1. Microbiology 345: Using an Ultraspec UV-vis recording spectrometer
The spectrometer is turned on and left to warm up. The absorbance has been set to scan from 320 to 230 nm. Water is put into the cuvette for a blank (the liquid used may change depending on the experimental set-up). The cuvette is wiped with a kimwipe.
The cuvette is put in the cuvette holder inside the spectrometer and the lid is closed.
Once the spectrometer is blanked, the cuvette is removed and washed. The vacuume tap is turned on and the cuvette is placed upside down on the vacuume outlet.
The cuvette is rinsed once with distilled water, then when partially dry it is rinsed once with 95% ethanol to complete drying.
The sample (in this experiment it is DNA) is put into the cuvette and placed inside the spectrometer. Note that the cuvette is wiped again with a kimwipe.
When the run button is pressed, the wavelength scans and the LCD screen shows the recording of the Absorbance change during the wavelength scan. Notice the peaks being traced on the screen.
The print button is pressed and the HP printer attached to the spectrometer prints the results so a permanent record is made.
NOTE: These special cuvettes are very sensitive to fingerprints. The front and back of the cuvette (through which the beam passes) should never be touched. Two sides are rough and can be touched safely. Thus when holding a cuvette, ONLY the rough sides should be in contact with your fingers. Also the front and back of the cuvettes are wiped with a kimwipe to clean them.