Absorbance, transmittance, and reflectance
transmission
Material Analysis · Structure & Spectroscopy
UV-Vis-NIR Spectroscopy
Characterise absorbance, transmittance, and reflectance, optical transitions, concentration, colour, or band gap, and wavelength-dependent optical performance using a scope agreed around your sample and decision.
- Price
- from£15 per sample, excl. VAT
- Turnaround
- 5 working days Preparation and scope dependent
- Available platforms
- Shimadzu UV-3600i PlusPerkinElmer LAMBDA 1050+Agilent Cary 300
- Typical outputs
- UV-Vis-NIR spectrumAbsorption coefficient, concentration, colour, or band-gap analysis where scopedRaw data and instrument settingsProcessed spectra
Why this service
What UV-Vis-NIR can help you understand
UV-Vis-NIR Spectroscopy is selected when the project needs defensible information on absorbance, transmittance, and reflectance, optical transitions, concentration, colour, or band gap, or…
Optical transitions, concentration, colour, or band gap
specular or diffuse reflectance
Wavelength-dependent optical performance
integrating-sphere, variable-angle, or temperature-dependent measurement
Choose the scope
Start from the question, not the tool
The method, preparation route and reporting depth depend on what you need to decide.
Transmission
absorbance, transmittance, and reflectance
- Best used when
- absorbance, transmittance, and reflectance
- Typical result
- UV-Vis-NIR spectrum
- Preparation note
- Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review.
Specular or diffuse reflectance
optical transitions, concentration, colour, or band gap
- Best used when
- optical transitions, concentration, colour, or band gap
- Typical result
- Absorption coefficient, concentration, colour, or band-gap analysis where scoped
- Preparation note
- State the substrate, nominal thickness and whether sectioning or mounting is permitted.
Integrating-sphere, variable-angle, or temperature-dependent measurement
wavelength-dependent optical performance
- Best used when
- wavelength-dependent optical performance
- Typical result
- Raw data and instrument settings
- Preparation note
- State the fibre type, orientation and whether cutting, bundling or mounting is acceptable.
Common outputs
A result package matched to the decision you need to make
Fields, conditions, processing and file formats are confirmed before work begins.
UV-Vis-NIR spectrum reported with the agreed units, sample reference and measurement conditions.
Absorption coefficient, concentration, colour, or band-gap analysis where scoped supplied in a labelled format suitable for direct sample or condition comparison.
Raw data and instrument settings provided with the processing basis and quality checks agreed during technical review.
Processed spectra included when selected in the confirmed reporting scope.
Example results
What UV-Vis-NIR results can look like
The plot shows uV-Vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy. Thin-film UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectra of P12–P59 neat films (dark lines) and films.
Research source · source · CC BY
The image shows plasmonic Mg FONs. Schematic of Mg FON fabrication and functionalisation with Raman reporter molecules.
Research source · source · CC BYSample requirements
What to provide before work begins
Provide representative, clearly labelled samples and identify the decision, feature or comparison that matters.
| Suitable sample | Submission requirement | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Powder / particles | Provide a dry, homogeneous and clearly labelled sample in a sealed container. | Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review. |
| Film / coating | Provide the coated substrate or a flat film with the test surface and coating side clearly marked. | State the substrate, nominal thickness and whether sectioning or mounting is permitted. |
| Fibre / textile | Provide clean, dry fibres or a representative textile section in protective packaging. | State the fibre type, orientation and whether cutting, bundling or mounting is acceptable. |
| Liquid / solution | Provide a sealed, compatible container labelled with composition, concentration and solvent. | Declare volatility, corrosivity, suspended solids and any storage or temperature requirement. |
Objective: state the decision, comparison or acceptance criterion the work must support.
Handling and access: declare hazards, instability, confidentiality, file constraints or special logistics before dispatch or transfer.
Questions and answers
Common planning decisions
Short answers to issues that can change preparation, scope, timing or interpretation.
What should I send for UV-Vis-NIR Spectroscopy?
Provide powder / particles, film / coating, fibre / textile, liquid / solution as applicable. Exact quantity, dimensions and preparation are confirmed during technical review.
Which analysis option should I choose?
Choose the mode around the decision you need to make. For absorbance, transmittance, and reflectance, start with transmission; add specular or diffuse reflectance when comparison or quantification is required.
How long will the test take?
Typical turnaround is 5 working days after sample acceptance and method confirmation.
What can limit the result?
Scattering and baseline choice can dominate powders and rough films. Band-gap extraction depends on model and transition assumptions.
Configure the service
Send the information needed to scope UV-Vis-NIR correctly
- Sample form, material, dimensions and quantity
- Feature or decision the result must address
- Required comparison, acceptance criterion or reference
- Preferred output and reporting depth