Spectroscopy requires knowledge of the transmission range. This range tells you what sort of cuvette material you require, which is significant for budget-conscious customers.
VIS stands for “visible,” which signifies visible light. NASA’s VIS cuvette works from 380-700 nm. All VIS cuvette materials are cheap.
What Can a VIS Cuvette Be Used For?
Read “How to Choose Cuvettes for UV-VIS Measurements and a Guide to Cuvette Materials” for further information.
Below is a chart with VIS cuvette transmission statistics.
| Material | Name | UV/VIS/IR | Wavelength Range |
| Plastic | UV Plastic | UV-VIS | 220-900 nm |
| Plastic | Polystyrene | VIS | 340-900 nm |
| Plastic | Acrylic | VIS | 285-900 nm |
| Glass | IR Quartz | UV-VIS-IR | 220-3,500 nm |
| Glass | Sapphire | UV-VIS-IR | 250-5,000 nm |
| Glass | UV Quartz | UV-VIS | 190-2,500 nm |
| Glass | Optical Glass | VIS | 340-2,000 nm |
Does VIS Fluorescence Work?
VIS cuvettes are used for fluorescence. Fluorescence requires a smooth-sided cuvette. VIS cuvettes with polished sides and frosted walls won’t operate.
Disposable Cuvette Use
Cheap disposable cells are used for VIS. You don’t have to wash the 100 cuvettes in the package.
How to utilise disposable cuvettes:
Check at least two cuvettes before setting the machine to zero. Plastic cell batches might vary.
Plastic cells are easily scratched, so check the optical surfaces.
Cover unused plastic cells to prevent dirt from entering cuvettes. Don’t touch light-reflecting surfaces. If you wish to reuse a sample, remove any drips from the corners using a micropipette. One-time use of plastic cuvettes.
