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Absorbance Measurement
From UV to NIR and longer wavelengths, absorbance measurements provide valuable information about the chemical composition of materials in all states of matter.
Light incident on a sample can be transmitted, absorbed or scattered. Transmission is the light that passes through the sample; light that encounters a molecule can be absorbed or scattered. Absorbance can be used as a qualitative tool to identify substances, or as a quantitative tool to measure the concentration of a molecule in solution.
Advantages of Absorbance
- Non-destructive measurements: Unless your sample is photosensitive, the measurement can be repeated without altering the sample.
- Quantitative results: Use absorbance to determine the concentration of solutions.
- Accuracy and repeatability: With proper tools and methods, absorbance can be quantified with great measurement-to-measurement precision.
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How to Set Up an Absorbance Measurement
Watch how to set up our equipment and take an absorbance measurement. Featured products include the Flame spectrometer, a light source, sampling accessories and OceanView software.
Using UV Absorbance for Continuous, Online Monitoring of Proteins
Learn more about continuous, online monitoring of proteins using UV absorbance. See how we use an Ocean HDX high-sensitivity spectrometer to capture real-time protein concentration values, and then convert the data into answers that are meaningful to the user.
Absorbance of Solutions
When configuring a setup for absorbance measurements, your first question should be what you hope to accomplish. Is this a system for general lab use? For teaching lab purposes? For monitoring a manufacturing or testing process?
With your outcome in mind, here’s some good news: Ocean Insight has the tools and expertise to help you configure spectral systems for hundreds of different absorbance applications.
Consider the setup in the illustration. Configuring a system for general-purpose absorbance begins with a spectrometer like the Ocean HDX or the Flame, which both cover the UV-Vis range, or NIRQuest+ for the NIR. Add a light source – we’re showing a deuterium-halogen, which provides output across the UV, Vis and NIR – and your halfway there.
To complete the system, you’ll need a sampling setup. A cuvette holder for 1 cm pathlength cuvettes is a great start, although for in situ measurements you’ll want a transmission dip probe. With a cuvette holder, you’ll also need an optical fiber to illuminate the sample cell and another fiber to return the signal to the spectrometer.
You may also consider adding an absorbance standard to verify the photometric accuracy of your measurements.
The finishing touch? Set up your experiment in OceanView operating software using our simple, step-by-step Absorbance Wizard.
Case Study
App Notes
Product Sheet
This 1 cm pathlength cuvette holder is ideal for accurate, repeatable absorbance and fluorescence measurements. Square One provides a snug, reliable fit for cuvettes and filters. Download Product Sheet to learn more!
