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Specifications of Cell Window Materials
General Description of Materials

Each window material is selected for use in spectrophotometer cells based on their physical properties which include light transmission and suitability for cell manufacture. The glass materials are suitable for use in the visible and near IR, the quartz material is suitable for use in the UV, visible and near IR.

How to Choose a Material

The most important consideration is the wavelength at which you will be making your analysis. If you are working in the visible or near IR only a glass material would be the most cost effective. When working in the ultraviolet the quartz material must be used. Each material has characteristics which make it the correct choice for your particular application. Please consult the table below for the specifications for each material.

Material Codes

The material code is the second element of a cuvette's part number. It will always be a letter and it signifies the material that the optical window is made from. The non-optical body of the cell is usually made from a different grade of material and is not suitable for optical use. An example part number is: "1/Q/10". The "Q" in the part number identifies the far UV quartz windows.

Material Code: G Standard Glass Material: B270, optical crown glass
Specification Value Units
Refractive Index 1.5251 ne at 546nm
1.5230 nd at 588nm
Density 2.55 g/cm3
Modulus of elasticity E=71.5 103 N/mm2
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion 95 x 10-7/K temperature range = 20-300oC
Useable optical range 334 to 2500 nanometers

Material Code: SOG Special Optical Glass Material: K5
Specification Value Units
Refractive Index 1.52458 ne at 546nm
1.52249 nd at 588nm
Density 2.59 g/cm3
Modulus of elasticity E=71.0 103 N/mm2
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion 96 x 10-7/K temperature range = 20-300oC
Useable optical range 320 to 2500 nanometers

Material Code: PX Pyrex® Material: Borosilicate
Specification Value Units
Refractive Index 1.473 nd at 587.6nm
Density 2.23 g/cm3
Modulus of elasticity E=64 103 N/mm2
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion 33 x 10-7/K temperature range = 20-300oC
Useable optical range 320 to 2500 nanometers

Material Code: Q Spectrosil® Material: Far UV Quartz
Specification Value Units
Refractive Index 1.551 200nm
1.506 254nm
1.488 300nm
1.470 400nm
1.458 600nm
1.450 1000nm
Density 2.2 g/cm3
Modulus of elasticity 73x106 Kpa
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion 5.3 x 10-7/K temperature range = 0-1000oC
Useable optical range 170 to 2700 nanometers