Glossary of Terms

A
Absorbance A measure of how much of the
incident radiation that is directed at a sample is
absorbed by the sample. Absorbance is defined
by the formula A = log10 (1/T), where T is the
fractional transmittance.
Absorbance Accuracy The agreement between
the measured value of the absorbance of a
standard and the true value of the absorbance of
the same standard.
Absorbance Reproducibility The agreement
(concordance) of a series of Absorbance values
obtained by repetition of the same measurement.
Absorptivity Called the Molar Absorptivity or
the Molar Extinction Coefficient or Molar
Absorption Coefficient. It is the absorbance at a
specified wavelength of a 1 mole per liter
solution of a compound measured over a 10 mm
pathlength. It has dimensions of M-1cm-1.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

W Z

Accuracy A statement of the limits which bound

the departure of a measured value from the true
value. Accuracy includes the imprecision of the
measurement along with all the accumulated
errors in the measurement chain extending from
the basic reference standards to the measurement
in question. These errors will be from both
random and systematic sources since they cannot
be completely separated.
Administrator A user who has special rights to
an operating system and/or specific application.
Administrators usually have the ability to set up
user accounts and modify system settings.
Allosteric enzymes Enzymes exhibiting
cooperatively (see cooperativity).
Ambient flow cell An accessory that uses a
pump to aspirate a sample into a flowthrough
cell which is not temperature-regulated.
Ambient temperature The temperature of the
immediate surroundings of an object. When
referring to an object inside the
spectrophotometer, the ambient temperature is
the temperature inside the spectrophotometer.
When referring to the spectrophotometer itself,
the ambient temperature is the temperature of
the location where the spectrophotometer is
being used.

UV Visible Glossary of Terms

Archiving The process of storing files on a

computer disk.
Audit log database A database used to track and
log items. The audit log tracks changes made to
software settings; pass/fail results, results of
instrument qualification runs and verification
workflow runs; values of items stored from
workflow runs; and entries made into the
softwares on-line service log..
Cell changer An accessory that can
accommodate more than one cuvette and that
can automatically position the appropriate
sample in the light beam for measurement.

Background spectrum A reference spectrum

that accounts for the unique optics of an
instrument, sampling module and sample holder,
if used. The background spectrum is the result of
the output of the source, the response of the
beamsplitter optics and detector, and any
atmospheric absorptions inside the analyzer. If
the background is collected through a sampling
module, sample holder or gas cell, then the
background spectrum also includes the
characteristics of the module, holder or cell.
Sample spectra are ratioed against a background
spectrum so that the final spectrum is free of
those features.

Automatic sample holder An accessory that can

accommodate several test tubes and that can
transfer the sample into a flow cell.

Bandpass 1) Usually describes the range of

wavelengths that are included in each spectral
measurement. 2) The range of wavelengths that
will pass through a filter or other device.

Autosampler A hardware device that allows

automated sampling of solids, powders and
tablets.

Bandwidth Usually describes the full width half

maximum (FWHM) range of wavelengths
leaving the exit slit of a monochromator.

B
Bbackground see background spectrum.
Background correction The subtraction of the
background data from the sample data.

Baseline flatness The measure of the deviation

from 0.0 Abs of a scan with nothing in the
sample compartment immediately after a
baseline was created with nothing in the sample
compartment. Deviations from flatness distort
scans and often occur at discontinuities in the
energy profile of an instrument such as the
wavelengths where optical filters or light sources
are changed.
Beamsplitter An optical device for dividing a
beam into two or more separate beams. A simple
beamsplitter may be a very thin sheet of glass
inserted in the beam at an angle to divert a
portion of the beam in a different direction to be
used as a reference beam.

UV-Visible Glossary of Terms

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Beers law The law which states that the

absorbance of a homogeneous sample of an
absorbing substance is directly proportional to
the concentration of the absorbing substance,
A=abC.
A=Absorbance
C=concentration of a light absorbing substance
a=absorption coefficient
b-distance the light travels through the sample

Comma-Separated Values (CSV) A file format

for saving spectra as a text delimited file that
specifies each data point in the spectrum as a set
of X and Y values. The values may be separated
by a list separator (defined by the Windows
regional settings) or a tab. CSV formatted files
can be read by any compatible spreadsheet or
other program. CSV files are saved with an
extension of .csv.

