Name: Spectrophotometer Cuvette, Polystyrene (PS)
SKU: 111117
Availability: InStock

Cuvettes

<h2 dir="ltr">What are Cuvettes?</h2>
 Cuvettes are small, precision-dimensioned transparent vessels used to hold liquid samples in the light path of a spectrophotometer, fluorometer, or colorimeter for measurement of absorbance, transmittance, fluorescence intensity, or fluorescence polarization. The standard cuvette has a 10 mm optical path length (the distance light travels through the sample), a square or rectangular cross-section, and an internal volume of 1&ndash;4 mL. Cuvettes are manufactured in four main materials&mdash;polystyrene (PS) or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) plastic, optical glass, UV-grade quartz (fused silica), and IR quartz&mdash;each covering a different wavelength range. Choose plastic cuvettes for routine visible-light absorbance (380&ndash;780 nm) where disposability prevents cross-contamination; choose optical glass for reusable visible-range work (340&ndash;2,500 nm); choose UV quartz when measurements extend into the UV range below 340 nm (190&ndash;2,500 nm).
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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<ul>
<li data-section-id="1cg0wqn" data-start="1810" data-end="1862">Spectrophotometer cuvettes for absorbance analysis</li>
<li data-section-id="vbobpt" data-start="1863" data-end="1890">Polystyrene (PS) cuvettes</li>
<li data-section-id="14z5a6i" data-start="1891" data-end="1906">PMMA cuvettes</li>
<li data-section-id="1h4vr7o" data-start="1907" data-end="1966">Analyzer-specific cuvettes for clinical chemistry systems</li>
<li data-section-id="b3k6fl" data-start="1967" data-end="1998">Standard path length cuvettes</li>
<li data-section-id="td8a19" data-start="1999" data-end="2043">Accessories for spectrophotometer cuvettes</li>
</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr"> How to Choose Cuvettes</h2>
 Material and Wavelength Range Plastic (PS/PMMA) cuvettes transmit visible light from 380&ndash;780 nm and are single-use, eliminating cleaning and cross-contamination risk. They are unsuitable for UV measurements, organic solvents, or strong acids. Optical glass cuvettes transmit 340&ndash;2,500 nm, covering the full visible and near-infrared range; Different manufacturers recommend different procedures. UV quartz cuvettes are traditionally used for DNA/RNA quantification at OD260/OD280 because they transmit UV wavelengths below 340 nm. IR quartz extends to 3,500 nm for near-IR applications. Optical Path Length The standard 10 mm path length follows the Beer-Lambert law at normal sample concentrations. Semi-micro (5 mm path) and micro-volume cuvettes (1 mm path, or internal volumes down to 10&ndash;70 &micro;L) are used for precious or limited-volume samples. The path length directly multiplies absorbance: a 1 mm cuvette gives 1/10 the absorbance of a 10 mm cuvette for the same solution &mdash; account for this in Beer-Lambert calculations. Volume: Macro vs. Semi-Micro vs. Micro Macro cuvettes (1&ndash;4 mL) are the standard for routine spectrophotometry. Semi-micro cuvettes (0.5&ndash;1.5 mL) reduce sample consumption. Micro cuvettes (10&ndash;350 &micro;L) are used when sample volume is limited; sub-micro cuvettes (10 &micro;L or less) suit precious clinical or research samples. Confirm that your spectrophotometer's beam height and aperture are compatible with the cuvette format before purchasing micro formats. Two-Window vs. Four-Window Standard cuvettes have two optically clear windows (the light-entry and exit faces) and two frosted or ribbed side walls for gripping. Four-window (all-clear) cuvettes are required for fluorescence measurements at 90&deg; to the excitation beam &mdash; the two additional clear windows allow emitted fluorescence to exit perpendicular to the excitation path. Confirm whether your instrument requires a standard or fluorescence-grade cuvette. Reusable vs. Disposable Quartz and glass cuvettes are reusable; their higher up-front cost&nbsp;is justified for low-throughput precision work or when solvents or UV wavelengths are required. Plastic cuvettes cost fractions of a cent per use and eliminate washing time in high-throughput assay workflows. Select disposable plastic for any routine colorimetric assay (Bradford, BCA, ELISA plate reader backup, OD600 bacterial growth) where wavelengths stay in the visible range. 
<h2 dir="ltr"> Specifications Context</h2>
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The 10 mm path length standard cuvette has internal dimensions of 10 &times; 10 mm cross-section and an internal height of approximately 45 mm. Outer dimensions are 12.5 &times; 12.5 mm, fitting all standard spectrophotometer cell holders. Window parallelism tolerance is &plusmn;0.01 mm for precision quartz cuvettes; standard optical glass cuvettes have &plusmn;0.1 mm tolerance. Light transmission through UV quartz: &gt;90% at 220 nm and &gt;85% at 200 nm. For nucleic acid quantification, a UV quartz cuvette with a minimum path length of 10 mm is required for OD 260/280 measurements; the ratio of OD260/OD280 should be 1.8&ndash;2.0 for pure DNA and 1.9&ndash;2.1 for pure RNA as a purity indicator. As of 2026, plastic disposable cuvettes remain the most cost-efficient choice for labs running &gt;50 absorbance readings per day in the visible range.
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Need the right fit? MBP can guide you to cuvettes that match your workflow perfectly. For institutional pricing and PO-based bulk ordering, <a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us" style="color: #236fa1; text-decoration: underline;">contact MBP</a>&nbsp;directly.

111117-Group-Analyzer Consumables Catalog

Spectrophotometer Cuvette, Polystyrene (PS)

The Spectrophotometer Cuvette, Polystyrene (PS) by Globe Scientific is a disposable 10 mm path length cuvette, wavelength range 340–800 nm, absorption variation within ±1%. Packaged in dust-free PE foam trays, 100 per tray. Available in 4.5mL (111117, 111117-500, 2 or 4 sides: 111137), 2.9mL (112117, 112117-500), and 1.5mL (112137) sizes. Suitable for Bradford, BCA, OD600, and general visible-range colorimetric assays; not for UV measurements below 340 nm.