IBM Visible Range Spectrophotometer 6300 - Manual (Page 9)

SECTION 3
OPERATION
3.1 INITIAL SET-UP
NOTE: If the unit is in continuous use it is recommended that it should be left switched
on to obtain maximum lamp life. Do not open the sample chamber door during
initialisation.
Connect the unit to the correct mains supply and switch on. After switch on, the Model 6300 automatically
re-aligns the monochromator at zero order wavelength. During this initialisation, the 6300 displays CAL on
the primary display and the wavelength on the secondary display. The wavelength will change as the 6300
searched for the peak output at zero nm. After calibration, the unit will then go to the last wavelength used
and enter the measurement mode last used.
The following error conditions, which are displayed for 2 seconds, are possible if the 6300 fails to find the
zero order peak:
Err 4 Lamp failed after initially finding 0nm peak. If the lamp has failed, it should be replaced.
Err 5 No light level detected. The instrument has failed to find a zero order peak. Possible causes of this
error are that the lamp has failed or that a sample has been left in the unit which is absorbing the zero order
light.
Err 6 No dark level detected. The instrument checks the region below 320nm which should have no
optical throughput. If this region cannot be found the most likely cause is that the sample chamber lid is not
closed.
3.2 SAMPLE MEASUREMENT
Many methodologies are well documented and where these are available the recommended wavelength
should be used. Where a new methodology is being developed, the choice of wavelength can often be
approximately determined by choosing an absorbance wavelength that is complimentary in colour to that of
the standard solution. The list given below illustrates this point. The chart may be read from left to right or
right to left, i.e; a blue sample requires a yellow filter / a yellow sample requires a blue filter.
Blue - Yellow
Greenish/Blue - Orange
Bluish Green - Red
Green - Red or Blue
Colours, as they relate to wavelength, can be reviewed by placing a screen, i.e; a piece of card in the 6300
light path where it passes through the sample chamber. It will be seen that 400nm gives blue light and
700nm gives red, with a progression between these points of green, yellow and orange.
NOTE: The human eye is unable to detect wavelengths below 400nm or above 700nm.
Once a complimentary colour has been chosen the precise analytical wavelength needs to be selected. This
wavelength will normally be that which gives the maximum absorbance value. This can be selected by
scanning in 5nm steps until an optimum is reached. It should be noted that zero absorbance point will
change with wavelength. A zero CAL should be carried out whenever the wavelength is changed.
6 6300/REV B/12-96