Shimadzu UV Aluminum Thin-Film Sample Holder and Optical Filter Set

Overview

The Shimadzu UV Aluminum Thin-Film Sample Holder and Optical Filter Set is a precision-engineered accessory system designed for reliable, reproducible transmission measurements of low-thickness optical components in ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry. The 204-58909 holder employs an anodized aluminum construction with precisely machined clamping surfaces and spring-loaded retention to ensure uniform pressure distribution across fragile films—minimizing deformation, slippage, or stress-induced birefringence during spectral acquisition. Its geometry conforms to Shimadzu’s standardized optical path alignment specifications, maintaining consistent beam height (10 mm above baseplate) and minimizing vignetting or stray-light interference. The included 202-30242 Nd/Pr mixed rare-earth filter and 202-30242-05 Ho filter serve as high-stability wavelength calibration references traceable to NIST SRM standards, enabling verification of photometric accuracy, wavelength repeatability, and spectral bandwidth compliance per ISO 9001 and ASTM E275–22 guidelines.

Key Features

• Robust anodized aluminum chassis (204-58909) with corrosion-resistant surface finish and thermal stability (±0.02 mm dimensional drift over 15–35°C ambient range)
• Adjustable clamping force mechanism accommodating film thicknesses from 10 µm to 2 mm—validated for polyimide, PET, quartz, and sputtered metal oxide layers
• Universal mounting interface compatible with Shimadzu UV-1280, UV-1800, UV-2600/2700, UV-3600+, and SolidSpec-3700 systems
• Nd/Pr mixed rare-earth filter (202-30242) certified for sharp absorption peaks at 528.7 nm, 572.9 nm, 748.9 nm, and 807.7 nm; Ho filter (202-30242-05) provides reference lines at 360.9 nm, 418.5 nm, 484.9 nm, 536.2 nm, and 640.5 nm
• Optical density uniformity < ±0.003 AU across active aperture (25 mm Ø), verified via double-beam baseline stability testing per ISO 13406-2

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 204-58909 holder supports rigid and semi-rigid thin-film specimens meeting minimum dimensions of 16 mm (width) × 30 mm (height), with maximum envelope of 80 mm × 40 mm × 20 mm (including frame clearance). It is not suitable for unsupported liquid films or gels. For UVmini-1240 and UVmini-1280 instruments, installation requires the dedicated sample chamber assembly (P/N 206-60184) to maintain proper beam collimation and detector alignment. Both filters comply with JIS K 0123 and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements for certified reference materials used in analytical instrument qualification. Their spectral profiles are documented in Shimadzu’s Certificate of Conformance (CoC), including uncertainty budgets for peak position (±0.15 nm, k=2) and absorbance (±0.004 AU, k=2).

Software & Data Management

These accessories integrate natively with Shimadzu’s UVProbe software (v3.2+), enabling automated wavelength calibration routines, multi-point validation reports, and GLP-compliant audit trails. Filter-based calibrations generate timestamped PDF reports containing operator ID, instrument serial number, environmental conditions (temperature/humidity logged via optional sensor), and deviation metrics against certified reference values. Data export supports CSV, XML, and ASTM E1382-compliant formats for LIMS integration. All calibration events are recorded in the software’s immutable history log, satisfying FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures when configured with user authentication and role-based access control.

Applications

• Verification of spectrophotometer wavelength accuracy prior to pharmacopeial assays (USP , EP 2.2.25)
• Baseline correction and stray-light assessment in high-sensitivity UV quantitation of nucleic acids and proteins
• Thickness and refractive index modeling of transparent dielectric coatings using interference fringe analysis
• Quality control of optical filters, anti-reflective coatings, and solar cell encapsulants
• Validation of photometric linearity across extended dynamic range (0.001–3.5 AU) per ISO 6223

FAQ

Is the 204-58909 holder compatible with non-Shimadzu UV-Vis instruments?

No—it is mechanically and optically optimized for Shimadzu’s standard sample compartment geometry and beam height. Adapter plates are not available.
Can the Nd/Pr and Ho filters be used interchangeably for daily calibration?

Yes, but they serve complementary roles: Nd/Pr is recommended for routine wavelength verification; Ho is preferred for UV-range validation and bandwidth assessment.
Does the holder support vacuum or inert-gas purged environments?

The aluminum body is compatible with dry nitrogen purge; however, no sealing gasket is provided—external chamber integration is required for full environmental control.
What is the expected service life of the filters under normal laboratory use?

When stored in desiccated, light-tight containers and handled with powder-free gloves, certified lifetime exceeds 10 years with ≤0.002 AU peak shift per annum (per Shimadzu accelerated aging data).
Is firmware or software update required to use these accessories with legacy UV-1601 systems?

No hardware or firmware modification is needed; however, UVProbe v2.5 or later is required to access automated calibration workflows and compliance reporting features.