SPECTRONIC 200 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer by Thermo Fisher Scientific

Overview

The SPECTRONIC 200 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer is a single-beam, microprocessor-controlled absorption spectrometer engineered for precision, reliability, and ease of use in teaching laboratories, clinical quality control environments, and routine industrial QC settings. Based on Beer–Lambert law principles, it measures absorbance (A), transmittance (%T), and concentration across the near-ultraviolet to near-infrared spectrum (340–1000 nm), utilizing a tungsten-halogen lamp as its broadband source and a fixed photodiode array detector optimized for high signal-to-noise ratio and long-term stability. Its optical design eliminates moving gratings or slits—relying instead on a fixed monochromator with precision interference filters and a stepper-motor-driven wavelength selector—ensuring mechanical robustness, minimal maintenance, and consistent photometric performance over years of continuous operation. The instrument’s optical path is sealed against ambient light interference, enabling reproducible measurements even with the sample compartment lid open—a feature critical for handling oversized or non-standard cuvettes.

Key Features

• Intuitive full-color LCD touchscreen interface with adjustable viewing angle—no external PC required for basic operation
• Durable polymer housing chemically resistant to common acids, bases, and oxidizing agents encountered in wet-lab workflows
• Removable sample compartment tray for rapid cleaning and decontamination—supports 10 mm square cuvettes and round tubes up to 25 mm diameter
• Onboard quantitative analysis modes: single-factor calibration, up to four-point standard curve generation, and method recall
• Integrated screen capture function for direct hardcopy output via optional thermal printer or USB export
• Zero internal moving optical components beyond the wavelength selection mechanism—eliminates wear-prone mirrors, slits, or diffraction gratings
• Compact footprint (25 × 35 × 20 cm) optimized for benchtop space-constrained environments including teaching labs and satellite QC stations

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SPECTRONIC 200 accommodates standard quartz or glass cuvettes (10 mm pathlength), disposable plastic cuvettes, and cylindrical sample vessels—including culture tubes and reaction vials—without requiring adapters. Its open-top sample compartment and side-mounted tube rack facilitate sequential multi-sample handling while maintaining traceability. The system complies with core photometric standards referenced in ASTM E275 (Standard Practices for Describing and Measuring Performance of UV-Vis Spectrophotometers), ISO 9050 (Optics and Optical Instruments — Spectrophotometers), and supports audit-ready workflows aligned with GLP and GMP documentation requirements when used with piQue software. While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–validated out-of-the-box, instrument-generated data logs (time-stamped absorbance values, method IDs, user entries) are structured for integration into validated LIMS or electronic lab notebook (ELN) systems.

Software & Data Management

Operation is fully autonomous via embedded firmware; however, optional Thermo Scientific piQue PC software extends functionality significantly. piQue enables remote instrument control, spectral scanning (full-spectrum acquisition at 1 nm intervals), kinetic time-course monitoring, multi-wavelength quantitation, and customizable report generation compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 reporting conventions. All data files are saved in vendor-neutral CSV and XML formats, supporting third-party statistical analysis (e.g., JMP, OriginLab) and long-term archival. piQue also provides electronic signature support, user access levels, and audit trail logging—including parameter changes, calibration events, and measurement history—for regulated environments requiring traceability under CAP, CLIA, or ISO 15189 frameworks.

Applications

The SPECTRONIC 200 is routinely deployed for: water quality analysis (nitrate, phosphate, COD); enzyme kinetics (e.g., NADH/NADPH assays at 340 nm); protein quantification (Bradford, Lowry, BCA); nucleic acid purity assessment (A260/A280 ratios); dye concentration verification in textile and pharmaceutical manufacturing; and student-led experiments in analytical chemistry curricula. Its stable photometric range (–0.1 A to 2.5 A) and low stray light (<0.1% T at 340 nm) ensure reliable detection down to ~0.01 mM for many chromophores, while its ±1.0 nm wavelength accuracy meets typical method requirements outlined in USP , EP 2.2.25, and AOAC Official Methods.

FAQ

Is the SPECTRONIC 200 compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11?
No—the standalone instrument does not include electronic signature or audit trail features required for Part 11 compliance. However, when paired with piQue software configured on a validated Windows OS platform, it may be incorporated into a Part 11–compliant system architecture.
Can I perform kinetic measurements with this instrument?
Yes—piQue software supports time-based absorbance monitoring at user-defined intervals (1–999 seconds), enabling enzyme activity assays and reaction progress tracking.
What is the maximum sample tube diameter supported?
The instrument accepts round vessels up to 25 mm (1 inch) in outer diameter without modification; no special holders are needed.
Does it require routine wavelength calibration using holmium oxide or didymium filters?
No—wavelength accuracy is factory-set and maintained via fixed optical encoding; periodic verification per ASTM E275 is recommended annually but recalibration is not user-serviceable.
Is there an option for fiber-optic probe attachment?
No—the SPECTRONIC 200 is designed exclusively for cuvette- and tube-based measurements; it lacks a fiber-optic port or external light guide interface.