The Purpose of Using Quartz Cuvettes for Spectrometer and their Importance

The apparatus used for the measurement of absorbance is known as spectrophotometer.  Beam of light can be produced by the spectrophotometer in the wavelength given. The device requires tools for conducting experiments on samples.  The tools include a sample holder or a Cuvette holder a light source, a monochromator, a display and a detector.  Depending upon the wavelength hydrogen with high pressure and xenon lamp with high pressure or deuterium is used as the light source.  The purpose of the monochromator is to choose light from the light source spectrum for the wavelength given.  Samples holder enables the light to pass through the sample. Sample holder or cuvette holders made up of glass, plastic and quartz.

Quartz Cuvettes – An Overview

Hellma Quartz Cuvettes are used for spectrometer based on need and demand. These apparatus use quartz Cuvettes when the incident light reaches the UV range. Basically quartz Cuvettes will not absorb light while on the other hand plastic or glass Cuvettes absorbs light which will in turn produce wrong results. Quartz Cuvettes are also used for samples containing solutions in order to avoid absorption of light. Quartz Cuvettes are transparent to UV range and also provides better response in the UV range. Plastic and glass Cuvettes do not have these properties so they are not used in the spectrophotometer. Properly cleaned and maintained with care, quartz Cuvettes can be reused.

For conducting any measurements the condition and quality of the Cuvette is important. By using thermostatted holder the samples are maintained at constant temperature throughout the measurement.  While measuring absorbance at a wavelength of 320 mm quartz Cuvettes are used. Glass and plastic will absorb light in the range of 320 mm.  The length of the path in most Cuvettes will be 1 cm and the volume is 1.5 ml. While conducting measurements on absorbance narrowed Cuvettes with darkened sides are recommended.

Spectrophotometer uses single as well as double beams to measure the sample. In case of single beam only one sample is measured at a time. While the apparatus holding double beam conducts measurement on two samples where one Cuvette holder holds the standard sample and the other holds the reference sample. Electronic detector which is light sensitive is used to measure the light intensity.

Using spectrometers absorbance can be measured for given wavelength or for the spectra as a whole by changing the wavelengths. The present values of the spectra can be taken by the spetrophotometer which is up to date.