Blank A solvent containing none of the

substance of interest that is used to set 0 Abs or
100%T. this corrects for any color contributed
by the solvent. Subsequent measurements of
standards and samples would be made relative to
this zero point. See also Reference Sample.

Concentration factor 1) The value generated by

the instrument by measuring a standard solution
and entering the known concentration. 2) It is
equal to Concentration / Absorbance. 3) A
numerical factor multiplied by the absorbance
reading to create an output concentration
reading of the appropriate units.

Bougers law The law that states that the

absorbance of a homogeneous sample of
light-absorbing substance is directly proportional
to the thickness of the sample in the optical path.

C
Calibration The process in which the software
analyzes a set of standards in order to calculate a
method model for predicting component
concentrations or classes from unknown samples.
Calibration curve See standard curve.
Cell See cuvette.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Concentration mode The mode of operation of

the instrument in which absorbance data is
converted directly into concentration units
without generating a calibration curve. It uses a
concentration factor which is multiplied by the
absorbance to calculate a concentration value.
Cooperativity The influence of substrate
binding to one site of an enzyme on the activity
of other site(s) on the same enzyme.
Positive cooperativity = If binding of a substrate
molecule to one site increases the activity of the
other site(s), the cooperativity is described as
positive.
Negative cooperativity = If binding of a substrate
molecule to one site decreases the activity of the
other site(s), the cooperativity is described as
negative

UV Visible Glossary of Terms

Correlation coefficient A measure of the linear

relationship between two variables. A value of
one implies that there is a direct linear
relationship between two variables. A value of
zero implies that there is no correlative
relationship between the two variables.

Data interval As a scan proceeds, the

instrument takes readings at data points which
are separated by a particular wavelength interval.
This interval is called the Data Interval. The
maximum available data interval is 4 nm. The
minimum available data interval is 0.05, 0.1 or
0.2 nm depending on the instrument model.

CSV see Comma-Separated Values

Culture tube An inexpensive, cylindrical sample
container that is usually made of glass or plastic.
Cutoff filter A filter used to prevent the
transmission of light of wavelengths shorter than
the desired cut off wavelength.
Cuvette A rectangular sample container that is
sealed at one end and designed to hold samples
for spectroscopic experiments. They are typically
made of glass, plastic or optical grade quartz.
Cycle A single measurement on a sample. In the
Scan and Fixed applications, up to 20 cycles may
be performed per sample. The results of these
measurements are shown as Cycle 1, Cycle 2,
Cycle 3.

Data Mode Refers to the units in which the

sample response is measured. The main units are:
% Transmittance and Absorbance.
Data point As the instrument scans, the
stepping monochromator stops at every data
point. The wavelength drive is stationary while
the sample is being measured at each data point.
This ensures that data of varying scans speeds can
be overlaid without peak shifts.
Date stamp A date/time string generated by the
software as a unique identifier for a particular
audit log record or archived file. The software
creates an identifier based on the date and time
the record or file was created. The date stamp
includes the current month, day, time and year
in GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).

Cycle time the time between the start of one

cycle and the start of the next. The minimum
possible cycle time is the time required to
complete a single measurement (and to perform a
cell change if a Cell Changer is in use).

Derivative spectroscopy Methods involving the

measurement of the change in slope occurring in
a spectrum as the wavelength changes. It is used
to increase spectral resolution.

Detector A device designed to convert the

energy of incident radiation into an electric
output that is a useful measure of the radiation
that is incident on the device.

Data archive The directories where data, such

as reports and spectra produced from workflows,
is stored.

UV-Visible Glossary of Terms

Duterium lamp The light source frequently used

for the UV region (190-450 nm).

