Agilent Cary 60 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer (Refurbished)

Overview

The Agilent Cary 60 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer is a high-performance, double-beam scanning spectrophotometer engineered for precision absorbance, transmittance, and reflectance measurements across the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared spectral regions (190–1100 nm). Based on proven optical architecture incorporating a high-stability xenon flash lamp and optimized Czerny-Turner monochromator, the Cary 60 delivers exceptional photometric accuracy and long-term baseline stability—critical for quantitative analysis in regulated and research-intensive environments. This refurbished unit undergoes full functional validation per Agilent’s original factory specifications, including wavelength calibration traceable to NIST standards, photometric linearity verification, and stray light assessment. It is designed for laboratories requiring regulatory-compliant performance without the capital expenditure of new instrumentation.

Key Features

• Photodiode array (PDA) detector enabling rapid full-spectrum acquisition (up to 3.3 scans/sec), eliminating mechanical slit movement and enhancing measurement reproducibility.
• Double-beam optics with real-time reference beam compensation, minimizing drift from lamp instability or environmental fluctuations.
• 1 nm spectral bandwidth ensures adequate resolution for most pharmaceutical, environmental, and biochemical applications—including assay validation per USP & EP guidelines.
• Wavelength accuracy better than ±0.2 nm—validated against holmium oxide and didymium filters—supports method transfer and inter-laboratory comparability.
• Stray light level ≤ 0.03% T at 220 nm (NaI) and 340 nm (NaNO₂), meeting ASTM E275 and ISO 9001 requirements for low-noise quantitation of highly absorbing samples.
• Integrated automatic wavelength scanning and programmable kinetics modes support GxP-aligned workflows when paired with compliant software.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Cary 60 accommodates standard 10 mm pathlength cuvettes (quartz, glass, or plastic), microvolume adapters (down to 1 µL), and optional solid-sample holders for reflectance or diffuse transmission measurements. Its optical design supports liquid, solution-based, and thin-film samples commonly encountered in QC labs for raw material identification, dissolution testing, and stability-indicating assays. The instrument complies with key international standards including ASTM E169 (general practices for UV-Vis spectroscopy), ASTM E387 (wavelength accuracy), and ISO/IEC 17025–2017 (for accredited testing laboratories). When operated with Agilent’s OpenLab CDS or ChemStation software under validated configurations, it supports audit trails, electronic signatures, and data integrity controls aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 requirements.

Software & Data Management

The system is compatible with Agilent’s industry-standard ChemStation software (version B.04.10 or later) and OpenLab CDS, both supporting method development, sequence execution, calibration curve generation (linear, quadratic, or non-linear), and compliance-ready reporting. All software installations include full audit trail logging, user access control levels, and secure data export (CSV, PDF, XML). Raw spectral data are stored in vendor-neutral formats (e.g., .jdx, .spc), facilitating integration into LIMS or ELN platforms. Instrument qualification documentation—including IQ/OQ templates and preventive maintenance logs—is provided with each refurbished unit to accelerate lab implementation and regulatory readiness.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical QC: Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) assay, excipient compatibility studies, and dissolution profile analysis per USP & Ph. Eur. monographs.
• Environmental monitoring: Quantification of nitrate, phosphate, heavy metal complexes (e.g., Cr(VI) via diphenylcarbazide), and organic pollutants (e.g., phenols, PAHs) in water matrices.
• Food & beverage: Colorimetric determination of antioxidants (e.g., ascorbic acid), preservatives (e.g., sulfites), and adulterants using validated multi-wavelength algorithms.
• Academic & industrial R&D: Kinetic enzyme assays (e.g., LDH, ALP), nanoparticle size estimation via surface plasmon resonance, and polymer degradation profiling.
• Biotechnology: Protein concentration (A280), nucleic acid purity (A260/A280), and cell culture density monitoring in bioprocess development.

FAQ

Is this a factory-refurbished unit or third-party reconditioned?
This Cary 60 has undergone Agilent-authorized refurbishment by certified service partners, including full optical alignment, detector recalibration, and firmware update to the latest stable release.
Does the system include a warranty?
Yes—each unit carries a 12-month comprehensive hardware warranty covering parts, labor, and onsite service support within North America and EU member states.
Can it be integrated into an existing LIMS environment?
Absolutely—the instrument supports standard communication protocols (RS-232, USB, Ethernet) and exports structured data compatible with major LIMS vendors (e.g., LabVantage, Thermo SampleManager, STARLIMS).
Are NIST-traceable calibration certificates included?
Yes—each shipment includes a certificate of calibration performed against NIST-traceable standards, documenting wavelength accuracy, photometric linearity, and stray light performance.
What consumables and accessories are recommended for routine operation?
We recommend Agilent-certified quartz cuvettes (10 mm pathlength), holmium oxide wavelength verification filters, and a dedicated instrument validation kit (part no. 5190-1522) for periodic performance checks.