If you searched "quartz cuvette for spectrophotometer," you already know you need fused silica — the question is which one fits your instrument and your sample. This guide answers both: the universal dimensions that fit Agilent, Shimadzu, PerkinElmer, Thermo, Hitachi and Jasco holders, plus a quick way to pick the right closure, path length and grade from our range.
Almost certainly yes. The rectangular cuvette is built to a universal mechanical standard that every major benchtop UV-Vis maker designs its sample holder around. Our cells share the same envelope:
| Dimension | Standard value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| External body | 12.5 × 12.5 × 45 mm | Drops into any standard holder |
| Light path (Z) | 10 mm (1 cm) | Matches factory validation of the instrument |
| Window centre height | 8.5 mm above base | Beam hits the clear window, not the wall |
| Wall thickness | 1.25 mm | Structural standard across brands |
The same envelope is accepted by the cuvette holders of Agilent (8453, Cary 50/60/100/300, 8454), Shimadzu (UV-1800, UV-1900, UV-2450/2550, UV-2600/2700, UVmini), PerkinElmer (Lambda 25/35/45, Lambda 650/750/850, LAMBDA XLS), Thermo Fisher (Evolution 60/220/260, Genesys 30/40/50, BioMate), Hitachi (U-2900, U-3910, U-5100) and Jasco (V-530, V-630, V-730). If your instrument uses a standard rectangular holder, a 10 mm quartz cell fits. Two things to verify before ordering: the beam height (8.5 mm suits normal holders; micro or specialty holders may differ) and whether you need two clear sides (absorbance) or four (fluorescence).
The material sets the usable wavelength range, which is the real decision:
Rule of thumb: if you measure below ~340 nm, you need quartz. If you only work in the visible, glass is acceptable. Full material comparison in Quartz vs Glass Cuvette.
The standard 10 mm body comes in three closure styles. Pick by what the sample does, not by the instrument:
| Closure | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open-top | Routine fill-and-measure | Fastest to use; sample can evaporate |
| PTFE stoppered | Volatile / hygroscopic samples | Seals the top; reusable stopper |
| Screw-cap (PTFE-lined) | Hazardous, evaporative or stored samples | Standard M6 / M7 / M10 / M12 / M16 threads; resealable |
For volatile, hygroscopic or hazardous liquids, screw-cap or stoppered cells keep vapour in and contamination out. Browse Screw Cap Cuvettes and Screw Cap Micro Cuvettes.
By the Beer-Lambert law (A = ε·c·l), absorbance scales with path length l. Keep readings between ~0.1 and ~1.5 AU:
Volume is a separate axis: a micro or sub-micro cell keeps the 10 mm path but holds only microlitres. Plan both with the Path Length Guide and the Beer-Lambert Selection Guide.
Our cells are sorted into transmission grades that map to your wavelength needs:
| Grade | Transmission band | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| JGS1 (synthetic fused silica) | 190 – 2500 nm | Deep-UV and NIR; the safe all-rounder |
| JGS2 | 360 – 1100 nm | UV-Vis routine; economical workhorse |
| JGS3 | 260 – 3500 nm | Near-IR focused applications |
All grades are optical-grade fused silica (SiO₂ ≥ 99.99%). If unsure, JGS1 is the safe pick — one cell covers UV through NIR. Material details are in JGS1, JGS2 and JGS3 quartz.
Start from the standard 10 mm cell and deviate only when the sample or instrument demands it. All are optical-contact, one-piece fused silica with no cement joints in the beam path:
| Need | Product | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 10 mm, open-top | Quartz Cuvettes 10 mm | Browse → |
| Volatile / hazardous sample | Screw Cap Quartz Cuvettes | Browse → |
| Small sample volume | Quartz Micro / Sub-Micro Cuvettes | Micro → / Sub-micro → |
| Fluorescence / 90° detection | Fluorescence Quartz Cuvettes | Browse → |
| Continuous / flow measurement | Flow Cells | Browse → |
| Near-IR (up to 3500 nm) | Quartz IR Cuvettes (JGS3) | Browse → |
| Visible-only, lowest cost | Glass Cuvettes | Browse → |
Beyond the standard range we manufacture custom quartz cuvettes to drawing or sample — non-standard external dimensions, path lengths from 0.1 mm to 100 mm, screw-cap threads M6/M7/M10/M12/M16, and special formats (cylindrical, demountable, large-face, long-path). There is no minimum order quantity, so a single prototype cell is as welcome as a production batch. Tell us your instrument model, path length and grade and we will confirm feasibility.
We ship worldwide — including the United States — by FedEx, UPS and DHL. Production lead time is typically 1–3 business days; international delivery generally takes 10–20 days depending on destination and service level. Cells are supplied by a manufacturer certified to ISO 9001:2015 (NOA2408337) and RoHS compliant (SGS TAOEC26010238501), producing optical-grade fused silica cuvettes since 2010.
Yes. The rectangular cuvette follows a universal standard: a 12.5 × 12.5 × 45 mm body, 10 mm light path and an 8.5 mm window centre (standard Z-dimension). This fits the holders of Agilent, Shimadzu, PerkinElmer, Thermo Fisher, Hitachi and Jasco benchtop UV-Vis instruments. Just confirm the beam height for micro or specialty holders.
If you measure below about 340 nm you need quartz — optical fused silica transmits from ~190 nm, while glass is opaque in the UV. For visible-only work (above 340 nm) a glass cuvette is acceptable. See Quartz vs Glass Cuvette.
Open-top is the default for routine fill-and-measure. Use screw-cap or PTFE-stoppered cells for volatile, hygroscopic or hazardous samples so vapour cannot escape. Screw-cap cells use standard M6/M7/M10/M12/M16 threads.
Use 10 mm for routine dilute samples. Drop to a 1–5 mm short-path cell when a concentrated sample reads over-range at 10 mm, or use a 20–100 mm long-path cell for very dilute or trace analytes. Details in the Path Length Guide.
Only four-clear-side (fluorescence) cells work for 90 degree detection; a two-window absorbance cell blocks the emission path. Our fluorescence quartz cuvettes have four optically clear windows. See Fluorescence Cuvettes.
Yes. We manufacture standard and custom quartz cuvettes in JGS1/JGS2/JGS3 with open-top, screw-cap, stoppered, micro, flow and fluorescence formats, and accept OEM / custom dimensions and path lengths to drawing or sample. No minimum order quantity.
Yes. We ship worldwide, including the United States, by FedEx, UPS and DHL. Production lead time is typically 1–3 business days; international delivery generally takes 10–20 days depending on destination and service.