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Didymium glass A glass tinted with mixed

oxides of neodymium and praseodymium that
have very narrow absorption bands.
Digital signature An electronic signature based
upon cryptographic methods of originator
authentication, computed by using a set of rules
and a set of parameters such that the identity of
the signer and the integrity of the data can be
verified.
Directory A way of organizing files on a disk or
drive. Directories are usually set up in a tree-like
structure and appear as folders in Windows
applications. Data can be stored in directory
folders.
Dispersion Typically refers to the dependence of
index of refraction on the wavelength of light for
an optical medium. More generally, it is a
measure of the separation of light into its
wavelength components. In this context, a
diffraction grating can be considered a dispersive
element.
Dispersion filter A filter that uses polarization
or interference to transmit light that is nearly
monochromatic.
Double-beam spectrophotometer A
spectrophotometer in which the beam from the
radiation source is split into two beams that
travel through the sample cell and reference cell.
The reference beam corrects for source intensity
variation and solvent and cell effects.
Drift A gradual change in the
spectrophotometric reading over time due to
temperature changes and/or aging of light source
and electrical components.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

E
Electronic signature A computer data
compilation of any symbol or series of symbols
executed, adopted, or authorized by an
individual to be the legally binding equivalent of
the individuals handwritten signature.
Energy The instrument operates by measuring
the energy of light at the current wavelength
received by the detectors in the sample and
reference beams. The energy readings are stored
as raw %T data and used to calculate the
reported values in the selected Data Mode.
Entrance slit A thin opening in an opaque
screen through which light enters a
monochromator.
Enzyme A biological catalyst (a protein) that
facilitates a chemical reaction but which is not
consumed during the reaction.

F
Factor See concentration factor.
Fiber optic accessory A sampling accessory that
uses fiber optic technology to transport a beam of
light from the instrument through the accessory,
where the beam interacts with a sample, and then
back to the instrument. The instrument can then
use the changed beam to create a sample
spectrum.
Fiber optic cable A bundle of thin glass or
plastic transparent fibers that are enclosed by a
less refractive material. The fibers transmit light
by internal reflection.

UV Visible Glossary of Terms

Fiber optic port A port on a fiber optic module

that serves as a connector for a fiber optic
accessory. Fiber optic ports come in pairs to
accommodate the in/out path of a fiber optic
accessory.
Filter An optical medium used to attenuate the
intensity of light.
Filter holder An accessory that holds a filter in
the sample compartment.
Filter wheel A device that holds and
automatically positions the correct filter into the
light path.
First-order spectrum Diffraction of light by a
grating is characterized by the generation of
multiple diffraction orders. The first order
spectrum is the first diffraction order. Typically
the highest efficiency of a grating occurs in the
first order spectrum consequently, the first order
spectrum is predominantly used in
monochromators for spectrophometric
measurements.
Floating point number A numeric format that
can be expressed using a decimal point.
Flow-through sampling The analysis of a
sample gas as it flows through a gas cell. This
technique operates on the principle that both the
background gas and sample gas are at higher
pressures than the gas cell and, therefore, will
flow from a state of higher pressure to a state
of lower pressure through the gas cell. The
difference in pressure may be because the
background and sample gases are pressurized, or
the difference in pressure may be created by
using a diaphragm or vacuum pump to draw the
sample through the cell.

UV-Visible Glossary of Terms

Fluorescence During fluorescence, a photon is

absorbed by the molecule and excites it to a
higher electronic energy state. The molecule loses
some of this energy by a non-radiative process
(e.g., collision) and decays to an intermediate
state. It then radiates a photon and returns to the
ground state.
Full width half maximum (FWHM) The
width of a peak at its maximum height.
Full width zero height (FWZH) The width of
a peak at the bottom or zero value.

G
Gain The ratio of the signal output of a system
to the signal input of the system. For example, a
gain of 10 would mean that a property of the
signal (usually voltage or power) had increased by
a factor of 10.
Galactic A file format for saving spectra in a
binary format that is compatible with other
applications and other types of data in the
industry, especially spectral and chromatographic
data. Galactic files include some file header
information and are saved with an extension of
.spc.
Goodness of Fit Provides a measure of the
correspondence between the Synthetic Spectrum
and the measured Sample Spectrum. When the
correspondence is exact, the value of the
Goodness of Fit will be zero.
In the MCA application, the Goodness of Fit is
the sum of the squares of the data points on the
Difference Spectrum divided by the number of
data points measured. The software does not
need to display the Difference Spectrum in order
to calculate the Goodness of Fit.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Grating An optic with a collection of reflecting

(reflection grating) or transmitting (transmission
grating) elements separated by a distance
comparable to the wavelength of light under
study. An electromagnetic wave incident on a
grating will have its electromagnetic fields
modified in a predictable manner. Polychromatic
light incident on a grating will be separated into
its constituent monochromatic components.

