Types of Cuvettes and Cells

Cuvettes and cells are used to hold samples for spectroscopic and fluorescence measurements and are made from quartz glass, optical glass, plastic, and other materials. In this article, we are going to introduce the following types of cuvettes and cells:

1. Spectrophotometer Cuvettes and Cells
2. Fluorometers Cuvettes and Cells
3. Flow Through Cuvettes and Cells

Spectrophotometer Cuvettes and Cells

Cuvet.Co’s UV-vis range quartz cuvettes and spectrophotometer cells are used for testings that are being conducted in the UV-visible wavelength, that is, from 190-2500 nanometers. 

Our UV-vis range quartz cells and spectrophotometer cells are manufactured from UV grade quartz glass. This material provides 83% (HTR & CRF-H) or 80% (CRF & NRC) transmission from 190 to 2500 mm and is the best choice for tests within that range. The transmission of our IR quartz cuvettes is 80% over the usable range of 220 to 3500 nm. 

The most widely used types of cuvette cells in the analytical chemistry field are rectangular cells. Our cuvettes are designed and fabricated with precise tolerances to make sure all these rectangular cells will be able to fit the cell holders of virtually any brand of spectroscopic instruments.

Open Top Spectrometer Cuvettes

Open Top Standard 3.5ml Spectroscopy / Absorption Cuvettes

These cuvettes have a volume of 3.5ml, 2 optical windows, and 12.5×12.5×45 mm outer dimension. Custom engraving/labeling available.

• Outside dimensions 12.5 x 12.5 x 45 mm
• Lightpath: 10 mm, ±0.01mm
• PTFE cover included
• Cushioned package and storage box included 
• Cell bodies are of fused-wall construction (except NRC)
• Cells are usable in the spectral range 190 – 2500 nm

Accessories for Standard Open top Cuvettes

These silicone lids provide a better sealing than PTFE lids and an alternative for self healing injection. Cuvette racks for easy handling of standard cells.

Open Top Lid Micro/Macro Spectrophotometer Cuvettes and Cells

While 10mm pathlength cuvettes are the most commonly used, we also supply cell path lengths from 0.2 mm to 100 mm, as shown below. All our standard cuvette window thickness is 1.25 mm. These are the most basic, fundamental cuvette types, virtually fitting all types of spectrophotometers. 

Micro/Macro cuvette cells refer to the internal volume that holds the sample. These cells have an internal width of 10mm, a length equal to the optical path length (0.2/0.5/1/2/5/10/20/30/40/50100mm) and a height of 45 mm.  

The cuvette cells come with Teflon Lids and two polished windows for spectroscopic and absorption measurements. The other sides are frosted to help eliminate stray light.

• Open top, with non-sealing PTFE lid
• Silicone lid available on request for 10mm cells only, providing a liquid-tight seal
• Two polished windows
• Walls polished internally, fine ground externally.
• Designed for all standard cuvette cell holders

Quartz Material Cuvettes

Compatible Accessories for Short Path Length Cuvettes:

IR Material Cuvettes

We are here to customize:

Customized Shorter Height Cuvettes

10mm Path Length Spectrometer Cuvette but Height is Shorter than Normal 45mm. Height can be Customized to any Size Required.

Customized Shorter Path Length Cuvettes – Non-standard

Here is some examples of the cuvettes path lengths shorter than standard 10mm, customization to other sizes are also available:

Customized Two Ends Open Spectrometer Cuvettes

Or you might want the cuvette to be bottomless. Let us know and we’ll customize as needed.

10mm Path Length with Wider Polished Windows. 

We are able to customize the internal width to fit different applications. The following 10mm cells of absorption spectrophotometers are usually used in colorimetric measurements.

Non-standard Path Length Cuvettes with Wider Polished Windows

Stopper Spectrophotometer Cuvettes

Instead of open top lids, this type of cuvettes are equipped with PTFE stoppers which are useful for absorption experiments that require airtight sealing.

• Liquid-tight seal PTFE stoppers included
• Two polished windows
• Walls polished internally, fine ground externally
• Designed for all standard cuvette cell holders

10mm Stopper Head Cuvettes

Stopper Top Micro/Macro Cuvettes, Spectrophotometer Cells

While most rectangular cells are provided with a PTFE lid as above, for better sealing purposes, stopper tops are also available for most sizes. Cuvettes with Teflon stoppers are used to prevent evaporation of volatile solvents and aid in mixing by inversion.

