Varian Cary 300/100 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
| Brand | Agilent Technologies |
|---|---|
| Origin | Canada |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported Instrument |
| Model | Cary 300/100 |
| Product Category | Spectroscopy |
| Usage Duration | 4–5 Years |
| Warranty | 6 Months |
| Condition | Refurbished & Fully Tested |
Overview
The Varian Cary 300/100 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer is a high-performance, double-beam scanning spectrophotometer engineered for precision absorbance, transmittance, and reflectance measurements across the ultraviolet and visible spectral range (190–1100 nm). Based on a Czerny-Turner monochromator design with holographic grating optics and a low-noise silicon photodiode detector, the system delivers excellent photometric accuracy (±0.002 A at 0.5 A), wavelength repeatability (±0.05 nm), and baseline stability (<0.0005 A/h). Originally developed by Varian, Inc. and later integrated into Agilent Technologies’ portfolio following the 2010 acquisition, the Cary 300/100 platform remains widely deployed in pharmaceutical QC labs, academic research facilities, and environmental testing centers due to its robust optical architecture, thermal stability, and compatibility with standardized analytical protocols.
Key Features
- Double-beam optical configuration with real-time reference beam correction for enhanced drift compensation and long-term measurement reproducibility
- High-resolution scanning capability (0.1–5.0 nm slit width selectable) supporting both kinetic and multi-wavelength quantitative analysis
- Integrated temperature-controlled sample compartment accommodating standard 10 mm cuvettes, microvolume adapters, and optional Peltier-based cell holders (–10 °C to +100 °C)
- Pre-aligned quartz optics and factory-calibrated deuterium/tungsten-halogen light sources ensure minimal maintenance and consistent spectral fidelity over extended operational life
- Refurbishment includes full mechanical inspection, optical alignment verification, lamp replacement (if aged beyond 75% of rated lifetime), and comprehensive electronic diagnostics per Agilent’s legacy service specifications
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Cary 300/100 supports liquid, solid, and thin-film samples using interchangeable accessories including integrating spheres (for diffuse reflectance), fiber-optic probes (for remote or in-situ measurements), and automated eight-cell changers. It complies with core regulatory requirements for analytical instrumentation used in GLP and GMP environments: wavelength accuracy verified against NIST-traceable holmium oxide and didymium filters (per ASTM E275 and ISO 6223); photometric linearity validated via neutral density filters (per USP ); and system suitability tests programmable within native software. While not natively 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, audit trail functionality and user access controls can be implemented through third-party validated LIMS integration or post-refurbishment software upgrades where supported.
Software & Data Management
The instrument operates with Cary WinUV v5.x or compatible legacy software suites—fully functional on Windows 7/10 (32-bit) platforms. Software capabilities include method development with customizable scan parameters, kinetic time-course profiling, multi-component spectral deconvolution, and export of ASCII, CSV, and JCAMP-DX formats for downstream analysis in MATLAB, OriginLab, or chemometric packages. All refurbished units undergo software reinstallation, license validation (where applicable), and driver-level firmware synchronization to ensure stable USB or RS-232 communication. Raw data files retain embedded metadata (date/time stamp, operator ID, instrument serial number), facilitating traceability in regulated workflows.
Applications
This spectrophotometer is routinely applied in: quantification of nucleic acids and proteins (A260/A280 ratio analysis); enzyme kinetics monitoring (e.g., NADH oxidation at 340 nm); dissolution testing per USP ; colorimetric assay validation (e.g., BCA, Bradford); impurity profiling in small-molecule APIs; and thin-film thickness determination via interference fringe analysis. Its proven reliability after 4–5 years of prior laboratory use—combined with full refurbishment to OEM-equivalent performance standards—makes it a cost-optimized alternative to new-entry-tier instruments without compromising data integrity or method transfer feasibility.
FAQ
Is this unit covered under Agilent’s original manufacturer warranty?
No—this is a pre-owned, refurbished system covered exclusively by SpectraLab Scientific’s 6-month limited hardware warranty, which includes labor and replacement parts for defects in materials or workmanship.
Can the Cary 300/100 be upgraded to support modern operating systems such as Windows 11?
Native support ends at Windows 10 (32-bit); however, virtual machine environments (e.g., Windows 7 SP1 guest OS under VMware Workstation) are commonly deployed in production settings to maintain compatibility.
Are NIST-traceable calibration certificates included with purchase?
Yes—each unit ships with a post-refurbishment performance verification report, including wavelength and photometric accuracy test results referenced to NIST SRM 2034 and SRM 930e.
What documentation accompanies the instrument?
Full set includes original user manuals (digital PDF archive), refurbishment log, electrical safety test record, optical alignment report, and software installation media with valid license key.
Is remote technical support available after installation?
Yes—SpectraLab Scientific provides email and phone-based application support for method setup, troubleshooting, and routine operation guidance during the warranty period.
