Cuvettes

A cuvette is a small precision-bored cell with two or four polished optical windows, used to hold liquid samples for spectroscopic measurement in UV-Vis, fluorescence, NIR, and Raman instruments. Made from UV-grade fused quartz (JGS1 / GE-124), borosilicate glass, or polymer (PMMA, PS), cuvettes come in standard external dimensions of 12.5 × 12.5 mm with internal path lengths from 0.1 mm to 100 mm — most analytical work uses the 10 mm standard. Choosing the right cuvette material, path length, and chamber volume directly determines measurement accuracy, dynamic range, and instrument compatibility (Hellma, Starna, Agilent, PerkinElmer, Shimadzu, Thermo).

Quartz Cuvettes — UV-Vis, Fluorescence, NIR & Custom OEM. MachinedQuartz manufactures 1,351+ in-stock cuvette models in standard, semi-micro, sub-micro, flow-through, cylindrical, and demountable formats. All optical-window cells are Hellma- and Starna-compatible, fit ISO 65696 cell-format spectrometer mounts, and ship in 5-8 business days from our U.S. warehouse. No MOQ on standard SKUs; custom geometries available with 2-week lead time.

Key specifications:
📏 Path Length: 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 mm
🔬 Spectral Range: 170 – 2,700 nm (UV-grade JGS1 quartz)
🧪 Volumes: 0.6 µL (sub-micro) to 35 mL (cylindrical)
🌡️ Temperature Stability: −40 °C to +650 °C (fused quartz)

Pick by application:
▸ UV-Vis spectroscopy → 10 mm 2-window UV quartz (cuts off at 170 nm, standard for Beer-Lambert)
▸ Fluorescence → 10 mm 4-window fluorometer (emission read at 90° to excitation)
▸ Trace-level UV (DNA, protein) → semi-micro or sub-micro (≤ 50 µL sample, high path through narrow chamber)
▸ HPLC online detection → quartz flow cell, 10 mm (in-line UV detector, ports for tubing)
▸ NIR (700–2500 nm) → JGS3 quartz, 10 mm (low OH content, no NIR absorption)
▸ DLS / particle size → square 10 mm with low scatter (polished all 4 sides, A++ optical grade)

📐 Resource Tools: Size Chart · Path Length Guide · Selection Guide · Solvent Compatibility · Fabrication Glossary · UV Cutoff Chart · Volume Calculator

Need Custom? For non-standard geometry, custom path length, OEM branding, or 100+ unit volume pricing, see our Custom Quartz Cuvettes service — 2-week typical lead time, MOQ from 25 pcs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these cuvettes Hellma- or Starna-compatible?Yes. All standard MachinedQuartz cuvettes use the ISO 65696 12.5 × 12.5 mm external footprint and 10 mm internal path, matching Hellma 100-QS / Starna 1-Q-10 series and fitting any spectrometer that accepts standard cells.

What is the UV cutoff of your quartz cuvettes?UV-grade JGS1 fused quartz transmits down to 170 nm at 80% T (10 mm path). Standard far-UV cuvettes transmit usefully to 190 nm. Borosilicate glass cuts off at 320 nm; PMMA at 280 nm; PS at 340 nm.

Do you offer matched pairs for sample/reference?Yes — matched-pair sets are stocked for 10 mm and 5 mm path standard cells, with absorbance match within ±0.005 A at 240 nm. Custom matching to ±0.001 A available on request.

How do I clean a used quartz cuvette?Rinse with the original solvent, then 50% nitric acid or 1% Hellmanex III, rinse with DI water, dry under nitrogen. Never use abrasive cleaners or HF — they etch the optical windows.

What’s your typical lead time and MOQ?Standard SKUs: 5-8 business days from U.S. stock, no minimum order. Custom cells: 2-3 weeks, MOQ 25 pcs for OEM branded units.