipment.
Suggested applications: OEM integration in instruments for absorbance, reflectance, Raman, fluorescence, and light source characterization.
Primary benefits: The combination of small size, and thermal stability with robustness, high resolution, and flexibility in detector system choice.
Manufacturer: Laxco, Inc.
Product name: Alpha Spectrophotometers
UV–vis cost-effective spectrophotometers
For: Laboratory and process analysis
Special features: Brand-new product, introduced at Pittcon 2012. Wavelength ranges available between 325 and 1000 nm, depending on model. Cost-effective prices with competitive capabilities.
Accessory/component: Full line of accessories available
Primary benefits: Software enables remote control and data collection, available as separate product, 21CFR11 compliant.
Manufacturer: Laxco, Inc.
Product name: DSM
Cell density meter
For: Laboratory, handheld application
Portable: 194 x 84 x 173 mm (W x H x D), 0.8 kg.
Measurement mode: 600 nm via fiber cables
Special features: Brand-new product, introduced at Pittcon 2012. Portable, battery powered, small to handheld instrument, one-button operation, spill-proof design, USB port for data collection, highly durable.
Software:21CFR11 compliant
Suggested applications: Cell density measurement of various organics like E. coli, yeast, bacterium, and other organic materials.
Primary benefits: The unit is battery powered, portable, and can be used in incubators, fume hoods, and the like.
Manufacturer: Lovibond North America
Product name: Lovibond PFXi Color Measurement SpectroColorimeter
UV–vis
For: Lab analysis
New this year: RCMSi calibration, larger screen, free Windows based software, USB and Ethernet ports
Description: Recently released spectrocolorimeter for precise color measurement of transparent liquids. Provides results as per standard color scales such as ASTM Color, Pt-Co/Hazen/APHA, Gardner, Saybolt, AOCS, USP and many others, 6-in. sample cell, sample cell chamber easily cleanable, heated sample cell, "RCMSi" remote calibration.
Portable: 17 x 8 x 7 in.
Accessory/component: Windows compatible software, optical glass cells for color scales, flowthrough cells, conformance filters, and liquid standards.
Measurement mode: available scales include CIE L*a*b*, %T, ASTM Color, Pt-Co/Hazen/APHA, Gardner, Saybolt, AOCS, USP, and others
Manufacturer: MecaSYS Co., Ltd.
Product name: OPTIZEN α
UV-vis double beam spectrophotometer
For: Lab analysis
New this year: Operating system based on Android, online connection through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connection to connect with Android based tablet PC. Direct e-mail push through Wi-Fi. 10.1-in. full color touch screen,
Unique features: Fully automatic slide cell box cover, voice guide, hybrid option, double beam scanning type, three detectors: (two photodiode sensors and CCD array sensor).
Manufacturer: Moxtek, Inc.
Product name: 50kV OptiMAG Monoblock
Available as: Component- Monoblock X-ray source
For: Hand-held analysis, portable, bench top
Special features: Small stable focal spot, high X-ray output, low power consumption, low spectral contamination.
Suggested applications: Materials characterization and identification; X-ray imaging such as medical R&D, small animal imaging, security, or radiographic inspection.
Primary benefits: Low detection limits, easy to integrate, long battery life, and clean spectrum.
Manufacturer: Nippon Instruments Corporation
Product name: Model RA-4500 Automated Mercury Analyzer
Available as: Mercury analyzer using atomic absorption spectroscopy
For: Laboratory analysis
Measurement mode: Atomic absorption
Special features: Fully automated agestion and analysis; 21CFR11 compliant; and cGMP compliant.
Suggested applications: Mercury analysis by EPA Methods 245.1, SW-846 7470, and SW-846 7471
Primary benefits: Full automation of sample preparation and analysis with no user intervention
Unique features: Compact with built-in exhausted cover
Manufacturer: Ocean Optics
Product name: Maya2000 Pro-VIS-NIR spectrometer
UV–vis spectrometer
For: Laboratory and process analysis
New this year: A back-thinned 2D FFT-CCD with 80% peak quantum efficiency from ~400 to 1100 nm. New features include triggering functions for accurate timing and synchronization. Couples via SMA 905 connector to fiber-optic light sources and accessories.
Portable: 149 x 109 x 50 mm
Measurement mode: Absorbance, transmission, reflection, emission, fluorescence
Special features: Multiple grating options; support for RS-232; 10 user-programmable digital I/Os
Software: Overture (Windows only) or SpectraSuite operating software (Windows, OS X, and Linux)
Suggested applications: Low light-level applications, Raman, analysis of gases used in semiconductor processing and biological samples in the life sciences.
Primary benefits: Excellent response in the vis–NIR region, good option for modular Raman applications.
Unique features: Peak quantum efficiency at 700 nm, with 40% quantum efficiency at 1000 nm.
Manufacturer: Ocean Optics
Product name: QE65 Pro spectrometer
UV–vis spectrometer
For: Lab and process analysis
New this year: Ocean Optics' next-generation scientific-grade miniature spectrometer. New features include high sensitivity, low stray light, enhanced thermal design, triggering functions, and replaceable slits.
