Spectrophotometers for Vietnam: Choosing UV-Vis, AAS and FTIR Instruments for Your Lab
A spectrophotometer measures how much light a sample absorbs, transmits, or reflects at each wavelength. From that, a lab can identify compounds and work out their concentration. This guide is for universities, colleges, and testing labs buying spectrophotometers for Vietnam. It explains the main types, the specs to compare, and what to send when you ask an exporter in India for a quote.
LabExports makes and exports lab equipment from India. Its spectrophotometer category lists UV-Vis, visible, and atomic absorption models. Prices are quoted on request by model, quantity, and delivery point.
How a spectrophotometer works
A lamp sends light into a monochromator. This picks out a narrow band of wavelengths. That light passes through the sample, usually held in a cuvette. A detector measures how much light gets through. Absorbance is the base-10 logarithm of light in divided by light out: A = log10(I0/I).
By the Beer-Lambert law, absorbance rises in step with concentration over a working range. So a lab can plot a curve from known standards and read unknown samples against it.
Types of spectrophotometers for Vietnam labs
UV-visible spectrophotometer
A UV-visible spectrophotometer covers ultraviolet and visible light. It is the main tool in many chemistry, pharmacy, and water labs. Uses include drug assays, DNA and protein checks, and tests for nitrate and other ions in water.
- Single beam models are simple and suit teaching and routine tests.
- Double beam models split the light between the sample and a reference. This corrects for lamp drift and suits longer scans and research work.
Visible and bio spectrophotometers
A visible spectrophotometer covers only the visible range. It is often enough for coloured tests in schools, food labs, and water kits. A bio spectrophotometer is set up for small volumes and life-science methods such as nucleic acid and cell density readings.
Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS)
An atomic absorption spectrophotometer measures metals such as lead, copper, zinc, and iron. The sample is turned into free atoms in a flame or a graphite furnace. A hollow cathode lamp for each element shines through the atoms, and the drop in light gives the concentration. The catalog lists single beam, double beam, and fully automatic AAS models.
A flame AAS needs a supply of acetylene and compressed air, and an exhaust hood above the burner. Plan gas storage with your safety officer before the instrument arrives.
FTIR and NIR spectrometers
A Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer records an infrared spectrum that acts like a fingerprint for a compound. Labs use it to name plastics, drugs, and unknown samples. An ATR (attenuated total reflectance) add-on lets you test solids and liquids with little prep. LabExports lists an FTIR spectrometer in its material lab range. A near-infrared (NIR) spectrophotometer, in the food analysis lab range, is used for fast moisture, protein, and fat checks.
Some labs also ask about fluorescence, Raman, NMR, or circular dichroism units. These are niche systems. Ask for them by name in your request so availability can be confirmed.
Specs to compare
| Spec | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Wavelength range | Which part of the spectrum you can measure, in nm |
| Bandwidth | How narrow the band of light is; narrow gives more detail |
| Wavelength accuracy and repeatability | Whether peaks show up in the right place each time |
| Photometric range and accuracy | The absorbance range you can trust |
| Stray light | Unwanted light that limits readings at high absorbance |
| Beam design | Single or double beam |
| Software and output | Scanning, kinetics, data export, printer or PC link |
ASTM E275 describes how to state and test the performance of UV and visible spectrophotometers. You can cite it when you ask suppliers to give specs on the same basis.
Accessories and checks
When you budget for spectrophotometers for Vietnam, include accessories from the start. Common items are quartz cuvettes for UV work, glass or plastic cuvettes for visible work, cell holders, a sipper for high sample counts, and a Peltier or water-jacketed holder for temperature control. Reflectance attachments let a UV-Vis unit measure solid surfaces such as glass and coatings.
Check the instrument on arrival and at set intervals. Labs commonly use a holmium oxide filter to check wavelength accuracy and a potassium dichromate solution to check photometric accuracy. Keep a log of each check.
Import notes for Vietnam
- Vietnam uses 220 V, 50 Hz mains power. State this so the instrument and PC come set for local supply.
- Add a UPS or stabilizer for long scans or AAS runs.
- Check if English manuals and training are enough, or if your institution needs them in Vietnamese.
- Instruments ship by sea or air freight with export documents. Ask for each one to be packed in fitted foam, then unpack and test each unit on arrival.
The Vietnam tender guide covers public procurement there, and the lab tender support page explains the spec sheets and bid papers LabExports can prepare.
Requesting a quote for spectrophotometers for Vietnam
Send the type and beam design, the wavelength range, the tests you plan to run, the accessories, quantity, and the delivery city or port. Add any tender reference. For the wider instrument picture, read our guide to analytical lab equipment. Then send your spectrophotometer quote request.