Ultraviolet and Visible Absorption

Spectroscopy (uv-vis)
Introduction

UV-vis spectroscopy is the measurement of the wavelength and intensity of absorption of

near-ultraviolet and visible light by a sample. Ultraviolet and visible light are energetic
enough to promote outer electrons to higher energy levels. UV-vis spectroscopy is
usually applied to molecules and inorganic ions or complexes in solution. The uv-vis
spectra have broad features that are of limited use for sample identification but are very
useful for quantitative measurements. The concentration of an analyte in solution can be
determined by measuring the absorbance at some wavelength and applying the Beer-
Lambert Law.

Instrumentation

The light source is usually a hydrogen or deuterium lamp for uv measurements and a
tungsten lamp for visible measurements. The wavelengths of these continuous light
sources are selected with a wavelength separator such as a prism or grating
monochromator. Spectra are obtained by scanning the wavelength separator and
quantitative measurements can be made from a spectrum or at a single wavelength.

Schematic of a single beam uv-vis spectrophotometer

Pictures of single beam uv-vis spectrophotometers (Spectronic 20 and 20D)

Dual-Beam uv-vis Spectrophotometer

Introduction

uv-vis spectroscopy

Instrumentation

Schematic of a dual-beam uv-vis spectrophotometer

Pictures of Lambda 3A and 4B dual-beam uv-vis spectrophotometers

Larger picture of the Lambda 3a spectrophotometer

Close-up of the control panel / Close-up of the sample compartment
Pictures of a Hitachi dual-beam uv-vis spectrophotometer