Triangular fluorescence cell with PTFE stopper

Fluorescence cuvettes for use in front-face illumination experiments. These triangle cuvettes are useful for measurements with dense samples with high optical densities.

Compatible Accessories:

Customized Stopper Cuvettes

Screw Cap Spectrometer Cuvettes

Screw Cap Standard Spectrophotometer Cuvettes, Rectangular 

Spectrophotometer cuvette cells with PTFE screw caps and PTFE/silicone liner for use in anaerobic or long-term storage applications. Each cuvette comes with a closed screw cap and liner. Alternatively, a 2mm center hole open screw cap with a SEPTA for self-healing injection applications.

Screw Cap Micro/Macro Cuvettes and Cells for Spectrophotometers

For long term storage of samples in cuvettes, screw cap cuvettes are better. Our threaded screw tops have the widest interior opening for easy cleaning compared to other cell companies.

For 10mm path length screw cap cuvettes, see above >>

Graded Seal UV-vis Cuvettes

Cuvettes with quartz to borosilicate graded seal tubes. This structure allows for these long mouth cuvettes to be welded to other borosilicate structures. The stock tube size is OD 8mm and ID 6mm.

Long mouth cuvette with quartz tube is also available at lower cost.

Semi-micro Spectrophotometer Cuvettes

Open tops with Teflon lids, the sample volume is reduced by making the internal width to 1/2/3/4/5mm wide, making the cuvette volume from 3.5ml to 0.35/0.7/1/1.4/1.7mL. The external dimension is still 12.5*12.5*45mm. These cuvettes have a path length of 10mm.

• Internal width: 1 – 5 mm
• Approximate outside dimensions: 12.5 x 12.5 x 45 mm high
• Nominal working volume as shown in the description
• Flared at top to assist filling

Semi Micro cells are for use when the available sample volume is less than the volume required for standard square cells. The nominal working volume of these cells is as little as 10% of that for standard cells of the same path length.

We are here to customize:

Customized Shorter Height Semi-micro Cuvette

This stock narrow width cuvette has a height of 35mm instead of 45mm. We are also available to customize other sizes.

Customized Shorter Path Lengths

Sub-Micro Spectrophotometer Cuvettes

For spectrophotometer cells with ultra-micro capacities less than 350uL, the Z dimension, where there is a limited sample aperture.

More about Z dimension: https://cuvet.co/z-dimensions/

All Black Self-masking Sub-micro Cuvettes

The following self-Masking cuvettes are designed with black walls which absorb direct and scattered light.

Semi Black Sub-micro Cuvettes

Fluorometer Cuvettes and Cells

Open Top Fluorescence Cuvettes

Open Top Standard 3.5ml Fluorometer / Fluorescence Cuvettes

These cuvettes have a volume of 3.5ml, 4 optical polished windows, and 12.5 x 12.5 x 45 mm outer dimension. Custom engraving/labeling service available.

Accessories for Standard Open top Cuvettes

These silicone lids provide better sealing than PTFE lids and an alternative for self-healing injection. Cuvette racks for easy handling of standard cells.

Open Top Micro/Macro Fluorometer Cuvettes and Cells

While 10mm pathlength cuvettes are the most commonly used, we also supply cell path lengths from 1 mm to 50 mm, as shown below. These are the most basic, fundamental cuvette styles. These cuvettes are also Dual Path Length Cuvettes. 

Dual Path Length Cuvettes and Cells

By changing the orientation of the dual path length cuvettes in the cuvette holder, researchers can make both fluorescence and absorption measurements in a single cuvette with different path lengths.

All cuvettes below have a 10mm path length in one direction and a smaller(bigger) path length at 90°. All four walls are clear windows.

Longer or smaller light path lengths cuvettes are available by customization.

Compatible Accessories:

We are here to customize:

Customized Shorter Height Cuvettes

10mm Path Length Spectrometer Cuvette but Height is Shorter than Normal 45mm. Height can be customized to any size required.