Intercept The distance from the origin of

coordinates along a coordinate axis to the point
at which a line or curve intersects the axis.
International Unit (IU) The unit used to
express the concentration of an enzyme.
Ion An atom, or group of atoms, which carries a
net electric charge as a result of having gained or
lost electrons (i.e., the total number of electrons
is not equal to the total number of protons).

Homogeneity When pertaining to a sample, the

degree to which the sample is of uniform
consistency.

Ionic strength A measure of the electric charge

present in a solution of an electrolyte. It is
defined as the sum of the molality of each ion
multiplied by the square of its charge.

Isomers Molecules having the same molecular

formulae but different structures.

Integrating sphere module An accessory for a

spectrophotometer which produces diffuse
illumination and enables the photo detector to
collect virtually all reflected light for
measurement of the color of a substance.
Integration Time The length of time taken to
measure each data point. Extending the
integration time allows the system longer to
average out the effects of electronic noise,
resulting in an improved signal-to-noise ratio.
However, this will increase the time taken to
complete each run (except in the Rate
application).
Intensity A measure of the brightness of light. It
is defined as either the radiant power (Watts) per
unit solid angle (steradian) or the radiant power
(Watts) per unit area (cm2).

Thermo Fisher Scientific

K
Kalmer filter The algorithm used in the
Multicomponent Analysis (MCA) application. It
enables spectra to be quantified for up to 20
components.
Kinetics test A test that is designed to measure
the absorbance of a sample over a period of time.
This mode may be used to determine the
absorbance of a reactant or the product of the
reaction at intervals during the reaction.
Kinetic data rate The rate at which data is
sampled during a kinetics test.
Kinetic experiment The processes of finding
out which model of enzyme behavior best fits a
set of rate data, and of determining the values of
the relevant kinetic parameters.

UV Visible Glossary of Terms

Kubelka-Munk A data format option for the

Y axis of diffuse-reflection spectra in RESULT
software. Converting data to Kubelka-Munk
units produces a spectrum that is, under certain
circumstances, more linear with respect to
concentration than is a spectrum in log (1/R)
units.

Linearity A relationship between two variables

that yields a straight line when plotted on a
graph.

Long pathlength cell holder An accessory that

holds a long pathlength cell in the sample
compartment.

Light source A device that emits

electromagnetic radiation and that must yield a
high output of polychromatic light over a wide
range of the spectrum.
Linear regression The process of fitting a
straight line equation to the experimental data
and estimating the values of parameters.
The linear regression algorithm finds the straight
line for which the sum of the squares of the
vertical distances between the experimental
points and the line has the minimum possible
value. It then calculates the slope and intercept
values for this line. This process may also be
described as performing a Least Squares Fit to a
straight line.
Line source An optical source that emits one or
more spectrally narrow lines as opposed to a
continuous spectrum.
Line spectrum A spectrum composed of
absorption or emission lines having irregular
spacing and intensity, as opposed to a continuous
spectrum.
Linear Standard Curve test A standard curve
that fits data (x,y) to the linear equation,
y=mx+b, where 'y' is the measured absorbance,
'x' is the concentration, >m= is the slope and >b=
is the x = zero intercept.

UV-Visible Glossary of Terms

Logon name A string of characters identifying a

user account.
longpass filter see cutoff filter.

Long pathlength cells Cuvettes that have a

sample lightpath greater than 10 mm.

M
MCA see multicomponent analysis.
Menu bar The horizontal list of menu names,
typically near the top of a software application
window.
Method A collection of parameters defining the
state of the software and the instrument.
Molecular Spectroscopy Methods involving
analysis of the spectra formed by electronic
transitions in molecules.
Multicomponent analysis (MCA) The
simultaneous determination of two or more
substances in a sample. The sample is measured
at several wavelengths (one peak wavelength for
each substance) and the concentration of each
substance is calculated from the absorbance
values. This procedure is possible due to the
additive nature of absorbance (Atotal = A1 + A2)

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Monochromator This is the device which

isolates a very narrow band of wavelengths from
the light radiated by the source.

