PerkinElmer Lambda 25 UV/Vis Spectrophotometer

Overview

The PerkinElmer Lambda 25 UV/Vis Spectrophotometer is a benchtop double-beam scanning spectrophotometer engineered for high reproducibility, baseline stability, and long-term reliability in routine quantitative and qualitative analysis. Based on a fixed-slit optical design with a holographic grating monochromator and precision stepper-motor-driven wavelength drive, the instrument delivers consistent photometric accuracy across its full spectral range of 190–1100 nm. Its double-beam architecture continuously corrects for source drift and cuvette variability by splitting the light path between sample and reference beams—enabling robust absorbance measurements even under fluctuating ambient conditions. Designed and originally manufactured in Canada, the Lambda 25 meets foundational optical performance criteria defined in ASTM E275 (Standard Practices for Describing and Measuring Performance of UV-Vis-NIR Spectrophotometers) and supports method validation workflows aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 and USP . It is widely deployed in pharmaceutical quality control, environmental water testing, food safety labs, and university teaching laboratories where regulatory traceability and operational simplicity are prioritized.

Key Features

• Double-beam optical system with real-time background correction and auto-zero capability
• Fixed 1 nm spectral bandwidth optimized for balance between resolution and signal-to-noise ratio
• High-stability deuterium and tungsten-halogen lamp sources with automatic lamp switching at 350 nm
• Integrated cuvette holder accommodating standard 10 mm pathlength cells (optional holders for 5 mm, 20 mm, or micro-volume cells available)
• Onboard memory for storing up to 100 methods and 500 spectra; data export via ASCII text format compatible with LIMS and Excel
• Refurbishment includes full optical alignment, detector linearity verification, wavelength calibration using holmium oxide and didymium filters, and photometric validation with NIST-traceable neutral density filters
• Comprehensive mechanical inspection: shutter mechanism, motorized wavelength drive, and sample compartment door interlock confirmed functional and wear-free

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Lambda 25 accepts liquid samples in quartz, glass, or plastic cuvettes (10 mm standard pathlength). It supports transmission measurements only—no reflectance or fiber-optic accessories are natively integrated. Sample handling is compatible with common solvents (water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, hexane) and buffered aqueous solutions within pH 2–12. The instrument complies with electrical safety standards IEC 61010-1 and electromagnetic compatibility per CISPR 11. While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–certified out-of-the-box, its WinUV software can be configured with audit trail-enabling settings for GLP/GMP environments when paired with validated IT infrastructure and procedural controls. All refurbished units undergo full compliance verification against manufacturer’s original specifications and documented per ISO 17025–aligned internal procedures.

Software & Data Management

Control and data acquisition are managed through PerkinElmer’s legacy WinUV v4.10 software (Windows XP/Vista/7 compatible; virtualization support available for Windows 10/11). Key functionalities include kinetic scanning, multi-wavelength quantitation, spectral subtraction, derivative spectroscopy, and Beer-Lambert calibration curve generation. Raw data are stored in proprietary .spc format but exportable as comma-delimited ASCII (.csv) or text files for integration into statistical analysis platforms (e.g., JMP, MATLAB, R). No cloud connectivity or remote access features are included. For laboratories requiring electronic record integrity, SpectraLab Scientific provides documentation packages—including IQ/OQ protocols, calibration certificates, and refurbishment reports—to support internal validation efforts.

Applications

• Quantitative determination of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients per USP and EP 2.2.25
• Water quality analysis: nitrate, phosphate, silicate, and heavy metal complexation assays (e.g., Fe²⁺/1,10-phenanthroline)
• Enzyme kinetics monitoring (e.g., NADH oxidation at 340 nm)
• Purity assessment of nucleic acids (A260/A280 ratios) and proteins (A280 extinction coefficient calculations)
• Colorimetric assay validation in clinical chemistry and agricultural testing
• Teaching laboratory experiments in analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry curricula

FAQ

Is this instrument supplied with a valid calibration certificate?
Yes—each unit includes a traceable calibration report covering wavelength accuracy (±0.5 nm), photometric accuracy (±0.005 A), and stray light performance, verified against NIST SRM 930e and holmium oxide reference materials.
Can the Lambda 25 be integrated into a modern Windows 10/11 environment?
WinUV v4.10 is not natively supported on Windows 10/11, but operation is reliably achieved via Windows Virtual PC or VMware Workstation running Windows 7 SP1; SpectraLab provides configuration guidance and tested VM images.
What does the 6-month warranty cover?
Parts and labor for defects in materials or workmanship arising from normal use; excludes consumables (lamps, fuses), accidental damage, misuse, or modifications performed outside SpectraLab’s authorized service network.
Are spare lamps and cuvettes available?
Yes—original PerkinElmer deuterium (L6020114) and tungsten-halogen (L6020115) lamps, as well as certified quartz cuvettes (10 mm, 3.5 mL), are stocked and shipped with lead times under 5 business days.
Does the refurbishment include optical cleaning and alignment?
Yes—optical surfaces (grating, mirrors, lenses, detector window) are cleaned using Class 100 cleanroom protocols; collimation and beam alignment are verified with autocollimator and photodiode array reference tools prior to final performance validation.