Portable: 182 x 110 x 47 mm
Accessories: Couple via SMA 905 connector to fiber-optic light sources and other accessories
Measurement mode: Absorbance, transmission, reflection, or emission.
Special features: Multiple grating options; new mirrors to optimize reflectivity, new optical bench mirrors
Software: Overture or SpectraSuite
Suggested applications: Low light level applications such as Raman, DNA sequencing, and fluorescence.
Primary benefits: High performance, reasonable price, modular approach, multiple grating options, and replaceable slit design.
Unique features: Thermoelectric cooling; high quantum efficiency (90%).
Manufacturer: Shanghai Mapada Instruments Co., Ltd
Product description: Mapada provides a series of UV–vis spectrometers with a variety of wavelength ranges (within the range 190–1100 nm), sources, optical configurations (single versus double beam), and spectral resolutions.
Manufacturer: Shimadzu
Product name: UV-2600 spectrophotometer
Available as: UV-visible spectroscopy
For: Laboratory analysis
CGMP compliant
Suggested applications: Pharmaceuticals, chemicals, environmental, photovoltaics, films, electronics, optics, and cosmetics
Primary benefits: Equipped with a single monochromator, the UV-2600 features a measurement wavelength range to 1400 nm, using the ISR-2600Plus two-detector integrating sphere. This ultra-wide range permits measurements in the NIR region, and expanded research of photovoltaics and other materials.
Other benefits include: Smaller installation space. Validation software provided with expanded functionality with a wide range of available accessories
Unique features: Enables near-infrared measurements up to 1400 nm. A compact 450 mm width size reduces the required installation space by 28%. Validation software supports USP, EP, and JP test requirements.
Manufacturer: Shimadzu
Product name: UV-2700 spectrophotometer
Available as: UV–visible spectrometer
For: Laboratory analysis
cGMP compliant
Suggested applications: Life sciences, cosmetics, medicines, electronics, environment (water), foods, films/thin films
Primary benefits: With its double monochromator design and Lo-Ray-Ligh diffraction gratings, the UV-2700 achieves ultra-low stray light of 0.00005 %T at 220 nm. Its photometric performance range has been expanded to 8 Abs, with a transmittance value of 0.000001%. This eliminates the need to dilute samples and allows the measurement of low transmittance samples.
Other benefits include: Smaller installation space; validation software provided as standard; and expanded functionality with a wide range of available accessories.
Unique features: High absorbance level to 8 Abs; validation software is included as standard to support GLP/GMP; the software supports USP, EP, and JP test requirements. A wide range of accessories is available, including a multipurpose sample compartment, film holder, specular reflectance measurement attachment, and capillary cell sets for precious and biological samples
Manufacturer: Spectraline, Inc.
Product name: Spectraline VS 100
UV–vis spectrometer
For: Lab analysis
New this year: An ultrafast spectrometer where each spectrum is obtained at a frequency of 20 kHz or 50 μs
Portable: 11 x 11 x 5 in.
Measurement mode: Emission
Description: 2D scanner to provide full hyperspectral imaging
Suggested applications: Research into explosions, characterization of ultrafast pulsed lasers
Primary benefits: Enables studies of sub millisecond phenomena, which is not possible with current systems.
Unique features: Wide spectral range 300–1100 nm
Manufacturer: tec5USA
Product name: MultiSpecEthernet
UV–vis–NIR spectrometer system
For: Laboratory, process, or hand-held analysis
Measurement mode: Transmission, reflection, or ATR
Description: Uses all kinds of fiber-optic probes and measurement heads
Special features: Multichannel capability, permanent wavelength calibration, sampling rate of up to 1000 spectra/s. Software available as separate product, may be used in other equipment, compatible with other manufacturers' equipment
Suggested applications: Dissolution, general concentration, reflection, transmission, thin films, fluorescence
Manufacturer: Thermo Fisher Scientific
www.thermoscientific.com/nanodrop
Product name: NanoDrop Lite
Available as: UV–vis spectrophotometer
For: Laboratory analysis
Measurement mode: Absorbance
Accessory/component: Optional docking style printer
Special features: Local control instrument, compact microvolume (1–2 μL) spectrophotometer with NanoDrop patented sample retention system (no cuvette or containment device needed) — sample held in place with surface tension
Suggested applications: Measuring nucleic acids or protein concentration and purity ratio for nucleic acids (A260/280)
Primary benefits: NanoDrop technology in a compact format. Very small so fits easily on any benchtop. No dilutions or expensive consumables required. Very fast measurement time: 5 s. Easy to clean.
Unique features: Local control NanoDrop instrument provides basic microvolume measurements. Fast, easy to use, and highly accurate. Optional printer.
Improving Fluorescence and Raman Techniques for Environmental Microplastic Analysis
March 31st 2025A recent study conducted at the LaserLaB Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (the Netherlands) explored spectroscopic imaging techniques, including Raman and fluorescence microscopy, for characterizing microplastics (MPs), focusing on optimizing sample preparation, particularly density separation, and Nile Red staining.Spectroscopy spoke to Merel Konings, corresponding author of the paper resulting from the study, about her work
New Study Provides Insights into Chiral Smectic Phases
March 31st 2025Researchers from the Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences have unveiled new insights into the molecular arrangement of the 7HH6 compound’s smectic phases using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy.
