Editing Cuvette (section)

== Types ==
Historically, reusable quartz cuvettes were required for measurements in the [[ultraviolet]] range, because glass and most plastics absorb ultraviolet light, creating interference. Today there are disposable plastic cuvettes made of specialized plastics that are transparent to ultraviolet light. Glass, plastic and quartz cuvettes are all suitable for measurements made at longer wavelengths, such as in the [[visible light]] range.

"Tandem cuvettes" have a glass barrier medium that extends two-thirds of the way up in the middle, so that measurements can be taken with two solutions separated and again when they are mixed.

Cuvettes are made from quartz, and plastic (disposable) depending upon UV transmission requirements.<ref name="ramesh"/>

[[File:Cuvette with penny.jpg|thumb|133x133px|A disposable plastic cuvette]]

=== Plastic ===
[[Plastic]] cuvettes are often used in fast spectroscopic [[assay]]s, where high speed is more important than high accuracy. Plastic cuvettes with a usable wavelength range of 380–780&nbsp;[[Nanometer|nm]] (the visible spectrum) may be disposed of after use, preventing contamination from re-use. They are cheap to manufacture and purchase. Disposable cuvettes can be used in some laboratories where the beam light is not high enough to affect the [[Tolerance analysis|absorption tolerance]] and consistency of the value.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.fireflysci.com/news/2015/5/27/guide-to-disposable-cuvettes |title=Guide to Disposable Cuvettes |work=FireflySci Cuvette Shop |access-date=2017-06-21 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Most often Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and Polystyrene (PS) material are used to make the plastic cuvettes.

[[File:Quart cuvette 2.jpg|alt=A quartz cuvette|thumb|Quartz cuvette|177x177px]]
[[File:Cuvette with PTFE Cover.jpg|thumb|221x221px|A UV quartz cuvette]]

=== Glass ===
[[Crown glass (optics)|Crown glass]] has an optimal wavelength range of 340–2500&nbsp;nm. Glass cuvettes are typically for use in the wavelength range of visible light, whereas fused quartz tends to be used for ultraviolet applications.

=== Quartz ===
[[Quartz]] cells provide more durability than plastic or glass. Quartz excels at transmitting UV light, and can be used for wavelengths ranging from 190 to 2500&nbsp;nm.<ref name=":0" />

==== Fused quartz ====
[[Fused quartz]] cells are used for wavelengths below 380&nbsp;nm, i.e. [[ultraviolet|ultraviolet light]].

==== Infrared quartz ====
[[Infrared|IR]] quartz has a usable wavelength range of 220 to 3,500&nbsp;nm. It is more resistant to chemical attack from the sample solution than other types designed for fluorescence measurements.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.precisioncells.com/news/article/30/Difference-Between-Quartz-and-Glass-Cuvettes |title=FireflySci |last=Architects |first=Active Media |website=www.precisioncells.com |access-date=2017-06-23}}</ref>

=== Sapphire ===
[[Sapphire]] cuvettes are the most expensive, though provide the most durable, scratch-resistant, and transmissible material. The transmission extends from UV light to [[mid-infrared]], ranging from 250 to 5,000&nbsp;nm. Sapphire can withstand the extreme natural condition of some sample solutions and variances in temperature.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |url=http://www.fireflysci.com/news/2015/7/6/how-to-select-cuvettes-for-uv-vis-measurements-cuvette-material-guide |title=How to Select Cuvettes for UV VIS Measurements & Cuvette Material Guide |work=FireflySci Cuvette Shop |access-date=2017-06-21 |language=en-US}}</ref>