N
Nanometer An X-axis unit used for wavelength.
One nanometer equals 1 x 10-9 meter.
Natural bandwidth of a peak The width (i.e.,
wavelength range) of the peak at half the peak
height, measured at infinite resolution.
Near infrared (NIR or near-IR) The region of
infrared radiation extending from approximately
12,000 cm-1 to 4,000 cm-1.
Noise The general term used to describe small,
irregular, random variations in the
spectrophotometer reading.
Noise, peak-to-peak The difference between
the maximum and minimum values of a noise
signal measured over a specified time period.
Non-linear regression Fits experimental data to
any equation that defines Y as a function of X
and one or more parameters. The non-linear
regression algorithms find the values of the
parameters that minimize the sum of the squares
of the vertical distances between the data points
and the curve. This process may also be described
as performing a Least Squares Fit to a curve.

O
Optical chopper A device for passing and then
interrupting a beam of light for a known brief
interval. Examples include rotating shutters or
rotating sector mirrors.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Optical density see absorbance.

Optical glass cell A cuvette suitable for use
between 330 nm and 2500 nm.

P
Parameter A property whose value determines
the characteristics or behavior of a software
application.
Partial Least Squares (PLS) A quantitative
method in TQ Analyst that uses a partial least
squares statistical analysis to find relationships
between the absorbance spectra and the
component concentrations of the corresponding
samples.
Pathlength The distance a beam of incident
energy travels within a sample. A longer
pathlength increases the absorption of infrared
energy by the sample. If the pathlength is too
great, totally absorbing bands will result. Since
the absorption depends on the pathlength (as
well as on concentration), if the pathlengths of
the samples and the standards used to quantify
them are not the same, the quantitative method
must account for the differences in pathlength. If
the pathlength values are known, they can be
entered in the quantitative method or specified
at run time. A quantitative method can also be
configured to predict or calculate the pathlength
values if the spectra contain a peak or region that
varies with pathlength.
PDF See portable document format.
Peak A region of a spectrum where the sample
absorbs radiation.

UV Visible Glossary of Terms

Peak area The intensity of a spectral region,

determined by finding the sum of the intensity
values in the specified X-axis range.

Photometric range The range of photometric

values, in Abs and/or %T, that an instrument
can measure.

Peak height The intensity (Y value) of a

spectrum at a given X value.

Photomultiplier tube (PMT) A photo detector

which internally amplifies the signal to provide a
greater sensitivity and a wider spectral range.

Peak wavelength The wavelength at which the

absorbance of a spectrum band is maximum.
Peltier effect The phenomenon in which heat is
exchanged at the juncture of two dissimilar
metals through which is passing a small current.
The direction of the current determines whether
heat is absorbed or evolved.
Percent transmittance The transmittance value
multiplied by 100.
Performance qualification (PQ) The routine
process of verifying that an instrument is
performing according to requirements for the
instruments intended use.
Peristaltic pump A fluid transfer device that
moves liquid by pinching flexible tubing by
moving rollers.
Photodetector A device that converts radiant
energy into an electrical signal (output) which
will vary proportionally to the energy incident on
the photodetector (input). A common example is
the photomultiplier tube or PMT.
Photometric accuracy The closeness of the
measured intensity values to the actual intensity
values.

PLS See Partial Least Squares.

Polar and non-polar groups Polar groups are
groups of atoms that do not bear an overall
electric charge, but within which the electrons
are not uniformly distributed. This uneven
distribution of electrons results in some parts of
the group having a greater positive or negative
charge than others. The magnitude of the charge
is always less than a full electronic charge.
In non-polar groups the electrons are evenly
distributed and the fractional charges referred to
above do not occur.
Portable Document Format (PDF) A
document file format that preserves the exact
look and content of documents, including fonts
and graphics. PDF files are normally created in
Adobe Acrobat with an extension of .pdf. The
files can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader
on various software platforms. PDF files can also
be digitally signed if they are created in Adobe
Acrobat version 4.0 or higher.
Precision Measure of the agreement between a
series of measurements of the same quantity.
Precision expresses the reproducibility
(repeatability) of a series of measurements.

Photometric drift See drift.

Photometric linearity The proportionality of
the measured absorbance or concentration to the
actual absorbance or the concentration.

10

UV-Visible Glossary of Terms

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Purging Forcing dried air or nitrogen through a

system to eliminate water vapor and other
airborne contaminants. Purging protects the
systems internal components from damage due
to excessive environmental humidity and
corrosive solvents.

