Thermo Fisher SPECTRONIC 200 UV-Visible Spectrophotometer

Overview

The Thermo Fisher SPECTRONIC 200 UV-Visible Spectrophotometer is a single-beam, benchtop absorption spectrometer engineered for routine quantitative and qualitative analysis in academic teaching labs, quality control environments, and industrial process support settings. It operates on the fundamental principle of Beer–Lambert law-based absorbance measurement, where incident polychromatic light is dispersed via a fixed grating monochromator and detected across the visible to near-UV spectral region (340–1000 nm) using a linear photodiode array. Its optical design incorporates an ambient-light-insensitive detection path, enabling reliable measurements even with the sample compartment lid open—particularly advantageous for tall cuvettes or test tubes. The instrument’s robust polymer housing resists corrosion from common acidic and oxidizing reagents, ensuring long-term operational integrity without internal mechanical wear components. Designed for plug-and-play deployment, it requires no external computer, driver installation, or data cable—power-on initialization delivers immediate access to measurement functions.

Key Features

• Single-beam optical architecture with fixed grating and photodiode array detector for stable baseline performance and low maintenance
• Full-color, adjustable-angle LCD touchscreen interface eliminating dependency on external PCs for core operation
• Sample compartment engineered for rapid cleaning: fully removable tray with integrated 10 mm square cuvette slots and dual side-mounted test tube holders (up to 25 mm diameter)
• Compact footprint (29 × 33 × 17 cm) optimized for space-constrained laboratories
• Automatic wavelength selection and scanning with ±2.0 nm accuracy and <4 nm spectral bandwidth for compliant method execution
• Stray light level <0.2 %T at 340 nm, meeting minimum requirements for trace-level absorbance quantification per ASTM E275 and ISO 6059
• Onboard quantitative analysis modes supporting up to four calibration standards or user-defined factor-based calculations

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SPECTRONIC 200 accommodates standard 10 mm pathlength quartz or glass cuvettes, as well as round-bottom or flat-bottom test tubes up to 25 mm in diameter—enabling direct analysis of diluted biological samples, industrial effluents, or educational chemistry solutions without transfer steps. Its optical enclosure mitigates interference from ambient lighting, satisfying environmental robustness criteria outlined in CLSI EP10-A3 for routine clinical analyzer verification. While not designed for GLP/GMP-regulated release testing, its repeatability (CV <0.5 %T at 546 nm, 1.0 AU) and traceable wavelength accuracy support internal method validation under ISO/IEC 17025 quality systems. No regulatory certification (e.g., FDA 21 CFR Part 11) is embedded; however, raw absorbance and transmittance data are exportable for external audit trails.

Software & Data Management

Instrument control and data handling are supported through two independent software layers. The embedded firmware provides real-time spectrum display, kinetic time-course tracking, multi-point quantitation, and screen-capture functionality for immediate hardcopy documentation via connected USB printers. For advanced post-processing, Thermo Scientific piQue software (Windows-compatible) enables remote instrument control, spectral library management, custom report generation, and CSV/TXT export compatible with LIMS integration. All data files retain timestamp, operator ID (if configured), and instrument serial metadata—facilitating basic traceability in non-regulated workflows. No audit trail or electronic signature module is included; users requiring full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance must implement third-party validated data management systems.

Applications

The SPECTRONIC 200 serves as a foundational tool for standardized colorimetric assays including phosphate, nitrate, and protein (Bradford/Lowry) determination per APHA Standard Methods 4500 series. It supports enzyme kinetics monitoring (e.g., NADH oxidation at 340 nm), concentration verification of nucleic acids (A260/A280 ratio), and dye stability assessment in textile and ink formulation QA. In university laboratories, it is widely deployed for teaching spectroscopic principles, calibration curve construction, and Beer’s law validation exercises. Its durability and minimal consumables make it suitable for high-throughput environmental screening programs where ruggedness and operational simplicity outweigh ultra-high resolution requirements.

FAQ

Does the SPECTRONIC 200 support wavelength scanning across its full range?

Yes—it performs automatic scanning from 340 nm to 1000 nm with 1 nm data interval resolution and stores full spectra in internal memory.
Can I use plastic cuvettes with this instrument?

Standard polystyrene cuvettes are acceptable for measurements above 350 nm; below this threshold, quartz or UV-grade fused silica cuvettes are required.
Is the instrument compatible with GLP-compliant workflows?

It lacks built-in electronic signatures, audit trails, or user role management; therefore, it does not meet standalone GLP or GMP requirements but may be used in supporting roles within validated environments.
What is the maximum sample height accommodated with the lid open?

The open-compartment optical path supports samples up to 100 mm in height, provided they remain centered within the beam path.
How is wavelength calibration verified or adjusted?

Factory calibration uses holmium oxide and didymium filters; field verification is performed using optional NIST-traceable reference standards—no user-accessible recalibration routine is provided.