Shimadzu UV-3600 Used UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
| Brand | Shimadzu |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Model | UV-3600 |
| Optical Design | Double-Beam (Pseudo-Double-Beam) |
| Instrument Type | Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometer |
| Compliance | Designed to meet ISO/IEC 17025-relevant optical performance criteria for routine laboratory quantification and spectral characterization |
Overview
The Shimadzu UV-3600 is a high-performance, used ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer engineered for precise absorbance, transmittance, and reflectance measurements across the spectral range of 190–900 nm. Its pseudo-double-beam optical architecture—featuring a single monochromator with time-shared reference and sample beam paths—ensures stable baseline performance and minimizes photometric drift during extended acquisition sequences. This design delivers high wavelength accuracy (±0.1 nm), photometric linearity (±0.002 A over 0–3 A), and low stray light (<0.0003% at 220 nm), making it suitable for demanding applications in pharmaceutical quality control, environmental water analysis, polymer characterization, and academic spectroscopic research. As a mature-generation instrument from Shimadzu’s flagship UV series, the UV-3600 integrates robust mechanical construction, thermally stabilized optics, and a high-luminance xenon lamp source—providing long-term repeatability without requiring continuous deuterium/tungsten lamp swaps.
Key Features
- Pseudo-double-beam optical system with automatic beam switching and real-time reference correction
- Wide spectral range: 190–900 nm with 0.1 nm wavelength resolution and programmable scan speed up to 3000 nm/min
- High-sensitivity photomultiplier tube (PMT) detector with dual-range analog-to-digital conversion for optimal dynamic range
- Integrated 6-position automated sample changer (optional configuration; verified functional on inspected units)
- Thermally regulated monochromator housing to suppress thermal wavelength drift during ambient temperature fluctuations
- Comprehensive built-in photometric calibration routines traceable to NIST-traceable standards
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The UV-3600 accommodates standard 10 mm pathlength quartz, glass, or plastic cuvettes (including matched pairs for ratio-based quantitation), as well as solid-sample holders for diffuse reflectance and integrating sphere measurements. It supports liquid, solution, thin-film, and powdered samples when paired with appropriate accessories. The instrument conforms to core performance verification protocols outlined in ASTM E275, ISO 6425, and USP for UV-Vis spectrophotometers. While not pre-certified for 21 CFR Part 11 compliance out-of-the-box, its data acquisition software (UVProbe v3.x) supports user-defined audit trails, electronic signatures, and password-protected method locking—enabling laboratories to configure it for GLP/GMP environments with documented validation protocols.
Software & Data Management
Controlled via Shimadzu’s UVProbe software (v3.2 or later), the UV-3600 provides intuitive method development, kinetic time-scan acquisition, multi-wavelength quantitative analysis, and derivative spectroscopy. Raw spectral data are stored in native .spc format, exportable to ASCII, CSV, or JCAMP-DX for third-party chemometric analysis (e.g., PCA, PLS regression). Software supports instrument diagnostics, lamp energy monitoring, and automatic wavelength accuracy verification using holmium oxide or didymium filters. All data files include embedded metadata: date/time stamp, operator ID, instrument serial number, lamp usage hours, and calibration history—facilitating full traceability required under ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.5.2.
Applications
- Pharmaceutical: Assay of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), dissolution testing, excipient compatibility studies, and stability-indicating methods per ICH Q2(R2)
- Environmental: Quantification of nitrate, phosphate, COD, and heavy metal complexes (e.g., Cr(VI) via diphenylcarbazide assay) in wastewater and drinking water
- Materials Science: Bandgap determination of semiconducting nanoparticles, thin-film thickness estimation via interference fringes, and UV-curing kinetics monitoring
- Food & Beverage: Color index measurement (e.g., AOAC 993.02), antioxidant capacity (FRAP/DPPH assays), and adulterant screening in oils and juices
- Academic Research: Ligand-binding stoichiometry (Job’s plot), enzyme kinetics (initial rate analysis), and pH-dependent spectral shifts of chromophores
FAQ
Is this unit fully refurbished and performance-verified?
Yes—each UV-3600 undergoes comprehensive functional testing including wavelength accuracy verification, photometric linearity assessment, stray light evaluation, and baseline stability validation against Shimadzu factory specifications.
Does it include original documentation and calibration certificates?
All units ship with scanned copies of the original operation manual, maintenance logbook excerpts, and a post-inspection Certificate of Functional Verification issued by our ISO 9001-certified technical team.
Can it be integrated into a LIMS environment?
Via UVProbe’s OLE/COM interface and optional RS-232 or USB-to-serial adapter, the instrument supports bidirectional communication with common LIMS platforms using ASTM E1384 or HL7-compliant data exchange protocols.
What is the expected remaining service life of the xenon lamp?
Lamp usage hours are recorded in the system diagnostic log; units supplied have ≤1,200 operational hours on the installed lamp, with a rated lifetime of 2,000 hours under standard operating conditions.
Is remote support available after purchase?
Yes—we provide 12 months of complimentary email-based technical support, including UVProbe troubleshooting, method transfer assistance, and interpretation of performance verification reports.