Reageant A general term usually meaning a

laboratory chemical used in a reaction. In the
context of this Help, a reagent would normally
be used to convert the analyte in to a substance
with suitable properties for analysis (e.g., higher
absorbance, more stable).

Reference A known component of a sample that

is measured with the background in order to
generate a reference background spectrum.

Quantification The process of measuring the

concentration(s) of the component(s) present in
the sample. Samples can be quantified in the
Quant and Multicomponent Analysis (MCA)
applications.

R
Ratioing The process of removing the effects of
the instrument and any water or carbon dioxide
absorptions (if these gases are not completely
purged from the instrument) from a sample
spectrum by dividing the spectrum by a
background spectrum, or a reference background
spectrum, at each data point.
Reactant A compound present at the start of,
and taking part in, a chemical reaction.
Read-only A specification when saving files.
When files are saved as read-only in Windows,
they may be opened and changed, but the altered
file cannot be resaved with the previous file
name. The file must be saved under a different
file name.

Reference beam In a double-beam or split-beam

instrument, the portion of the light beam that
passes through the reference standard.
Reference sample Also called the Blank. The
Blank will be pure solvent or an appropriate
sample matrix. The use of a Blank is of particular
value if you are not using matched cells; if you
do not have matched cells, the reference beam
should remain empty.
Reference wavelength When a Reference
Wavelength is used, the value determined is the
measurement at Wavelength 1.
Wavelength 2, the Reference Wavelength, is used
to determine if a problem may have arisen. The
measured value at wavelength 2 is expected to
remain constant from sample to sample. If the
absorbance at wavelength 2 falls outside pre-set
limits, then an error is flagged.
Reflectance (%) A data format option for the
Y-axis of spectra. Percent reflectance units are
normally used to display a spectrum collected
using a reflection technique. Percent reflectance
shows the amount of infrared energy reflected
from the sample.
Replicates Samples or standards prepared under
the same conditions using an identical procedure.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

UV Visible Glossary of Terms

11

Report An organized compilation of sample

data produced, prepared for viewing or printing.
Residuals The differences between the observed
value and the value predicted from the current
curve fit. Another way to look at it is as the
vertical distance between the y value of a data
point and the fitted regression line.
Residuals plot If the selected curve fit is a good
fit to the data, the values of the residuals should
show no systematic variation with the values of
the x-axis variable. Therefore, the points in the
Residuals Plot should appear to be randomly
scattered. If any discernible pattern is present in
the Residuals Plot, it is likely that an
inappropriate curve fit has been selected.
Alternative curve fits should be explored.
Resolution Measures how well closely spaced
peaks in a spectrum are differentiated. The
higher the resolution, the more separated two
closely spaced peaks will appear. Increasing the
resolution (i.e., using a lower Resolution setting)
requires that the distance traveled by the moving
mirror in the interferometer be increased.
RMS see root mean square

Sample beam In a double-beam or split-beam

instrument, the portion of the light beam that
passes through the sample to be measured.
Sample compartment The area of a
spectrophotometer that allows the operator
access to the light beam so the sample can be
placed in the light path for a transmission,
absorption, or concentration measurement.
Saturated molecule Is one in which all the
bonds are single sigma () bonds. Saturated
organic molecules such as ethane, C2H6, are
unable to take part in addition reactions because
all the atoms have their maximum coordination
numbers; i.e., each carbon atom is bonded to
four other atoms. The absorption spectra of
saturated compounds usually lie in the far
ultraviolet.
Scan A spectrophotometric measurement of
Absorbance, %Transmittance, Concentration or
any other function of absorbance vs. wavelength,
time or distance.
Scan speed The rate at which the grating rotates
on its axis to pass the spectrum over the exit slit.
The unit is nm/minutes.

Root mean square The uncertainty of

prediction for a component, which is calculated
by squaring the error values, calculating the
average, and then taking the square root of the
result.

Scattering When electromagnetic radiation is

scattered, it behaves as if it is absorbed and then
immediately re-radiated uniformly in all
directions. The wavelength of the scattered
radiation is equal to the wavelength of the
incident radiation.

Semi-micro cuvette A cuvette that

accommodates sample volumes between 500 and
1500 microliters.

Sample A single cell containing a specimen

presented to the spectrophotometer for
measurement.

12

UV-Visible Glossary of Terms

Sensitivity The lowest detectable signal (noise

limited) or concentration (resolution limited).

