Measure absorption and transmission with the Ossila Spectrophotometer
Compact spectrophotometer with a highly sensitive silicon photomultiplier detector
Overview | Specifications | Features | Gallery | Software | In the Box
The Ossila Spectrophotometer is a modern solution for absorption and transmission measurements, featuring an integrated hyperspectral white LED with a wavelength coverage of 380–1000 nm. The system is built around an ultra-fast monochromator with a highly sensitive silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) detector, which delivers excellent performance even when measuring low-light samples. The whole spectrophotometer, including the sample chamber, fits within a compact footprint of just 16 cm x 26 cm. Intuitive software controls the entire instrument and makes taking measurements quick and simple.
While most spectrophotometers rely on tungsten-halogen or deuterium lamps, the Ossila Spectrophotometer uses an LED lamp with an adjustable power output. This not only keeps the price low, but also means a shorter warm-up time, a significantly longer lifespan than traditional lamps, and a much lower power consumption. The integrated silicon photomultiplier, meanwhile, ensures high sensitivity when detecting transmitted light. SiPMs are far more sensitive than standard photodiodes, and active temperature correction delivers a stable reading over time.
The spectrophotometer accommodates both thin film and standard cuvette samples with a rotating sample stage which indexes in 22.5-degree increments, ensuring consistent sample positioning between measurements. Bandpass filters can be slotted directly into the beam path using the built-in filter holders.
Compact Size
Suitable for all lab benches and worktops at less than 20cm x 30cm
Fully Integrated System
Just plug into a PC, install the software, and you're ready to measure
Great Low-Light Performance
Highly sensitive SiPM detector with active temperature correction
Short Warm-Up Time
Long-lasting and efficient broadband LED light source
Specifications
| Spectral range (broadband) | 380 – 1000 nm |
|---|---|
| Wavelength accuracy | <1 nm (in calibrated range) |
| Wavelength repeatability | <0.1 nm |
| Spectral resolution | Slit width dependent |
| Slit type | Manual – micrometer driven with 10 μm resolution |
| Slit size | 50 μm – 6 mm (W) x 10 mm (H) |
| Maximum sample size | 75 (W) x 50 (H) x 5 (D) mm |
| Cuvette size | 10 x 10 mm; maximum height 52 mm |
| Dimensions | 160 x 260 x 100 mm |
| Weight | 2.7 kg |
Spectrophotometer Features
Ready When You Are
Put your sample into the sample chamber, set up your experiment from within the easy-to-use software, and start measuring straight-away thanks to the fast warm-up LED light source and clever design with rotating sample stage and filter holders.
Measure With Confidence
Get clean data from even the most challenging samples thanks to the silicon photomultiplier detector, a solid-state detector with sensitivity rivalling traditional photomultiplier tubes with none of the bulk, high voltage requirements, or price tag. Active temperature correction ensures accurate, repeatable measurements regardless of how long you've been measuring without the need to stop and recalibrate.
Performance Without the Footprint
Measuring less than 20 cm × 30 cm, the compact design of the Ossila Spectrophotometer allows it to fit comfortably on crowded benches or alongside existing equipment where larger, more expensive spectrophotometers simply wouldn't be practical.
Spectrophotometers vs. Spectrometers
Both spectrophotometers and spectrometers split light into constituent wavelengths and measure intensity at specific wavelengths. The terms "spectrometer" and "spectrophotometer" are frequently used interchangeably, but operate under different working principles. In spectrophotomers like the Ossila Spectrophotometer, the diffraction grating rotates, sequentially directing different wavelengths onto a single pixel detector. By comparison, the Ossila USB Spectrometer uses a fixed diffraction grating and a multi-pixel array detector, so all the dispersed light hits the detector at once and the intensity of all wavelengths is measured simultaneously.
A Quick Comparison
Despite both instruments being capable of absorption and transmission measurements, spectrophotometers and spectrometers differ in design and setup. While spectrophotometers contain multiple optics components, a spectrometer is an individual instrument for integration with separate components.
| Spectrophotometers | Spectrometers | |
|---|---|---|
| Diffraction Grating | Rotating (in monochromator) | Fixed |
| Sensor | Single-pixel photodetector | Multipixel array (CCD) |
| Entrance Slit | Adjustable | Fixed |
| Measurement Acquisition | Intensity of transmitted light at specific wavelengths | Entire spectrum at once |
| Light Source Included? |
Broadband |
 |
| Sample Holder Included? |
For thin films and liquids |
|
| Additional Components Needed | None | Light source, sample holder, optical fibers |
| Price | £6000 | £1250 |
Ossila Spectrophotometer vs. Spectrofluorometer
Spectrophotometers and spectrofluorometers share a common foundation, but differ in complexity and capability. Spectrophotometers use a single monochromator and detector to select the wavelength of incident light and measure absorption and transmission. Spectrofluorometers can be used in this way too, but are also equipped with a second monochromator and detector, which can be used to isolate the emission light coming out. In addition, the Ossila Spectrofluorometer includes a UV light source alongside the broadband white light source, as many fluorescent molecules require ultraviolet wavelengths to excite fluorescence. Together, these additional components enable spectrofluorometers to capture both emission and excitation fluorescence spectra as well as absorbance and transmission data.
At a Glance
| Ossila Spectrophotometer | Ossila Spectrofluorometer | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Monochromators | 1 | 2 |
| Number of Detectors | 1 | 2 |
| Broadband Light Source | |
|
| UV Light Source | |
|
| Suitable for Absorbance Measurements? | |
|
| Suitable for Fluorescence Measurements? | |
Both emission and excitation spectra |
| Price | £6000 | £11000 |
Spectrophotometer Gallery
Software
The Ossila Spectrophotometer can be controlled through intuitive PC software that makes setting up and running experiments straightforward. Choose from multiple measurement types, define your parameters, create plots in real-time, and export your data from a single interface. The software gives you full control over instrument settings, including light source power and wavelength, without adding unnecessary complexity.
In the Box
- The Ossila Spectrophotometer
- Cuvette holder
- Thin film holder
- USB-C data cable
- USB drive with software & user manual
- 24V power supply