Varian Cary 100 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer (Refurbished)

Overview

The Varian Cary 100 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer is a high-performance, double-beam, ratio-recording spectrophotometer engineered for precision absorbance, transmittance, and reflectance measurements across the ultraviolet and visible spectral range (190–1100 nm). Designed with a stable xenon flash lamp and a high-efficiency monochromator incorporating holographic gratings, the Cary 100 delivers exceptional photometric accuracy (±0.002 A at 0.5 A, verified against NIST-traceable reference standards), low stray light (<0.01% at 220 nm and 340 nm), and rapid spectral acquisition—up to 24,000 nm/min with data sampling at 80 points per second. Its optical architecture minimizes photometric drift and ensures high reproducibility over extended measurement sequences, making it suitable for routine QC, method validation, and research-grade quantitative analysis in pharmaceutical, environmental, and academic laboratories.

Key Features

• Double-beam, ratio-recording optical design for real-time compensation of source intensity fluctuations and detector drift
• Xenon flash lamp illumination—eliminates warm-up time, reduces thermal load on samples, and extends lamp lifetime beyond conventional deuterium/tungsten systems
• Holographic grating monochromator with automatic slit width selection (0.2–4.0 nm) for optimized resolution/sensitivity trade-offs
• Raman-corrected photomultiplier tube (PMT) detector with thermoelectric stabilization for low-noise signal detection
• Integrated baseline stability monitoring and automated wavelength calibration using holmium oxide and didymium filters
• Front-panel touchscreen interface with embedded firmware; compatible with Windows-based Cary WinUV software for advanced data processing and compliance reporting
• Refurbished to original Varian OEM specifications—including optical alignment verification, electronic diagnostics, mechanical inspection, and full functional validation under ISO/IEC 17025-aligned procedures

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Cary 100 accommodates standard 10-mm rectangular cuvettes (quartz, glass, or plastic), microvolume adapters (down to 2 µL), solid-sample holders (including integrating spheres for diffuse reflectance), and temperature-controlled cells (Peltier-based, –10 °C to +100 °C). It supports compliance-critical workflows aligned with ASTM E275 (Standard Test Methods for Description of Spectrophotometers), ISO 6223 (Performance verification of UV-Vis instruments), and USP (Spectrophotometry and Light-Scattering). When operated with Cary WinUV software in audit-trail-enabled mode, the system meets essential requirements for GLP and GMP environments—including user access control, electronic signatures, and 21 CFR Part 11–compliant data integrity features (when deployed on validated IT infrastructure).

Software & Data Management

Cary WinUV software (v6.1 or later) provides instrument control, spectral acquisition, kinetic and scanning modes, multi-component quantitation, DNA/protein analysis modules, and customizable report generation. Raw data are stored in vendor-neutral .csv and .jdx formats; processed results include metadata such as date/time stamp, operator ID, instrument serial number, calibration status, and measurement parameters. The software supports integration with LIMS via OLE/COM and includes built-in tools for IQ/OQ documentation templates—facilitating installation and operational qualification per laboratory SOPs. All refurbished units ship with licensed software media, activation keys, and digital documentation packs (user manuals, service logs, and calibration certificates).

Applications

• Pharmaceutical assay development and release testing (e.g., content uniformity, dissolution profiling, excipient compatibility)
• Enzyme kinetics and protein-ligand binding studies using time-resolved absorbance monitoring
• Water quality analysis (nitrate, phosphate, heavy metal chelates) per EPA and ISO methods
• Nanoparticle characterization (size estimation via surface plasmon resonance band analysis)
• Thin-film and coating thickness evaluation via interference fringe analysis in reflectance mode
• Educational laboratory instruction in analytical chemistry and physical biochemistry curricula

FAQ

Is this unit fully refurbished and performance-validated?
Yes. Each Cary 100 undergoes comprehensive refurbishment at our ISO 17025-accredited facility, including optical recalibration, electronic diagnostics, mechanical servicing, and full functional testing against Varian OEM acceptance criteria.
Does the 6-month warranty cover both parts and labor?
Yes—the limited warranty covers all hardware components and labor for defects in materials or workmanship, excluding consumables (e.g., lamps, cuvettes) and damage from misuse or unauthorized modification.
Can this instrument be integrated into an existing LIMS or ELN environment?
Yes. Cary WinUV supports OLE/COM automation and exports structured data files (.csv, .jdx) compatible with common LIMS and ELN platforms. API-level integration requires custom scripting and network configuration per site-specific IT policies.
Are original Varian service manuals and calibration records included?
Yes—each unit ships with digital copies of the full service manual, operation guide, traceable calibration certificate (per NIST-traceable standards), and a detailed refurbishment log documenting all tests performed and results obtained.