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Shortcut menu A menu that appears in a

software application when a user right-clicks in a
window.
Short pathlength cells Cuvettes that have a
sample pathlength less than 10 mm.
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) The ratio of the
intensity of a signal to the intensity of the noise
that accompanies it.
Single-beam instrument A spectrophotometer
that uses a single beam of illumination to
measure a sample.
Slitwidth The mechanical width of a
monochromator slit opening.
Slitwidth, spectral The mechanical width of the
monochromator exit slit divided by the linear
dispersion (the distance along the spectrum, in
the exit slit plane, divided by the change in
wavelength). More accurate values will include
the linespread function effect, whereby an
emission line does not image through the
monochromator as a line but rather as a spreadout shape.
Slope The rate at which an ordinate of a point
of a line on a coordinate plane changes with
respect to a change in the abscissa (i.e., the rise
divided by the run).
SMA connector An industry standard connector
(Sub-Miniature, Type A) used for fiber optic
connections. SMA connectors have a cylindrical
sleeve and threaded locking unit.

Spectral data file A file that contains one

spectrum.
Spectral range The range of frequencies
included in a spectrum.
Spectral region A portion of a spectrum
between two frequencies or wavelengths.
Spectrophotometer An instrument that is
designed to measure the relative amount of
reflected or transmitted light at specific
wavelengths in the spectrum for a given sample.
Spectrum A range of wavelengths or
frequencies. For example, the colors of the
rainbow form the visible spectrum. A UV-Visible
spectrum is obtained as the result of a scan. It is
normally viewed as a graph of Absorbance or
%Transmittance.
Specular reflection Reflection of light in which
the angle of incidence equals the angle of
reflection; i.e., mirror-like reflection.
Stability The extent to which a
spectrophotometric reading for a sample does not
change over time due to noise or drift.
standard curve A graph constructed by plotting
the measured absorbance values of chemical
standards on the y-axis vs. the known
concentrations of those standards on the x-axis.
The concentrations of the unknowns are
determined from the standard curve by finding
the concentration value corresponding to the
measured absorbance of the unknown.

SNR See signal-to-noise ratio.

SOP See standard operating procedure.
source See light source.

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UV Visible Glossary of Terms

13

Standard operating procedure (SOP) A

written authorized procedure documenting
instructions that should be followed for
performing an operation. An SOP can include
general instructions for maintenance and
cleaning, equipment operation, and sampling.
Standard reference material (SRM) A
reference material with a composition that is
certified by a recognized standardizing agency or
group, such as the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST).
Standards A special sample in which the
concentration(s) of the analyte(s) have been
determined by an independent method.
Standards are needed to prepare calibrations in
the Quant and MCA applications. Standards
used in Quant contain one component.
Standards used in MCA may contain one
component or several components. Standards
containing more than one component are called
Mixed Standards. The standards are measured
using the same conditions as will be used to
measure samples, and the known concentrations
are entered into the software.
Steric The term steric is applied to effects
caused by the shape of a molecule or group and
the amount of space it takes up. Steric hindrance
is the hindrance of the approach of a reagent
molecule to a reaction site by the presence of a
large group nearby.
Stray light The measurable radiation, at the
detector, of any wavelength outside the narrow
band expected to be transmitted by the
monochromator.

T
Temperature controller A component or
accessory used to monitor or control the
temperature of a system component. Typically
used to monitor or control the sampling
temperature of gases and liquids.
Temperature sensor A device that allows
software to read the temperature of an
instrument component, such as a gas cell or
block heater.
Template A template contains the default
information for a certain type of workflow event
or specification.
Thermoelectric cell holder An accessory into
which the sample cell is inserted that controls the
temperature to a known value.
Thermoelectric flow cell An accessory that
aspirates a sample into a cell that is temperatureregulated by an electronic means.
Three-point Net Absorbance Test A
measurement used to correct for the effects of a
broad sloping baseline on a peak height
determination by calculating a peak height
relative to a calculated baseline determined from
two "baseline" wavelengths.
Toolbar A long narrow strip at the top of a
software application window that contains action
buttons. Toolbars provide a convenient way to
initiate frequently used commands and other
functions in a single step.
Translucent The description of a material that
scatters part and transmits part of the incident
light; neither opaque or transparent.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific

