Yoke i6 Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometer

Overview

The Yoke i6 Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometer is a single-beam, PDA-based analytical instrument engineered for routine and research-grade UV-Vis absorbance and transmittance measurements across the full spectral range of 190–1100 nm. It operates on the fundamental principle of Beer–Lambert law-based quantitative spectroscopy, where sample absorption is measured as a function of wavelength to determine concentration, purity, or structural characteristics of analytes in solution. Designed for laboratories requiring reliable performance without compromise on core optical integrity, the i6 integrates a high-efficiency imported diffraction grating, thermally stabilized optical path, and precision wavelength drive mechanism to ensure long-term stability and measurement reproducibility. Its compact benchtop architecture supports compliance with standard laboratory workflows under ISO/IEC 17025-aligned quality management systems and serves as a foundational tool for QC/QA applications in pharmaceuticals, environmental testing, food safety, and academic research.

Key Features

• 7-inch high-resolution capacitive touchscreen (1024 × 768 px) enabling intuitive, gesture-driven navigation and real-time visualization of spectra, kinetic traces, and calibration curves
• Photodiode array (PDA) detector delivering simultaneous multi-wavelength acquisition—eliminating mechanical scanning delays and enhancing data fidelity for kinetic and spectral mapping studies
• Imported high-efficiency holographic grating with optimized blaze profile, ensuring uniform intensity response and minimal polarization dependence across the full 190–1100 nm range
• Automatic dual-lamp system (deuterium and tungsten-halogen) with seamless source switching at ~360 nm; lamps rated for ≥2000 hours lifetime and pre-aligned for minimal maintenance
• Embedded wavelength calibration routine using internal reference peaks (e.g., holmium oxide filter traceable to NIST SRM 2034), supporting GLP-compliant instrument qualification
• Low-noise analog front-end and 16-bit ADC enabling dynamic photometric range from –0.3 to 3.0 A with <±0.002 A baseline drift over 1 hour (25 °C ambient)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The i6 accommodates standard 10-mm rectangular quartz or glass cuvettes (pathlengths: 1–50 mm via optional holders), microvolume adapters (down to 0.5 µL), and flow-cell configurations for continuous monitoring. It complies with key international standards including ISO 6425 (spectrophotometer performance verification), ASTM E275 (description of UV-Vis spectral bands), and USP (spectrophotometric analysis). All firmware and embedded calibration routines are designed to support audit-ready documentation per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when used with validated Yoke SpectraLink software—including electronic signatures, user access control, and immutable audit trails for method changes and result exports.

Software & Data Management

The i6 operates natively via its onboard Android-based OS and supports seamless integration with Yoke SpectraLink PC software (Windows 10/11, 64-bit) for advanced data processing: time-resolved kinetics, multi-component spectral deconvolution, derivative spectroscopy, spectral overlay, and nucleic acid/protein quantification (A260/A280 ratios, extinction coefficient input). Raw spectral data export is supported in CSV, TXT, and JCAMP-DX formats. Cloud synchronization via YOKE@Cloud enables secure, encrypted data backup and cross-device access—accessible through QR-code-initiated authentication. USB mass storage mode allows direct transfer to external drives; Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enable wireless printer pairing (PCL/ESC/P) and remote status monitoring via SNMP-compatible network management tools.

Applications

• Quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical actives and excipients per ICH Q2(R2) guidelines
• Enzyme kinetics (e.g., NADH/NADPH assays at 340 nm) and protein folding studies using temperature-controlled cuvette holders
• Water quality assessment (nitrate, phosphate, COD estimation) per APHA Standard Methods
• Nucleic acid quantification and purity evaluation (A260/A280, A260/A230) with integrated calculation templates
• Colorimetric assay validation (e.g., BCA, Bradford, Lowry) with built-in curve-fitting algorithms (linear, quadratic, 4PL)
• Educational use in undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry labs due to robustness, low operational complexity, and pedagogical interface design

FAQ

Does the i6 support GMP/GLP-compliant operation?
Yes—when paired with Yoke SpectraLink software configured with role-based user accounts, electronic signatures, and audit-trail logging, the system meets core requirements of FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 for regulated environments.
Can the i6 perform spectral scanning below 190 nm?
No—the lower limit is 190 nm due to atmospheric oxygen absorption and quartz cuvette cutoff; vacuum or purged-path configurations are not supported on this model.
Is the stray light specification verified at multiple wavelengths?
The stated value (≤0.5% T at 420 nm using NaNO₂) follows ASTM E387 methodology; additional verification points at 220 nm (KCl) and 340 nm (acetone) are available in the Performance Qualification Protocol.
What is the maximum scan speed for full-spectrum acquisition?
With PDA readout, full 190–1100 nm spectra are acquired in ≤1.2 seconds (1 nm resolution); kinetic mode supports up to 10 spectra per second at fixed wavelength.
Are third-party accessories (e.g., fiber-optic probes, temperature controllers) compatible?
Only Yoke-certified accessories are supported to maintain optical alignment integrity and firmware communication protocols; non-OEM attachments may void calibration validity.