Measuring Diverse Samples With UV-Vis-NIR Spectrophotometer: An Example Workflow and Evaluation Methodology for Integrating Spheres

The integrating sphere accessory is the most frequently used accessory on UV/Vis/NIR instruments.

With an integrating sphere, one can measure just about any sample type including, solids, liquids, gels, creams, films, particle suspensions, skin, and other biologicals. In addition, samples that are turbid, cloudy, semi-transparent, or opaque can be easily measured as well. Integrating spheres are the Swiss Army Knife of spectroscopy. The ability to understand the measurement techniques of spheres is key to the evaluation of spectrophotometric materials characterization data.

The most common question materials characterization spectroscopists ask themselves is, “How do I measure this sample?” They ponder this as they are looking some unusual sample, like a rock or even a cockroach. And yes, they can both be measured with an integrating sphere accessory!

This webcast will consist entirely of spectra from a series of example samples that cover the range of specular and diffuse reflectance/transmission characteristics. We will concentrate on the decision-making process of how to measure these different sample types with both the stand-alone instrument and integrating sphere accessary. Included will be a detailed discussion of how to evaluate spectral data from the various sphere measurement formats. This webinar will also cover all the basic measurement configurations of integrating spheres and how to properly evaluate the sample’s material properties from collected spectra.

Presenter: Jeffrey L. Taylor, Ph.D. (Molecular Spectroscopy Guru, Industry Expert With Over 35 Years of Experience)

Dr. Jeffrey L. Taylor received his Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia College and State University with dual majors in Physiology and Organic Chemistry. He obtained a Master of Science degree from the University of Georgia in Toxicology and later a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the same school in Biochemistry and Spectroscopy.

He has spent his career of over 35 years with major spectroscopy instruments manufacturers, mainly working as Field Product Specialist and Senior Staff Scientist. Areas of expertise include technical support of sales, customer support/training, applications design and development, software specification/evaluation, and instrumental design and evaluation. He is the author of numerous application notes, conference presentations and webcasts, and holder of several patents.

Dr. Taylor, although retired, maintains his desire to contribute to the field. He is currently a consultant for Shimadzu Scientific Instruments to assist with sales support, application support and development of web-based educational resources.

Presenter: Sudhir Dahal, Ph.D. (Product Manager - Molecular Spectroscopy, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments)

Sudhir Dahal is Product Manager of Molecular Spectroscopy group at Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, USA. He joined the company after obtaining his PhD from University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), where he researched and collaborated on developing novel spectroscopy-based technique for brain tumor cell detection. At Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, he and his group are responsible for overall sales support of molecular spectroscopy products in North America, Central America and parts of South America. The products include UV-Vis-NIR, FTIR, Fluorescence spectrophotometers and accessories.

,His everyday responsibilities include, but are not limited to, teaching classes to sales/technical support engineers and customers, producing scientific literatures, researching new products and applications, representing Shimadzu at conferences and promoting the products through various marketing campaigns.