Transmission The process by which radiation

travels through a sample without any change in
frequency.
Transmittance (%) A data format option for
the Y-axis of spectra software. Percent
transmittance units are normally used to display
a spectrum collected using a transmission
technique. Percent transmittance shows the
fraction of the radiation that remains after a
beam of electromagnetic radiation passes through
a sample. Percent transmittance is defined by the
formula T = (P/P0) * 100, where P is the
radiation that passes through the sample and P0
is the radiation when no sample is present.
Transparent The description of a substance that
transmits radiation without appreciable
scattering, diffusion or energy loss.
Tungsten lamp An evacuated bulb containing a
tungsten filament that emits light by passing an
electric current through it. It is commonly used
for the visible region.
Tungsten-halogen lamp A light source that
uses a "halogen cycle" to prolong lamp life.
When the tungsten filament is heated to a high
temperature, the tungsten evaporates and
combines with the halogen gas. The combined
material travels back to the filament where the
high temperature decomposes it into halogen
(which recirculates in the lamp) and tungsten
(which redeposits on the filament). It can be
operated at a higher light intensity than a
standard tungsten lamp.

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U
Ultra-micro cuvette Cuvettes that
accommodate sample volumes between 5 and
100 microliters.
Ultraviolet (UV) The portion of the
electromagnetic spectrum from 10 to 380 nm.
Ultraviolet lamp A type of lamp (usually
deuterium) that emits a high quantity of
ultraviolet radiation. It is used for
spectrophotometric measurements in the UV
region.
Unsaturated molecule One in which there are
one or more pi (p) bonds. Unsaturated organic
compounds, such as ethene (ethylene), are able
to take part readily in addition reactions with
electrophilic reagents, such as bromine. This is
because the carbon atoms are forming "double
bonds", and are capable of increasing the number
of atoms to which they are bonded from three to
four. The absorption spectra of unsaturated
molecules may lie in the UV or visible,
depending on the size and structure of the
unsaturated system.
USB port A universal serial bus connector on a
computer. A USB port uses standard A
(toward the computer) and B (away from the
computer) connectors and a standard format that
works with any USB-compatible device such as a
printer, disk drive or mouse. The computer
operating system will automatically detect a USB
device after it is plugged in the first time; these
devices can be connected and disconnected at
any time.

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UVcalc template The area of the Results Table

set up with UVcalc. It contains the instructions
to process the measurement results present in the
Results Table. The UVcalc Template can be
attached to the Application Method.

Wavelength range 1) The starting and ending

wavelengths that a monochromator can pass and
the photo detector can measure, usually limited
by the instrument controls. 2) The starting and
ending wavelengths set by the user for a scanning
measurement.

Wavelength repeatability The ability of an

instrument to measure the same wavelength
repeatedly.

Vial An inexpensive, cylindrical sample

container that is usually made of glass or plastic.
Vials are often unsuitable for taking high
accuracy measurements such as those involved in
quantitative analysis.
Visible (Vis) The portion of the electromagnetic
spectrum visible to the normal human eye (380
to 780 nm).

W
Wavelength The distance between
corresponding points in consecutive light waves.
Wavelength is measured in micrometers or
nanometers.
Wavelength Accuracy The closeness of the
wavelength value reported by the instrument to
the actual value, determined by comparing
measured and known values of sharp lines. When
a continuum source (such as a tungsten or
deuterium lamp) is used, the monochromator
passes not just one wavelength, but a small
distribution of wavelengths. In this case, the
weighted center of the intensity distribution is
what should be used to calculate the accuracy.

Wavenumber The frequency depicted in the

number of waves per centimeter, expressed as
cm-1. Wavenumber is the inverse of wavelength
(measured in centimeters) and is often used as
the X-axis unit of an infrared spectrum.
Window A rectangular area on the screen that
contains the main features of a software
application or a significant component of an
application.
Windows administrator A user who has special
rights to the Windows operating system software.
The Windows administrator has the ability to set
up user accounts and specify security settings
within the operating system. See also
administrator.
Workstation The local computer that runs
software and Windows operating system.

Z
Z-Dimension The distance between the base of
the cuvette and the center of the light beam
incident on the cuvette.
Zero The act of setting the instrument to read
0.0 Abs on a reference material. See also blank.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific