What is the difference between a spectrometer and a monochromator for absorbance measurements?
Similar to a monochromator, but much faster, the spectrometer allows you to capture the whole UV/Vis spectrum (220-1000 nm) of a sample within one second per well – no scanning is needed.
In practical terms, a monochromator only captures one measurement in the UV-Visible spectrum at a particular wavelength or a particular bandwidth, and therefore gives only one value. Whereas a spectrometer captures the entire UV-Visible spectrum in the same amount of time, giving values at every wavelength.
Here is a graphical representation of this – notice all of the information that is lost if a monochromator is used:
Find out more about this technology in an article on Genetic and Engineering News:
For more information on the UV/Vis absorbance spectrometer technology used in BMG LABTECH's instruments, visit our website. BMG LABTECH instruments that have a spectrometer include: SPECTROstar Nano, Omega Series of readers, and the PHERAstar FS.
