Varian Cary 5G UV-Vis-NIR Spectrophotometer (Refurbished)

Overview

The Varian Cary 5G UV-Vis-NIR Spectrophotometer is a high-performance, double-beam scanning spectrophotometer engineered for precision optical characterization across an extended spectral range of 175–3300 nm. Designed and originally manufactured by Varian, Inc. (Palo Alto, CA, USA), the Cary 5G integrates a high-intensity xenon flash lamp for UV-Vis and a tungsten-halogen source for NIR, coupled with a double monochromator architecture to deliver exceptional stray light rejection (< 0.00008% at 220 nm) and photometric accuracy (±0.002 A). Its optical design employs a high-resolution Czerny-Turner monochromator with holographic gratings and a cooled PbS detector for NIR stability — enabling reproducible absorbance, transmittance, and reflectance measurements in research, QC, and materials science laboratories. This refurbished unit has undergone full functional validation at SpectraLab Scientific’s ISO 9001-certified refurbishment facility, including wavelength calibration verification (traceable to NIST SRM 2034), photometric linearity testing, and baseline stability assessment over 2 hours.

Key Features

• Extended spectral coverage from deep UV (175 nm) to near-infrared (3300 nm) in a single instrument platform
• Double-beam optics with real-time reference beam compensation for enhanced baseline stability and drift resistance
• High-resolution scanning capability (0.01 nm minimum bandwidth) with programmable scan speed up to 24,000 nm/min
• Automated sample compartment accommodating standard 10 mm cuvettes, integrating sphere accessories (for diffuse reflectance), and fiber-optic probes
• Robust mechanical design featuring air-bearing grating drive and thermally stabilized optical bench for long-term measurement repeatability
• Refurbished to OEM-equivalent performance standards, including replacement of critical wear components (lamp housings, detector assemblies, and drive belts)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Cary 5G supports liquid, solid, and thin-film samples via interchangeable accessories: variable-pathlength cuvette holders, specular reflectance attachments, and 60°/20°/8° angle-of-incidence modules for thin-film thickness analysis. It complies with key international test standards including ASTM E275 (standard practices for UV-Vis spectrophotometers), ASTM E1421 (for spectral bandpass verification), and ISO 6425 (for photometric accuracy assessment). All refurbishment procedures follow documented work instructions aligned with GLP principles; calibration records are supplied with each unit. The system meets the hardware and software traceability requirements for regulated environments where data integrity is governed by FDA 21 CFR Part 11 — though full Part 11 compliance requires optional audit-trail-enabled software licensing and user access controls.

Software & Data Management

Controlled by Cary WinUV v5.x software (Windows-compatible), the instrument provides modular functionality for spectral acquisition, multi-wavelength quantitation, kinetic time-course analysis, and derivative spectroscopy. Data files are stored in native .uv format with embedded metadata (date/time stamp, operator ID, instrument serial number, and calibration status). Export options include ASCII (.txt), CSV, and JCAMP-DX for interoperability with LIMS or third-party analysis platforms (e.g., MATLAB, OriginLab). The software supports method templates, password-protected user roles, and electronic signature logging — features essential for laboratories operating under ISO/IEC 17025 or pharmaceutical GMP frameworks. SpectraLab Scientific supplies validated installation packages and provides remote assistance for software reinstallation and license migration.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical raw material identification and assay validation per USP and EP 2.2.25
• Nanoparticle size estimation via surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak analysis in colloidal gold/silver suspensions
• Thin-film optical constant determination (n, k) using transmission/reflection modeling in semiconductor R&D
• Photostability testing of dyes, polymers, and OLED materials under controlled irradiation protocols
• Environmental water quality monitoring (NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, COD) using EPA-approved colorimetric methods
• Forensic pigment analysis in art conservation and document authentication studies

FAQ

Is this unit covered by original Varian factory warranty?

No — as a refurbished instrument, it carries a 6-month limited warranty administered by SpectraLab Scientific, covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal laboratory use.
Can the Cary 5G be upgraded to support modern networking or LIMS integration?

Yes — Ethernet connectivity is built-in; optional LIMS drivers (ODBC-compliant) and API-based data export modules are available upon request.
Are NIST-traceable calibration certificates included?

Yes — each unit ships with a full calibration report referencing NIST Standard Reference Materials (SRMs), including wavelength accuracy (SRM 2034), photometric linearity (SRM 930e), and stray light verification (SRM 2035).
What documentation is provided with the instrument?

A complete package includes the original Varian user manual (digital PDF), refurbishment summary report, calibration certificate, safety compliance statement, and WinUV software installation media with activation key.
Is on-site installation or training available?

Remote commissioning and application-specific training sessions are included; on-site technician deployment is available globally at additional cost.