Customized Shorter Path Length Cuvettes – Non-standard

Here are some examples of the cuvettes path lengths shorter than standard 10mm, with 4 clear windows for fluorescence applications, customization to other sizes is also available:

Tandem/ Divided Cuvette

Customized Two Ends Open Cuvettes

Or you might want the cuvette to be bottomless. Some standard size cuvettes can also be tailored to bottomless.

Stopper Fluorometer Cuvettes

Stopper 10mm Pathlength Fluorescence Cuvettes

Instead of open-top lids, this type of fluorometer cuvettes is equipped with PTFE stoppers which are useful for fluorescence experiments that require airtight sealing.

Micro/Macro Stopper Fluorometer Cuvettes Cells

Compatible Accessories:

Short-Path Length Fluorescence Cuvette with Stopper 

Triangular Fluorescence Cells

Fluorescence cuvettes for use in front-face illumination experiments. These triangle cuvettes are useful for measurements with dense samples with high optical densities.

• Fits 12.5mm square cell holder
• Three windows polished

Screw Cap Fluorometer Cuvettes

Screw Cap Standard Fluorometer Cuvettes, Rectangular

Fluorometer cuvette cells with PTFE screw caps and PTFE/silicone liner for use in anaerobic or long-term storage applications. Each cuvette comes with a closed screw cap and liner. Alternatively, a 2mm center hole open screw cap with a SEPTA for self-healing injection applications.

Micro Screw Cap Fluorometer Cuvettes and Cells

Compatible Accessories:

Short Height Screw Cap Fluorometer Cuvettes

Short Height and 12*12mm Fluorescence Cuvettes

This type of screw cuvette has 12*12*48mm out dimension.

Graded Seal Fluorescence Cuvettes

Cuvettes with quartz to borosilicate graded seal tubes. This structure allows for these long mouth cuvettes to be welded to other borosilicate structures. The stock tube size is OD 8mm and ID 6mm.

Long mouth cuvette with quartz material tube is also available with a lower cost.

Semi-micro Spectrophotometer Cuvettes

Open tops with Teflon lids, the sample volume is reduced by making the internal width to 1/2/3/4/5mm wide, making the cuvette volume from 3.5ml to 0.35/0.7/1/1.4/1.7mL. The external dimension is still 12.5*12.5*45mm. These cuvettes have a path length of 10mm.

Sub-Micro Fluorescence Cuvettes

Sub-Micro Self-masking Open Top Lid Fluorometer Cuvettes

Fluorometer cells with ultra-micro capacities less than 350uL.The Z dimension is important for sub micro volume cuvettes, where there is a limited sample aperture.

More about Z dimension: https://cuvet.co/z-dimensions/

All Black Self Masking Sub-micro Cuvettes

The following self-Masking cuvettes are designed with black walls that absorb direct and scattered light.

All Clear Sub-micro Cuvettes

Flow Through Cuvettes and Cells, Quartz

Flow through cuvettes and cells are used with continuous flow measurements in the field of chromatography or system production, another application is sipper systems when individual sample measurements are aspirated into the flow cells.

A wide selection of designs of flow cell volumes, flow patterns, optical path lengths and tubing requirements are available with us to fit each application. It’s our effort to offer this wide range of cells and simplify the process of selection as much as possible. 

The quartz cuvettes are accurate throughout the 190 nm to 2500 nm spectral range. If you have questions or need a custom design of flow cells, please email us and we will answer your requests promptly.

Both Ends Open Flow Cells

These types of cuvettes are bottomless and come without quartz or steel connectors.

Flow Through Cuvettes with Quartz Connectors 

Flow Through Cuvettes with Steel Connectors 

Mounted Type

Demountable Cuvettes

Demountable cuvettes are usually used in measurements of circular dichroism.

Compatible Accessories:

Flow Cells with Side Quartz Connectors

Flow Cells with Screw PTFE Connectors

Sub-micro Self Masking Flow Cells

The following self-Masking cuvettes are designed with black walls that absorb direct and scattered light.

Quartz Connectors Flow Through Cuvettes

M6 Connectors Flow Through Cuvettes

By using M6 threaded connectors, flow cells can be easily and securely connected to pump and manifold plumbing systems. The M6 type is standard metric threaded which makes a tight seal when threaded into the top of the flow through cells.

Steel Connector Micro Volume Flow Cells